The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Source:
Tuesday, January 01, 2019 02:45 PM
Eric Boyd Charged With Murder 11 Years After Channon Christian-Christopher Newsom Murders In Knox County
Eric Boyd, 46, appeared at an arraignment hearing Thursday at 9 a.m. after a 36-count presentment was handed down by a grand jury, charging him with first degree felony murder, first degree premeditated murder, especially aggravated robbery, especially aggravated kidnapping and aggravated rape for the murders of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom.
Boyd walked into the courtroom wearing a black and white striped prison outfit in chains and handcuffs. The judge said he would not allow media outlets to have cameras in the courtroom.
"You say we're a visual culture, and an image of him in jail garb is a powerful one - So, I must deny this motion to use cameras," the judge argued.
During the arraignment hearing, the judge slated Boyd's case to start on September 10 with a status hearing on June 6.
The Christian and Newsom families spoke to local news media after they exited the hearing.
"We didn't expect a whole lot to happen today," Hugh Newsom said. "We've been up here over 300 times now. I think we can handle it."
Deena Christian said she was thankful for the attorney general's hard work, but at the same time angry to see Boyd