Media Links - NO DISCUSSION

[Wrinkles]

Friends...

<edited to pull out my emotional junk>

I am disturbed by Marguilis' reaction (facial) to at least one question in this video.

I was watching Marguilis, not particularly discomforted by him, i.e. he seemed like a man doing an interview about a job he was doing, until he was asked, "Do you know anything more about defense strategy at this time." He replied, "No, no we don't," and then he gets this very disturbing background, or somewhat masked, type of smile on his face (around 3:13-15 in the video). Perhaps it is his "press smile" -- but it had me wondering...what is this?

He is later asked about the publicity surrounding the civil case, "a lot of those documents coming out, does that impact the criminal case at all?" He says, "We could do without it." I think so.

He is asked about his client being "so financially strapped." He says something like, "How have you reached that determination, that may not be the case." Interesting.

He is asked about the crime scene photos, has he had a chance to look at them and "what was your reaction," he says something like, "They're disturbing, clearly disturbing, as you might imagine." Oh yes...I can imagine but you saw these photos -- you know how disturbing they really are.

Yes, and Mr. Marguilis, when you go to bed at night and see Sheri's naked body in your mind, and the ligature marks, and the livor mortis, and when you see those little boys in your mind...Mr. Marguilis, ask yourself, "Do I really want anything to do with trying to defend this man who would do such a thing?" You know he did it -- do you want one of the last works in your life, one of the last that you will take before your maker, to be that of defending Chris Coleman? Do you? I cannot imagine going before my God with this type of blood on my hands, blood from the hands of partnering to assist a murderer such as this. Someone may have to do this job, but I would not want to "take it" -- I could explain to my God, why I was forced to take it. But has any group of people ever said, "I will not...I will not defend anyone who has done this." AND, why not...

 

[panthera]

Saturday, Jul. 11, 2009

Coroner's jury in Coleman's deaths: Five minutes to decide they were murders

It took a Monore County coroner's jury about five minutes Friday to determine that the deaths of Sheri Coleman and her two sons were homicides by ligature strangulation.

Christopher Coleman, Sheri Coleman's husband and the boys' father, is charged with all three murders.

"The details of the case are disturbing, clearly," said Coleman's lawyer, Art Margulis, who attended the coroner's inquest. "As anyone would imagine, they are disturbing."


After the short hearing, Margulis said he is considering asking that the case be moved out of the metro-east because of publicity surrounding it and a wrongful death civil lawsuit filed by Sheri Coleman's family.

"Well, we could do without (the publicity) because it does impact the criminal case," Margulis said.

Columbia Police Chief Joe Edwards was the only witness during the 10-minute hearing called by Monroe County Coroner Julie Gummersheimer to determine the cause and manner of death for Sheri Coleman, 31, Garett Coleman, 11 and Gavin Coleman, 9.

Edwards told the six jurors and one alternate that Detective Justin Barlow received a call on his cell phone at 6:50 a.m. May 5 from his neighbor Christopher Coleman asking him to check on Coleman's wife and children. Coleman said he was calling from Gold's Gym in south St. Louis County, and that he was concerned because his family wasn't answering the phone. Months earlier, Barlow had investigated Coleman's complaint involving letters threatening his family.

After receiving Coleman's call, Barlow got up, got dressed, then called Columbia police dispatcher for an additional officer. Sgt. Jason Donjon arrived and went to the back of the house, located at 2845 Robert Drive, and discovered an open basement window. Barlow and Donjon entered the home through the window, Edwards testified.

The two went up the basement steps and discovered a spray-painted message on the kitchen wall that Edwards described as "obscene and vulgar."

Christopher Coleman, who at the time was a bodyguard for televangelist Joyce Meyer, arrived at the home at the same time as Patrolman Steve Patton, who also responded to Barlow's request for assistance. They told Coleman was told to wait outside.


Barlow discovered Garett Coleman's body in his bed, Edwards said. He checked and could not find a pulse. He noticed a ligature mark on the boy's neck and that the body was "cold and stiff," Edwards said.

Donjon found Sheri's body, which was "locked and rigid," Edwards said. There were also ligature marks on her neck.

