Sheri Coleman, sons Garett and Gavin murdered 5-5-09, Columbia, IL. Pt1

[Stella5]

Did you read the affidavit? Just curious as it's pretty specific on how the conversation went.

You know, it could have just been a case of miscommunication. Remember Chris had to inform the brother that her sister had been murdered. I don't know if I'd been thinking on all faculties at the time. Actually the family was informed by local LE in Chicago, prior to Chris calling them. He didn't call them until 2 days after the murders on Thursday, to inform them for plans of services on Friday & Saturday, not a lot of time to gather family & friends from around the country to fly in.

So it seems the brother proceeded to make phone calls on the assumption that a service would be held in Chicago. Chris offered the family the chance to have the services in Chicago as per the affidavit, and the family agreed that they wanted to and would even pay for the expense... trust me it's not cheap to transport one body, let alone three from STL to Chicago, or vice versa.

Miscommunication can and does occur .. at the best of times and worst of times. No question about that, but from all appearances on the affidavit, this is not what has occurred.

It's possible that everyone was "geared up" to attend a service.. Chris was concerned about the cost ... it would seem as the next of kin he had final decision-making power ... it was reported they decided they "wanted to only; have the service there and the family was 'welcome' to attend" That's correct... Chris informed Sheri's brother on the second phone call that he changed his mind and wanted to only have a service in Chester. His concerns about the cost should have been laid to rest when Sheris family offered to pay 100% of the expenses, but he still said no after he said yes.

It is only an affidavit reporting the transpiration of events ..... yet I don't read it as a "growing division" ... maybe a misunderstanding, a conflict of wishes and desires and how convenient for Sheri's family to have an attorney as a cousin, IIRC.Very convenient and I'm glad they had that connection so they had the chance to say goodbye to their loved ones, since that opportunity was not offered in a timely manner.

That family member (the attorney) know how to "get the ball rolling...."Thank God!! I'd hate to think Sheri's mother or father wouldn't have the closure a memorial affords families, especially when the death is sudden, violent and beyond comprehension.

So both parties got what they wanted .... there was a disagreement ... the disagreement does not impugn guilt upon Coleman nor is illustrative of any type of rift. Of course it doesn't imply his guilt; but it does speak to character, IMHO.

You're a Chris supporter, I'm not. We'll agree to disagree. Peace!

Just IMHO.

But perhaps the family has been quick to blame Chris as well ... ah .. to be a mind reader rather than a speculator would provide more insight I'll leave the snarkiness out of this and again wish you peace.

 

[kittenish]

At the moment, there is no confirmation but merely rumor that a neighbor heard "screaming" .. I never saw any report of "arguing" ... and the source of that claim has not been established and from what I've read the neighbor thought it came from the Coleman house.

A possible scream translates into a "brutal murder" ???

My "jury" is out until I learn more about that threats which I believe are valid and real and not crafted by Coleman in some bizarre scheme to murder his wife and children.

A "source close to the investigation" did state that "I told you this would happen" was spray-painted on the wall.

ITA that there is plenty of reasonable doubt in this case. Statistics say he did kill them, but if I were on the jury with only the information we know now, I couldn't convict him.

Whether or not he actually wrote the threats, there's still a lot of reasonable doubt that needs to be cleaned up by LE before I think that he could be convicted. He has an explanation for any fingerprints on them, so I think they have a lot of work ahead of them.

In my gut, I want to believe he's innocent, but my brain says probably not.

 

[Stella5]

I can't open the second website in that post. What is this twitter? How do we know that this guy is for real, its not like we can ask to see his badge.

Regardless if it true or not, I so have to catch up with the thread.

(I'd like to know what the MCS think about Vincent D'onfio's character on Law and Order: CI.)

I couldn't get the second one to open either. But rest assured John Pertzborne is in fact a real reporter here in STL, has been for years & years.

 

[analytical]

Yes, Stella, I read the affidavit line by line.

You nor I nor anyone else is privy to the family dynamics so until we are I for one won't be part of digging a grave for Chris as well.

 

[daisy.faithfull]

he said we were pretending to solve cases.
he did say that some people on this thread claim to know Chris Coleman and that some of what has been posted by them has turned out to be true. (Pertzborn claims he ran across the website for the first time last week)

Sorry if this has been posted, but I think that saying that some of the stuff is real is an odd statement. Seems to me like LE would say that stuff may or may not be true. It doesn't make sense to me either that they would single out the stuff that we say about CC either.

I'd like to know what LE has to say about the evidence, because some of the evidence indicates that it was CC, and other that the perp is a real wacko. I suppose that could mean that CC "snapped" and he is the wacko, but then that takes me back to the evidence not matching up completly with either theory because it would have taken A LOT of planning.

 

[analytical]

When LE accesses social network sites such as myspace with a search warrant, they enter the same way as the owner of the site so there would not be a change to the log in dates or time.

I believe by now LE has gotten the information from her myspace and other sites she had on her computer. Their forensic computer people would have been working overtime to access these sites for any lead or information.

That sounds reasonable .. do you know this to be a fact?

Kind of like reading the mail w/out opening the envelope, eh?

