GUILTY IL - 5 Gee/Constant family members murdered in Beeson, 21 Sept 2009

[JoeFromLB]

Tabitha Gee out of hospital and thriving:

http://www.sj-r.com/news/x1792901808/Phil-Luciano-Tabitha-Gee-out-of-hospital-thriving

 

[oceanblueeyes]

For those that are interested in this case I just wanted to give you a heads up that there will be a Coroner's Inquest held Monday concerning the Gee family who were murdered.

Since an inquest is open to the public I am sure the media will be there.

Here is the article about the inquest and I have included another article telling why a jury inquest is held in Illinois.

http://www.lincolncourier.com/news/x1682947285/Gee-inquests-to-be-held-Monday?popular=true
Gee inquests to be held Monday

Lincoln, Ill. -
The Logan County Coroner’s Office will hold an inquest into the deaths of five members of the Raymond Gee family at 6 p.m. Monday at the Logan County Paramedics Association building.

Why an inquest is held?

http://www.co.adams.il.us/coroner/inquest.htm

A Coroner’s Inquest is an inquiry into the manner and cause of an individual’s death, conducted by the Coroner or Deputy Coroner with a court reporter and six jurors present. The jurors are citizens of the county in which the death took place.

The purpose of an inquest is to present information concerning the victim’s death in order for the jury to determine the cause and manner of a death. The cause of death is often readily apparent and obvious, based on the facts, circumstances, medical evidence and in some cases, toxicology and autopsy results. The real essence of the jurors’ responsibility is to establish the manner of death (Suicide, Homicide, Accident, Natural or Undetermined).

The Coroner will summon to the inquest the individuals who have pertinent information concerning the incident. This often includes, but is not limited to, the person who found the deceased, witnesses to the incident, those involved, police officers and investigators, and in some instances, a direct relative. Individuals summoned will present testimony to the jury. Any professional reports (autopsy, toxicology, x-ray and laboratory reports) will be presented at that time. These reports are not released to the public until the inquest procedures are concluded.

Ocean

 

[oceanblueeyes]

Wrestlers dedicate season to murder victim


LINCOLN — The Lincoln Junior High School wrestling team was missing one of its leaders as it kicked off its new season Thursday evening.

Dillen Constant, 14, had become a standout last year, nearly qualifying for state and receiving the Most Inspirational Player title from his coaches.

“He soaked up everything we taught him. He was a fast learner. I was looking to good things out of him this season,” coach Alex Dawson said.

But Dillen wouldn’t get the chance to fulfill those hopes. The boy, his mother, Ruth Gee, and three other family members were murdered inside their Beason home in September.

So his coaches and teammates have dedicated this season to Dillen and took time to honor him during a special remembrance before the start of their first meet.

http://www.sj-r.com/news/x1903561212/Wrestlers-dedicate-season-to-murder-victim

 

[oceanblueeyes]

http://www.wandtv.com/global/story.asp?s=11718323

Chris Harris, accused of killing Gee Family, appears in court


Lincoln, IL - One of the men charged with killing two parents and their three kids appears in court.

You can sum up the events at Tuesday's hearing in one word - evidence. Prosecutors shared hundreds of state police documents, crime scene photos, and lab reports with the defense.

 

[oceanblueeyes]

http://www.sj-r.com/news/x532582219/Search-warrant-fight-continues-in-Beason-murder-case

After hearing from Don Craven, attorney for the newspapers, and attorneys for Christopher Harris, who has been charged with five counts of first-degree murder, Harris said he will issue a written ruling at a later date.

Matthew Maurer, an attorney for Harris, told the judge that making the documents public will hinder the defense’s investigation.

James Elmore, defense co-counsel, said unsealing the records could have a chilling effect on witnesses who might decline to speak with defense investigators because they don’t want to be bothered by the media.

When the judge asked Elmore whether he has seen such a development in previous cases, the attorney said no.

 

[oceanblueeyes]

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/ne...F4A66CFB06C0232E862576C8004BFC63?OpenDocument

Prosecutors undecided on death penalty in Beason slayings
ASSOCIATED PRESS


COLN, Ill. -- A judge in central Illinois is giving prosecutors more time to decide if they'll seek the death penalty for two brothers accused of killing a Beason couple and three of their children.

The judge granted the request for additional time Thursday.

Prosecutors say they're waiting for the results of DNA testing on more than 80 pieces of evidence before deciding whether to seek the death penalty.

 

[oceanblueeyes]

http://www.lincolncourier.com/newsnow/x1631826246/Harris-waive-right-to-speedy-trial

Harris brothers waive right to speedy trial

Prosecutors also have 120 days to state their intent on how the Harris brothers will be tried, whether it is a capital case or non-capital case.

Prosecutors said their decision will be based on the results of the DNA testing and asked for an extension on stating their intention, as well as releasing all of the discover

Since the brothers were arraigned in court on Oct. 28, this process was set to be completed at the end of this month.

Logan County Judge Thomas Harris asked both Harris brothers if they understood their right to a speedy trial, and also asked if they would waive that right. Both agreed to waive.