Patton found Gavin's body in his bed. He also had ligature marks on his neck, but Patton didn't touch the body because he believed there was "evidence on the body," Edwards said.

"A disturbing message was sprayed on the sheet that covered him," Edwards said.

The officers told Coleman about his family's deaths and they put him into an ambulance, then radioed Edwards, who came to the house.

Forensic pathologist Raj Nanduri conducted the autopsies. Toxicology reports showed no drugs or alcohol in their blood, Gummersheimer said.

Two weeks later, police charged Coleman with the murders. He is being held without bond in the Monroe County Jail.

more at http://www.bnd.com/news/crime/story/841063.html

 

[lajr56]

I just found out (may be posted here somewhere not sure) that Sheri's family was able to get everything squared away with the State of Illinois and the Memorial Website is now up and running.

http://sheriannherboys.com/index.htm

 

[Wrinkles]

Hokey Dokey mes amies...

Good to see you all. Now then, who would like to assist with my question?

In a June 10, 2009 article entitled "Startling revelations from Coleman preliminary hearing" we read:

>>After today's hearing, the judge determined that there is enough probable cause to hold Chris Coleman on the murder charges. His next court date has been scheduled for August 26, 2009.<<

In a July 11, 2009 article we read:

>>"We anticipate this case will go to trial next year," Margulis told reporters.<<

So... What is the purpose of the August 26th court date and why is it that Marguilis is stating the anticipation for the case to go to trial next year?

How long does it take to get certification? (the following is from this article:)
>>Both men have tried numerous murder cases, as well as death penalty cases before the 1997 reforms, and are trying to expedite their certification.<<

Do they expect that it will take 5 months to get jurors? Do they expect to hang up a trial date that long due to wrestling about changing the location of the trial? What am I missing -- why would a trial date be so far away?
Anyone have a clue?

PS. Hubby recuperating slowly but surely, again thanks for your thoughts and prayers. The procedure and its trappings (anesthetics, shocks to the heart, poking around in his chest muscles) kinda knocked the wind out of his sails for a few days. Even so, he's cute as ever and nice to have around!

 

[Wrinkles]

There you go Panthera!

The information in this article is important!

>>Barlow discovered Garett Coleman's body in his bed, Edwards said. He checked and could not find a pulse. He noticed a ligature mark on the boy's neck and that the body was "cold and stiff," Edwards said.

Donjon found Sheri's body, which was "locked and rigid," Edwards said. There were also ligature marks on her neck.

Patton found Gavin's body in his bed. He also had ligature marks on his neck, but Patton didn't touch the body because he believed there was "evidence on the body," Edwards said.<<

One body was noted as cold and in rigor mortis, the other in rigor mortis (cold was not mentioned in the article, but it is almost a sure thing.) The third body was left untouched due to that which was thought to be evidence on the body.

Really, just how do you get around the conditions that the bodies were found in as being something that "might have" occurred in the short amount of time CC was away (wasn't that 1 hour and 8 minutes?) I hope someone took a photo of the thermostat/thermometer in that house that day (was the heater on, the air conditioner?) Either way, there are records for the temp in that city on that day.

IMO, a person would have to have the IQ of dung, or be severely prejudiced in believing that no one would ever murder their wife and kids, in order to hear the scientific evidence of that which occurs to bodies upon their deaths and then believe that any one of these family members were alive when CC left that morning.

Note to self and prosecutor: all prospective jurors should be asked if they believe that a family member can actually kill another family member, including that family member's own spouse or children.

My question becomes "what evidence" was found on precious Gavin's body. I have asked in our discussions before. I don't recall anyone responding. What evidence might this have been? Was Gavin the last one strangled? Was the ligature that was used one that was used on each/all family members? Was Gavin's life the last one taken, thus the ligature was left on him? Might the cord fashioned as somewhat of a noose and tossed/found alongside the road a "test" noose, tied similar to that found in the house on Gavin perhaps?

What other evidence might have been found on Gavin? Glove, paint vessel, another note from the person who wrote the so-called threats?

One thing is for sure, CC knows what evidence was left on Gavin's body.

Now then, can anyone remind me what the jail is like wherein CC presently resides? What is life like within his present incarceration? I am sickened to think that CC may be enjoying anything more than that which we reserve for those who would plan to and then murder 3 people, including their spouse and little children. Every day that CC is allowed to enjoy anything more than the worst possible punishment for this crime causes me indignation.

 

[lajr56]

So much for Tara being upfront with LE. Seems she lost her cellphone.

I don't get it.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/ne...75F5007A36C7?OpenDocument#tp_newCommentAnchor

 

[Ginny]

Memorial to slain woman, 2 sons back on track:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-familystrangled-m,0,5883529.story

and

Bikers raise money for slain Coleman family

http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/st.../bikers-raise-money-for-slain-coleman-family/

 

[Wrinkles]

Okey Dokey gang...

Here we go...some text from the document LD referred us to. This is from a search warrant filed May 14, 2009.

>>On November 18, 2008 the Columbia Police Department received a complaint from Christopher Coleman about a threatening letter he received via his work email [email protected] from the Gmail account [email protected]. The letter read "Tell Joyce to stop preaching the bull**** or Chris's family will die. If I can't get to Joyce then I will get to someone close to her and if I can't get to him then I will kill his wife and kids. I know Joyce's schedule so then I know Chris's schedule. If Joyce doesn't quit preaching the bull**** then they will die. During the Houston conference I will them all as they sleep. If I don't hit there then I will kill them during the booktour or the trip to India. I know where he lives and I know they are alone. F[] them all and they will die soon!"<<

Let's play with the above text, eh?

 

[lajr56]

One of the other local news outlets as a more detailed copy of the search warrants. Very big, and many details we already know. But page 5 caught my eye. CC had been asking Sheri for a divorce since December of 08, according to the document. Sheri discussed it with her friends. LE has copies of texts, phone calls, and IM's of Sheri's discussion with her friends.

http://www.kmov.com/news/090717_colemandocuments.pdf

 

[lajr56]

The Belleville News Democrat mentioned the youtube videos we all saw online. There was one I hadn't hear of.

http://www.bnd.com/homepage/story/847628.html


I found it. There is nothing sinister about it, but I was intrigued, so I looked for it. Interesting to see another look at Coleman on the job.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T30znt91PvE&feature=related"]YouTube - Joyce Meyer Tour 2009[/ame]

 

[analytical]

http://www.bnd.com/372/story/851125.html#Comments_Container

 

[lajr56]

Can't wait for Carey's response after the docs are reviewed!

Apparently he is not happy.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/ne...BFD572A057010E0E862575F9005E699C?OpenDocument

 

[panthera]

Judge rules against Joyce Meyer Ministries in Coleman wrongful death suit

UPDATED AT 5:25 P.M.

WATERLOO - Joyce Meyer Ministries can't turn over Chris Coleman's employment file and other information for a wrongful death civil case in secret, a judge ruled on Monday.

The decision came just after Michael King, the international televangelist's lawyer, asked to bar reporters from the courtroom in Waterloo.

"We are a society where courts are open,'' Judge Andrew Gleeson declared after hearing King's argument.

The ministry, which is a respondent in discovery in the suit filed by Sheri Coleman's family against Chris Coleman, has three days to decide if it'll appeal the ruling. Coleman, who was the ministry's security chief, is charged with strangling his wife, Sheri, and their two young sons.

King, a lawyer from an Oklahoma firm known for representing ministries, said he fears the release of the ministry's employee handbook and Coleman's employment file could compromise the privacy of Coleman and other people who still work there.

The confidentiality "is to protect my client from other litigation,'' King said, saying the employment documents are confidential under Missouri law. Also, he said the disclosure of Meyer's flight manifests is a "security concern" because Joyce Meyer is a "national figure."

A Post-Dispatch series in 2003 revealed Meyer owned a $10 million private jet.

"It's not to be a fishing expedition," King said of the process.

The ministry, based in Fenton, is known throughout the world. In 2006, it reported $124 million in revenue and other support. Among the services provided in 2006, according to the report: 11.5 million meals served, 41 orphanages "fully supported" and 174,538 gift bags delivered to prisoners.

