Sheri Coleman, sons Garett and Gavin murdered 5-5-09, Columbia, IL. Pt2

[WholeLottaRosie]

Well...guess JMM isn't going to "stand by" their employee. No surprise after the news of the stripper girlfriend came out yesterday, but it does say a bit about their feelings towards Chris at this point. D i s t a n c i n g. . . .

Makes me wonder how long till there is a change of attorney. The word has been JMM hired the attorney. Although there is also word that CC's father hired them.

 

[mikeysmommom]

Not sure if this has been mentioned or not yet - still have a few more pages of posts to sift through but something else has been puzzling me about the time line. If correct, CC left the home between approx. 5:30-5:45 and bodies were discovered around 6:50 which leaves about an hour to commit the murders and leave the message. If the dvr or camera's recording device is missing (not sure if reported or just rumored) I'd like to know where in the home the surveillance equipment was located. Was it in a home office, the basement, closet, etc? The murderer would also have to find the equipment to discard it correct? How would they know where to look?

My thinking is he knew where it was installed.....................cause he installed it.

 

[analytical]

don't you think?

if LE arrests Coleman??? ... can't say unless glaring evidence is revealed that implicates him

innocent people get arrested, tried and sometimes exonerated

or people like the Ramsey's have a cloud of suspicion over them for 10 years and then are cleared

 

[WestSideGal]

My thinking is he knew where it was installed.....................cause he installed it.

My point exactly :clap:

 

[kiki the parrot]

The girlfriend is still an "alleged" girlfriend ... the dismissal could be based on that .. and I hate to go into speculation because I don't like to cast asperions ... but if Coleman visited her at the "gentleman's" club I'm pretty certain that would be grounds for dismissal .... any variety of behaviors that are contrary to the guidelines set out for the employees .. short of an employee handbook, it's only speculative based on what little is known

I had suspected the ministry would distance themselves from Coleman and I don't think it was done for damage control but simply for the reason stated.

Sure, take your pick. However electronic equipment was not merely confiscated by his former employer JMM upon resignation--that was reportedly "seized" by LE. So now just wondering what connection or evidentiary value this could have to the crime? :waitasec:

arrot:

 

[Reannan]

or turtles.Would hate to offend any turtles. LOL

THAT has got the be the quote of the day!!! LOVE it!!! Thanks Medusa! :blowkiss::toastred:

 

[Lindadanette]

Well...guess JMM isn't going to "stand by" their employee. No surprise after the news of the stripper girlfriend came out yesterday, but it does say a bit about their feelings towards Chris at this point. D i s t a n c i n g. . . .

Oh yeah, major damage control. I wonder if the agreement was for CC to resign and keep his mouth shut (confidentiality agreement) about anything to do with JMM in exchange for the attorney costs?

(Which will undoubtedly be accounted for as "severance")

 

[SeriouslySearching]

After watching NG and listening to Major Jeff Connor again tonight...it is obvious he is talking about Chris Coleman, imo.

The explanation of why the detail was pulled off Chris makes sense, too. The reporter mentioned it was because MCS were not going to be staying on the case indefinitely and could not keep up that type of surveillance after they found the SA's office was not going to go ahead with charges yesterday. Major Connor's response was they had people on him because something could have come up and they would have to follow up with Chris. Reading between the lines...they anticipated an arrest. It would make perfect sense they handed the detail off to the local authorities from Columbia (not Chester).

I will be anxiously awaiting tonight's NG transcript.

 

[RiverRat]

if LE arrests Coleman??? ... can't say unless glaring evidence is revealed that implicates him

innocent people get arrested, tried and sometimes exonerated

or people like the Ramsey's have a cloud of suspicion over them for 10 years and then are cleared

Clarification is necessary regarding the Ramseys. Since the case recently was returned to the Boulder Police Department from the new District Attorney - both agencies have stated that NO ONE is cleared. Just had to update that info because that suspicion cloud really still only 3 under it........

 

[Fairy1]

Sure, take your pick. However electronic equipment was not merely confiscated by his former employer JMM upon termination--that was reportedly "seized" by LE. So now just wondering what connection or evidentiary value this could have to the crime? :waitasec:

arrot:

Sheesh! It's impossible for a working girl to catch up here at the end of the day!

