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

[SeriouslySearching]

Ill. man gives fingerprints in triple homicide

Associated Press - May 11, 2009 5:14 PM ET

COLUMBIA, Ill. (AP) - A southwestern Illinois man whose wife and two children were found murdered last week in their home has given investigators his fingerprints.

Investigators declined Monday to publicly name Chris Coleman as a suspect in last Tuesday's killing of 31-year-old Sheri Coleman and the couple's two sons, 11-year-old Garrett and 9-year-old Gavin.

Coleman and his attorney left the Columbia Police Department without answering questions from reporters. Attorney Bill Margulis said later that police did not ask Coleman any questions and that Coleman willingly gave the fingerprints.

No charges have been filed in the case. Investigators say a task force set up after the killings will continue investigations indefinitely.

Police on Monday released the home to the family.

http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=10342083

He sure did...right after the judge signed the warrant for them.

I believe a quote from LE instead of from his attorney any day~

Originally Posted by SeriouslySearching
Nothing like true cooperation on his part to assist in finding out who murdered his wife and children:

COLUMBIA, Ill. -- Christopher Coleman, whose family was slain in Columbia, Ill., last week, briefly returned to the police station this afternoon to provide fingerprints under court order, Major Case Squad spokesman Jeff Connor said.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/new...1?OpenDocument (Bolded by me)

 

[Wrinkles]

UGH! cancelled presser...

Well, again, the deal with the fingerprints -- wonder what time those were called for in proximity to the time that the presser was announced (before, after).

In other words, is it possible that the prints were taken as a way to say to the defense attorney, "You better go back and talk to your client" (i.e. it won't be long before the arrest?) Might it be better for someone who would face the accusations in this case to turn themselves in (plea deal later) rather than to wait for arrest?

We are talking triple murder here, someone did it -- I don't know who. Is there death for murder in Illinois, triple murder? Could any "turning ones self in" do anything to change the weight of what someone might face for conviction in this crime? Or...could it just save someone from being arrested at the home of a pastor parent?

Again, I DON'T know who did this -- not accusing anyone, just sniffing around.

W

 

[KaylynnCouture]

Yes...yes it is! Usually when they cancel on a scheduled presser...the reason is one of these:

a) Something new has come to their attention
b) Previous issues have been resolved which they were going to discuss
c) Scheduling conflict with the Chief or others
d) Nothing to report

I'm thinking it's option A.

 

[analytical]

He sure did...right after the judge signed the warrant for them.

Now that he has counsel, requests must be handled through his counsel so it is merely a matter of procedure.

Kind of like if you had a car accident and could not reach a settlement with the insurance company and had to pursue litigation, then the insurance company would no longer communicate directly with you but "by and through counsel of record" (the attorney you hire to represent you)

 

[Stella5]

He sure did...right after the judge signed the warrant for them.

I believe a quote from LE instead of from his attorney any day~

ESPECIALLY a quote from Margulis or his son! They are notorious for representing the scum of the scum here. And I know Margulis Sr., but as a lawyer I wouldn't trust him further than I could throw him.

 

[SeriouslySearching]

We know that LE is working fast and furious on this case. I don't see this taking long to solve and to have an arrest in the near future. I really think the timing of the fingerprints is coincidental and has nothing to do with the presser being called off today, but I could be mistaken. (I said that earlier rather tongue in cheekish.)

 

[KaylynnCouture]

Any word on when the new presser will be?

 

[mikeysmommom]

Now that he has counsel, requests must be handled through his counsel so it is merely a matter of procedure.

Kind of like if you had a car accident and could not reach a settlement with the insurance company and had to pursue litigation, then the insurance company would no longer communicate directly with you but "by and through counsel of record" (the attorney you hire to represent you)

I would agree with you if this was the first 24 hrs after the murders being it has been days I disagree.Also Im sure with his line of work they already had his prints.IMO its either a palm or hand print to exclude him if innocent why need it ordered by the courts.The quicker LE can rule him out the sooner they would be able to look at others.If innocent wouldnt he want the killer found as soon as possible?

 

[WholeLottaRosie]

UGH! cancelled presser...

Well, again, the deal with the fingerprints -- wonder what time those were called for in proximity to the time that the presser was announced (before, after).

In other words, is it possible that the prints were taken as a way to say to the defense attorney, "You better go back and talk to your client" (i.e. it won't be long before the arrest?) Might it be better for someone who would face the accusations in this case to turn themselves in (plea deal later) rather than to wait for arrest?

We are talking triple murder here, someone did it -- I don't know who. Is there death for murder in Illinois, triple murder? Could any "turning ones self in" do anything to change the weight of what someone might face for conviction in this crime? Or...could it just save someone from being arrested at the home of a pastor parent?

Again, I DON'T know who did this -- not accusing anyone, just sniffing around.

W

Theoretically, however there has been a moratorium on actually carrying out the sentence for some years now.

About the other questions, I don't know.

