News Update - August 14, 2009

State’s Attorney To Seek The  
Death Penalty In Coleman Trial

Chris Coleman’s booking photo at the Monroe
 County Jail after his arrest this past May.

Monroe County State’s Attorney Kris Reitz filed paperwork Friday afternoon seeking the death penalty in the upcoming trial involving Christopher Coleman of Columbia.

Coleman was arrested May 19 at his father’s home in Chester in connection with the May 5 death of his wife, Sheri, and their sons Gavin and Garett. The three were found strangled to death at their home in the Columbia Lakes subdivision, on the north end of town. Coleman stated he was working out at a gym in South County when the incident occurred.

Coleman was charged with three counts of first degree murder and is being detained at the Monroe County Jail. At a court appearance following his arrest, Coleman pleaded not guilty. He is being represented by attorneys Art and Will Margulis.

In the notice of intent to seek a death penalty filed today at the Circuit Clerk’s office in Waterloo, Reitz listed three factors from the Illinois Criminal Code which he will introduce during the death sentencing hearing:
1.) That the defendant has been convicted of murdering two or more individuals and the deaths were the result of an intent to kill more than one person;
 2.) That the murdered individuals were under 12 years of age and the deaths resulted from exceptionally brutal or heinous behavior indicative of wanton cruelty; and
3.) That the murders were committed in a cold, calculated and premeditated manner pursuant to a preconceived plan, scheme or design to take a human life by unlawful means, and the conduct of the defendant created a reasonable expectation that the death of a human being would result therefrom.

Reitz was unavailable for additional comments after the paperwork was filed. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.