I’d like to blame the delay in posting this article as due to a severe bout of flu I just endured. In actuality, I have found it extremely painful and distressing to put thought to keyboard.

For those like me who followed the 4 years of murder trials for the gruesome kidnap, torture and rapes of Channon Christian and Chris Newsom, most remember the March 2011 day Judge Richard Baumgartner admitted to drug addiction and was disbarred. The 19-year veteran of the bench was granted a diversion, (drug rehab) by Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood, a move that left Baumgartner’s pension intact.

I recall how sad the Judge’s situation was, but acknowledged how it is not just the homeless and unemployed who are addicted, but some of the world’s brightest. I remember feeling terribly sad for Mrs. Baumgartner having to face the disgrace of her husband’s actions. I believed with rehab, the family had a good shot at healing and moving forward.

Now, all hell has broken loose with the anticipated release of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation report into the activities of Judge Baumgartner – truthfully, I almost became physically ill when I realized the magnitude of flagrant disregard of the law, but not just by Baumgartner, but fellow jurists, LE, medical personnel and the judge’s own staff.

Baumgartner did not become a crazed drug addict overnight. He was enabled by his own friends and colleagues!

We now know, Baumgartner was abusing drugs to the tune of some 30 pills a day.

Some of his drugs of choice were: Hydrocodone, Percocet, Roxy’s (Roxycodone), Xanax, Suboxone (to alleviate addiction to opiates – Baumgartner had maxed his retirement and was out of money)

Is this a full list? Who really cares, it shows the extent to which Baumgartner had fallen.

The former judge reportedly doctor-shopped and associated with at least two convicted criminals in order to get the painkillers.

Baumgartner obtained much of that medication from Deena Castleman, who was a drug addict herself. Baumgartner apparently visited her in the hospital, where the two did drugs. Drugs were found hidden in her room in a flowerpots and in ceiling panels, so you know she had outside help! The report said he also used drugs and had sex with her inside his chambers.

Sex? It’s not like Baumgartner is in a league with Johnny Depp or Brad Pitt!

His other go-to supplier was another convict, Christopher Gibson, who supplied Baumgartner with hundreds of pills.

Both Castleman and Gibson were participants in a drug program run by Baumgartner’s court. The TBI report also indicate Baumgartner had no scruples in asking colleagues to bend the rules for the habitual criminals on subsequent offenses.

A distraught Special Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood (the same judge who allowed Baumgartner to keep his pension) has granted motions for new trials for all four of the defendants convicted in the murders of Channon Christian and Chris Newsom.

Lemaricus Davidson, Letalvis Cobbins, George Thomas and Vanessa Coleman — have all been sent back to prison, where they will stay through the new trials.

Because of the double jeopardy rule, none can be found guilty of any higher crime than their previous convictions. That means only Davidson is again eligible for the death penalty.

This week, Knox County District Attorney General Randy Nichols after conferring with the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office and discussing it with the families of the victims, Channon Christian and her boyfriend, Chris Newsom, said he will file appeals of the Blackwood ruling granting new trials in the Christian Newsom murders.

The motion must be filed shortly after the New Year is based on some of Baumgartner’s other cases have been upheld after review.

So what are we left with? Questions upon more questions!

Why did none of the defendant’s legal teams question Baumgartner’s proceedings prior to the release of the TBI report? They didn’t seem to have problems during the trials.

What is the price to the Christian and Newsom families having to relive this nightmare 4 times over again?

What is the price to prosecutors Leland Price and Takisha Fitzgerald and their team who spent 4 long years in court?

Why is Baumgartner still receiving his pension?

What is the price to taxpayers for these retrials?

What the hell was the court and legal community doing casting a blind eye toward Baumgartner’s obvious addiction and abuse of office?

Where do we go from here?

Reactions to new trial ruling.

Judge grants new trials in the Channon Christian, Chris Newsom murders

Knox County DA to appeal new Christian-Newsom trials ruling