By Jeremy Z. Young

One of four suspects in a brutal carjacking and double-murder will have his trial delayed roughly one year.

George “Detroit” Thomas, 25, was originally scheduled to be tried last for his role in the January 2007 carjacking and slaying of Channon Christian, 21, and Christopher Newsom, 23. His attorney had filed for a speedy trial, moving him to the front of
the line with an Aug. 11 trial date.

However, attorneys for Thomas dropped that request July 14 after receiving new information from prosecutors. Knox County Criminal Court Judge Richard Baumgartner granted the delay. Without further delay, Thomas will go to trial Aug. 10, 2009.
The new information includes 260 pages of interviews by federal agents. Baumgartner also recently ruled that taped phone conversations Thomas made from jail will be allowed to be a part of the case as evidence.

The couple was not only carjacked and murdered, but were also subjected to beatings, torture, and rape. Investigators say that Newsom was shot and his body burned. According to medical examiners, the continued torture and rape lasted hours longer for Christian. Her assailants eventually tied her up and placed her in a trash can, where it was determined that she suffocated to death.

A fifth suspect, Eric Dewayne Boyd, has already been convicted by federal prosecutors as an accessory to the crime. Boyd faces up to 22 years imprisonment for his role in the torturous murders. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for mid-August.
Forensic evidence linking Thomas to the slayings or carjacking doesn’t exist. However, prosecutors plan to use the taped phone conversations and statements that place Thomas at the Chipman Street residence during the ordeal to convict him.

The remaining suspects, Letalvis Cobbins, Lemaricus Davidson and Vanessa Coleman are scheduled for separate trials later this year.