 

[JoeFromLB]

One of the defense attorneys estimates that it could take three years for the case to finally come to trial:

http://www.sj-r.com/homepage/x20722...month-on-DNA-testing-of-evidence-in-Beason-ca

Here is a site which is updating the latest developments:

http://www.pantagraph.com/special-sections/news/beason-slayings/

 

[tlcya]

More recent coverage

http://www.sj-r.com/top-stories/x1849227406/Death-penalty-decision-in-Gee-case-delayed-again

LINCOLN — Two brothers accused of murdering a family in Beason will have to wait another six months to see if prosecutors will seek the death penalty.

http://www.sj-r.com/top-stories/x7661513/Judge-won-t-rule-on-documents-in-Gee-murders

LINCOLN — A McLean County judge has dismissed a petition by three news organizations, including The State Journal-Register, requesting a ruling on the length of time search-warrant files may remain sealed in the slayings of the Rick and Ruth Gee family in Beason last September.

 

[tlcya]

http://www.sj-r.com/top-stories/x10...ces-weight-publics-right-to-see-court-records

Under questioning by Justice Carol Pope, Esther Seitz, attorney for the newspapers, said the public has a compelling interest in seeing the files so that people will know that law enforcement is doing its job. When Justice James Knecht asked about the possibility of information about criminal activity unrelated to the homicides being contained in the records, Seitz answered that such information could be redacted.

 

[oceanblueeyes]

http://www.sj-r.com/carousel/x1684095239/10-search-warrant-files-in-Gee-case-unsealed

10 search-warrant files in Gee case unsealed

http://www.pantagraph.com/news/loca...cle_bad55656-eb8c-11df-84af-001cc4c002e0.html

Records: Cops tried to trace final communications with Gee family

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

Am I reading this article correctly? the cell phone rerords were not obtained because they were too expensive, and search warrants were returned for the computer records with no information and no explanation? how can this possibly be? that's it? end of story? am I missing something here? (I hope)

 

[tlcya]

nope that's it. You read it right. Welcome to central IL blondie. Sigh

 

[oceanblueeyes]

http://www.pantagraph.com/news/loca...cle_fa142048-0d62-11e0-a036-001cc4c03286.html

LINCOLN -- Progress in DNA testing of evidence makes a February decision likely on whether the state will seek the death penalty against two brothers accused of killing five members of a Beason family.

Prosecutors told Logan County Judge Thomas Harris on Tuesday that the state crime lab is on schedule with its DNA testing of about 80 items of evidence. The material was collected by police investigating the September 2009 deaths of Rick and Ruth Gee and three of their children in their Beason home.

Christopher J. Harris and his brother Jason L. Harris are charged with more than 50 counts each of first-degree murder and the attempted murder of Tabitha Gee, the couple's daughter who was 3 at the time of the attack.

The testing schedule follows earlier estimates by the state for a Feb. 4 decision on the death penalty.

 

[oceanblueeyes]

http://www.sj-r.com/breaking/x18087...o-be-tried-separately-for-Gee-family-killings

Harris Brothers Will Be Tried Separately

LINCOLN – Christopher and Jason Harris will be tried separately for the murders of the Rick Gee family of Beason, prosecutors said Tuesday.

Attorneys for both sides met Tuesday with Circuit Judge Thomas Harris for a discovery status hearing involving the case against Christopher Harris, 31.

He and his brother Jason, 23, are charged with the September 2009 murders of Rick and Ruth Gee and their children Justina and Dillen Constant and Austin Gee, as well as the attempted murder of their youngest child, Tabitha Gee. (Judge Harris is no relation to the Harris brothers.)

 

[tlcya]

beat me to it ocean, you must have been at the paper before me this morning.

 

[AmandaReckonwith]

The case archive album has been updated (slowly but surely)

http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm166/crankycrankerson/Gee%20-%20Constant%20Murders%20%20-IL-/#!cpZZ1QQtppZZ12

 

[oceanblueeyes]

LINCOLN - Prosecutors are expected to file their intention to seek the death penalty today against two brothers accused in the brutal killings of five members of a Beason family.

Christopher J. Harris, 31, and Jason L. Harris, 23, each face more than 50 counts of first-degree murder in the September 2009 deaths of Ruth and Rick Gee and three of their children. The parents and Justina Constant, 16, Dillen Constant, 14, and Austin Gee, 11, were found beaten to death in their home.

http://www.herald-review.com/.../article_7534da2a-b633-5a60-b7ad-525862d76230.html

 

[tlcya]

ty OceanBlue. I wish we had some idea how Tabitha was doing. Because of her young age at the time of the murders, and the head injuries she sustained, it is my fervent hope that she retains no memory of that awful day. I envision her playing and laughing and being a regular little kid. I hope that is the case. This little one haunts me. Poor little thing.

Does anyone know who is caring for her?

 

[fran]

Tabitha Gee melts hearts of everyone near her

Posted Nov 18, 2009 @ 11:30 PM

PEORIA -- After enduring hell on earth, little Tabitha Gee now thrives amid at least three blessings.

* The 4-year-old is out of the hospital and will recover from her injuries, the only survivor of a quintuple murder that wiped out most of her family in September.

* Fortunately, head injuries prevent her young mind from recalling the terrible ordeal, a bloodbath that will forever stain the consciousness of her hometown of Beason and the rest of central Illinois.

* She has melted the hearts of a fraternity of brethren who often must strike a stoic, steely professional pose: the Illinois State Police.

State police troopers not only protected her in the hospital, but stepped in as playmates as she got better.

“We painted her toenails, read books to her, played games,” says Sgt. Tony Halsey. “We pretty much adopted her as one of our own.”:heartbeat:


<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<article at link >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


http://www.sj-r.com/news/x1792901808/Phil-Luciano-Tabitha-Gee-out-of-hospital-thriving