Welcome to all the new posters!

And kiki - I sure would like to know what electronic equipment was seized. IIRC, BTK (Rader) was ultimately caught when the taunting messages he was sending to LE were connected to a computer at his CHURCH.

 

[Texas Mist]

Sure, take your pick. However electronic equipment was not merely confiscated by his former employer JMM upon termination--that was reportedly "seized" by LE. So now just wondering what connection or evidentiary value this could have to the crime? :waitasec:

arrot:

I'm thinking not only a computer but a printer to compare the hidden printer ID info to the "threat" letters....portable storage devices like USB keys, smart cards, and/or cameras. hmmmm...possibly video editing equipment?

And maybe CC had a JMM-issued cellphone, PDA or smartphone?

Working in security he likely had access to lots of electronic gadgets - any & all of which could have evidentiary value.

Guess we'll find out in a few weeks - or hopefully sooner!

 

[chestergal]

CHESTER -- Following a 30 minute conference at his father's home on Wednesday, where police in several vehicles kept up a nearby surveillance, Christopher Coleman resigned his security job with Joyce Meyer Ministries.

"After an internal inquiry, it was discovered that Chris Coleman had failed to follow a ministry policy during his employment. During discussion with Mr. Coleman on Wednesday he submitted his resignation," Joyce Meyer spokesman Roby Walker said.

Walker drove past staked-out cops and into the driveway of the Rev. Ronald Coleman's home in Chester on Wednesday, where he entered through a rear door and stayed about 30 minutes. He would not provide any details on what policy Coleman was alleged to have violated. Neither Coleman nor his father, pastor of Grace Church Ministries in Chester, could be reached for comment.

Police seized "electronic equipment" connected to Christopher Coleman's former security job, Walker said, but would not describe what it was or how it had been used.

"As there is an ongoing investigation, the ministry can't comment on any specifics," he said. "However, we are working with investigators and are thankful that they are doing their very best to solve this crime."

Attorney William Margulies, who works in a St. Louis law firm with his father Art Margulies and represents Christopher Coleman, said he knows only that his client resigned his position.

"I don't know any details other than that," he said.

Margulies said that neither Christopher Coleman nor his parents are making any public comment "at this point."

The Major Case Squad of the Greater St. Louis Area was called in about 7 a.m. May 5 by Columbia police to investigate after police discovered the bodies of Christopher Coleman's wife Sheri, 31, and their two sons, Garett, 11 and Gavin, 9. The three had been strangled in the family's home in a well-kept Columbia subdivision.

Christopher Coleman had called police earlier that morning from a St. Louis gym and asked that they check on the well-being of his family, saying he couldn't reach them by telephone.

The Major Case Squad will continue working today and update the status of the investigation, Connor said.

Has everyone read this? Is this a reliable source? I didn't realize he was no longer employed... sorry if it's just me out of the loop here...

http://www.bnd.com/breaking_news/story/769243.html


arrot:

Joyce Meyer Employee Rules

1) If married... you are to remain married to your spouse, if you divorce your spouse you will fired from JMM.

2) If you are suspected of murdering your wife to keep your employment at JMM you will also be fired by JMM.

LOL...

On another note... I never did believe that JMM hired the Coleman attys. The parents probably did and they will get donations from Church members while they are still thinking CC did not do this. Eventually the walls around church members will come tumbling down. The big MCS presence in Chester was to send a message to church members in the area that MCS is closing in on CC because they believe he is the sole suspect in the case. The interview Conner did yesterday was also to send a message to church members. The pleading to "people" who know the family is letting church members know they want them to come forth.

 

[KR2tonenow]

and likely wouldn't they be mentioning a manhunt if there was a killer loose in the area? This crime speaks personal. Where are those forensics?

 

[kiki the parrot]

Sheesh! It's impossible for a working girl to catch up here at the end of the day!

Welcome to all the new posters!

