KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Judge Richard Baumgartner issued a stern warning to the families of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom.

The judge threatened to boot them from the courtroom, if they make derogatory comments to accused killer Lemaricus Davidson's defense attorneys.

Davidson has pleaded not guilty to all 46 charges he faces in the deaths January 2007 carjacking, kidnapping, rape and murder of Christian and Newsom.

The Newsom family says an inappropriate question led to what the judge calls an inappropriate remark.

"I will not tolerate it," Baumgartner warned, telling the victims' families not to bad-mouth Davidson's defense attorneys.

"You will not be allowed to be in the courtroom if you do that," he said.

Channon's mother, Deena, says, "Censorship, maybe? We don't have the right to say what we want to say?"

Davidson is the accused ringleader in killings.

"It doesn't matter what you think of them personally," Baumgartner said. He then told the court that defense attorneys are doing exactly what they're supposed to do.

It all started when Trant got one of Newsom's friends to admit he took marijuana from Newsom's truck after Newsom went missing.

The Newsom family was too worried to talk to us on camera, but they say the family was discussing what they call the inappropriate questions outside the courtroom, when Trant interrupted them.

The Newsoms say one of the family members then called Trant a "jerk."

"These are outstanding, ethical, hard working, excellent lawyers," Baumgartner said in the courtroom, after the confrontation. "They're doing their job."

In opening statements, the defense argued Davidson's three co-defendants committed the crimes, and that the prosecution's evidence will give more questions than answers.

Defense attorney David Eldridge said, "It's not our burden to answer those questions for you and we won't be able to because Mr. Davidson is not guilty of killing those two you people."

The judge's reprimand has left both the Newsom and Christian families feeling helpless.

Deena Christian said, "As far as we're concerned we count, but as far as the justice system's concerned, it doesn't matter."

But families say they'll keep fighting for what matters most: their kids.

-----

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Judge Richard Baumgartner admonished members of the Newsom family for allegedly making derogatory statements to Lemaricus Davidson's defense attorneys in the hallway outside of the courtroom during a lunchtime recess.

Baumgartner warned the family not to make any statements to defense attorneys, nor are they allowed to make comments about them to the media.

The specific nature of the comments is not clear. Judge Buamgartner did not say which member of the Newsom family addressed the defense.

The confrontation came after testimony from one of Christopher Newsom's friends about some marijuana he'd taken out of Newsom's truck after the couple had gone missing.

Judge Baumgartner told the courtroom that the defense attorneys are defending Lemaricus Davidson at his direction, and they're doing exactly what they're supposed to do. He said the attorneys representing Davidson are outstanding lawyers.

-----

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) --- Accused killer Lemaricus Davidson has pleaded 'not guilty' to nearly four dozen charges he faces in the murder of a young Knox County couple.

Attorneys for Davidson entered a 'not guilty' plea to the entire 46-count indictment against him Monday morning in court.

Charges include first-degree premeditated murder, felony murder, especially aggravated kidnapping, and aggravated rape.

Davidson's the second of four defendants going to trial in the January 2007 carjacking, rape, and murder of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom.

Unlike his co-defendants, Davidson h as requested a Knox County jury to decide his innocence or guilt.

A Nashville jury has already convicted Davidson's half-brother, Letalvis Cobbins, of premeditated first-degree murder and sentenced him to life in prison without parole for the crimes.

Davidon's tiral has begun after a two-week delay. Judge Richard Baumgartner quizzed jurors individually about whether or not they obeyed his orders to avoid pre-trial publicity and discussing the case.

All the jurors told the judge they heeded his warning.

Opening arguments are set to begin Monday morning.

------
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Lemaricus Davidson goes on trial today for allegedly carjacking, kidnapping, raping and murdering Channon Christian, 21, and Christopher Newsom, 23, in January 2007.

Unlike Davidson's half brother, Letalvis Cobbins, who has already had his day in court, Davidson requested a Knox County Jury.

Volunteer TV's Mike McCarthy is at the courthouse, and he'll be providing updates all day on Volunteer TV News and on VolunteerTV.com. You can also follow his updates on Twitter. Just follow @WVLT.