Today's News - June 10, 2009

Judge Finds Coleman Fit To Stand Trial…

Chris Coleman’s booking photo at the Monroe County Jail.

Chris Coleman appeared before Circuit Judge Dennis Doyle this morning for his preliminary hearing. Just after 10:30 a.m., Coleman walked into the Monroe County Courthouse in an orange jumpsuit. The shackles on his hands were taken off after he entered the courtroom. He showed little emotion and took notes during the proceedings. When asked questions by Doyle, Coleman answered with either “Yes”, “Yes, sir,” or “Yes, I understand.” During the proceeding, he sat next to his attorneys, Art and William Art Margulis, who are father and son. The courtroom was filled to near capacity with family, friends, church members and police officers and a contingent of newspaper, radio and television reporters, along with a few interested citizens. All sat quietly through the nearly one-hour hearing, although some were observed shedding a few tears.

Following testimony presented by Columbia Police Chief Joe Edwards, Judge Doyle found there to be sufficient evidence to call for a trial regarding three counts of first degree murder for the May 5, 2009 deaths of Coleman’s wife, Sheri; and their sons Gavin and Garett. Doyle set a date for the arraignment at the courthouse to be Aug. 26, 2009, at 1 p.m. Through his attorneys, Coleman also waived his right for a speedy trial, which is 120 days in Illinois for this type of offence.

Chief Edwards was the sole person to take the stand. He was asked questions by Monroe County State’s Attorney Kris Reitz. In addition to the major pieces of evidence from court records previously reported, Edwards revealed several pieces of new information regarding their investigation. Edwards also stated that the autopsy of the bodies revealed Sheri, Gavin and Garett each died most likely between the hours of 11 p.m., on May 4, and 5 a.m., on May 5. He also said their investigation determined Mr. Coleman left for a gym in South County at 5:43 a.m.

Edwards also said several of the threatening letters Mr. Coleman turned into police, from what he stated was directed at his employment with Joyce Meyer Ministries, contained the word “opportunity” misspelled. Investigators found that word also misspelled in several files on Coleman’s personal computer. They also determined that threatening email messages sent to his work computer were transmitted from his own personal computer. The writing spray painted on the walls throughout the Coleman house also could be a match to that of a sample Coleman provided to the Columbia Police Department. In addition, there were additional messages spray-painted on the bed sheets of the two boys.  

One of the items investigators found while walking along I-255 between the J.B. Bridge and the Coleman home was a front name plate to a DVR recorder similar to the brand in Coleman’s home which had a missing name plate.

While interrogated by the Columbia Police Department the day of the murders, Coleman admitted to having a female friend from Florida he talked to, but he said his marriage to Sheri was good overall. Coleman said the couple did seek marriage counseling in 2008, and he said it did help their situation. When the girl friend was interviewed by police following the murders, she said they met on several occasions throughout the U.S. during Coleman’s travels as the head security guard for Joyce Meyer Ministries. She said Coleman told her on May 4 he would file for a divorce the next day. Instead, the family was found murdered while Coleman states he was working out at Gold’s Gym in South County. The girl friend also stated they discussed being married on Jan. 10, 2010.

Christopher Coleman was once again driven to and from the courthouse by an escort from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department. This time, there were only a handful of spectators and no comments yelled in his direction. Coleman laid down in the backseat of the squad car to avoid being seen. He will remain at the Monroe County Jail until his Aug. 26 arraignment. State’s Attorney Reitz has yet to determine whether he will seek a life sentence or the death penalty.

Members of Chris Coleman’s family get into their cars today after exiting the Monroe County Courthouse following the preliminary hearing. They include his mother, father and brother.

Recent Obituaries

Mary Johnson, nee Davis, 78, of Hooker, Okla., formerly of Waterloo, died June 6, 2009 in Amarillo, Tex. She was born Aug. 25, 1930 in Ridgeway, the daughter of the late Arvel and Marie (nee Heath) Davis. Mrs. Johnson is survived by her husband, Dean Johnson Sr.; children William Michael (Christine) Johnson of Peabody, Ma.; and Diane Johnson and Dean (Sonia) Johnson Jr., all of Hooker, Okla.; grandchildren Steven Johnson, Lisa Johnson, Charles "Hank" Harrison Jr., Amy (James) Stafford, James Nicholas Johnson, Dean Johnson III and Mia Leslie Byrd; and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother, John William Davis.

Visitation is Thursday, June 11, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Friday, June 12, at 1 p.m., at Quernheim’s with Pastor Matt Friz officiating. Mrs. Johnson will be buried at Kolmer Memorial Cemetery in Waterloo. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Carman Greenhill, 73, of Waterloo, died June 8, 2009, in Glen Carbon. She was born April 4, 1936 in Dupo, the son of the late Daniel and Florence (nee Lutker) Greenhill. Mr. Greenhill is survived by his wife, Colleen Greenhill, nee Barfield; and children Daniel "Mitch" Greenhill (friend Annette Riechmann), Michelle (Bob) Macal and Craig (Lisa) Greenhill; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by a step-father, Charles Stone; and a sister, Mary Ann (Chuck) Gastelum. Mr. Greenhill was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Waterloo and the St. Louis University Alumni Association. Visitation is Thursday, June 11, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held Friday, June 12, at 10 a.m., at SS. Peter and Paul Church in Waterloo with Father Osang Idagbo officiating. Mr. Greenhill will be buried at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Belleville. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association.