And kiki - I sure would like to know what electronic equipment was seized. IIRC, BTK (Rader) was ultimately caught when the taunting messages he was sending to LE were connected to a computer at his CHURCH.

omg YES how could I forget (oh yea, I have a memory disorder lolol). You're right of course, perhaps this is why this was nagging at me... wracking my brain here trying to figure out what sort of equipment could be linked. It could be any surveillance equipment, cameras, his work computer eg... also not sure how menacing messages were sent but he claimed they were associated w his employment there so it's possible they believe there is something on his computer. Of course the fact they seized doesn't mean they will find anything incriminating just sayin...

 

[Texas Mist]

After watching NG and listening to Major Jeff Connor again tonight...it is obvious he is talking about Chris Coleman, imo.

The explanation of why the detail was pulled off Chris makes sense, too. The reporter mentioned it was because MCS were not going to be staying on the case indefinitely and could not keep up that type of surveillance after they found the SA's office was not going to go ahead with charges yesterday. Major Connor's response was they had people on him because something could have come up and they would have to follow up with Chris. Reading between the lines...they anticipated an arrest. It would make perfect sense they handed the detail off to the local authorities from Columbia (not Chester).

I will be anxiously awaiting tonight's NG transcript.

It amazes me that murdering spouses think they can pull off the "perfect crime" with a little advance planning.

CC & his 'threat letters' reminds me of Brian Hummert - who "faked" a stalker to set up the murder of his wife Christine..who, BTW, was a church volunteer, loving mom to 3 kids, and adored by those who knew her....she was strangled at home, wrapped in a blanket, put into her SUV & left in a parking lot....Hummert reported her missing & lawyered up quickly.

He even went so far as to send a fake letter to LE "confessing" to being the stalker/serial killer responsible for Christine's murder.

LE figured that "perfect" crime out quickly too....Hummert's in the big house now.

 

[Fairy1]

What does that have to with guilt or innocence? I don't see where that's relevant, I'd love to hear why that might be a factor.

As a religions person myself, if someone from my church killed someone not from my church I would show support for the victim regardless of their faith before I would support my coreligionist simply from a shared faith. And I know my faith instructs me to show love to both of them, but they've got to get in line since I'm not perfect and a victim will always come first.

This presents an interesting point. A Christian would surely stand by a brother in his time of need following such a tragedy. Then again, as Christians, they can't actually stand by a brother they KNOW to be a murderer. I'm sure JMM will pray for him, but to continue to support him otherwise may create the perception they condone what they know he has done.

That certainly may not be what's happening with JMM. But it could be. Based on what WE know, it seems a bit early in the game for them to withdraw their support entirely.

IMO

 

[SeriouslySearching]

Originally Posted by analytical
The girlfriend is still an "alleged" girlfriend ... the dismissal could be based on that .. and I hate to go into speculation because I don't like to cast asperions ... but if Coleman visited her at the "gentleman's" club I'm pretty certain that would be grounds for dismissal .... any variety of behaviors that are contrary to the guidelines set out for the employees .. short of an employee handbook, it's only speculative based on what little is known

I had suspected the ministry would distance themselves from Coleman and I don't think it was done for damage control but simply for the reason stated.

The reporter from the paper that broke the gf story claims it is fact and she should not be considered an "alleged" gf. Evidently, they talked to witnesses and others to corroborate the story.

Banging a stripper and being the most likely suspect of murdering your family would probably be good grounds for dismissal of a job with a Christian Ministry, imo.

And the hell it wasn't done for damage control!! I would bet good money on that one!!

 

[Reannan]

This case takes all sorts of things to a whole new level. I am surprised it isn't getting more press coverage than it is. Here is what I think are "take-outs" from this case that make it unique:

1. It was obvious from the get-go who did it! Take a bow, SuziQ, Seriously Searching, and any others who said FROM DAY ONE that the husband was suspect number one. I know there are haters out there that will say that we here at WS's would say that about anyone - which is so MUCH BS, I won't even go any further with it.

2. The actions of "our" primary suspect - i.e. CC.
- he just happaned to be out of the house early in the morning, and needed LE to "look in on the family". Ahhh.....yea....that is as common as birds on a feather.

- CC's not calling the family of SC for TWO DAYS!!!! I mean come on! How do you become married to someone that you have such a disconnect from her/his family that you don't notify them that the person and your children (their grandchildren) have been murdered? Ridiculous for a "nice husband".....understandable from a "murdering husband".