 

[Wrinkles]

Hallo KaylynnC,

You wrote:
>>I'm thinking it's option A. <<

I'd be leaning that way too. Might it be nice to see a presser begin with "X person turned themselves in..."

W

 

[SeriouslySearching]

Now that he has counsel, requests must be handled through his counsel so it is merely a matter of procedure.

Kind of like if you had a car accident and could not reach a settlement with the insurance company and had to pursue litigation, then the insurance company would no longer communicate directly with you but "by and through counsel of record" (the attorney you hire to represent you)

There is nothing that would prevent Chris or his attorney offering to come in to give DNA, fingerprints, or to take a Lie Detector Test (LDT) so I am not following why it is merely a matter of procedure here. Either Chris offered or they made him. Looks like it was not his choice.

 

[WholeLottaRosie]

Any word on when the new presser will be?

No, not yet.

 

[Stella5]

Neither channel had absolutely anything new reported other than releasing the crime scene to the family. What is interesting is Major Connor is keeping very tight lipped and saying they're not prepared to name anyone as a suspect yet; but they're confident they'll solve the case.

When did Margulis make a statement to the AP? He made no comment walking out of the Columbia police department with CC.

And about the fingerprints... we don't know when LE requested prints from CC. CC hired Margulis over the weekend - Saturday or Sunday - I don't recall for certain which date. Don't you think LE would have asked for prints from CC sooner than today? If he wasn't involved you'd logically think he'd offer anything he can to help solve this, rather than dealing through an atty he hired 5 days after his family was slain. Any why no public appeal for the community to come forward with information regarding the crime? For any crime someone, somewhere knows something. The family of the teenager murdered here a few days ago are on air and in print pleading for information... but we have silence from CC. Interesting.

 

[jnTexas]

I would agree with you if this was the first 24 hrs after the murders being it has been days I disagree.Also Im sure with his line of work they already had his prints.IMO its either a palm or hand print to exclude him if innocent why need it ordered by the courts.The quicker LE can rule him out the sooner they would be able to look at others.If innocent wouldnt he want the killer found as soon as possible?

If it is true that they were strangled. Maybe they are after a whole hand print to measure the distance from finger tips to thumb prints. So they can measure against bruises on the neck. Again if it is true they were strangled.

 

[analytical]

I would agree with you if this was the first 24 hrs after the murders being it has been days I disagree.Also Im sure with his line of work they already had his prints.IMO its either a palm or hand print to exclude him if innocent why need it ordered by the courts.The quicker LE can rule him out the sooner they would be able to look at others.If innocent wouldnt he want the killer found as soon as possible?

From previous experience, I do know this to be corrrect .. sorry if you still find it unacceptable.

It is applicable both in civil and criminal.. but I can verify with my neighbor who is a criminal defense attorney if you're still not satisfied but he would say what I've said.

 

[analytical]

Perhaps Coleman is submitting to his employer's request as has been stated sometime this afternoon that they are not to discuss the case.

If this applies to JMM employees, it would include Coleman.

 

[WholeLottaRosie]

He was in station less than an hour, with attorney arriving around 2, in about 45 minutes, no answers to questions as they came out. First time CC in public, incompliance with court order for prints. He was cooperating with the court order. Suspect? "we're not prepared to say anyone is, still investigating." MCS said. Attorney - No comment. Work at home done. Neighbors okay with taking time and doing it right. Attorney told Fox earlier today that the only time CC spoke with police was day of the murders, wouldn't talk after the meeting today.

Also in Chester, - MCS there today, all over Chester today. Near church and neighborhood. Attorney said they did not talk to his client so not sure why in Chester. CC brought trailer to home in Columbia, rather family did to take clothing and essentials to go back to Chester.

Pretty much all they had at 5.


ETA - This is from Fox St Louis 5 pm broadcast on tv

 

[SeriouslySearching]

Stella, actually LE did ask people to come forward who know the family personally, IIRC. They didn't need the help of John Q. Public in this case. They evidently only need the people who know the inside track on this family and can give them the answers to their questions.

 

[Lindadanette]

Sorry, I meant to quote Analytical:

>>Perhaps Coleman is submitting to his employer's request as has been stated sometime this afternoon that they are not to discuss the case.

If this applies to JMM employees, it would include Coleman.>>

While I understand the gist of what you are saying, I don't think the privacy agreement includes law enforcement. I imagine that JM and her employees are cooperating with the investigators in any way possible.

 

[Stella5]

Stella, actually LE did ask people to come forward who know the family personally, IIRC. They didn't need the help of John Q. Public in this case. They evidently only need the people who know the inside track on this family and can give them the answers to their questions.

I meant why no appeal directly from CC?? I know LE has, they do in every media broadcast or news article printed. There is some inner workings of the family that they're trying to figure out and need it confirmed through friends or family. I just don't get why CC hasn't uttered a word begging for any information from the public that would lead to the arrest of the killer, if he's innocent. KWIM?