But what would prevent any of the friends from wiping their MySpace sites clean or editing entries .. thereby compromising information that could be helpful or detrimental.

Two of Sheri's friend's accounts, a WS'r reported earlier today, has now been removed (both MySpace and FaceBook)

.. if that person is reading .. sorry the spotlight shone of you for awhile ... it was nothing personal ...

 

[Wrinkles]

Was there tension? Was it mounting? We had the opportunity to read the affidavit but then we had the opportunity to read a news article yesterday.

Page 27 of this thread, message 668, the following was posted yesterday, the link was given:

http://www.bnd.com/breaking_news/story/764999.html

Article title: "Chicago family says 'goodbye' to Columbia triple homicide victims"

>>Her family found out Thursday afternoon that Chris Coleman was not going to allow them to bring the victims to Chicago as had been discussed. Enrico Mirabelli, Sheri's cousin, is a lawyer who flew to St. Louis and tried again to get Chris Coleman to allow a service in Chicago.

He refused.

Mirabelli had served on the Illinois State Bar Association board with Belleville attorney Jack Carey, so he enlisted Carey's aid and with some help from St. Clair County Circuit Judge John Baricevic and Associate Judge Brian Babka, they obtained a restraining order and stopped the burials on Saturday in Chester, where Chris Coleman grew up.<<

"Refused" was the word used.

Also noted from the article was:
>>"We just want to express our gratitude to the people down there and let them know how grateful we are," Mirabelli said. "They gave us the opportunity to mourn her and the boys' deaths."

"Without that order, a lot of these people could not pay their respects because they couldn't get down there."<<

So...thankfully the court provided a remedy for which Sheri's family a) had to fight for against Chris, and b) were thankful to receive due to the court's goodness.

I might suggest that a family "grieving" 3 murder victims would consider the above "tension" with a capital T.

I'd say "growing tension" might be that Chris did not attend the Chicago service, but why? He didn't want to go? He wasn't invited? Maybe because the Chicago obit didn't include him as loving husband and father in it? (that was also mentioned days ago in this thread).

But the above is old news...

W

 

[SeriouslySearching]

"growing" division .. ok, call me a Chris supporter!

I find it hard to see these harsh judgments!

This is nothing new .. the Order, supporting Affidavit .. all documents were signed on May 8 .. last week .... they were FAXED today ... these are NOT new court filings.

Have you talked with any of Sherri's family to CONFIRM that there is "tension" ... or is this mere speculation?

... it seems to be the latter until proof is offered ..... if you wish, you can find the "backstory" on how some attorneys came together with the "cooperation" of a judge to make this happen

Hey, Chris Supporter~

Wasn't it posted earlier that Chris was omitted from an obituary put out by Sheri's family? I will have to track down the link, but it would be very unusual to not include the husband and father.

This would be an indication to me that Sheri's family does have their suspicions especially after Chris took two days to contact them after the murders. (He contacted JM and his attorney the same day.)

Even though the court filings were from a few days ago, Sheri's family obviously felt a breach occurred with Chris. Not many people would seek a court order for a funeral and to do so would definitely indicate a rift and considerable tension. He did not attend the funeral held by her family which is another sign of this "growing division".

I don't believe it takes much speculation to make such a determination.

 

[analytical]

Lengthy reported filed today by Randolph newspaper. Contains some of the best and most comprehensive reporting so far, IMO. Information about the threats, the camera trained on the mailbox and the writing left on the wall is discussed.

Hopefully, the reporting is accurate as it ties up many of the "tidbits" that have been floating around.

http://www.randolphcountyheraldtribune.com/homepage/x362994168

Perhaps the "person of interest" is the "unknown individual" the Coleman's reported as having an interaction with that was "suspicious in nature"

Gee, the majority seems to be of the opinion that Coleman planned and carried this out ... if so, how did he "plan" the interaction with the "unknown individual" that was "suspicious in nature" ?

I rather think he didn't and don't think Coleman killed his family.

 

[analytical]

Hey, Chris Supporter~

Wasn't it posted earlier that Chris was omitted from an obituary put out by Sheri's family? I will have to track down the link, but it would be very unusual to not include the husband and father.

This would be an indication to me that Sheri's family does have their suspicions especially after Chris took two days to contact them after the murders. (He contacted JM and his attorney the same day.)

Even though the court filings were from a few days ago, Sheri's family obviously felt a breach occurred with Chris. Not many people would seek a court order for a funeral and to do so would definitely indicate a rift and considerable tension. He did not attend the funeral held by her family which is another sign of this "growing division".

I don't believe it takes much speculation to make such a determination.

and your question would be?

simply put ... I'm entitled to your opinion as you are yours .. I do not think Coleman killed his family

If there was "tension" between the parties it does not mean he killed his family!

 

[Wrinkles]

Hello SS,

Let me help you with that Obit. First posted in this thread on page 15 by myself, message #366 (posted 5/10/09 at about 7AM):

>>Went to Hursen site to read Sheri's obituary, to see if if there was one. Some of you might be interested in reading it. Hmmm, Chris' name is not mentioned in the obituary.<<

Link was then reposted 4 hours later by Analytical in message 399.

Hope the above helps. Maybe we need a list of these links and what they help us to learn

W
PS. Here was the more important test in the obit:
>>Sheri Coleman, age 31, along with sons, Garett 11 and Gavin 9, suddenly, May 5, in Columbia, IL. Beloved daughter and grandsons of Angie DeCicco and Donald Weiss; loving sister and nephews of Mario Weiss; dear niece and great-nephews of Elvira (Lou) Mirabelli and the late Marion (Mario) Miglio, the late Phyllis (Jim) Daidone, Pat (Georgianne), Donald and the late James (Maryann) DeCicco; loving God-daughter of Joseph (Fran) Miglio. Visitation Monday, 3 p.m. until time of Funeral Service 8 p.m., at Hursen Funeral Home, SW corner of Roosevelt/Mannheim Rds., Hillside/Westchester. Please omit flowers. Funeral info toll-free 800-562-0082 or www.hursen.com<<

Note that the guests were not suggested to contribute to the fund at the Coleman church.

 

[SeriouslySearching]

That sounds reasonable .. do you know this to be a fact?

Kind of like reading the mail w/out opening the envelope, eh?

But what would prevent any of the friends from wiping their MySpace sites clean or editing entries .. thereby compromising information that could be helpful or detrimental.

Two of Sheri's friend's accounts, a WS'r reported earlier today, has now been removed (both MySpace and FaceBook)

.. if that person is reading .. sorry the spotlight shone of you for awhile ... it was nothing personal ...

This has come up here on a number of cases about LE accessing Myspace, Facebook, and other social networking sites. I would consider it to be factual, but I cannot give you the exact thread where it was discussed and determined.

As far as the friends deleting their accounts, I would guess (not positive) the owner of the site could provide LE with the information contained on those pages.

Adnoid~ Can you answer this question?

If Chris Coleman was having an affair with the person then it would become fair game for her to become part of the story. This is a murder investigation. An affair could be considered a motive even if Chris is found not to be a suspect. (We could dig much deeper into this case than we have to date. If it is not solved soon...this will happen.)

 

[TallCoolOne]

Motive, means and opportunity.

I know where my thoughts lay.........

Just sayin'

 

[PrayersForMaura]

At the moment, there is no confirmation but merely rumor that a neighbor heard "screaming" .. I never saw any report of "arguing" ... and the source of that claim has not been established and from what I've read the neighbor thought it came from the Coleman house.

A possible scream translates into a "brutal murder" ???

the way they were murdered was BRUTAL. They are a gorgeous family. Anytime two innocent children are murdered, it IS brutal.
What would you call it, a "soft" murder?

 

[AfterSunset]

Motive, means and opportunity.

I know where my thoughts lay.........

Just sayin'

:blowkiss:

I hear ya....I've been doing a lot of sitting on my hands the past couple of days...and I mainly just lurk anyways...:woohoo:

 

[PrayersForMaura]

Hey, Chris Supporter~

Wasn't it posted earlier that Chris was omitted from an obituary put out by Sheri's family? I will have to track down the link, but it would be very unusual to not include the husband and father.

This would be an indication to me that Sheri's family does have their suspicions especially after Chris took two days to contact them after the murders. (He contacted JM and his attorney the same day.)

Even though the court filings were from a few days ago, Sheri's family obviously felt a breach occurred with Chris. Not many people would seek a court order for a funeral and to do so would definitely indicate a rift and considerable tension. He did not attend the funeral held by her family which is another sign of this "growing division".

I don't believe it takes much speculation to make such a determination.

I saw the obit, his name wasn't mentioned. Kind of makes you wonder if Chris or his family is posting here. :waitasec:

 

[analytical]

This has come up here on a number of cases about LE accessing Myspace, Facebook, and other social networking sites. I would consider it to be factual, but I cannot give you the exact thread where it was discussed and determined.

As far as the friends deleting their accounts, I would guess (not positive) the owner of the site could provide LE with the information contained on those pages.

Adnoid~ Can you answer this question?

If Chris Coleman was having an affair with the person then it would become fair game for her to become part of the story. This is a murder investigation. An affair could be considered a motive even if Chris is found not to be a suspect. (We could dig much deeper into this case than we have to date. If it is not solved soon...this will happen.)

Thanks for your reply and regarding the friend of Sheri... it's not really established at this point what the relationship was/is ... some rumor that it was a g/f and other rumor that she is an old friend of Sheri's from high school

Guess the site owner might be asked for an archive back to a certain date to cover any information deleted or expunged?

 

[WholeLottaRosie]

Nancy Grace is having a report on this right now. Just started. Someone giving an overview of the case and the backgrounds of Sheri and Chris.

 

[analytical]

the way they were murdered was BRUTAL. They are a gorgeous family. Anytime two innocent children are murdered, it IS brutal.
What would you call it, a "soft" murder?

ummm ... I don't think that is what I said or implied ...

 

[analytical]

Nancy Grace is having a report on this right now. Just started. Someone giving an overview of the case and the backgrounds of Sheri and Chris.

wow.. thanks for the "heads-up!"