- the girlfriend. Now that was a shocker, huh?? NEVER heard of that one before! :crazy:

3. The action of LE:

- They immediately said it was a "targeted" event. I totally respect LE for letting the general public know that they were not at risk. That is important.

- The tailing of CC. It was the day of the funeral of his family - they thought he would split. Good job guys/gals!!! Take a bow!!!!

I could go on and on....the bottom line - this case is obvious, but over the top because of all of the reasons that make it obvious!!! And we still don't have an arrest!!!

 

[gitana1]

if LE arrests Coleman??? ... can't say unless glaring evidence is revealed that implicates him

innocent people get arrested, tried and sometimes exonerated

or people like the Ramsey's have a cloud of suspicion over them for 10 years and then are cleared

Got ya'. It just seems that part of your belief that Chris is innocent is based on the fact that you believe LE is looking at another suspect. Your statement that the arrest of Chris may not change your mind makes me think that you are going to stick to your belief unless there is a CSI type Deus ex machina moment that proves beyond any possible doubt, reasonable or otherwise, that Chris is innocent. (And I know that the defense does not need to prove a defendant's innocence!).
I better understood your feelings at the beginning but now it seems that each new piece of the puzzle we get, which seems to cast heavy suspicion on Chris, you discount, completely disregarding the cumulation of these pieces. IMO, it's not logical due to the fact that you deconstruct each new piece while seemingly ignoring the aggregate.
What you are doing, with respect, seems to me to be a technique that some attorneys use of attacking each piece of evidence and treating those in a vacuum in an attempt to try to hide or distract from the bigger picture that is being painted. For example, you say that you don't think Chris is the focus of LE. That, if factual, would bolster your theory. But then you say, if he is, you still may not change your mind about his innoence. You also seem to discount rumors/reports that Chris had an affair, something that would detract from your theory. But I'm getting the feeling that if that is proven, you will try to discount it as well. I may not be explaining this very well, sorry.
Listen, I seriously respect your opinion. I'm not a group type of person and I think it's great when people think for themsleves. Independent thinking is a valuable thing. But, sometimes it seems that when people feel attacked they defensively and/or stubbornly hold on to a view point regardless of logic. I am trying to understand your logic and just don't yet.
You know, we have the luxury of examining not only evidence that a jury would, but also observations that may not have evidentiary value. What sticks out to me about all of this is Chris' actions in hiring an attorney hours after the murders. You say you may do the same thing. Really? Could you even stand up if your beloved wife and beautiful little boys were just strangled to death? Would your mind even go to that place, thinking about your own legal rights and protections? Or, would you be in that horrific place filled with a dread sense of panic, emergency, despair, rage, frantic need to have the bad guy caught and black feeling of fear that you will never see you babies or your wife again, wondering how the hell you will be able to breath without them? Remember, this was hours, not weeks after the murders. I have experienced death and I have seen many others go through it as well, from all walks of life. Never have I seen anyone who would actually think of their own legal protection in those raw, horror-filled moments after the discovery of the death of a loved one.
Please understand that I absolutely respect what you have to say and am not trying in anyway to be rude or insulting. I'm just trying to understand where you're coming from and I hope you'll be patient. Thanks!

 

[kiki the parrot]

Joyce Meyer Employee Rules

1) If married... you are to remain married to your spouse, if you divorce your spouse you will fired from JMM.

2) If you are suspected of murdering your wife to keep your employment at JMM you will also be fired by JMM.

LOL...

On another note... I never did believe that JMM hired the Coleman attys. The parents probably did and they will get donations from Church members while they are still thinking CC did not do this. Eventually the walls around church members will come tumbling down. The big MCS presence in Chester was to send a message to church members in the area that MCS is closing in on CC because they believe he is the sole suspect in the case. The interview Conner did yesterday was also to send a message to church members. The pleading to "people" who know the family is letting church members know they want them to come forth.

BBM Ok you just had to go there... (and I was trying to be so good lol, believe me you don't wanna know the stuff I was comin up with... )

arrot: