Lemaricus Devall Davidson was born on June 13, 1981, in Memphis, Tennessee.

On January 6, 2007, Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom were attacked in Knoxville, Tennessee. The couple had planned to go out for dinner and attend a party. After arriving at the apartment complex, they were approached by their attackers. They were forced into the backseat of Christian's SUV at gunpoint, with their hands tied behind their backs.

Channon and Chris were taken to a house belonging to one of the assailants, Lemaricus Davidson. Inside the house, both were subjected to horrific acts of violence, including sexual assault. Christopher was later taken to a set of railroad tracks where he was forced to walk barefoot to the location of his murder. His hands and feet were bound, and he was blindfolded. He was shot multiple times, including a fatal shot to the head. Afterward, his body was wrapped in a comforter, drenched in gasoline, and set on fire.

Meanwhile, Channon was held captive in Davidson's house. After Chris was murdered, the attackers returned to the house and continued to assault Channon. Medical examinations later indicated that she endured hours of torture and severe injuries before succumbing to asphyxiation.

When Channon and Chris did not arrive at the party, friends and family became concerned and went looking for them. They discovered Chris's truck at the apartment complex but could not find Channon's vehicle. Numerous investigations followed, leading to the discovery of Channon's body hidden in trash bags at Davidson's residence shortly after.

The subsequent investigation identified Davidson and his accomplices through evidence found at the crime scene. DNA evidence linked them directly to both victims. After several arrests, a manhunt led to Davidson's capture. In his interrogation, he gave multiple conflicting accounts of the events, including attempts to distance himself from the crimes.

Trials for the defendants began in 2008 and continued for several years. Lemaricus Davidson was ultimately convicted and sentenced to death for his role in the murders. Other accomplices received various sentences, including life in prison, as a result of their involvement in these crimes. The case stirred significant public uproar and discussions about race, media coverage, and the judicial system in the years that followed.