KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A state appellate court has issued a temporary stay in the retrial of 3 men once convicted in the kidnapping and torture killing of a young Knoxville couple.

The Knoxville News Sentinel (http://bit.ly/SoHWOS ) reported the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals is requiring defense attorneys to respond by Monday.

Special Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood ordered new trials for Lemaricus Davidson, Letalvis Cobbins and George Thomas, in the January 2007 slayings of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom.

The stay follows an appeal by the state Attorney General's Office of Blackwood's refusal to step down from hearing the cases.

New trials were ordered after the drug addiction of the trial judge in the cases was revealed.

Information from: The Knoxville News Sentinel, http://www.knoxnews.com

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