Coleman resigned from the security job after the Post-Dispatch revealed his affair with Tara Lintz, a friend of Sheri Coleman's, a week after the murders. Police sources told the Post-Dispatch that Coleman met Lintz in Hawaii and Arizona while he was working for the ministry. On Monday, lawyers for Sheri Coleman alleged there is evidence that Coleman would fly on Meyer's private jet and meet with Lintz.

Police say Coleman began sending death threats to Meyer and himself shortly after consummating his relationship with Lintz.

"This case began with threats to Joyce Meyer,'' said Enrico J. Mirabelli, a lawyer and relative of Sheri Coleman's family. "How did they handle'' the threats?

Mirabelli said he's investigating whether the ministry was negligent in its employment of Coleman.

King said "there's absolutely no connection'' between the ministry and what Coleman's accused of doing.

"We have nothing to hide,'' King said.

But King's assurance didn't calm Mirabelli.

"It's interesting,'' Mirabelli said after the hearing. "First they say they want everything confidential, and reporters barred from the hearing, and now they say there's nothing to hide.''

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/ne...BFD572A057010E0E862575F9005E699C?OpenDocument

 

[Lindadanette]

I may have missed this earlier - but I don't remember seeing a confirmation about an insurance policy:

Sheri Coleman's family attorneys say Chris Coleman took out a large life insurance policy on his wife. We might find out if he tried to cash that out after the murders.

http://www.fox2now.com/ktvi-coleman-court-joyce-meyer-072009,0,2908910.story

It takes deep faith in Jesus to not let the bitterness I feel for this take root!

Does anyone STILL believe he's innocent?

 

[FifthEssence]

This should be interesting coupled with the timing of the purported purchase of the Insurance policy as claimed by Sheri's family attorney.
It should tighten the 'premeditated' timeline..

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,534237,00.html

Ministry Must Release Employment Records of Illinois Man Accused of Strangling Family

Tuesday, July 21, 2009
WATERLOO, Ill. &#8212; A judge says an international ministry must publicly release its employment records for a former bodyguard accused of strangling his wife and two sons in their southwestern Illinois home.

Joyce Meyer Ministries had sought to keep the more than 400 pages of documents sought by attorneys in a wrongful-death lawsuit against Christopher Coleman confidential.

But a judge ruled Monday that they must be released.

 

[SeriouslySearching]

Why is JM fighting the release of Chris Coleman's employment records? I could see if they were asking for everyone's employement records.

One thought occurred to me...perhaps he had been written up for the affair long ago and JM doesn't want it out that she knew about it prior to these murders. If she knew and allowed him to remain employed...then it clearly would open her up to lawsuits from people who were fired over the same infraction or who are still employed, but staying in a horrible marriage to avoid being fired.

King, a lawyer from an Oklahoma firm known for representing ministries, said he fears the release of the ministry's employee handbook and Coleman's employment file could compromise the privacy of Coleman and other people who still work there.

The confidentiality "is to protect my client from other litigation,'' King said, saying the employment documents are confidential under Missouri law. *Also, he said the disclosure of Meyer's flight manifests is a "security concern" because Joyce Meyer is a "national figure."

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/ne...BFD572A057010E0E862575F9005E699C?OpenDocument BBM

*This certainly could indicate she knew that Miss Motive was indeed on those flights and the reason she was there, IMO.

 

[analytical]

"More than 400 pages of Joyce Meyer Ministries documents filed in a wrongful death lawsuit against former employee Christopher Coleman will be released Thursday to plaintiff's lawyers, but not to the public."

http://www.bnd.com/breaking_news/story/852884.html

 

[analytical]

http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/st...man-family-awaits-documents-from-ron-coleman/

 

[FOXTERRIER]

Prosecutors ordered to hand over Coleman murder report

WATERLOO -- A judge today ordered prosecutors to hand over the Major Case Squad report on the Coleman family murders to defendant Christopher Coleman's lawyers within 21 days.

Associate Judge Stephen Rice issued the routine order after a brief session with Monroe County State's Attorney Kris Reitz and Coleman's main lawyer, William Margulis.

More at link below:
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/ne...4DD9E893FD0D9319862575FC0065B738?OpenDocument

 

[Curious Me]

Someone who is covering the case for the press knew Chris before:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/kplr-coleman-late-0502009,0,6794769.story