Special Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood-
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KNOXVILLE (WATE) - Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood will wait to decide whether to grant retrials in the Christian-Newsom case until after he decides on whether to recuse himself.
District Attorney Randy Nichols says he received a letter from the judge making the notification.
The state Supreme Court changed its policy recently saying judges should put a hold on any proceedings once a recusal motion is filed. Nichols says he feels the judge is following the letter of the law.
Prosecutors have pushed for Blackwood's recusal saying he has emotional connections to the case.
Blackwood first ordered retrials after ex-judge Richard Baumgartner admitted his addiction to prescription painkillers.
Prosecutors have challenged that retrial order. Four people were convicted in the brutal 2007 killings of Channon Christian and Chris Newsom.
