Christopher E. Coleman
If you’ve been following the news the last few months, you’ve probably noticed what amounts to an epidemic of men and women killing their families. There’s been a lot of speculation on why this has been happening, much of it based on the condition of the economy and the associated stress that comes with job loss, home mortgage foreclosure and a dwindling bank account.
How much the economy was affecting Christopher Coleman, 32, is unknown. What is know is that Coleman was arrested on May 19th, 2009, accused of murdering his wife Sheri Coleman, 31, and the couple’s sons, Garett, 11, and Gavin, 9.
Christopher Coleman, a former Marine MP, met his wife Sheri in the military. After they were married, the couple bought a home in a well to do area of Columbia, Illinois. According to neighbors, the Colemans had a good marriage and the family of four seemed to be a normal and happy.
Coleman was chief of security for Joyce Meyers Ministries, the multi million dollar corporation headed by television evangelist Joyce 
Meyers and her husband Dave. Since November of 2008, Coleman had complained of some kind of threats related to his work.
On May 5th at approximately 6:45AM , police got a call from Christopher Coleman requesting that they do a welfare check at his home. He told cops he had left the house early that morning to work out at a local gym, and began calling home shortly afterwards to make sure Garret and Gavin were awake and getting ready for school. He became worried when no one would answer the phone.
Police arrived at the Coleman home and found Sheri, Garett and Gavin strangled to death in separate bedrooms. The words “I told you so” were spray painted in red on a wall near the stairs, and a basement window at the back of the house was found opened.
Although Police have not released many details as of yet, it’s appears that Chris became a suspect very early on in the investigation. He was fingerprinted under a court order as early as Monday, May 11th. Cops also discovered that Coleman had removed Sheri’s name from the deed to the house back in November, right around the same time as the threats began.
Members of the Monroe County Major Case Squad traveled to Florida on the day of the murder to 
interview a woman they described as a girlfriend of Coleman’s. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch later cited police sources as saying Coleman had more than one romantic rendezvous with Tara Linz, a friend of his wife and hostess (i.e. stripper – see picture) at a local gentleman’s club, during out-of-town ministry trips.
The Post-Dispatch also reported a glove with red spray paint on it was found along Interstate 255, which would have been on Coleman’s route to the gym. Remember, the message near the staircase was written with red spray paint.
There’s also a source reporting that police seized the Coleman’s computer and found either fragments or copies of the threatening letters Chris had been complaining about on the hard drive. These guys never learn that delete is not the same thing as remove or destroy in the world of computer language.
Major Case Squad Deputy Commander Major Jeff Connor said it was not one key piece of evidence, but several layers that convinced them of Christopher Coleman’s guilt:
“I can tell you this investigation took us all over the place, several states, businesses, worship centers, residential areas, all over, so I don’t want to key in on any one piece of evidence,”
“It’s a very complicated case. The children make it more complicated, it’s more emotional.”
“There’s some closure now that the person I feel, the judge feels, and the prosecutor feels is the right person is behind bars.”
The way I see it, Chris Coleman woke up early on the morning on May 5th and, one by one, strangled his wife Sheri and his sons Gavin and Garett as they slept. Imagine what that must have been like for the two boys, to be woken from a sound sleep, unable to breath, realizing at the last minute of your too short life that someone is strangling you to death, and likely knowing that that someone is your own father.
Christopher E. Coleman was charged with three counts of first degree murder and held in a Monroe County jail without bond (view Charge Affidavit). He faces anywhere from 45 years to life in prison. Coleman was arraigned on Thursday May 21st and plead not guilty. As he left the courthouse, the crowd that had gathered there cursed him and called him a murderer and a baby killer.
George Wise, a freelance photojournalist and friend of Coleman, was also present at the arraignment. He described what he considered a defining moment in the story. As he snapped picture of Coleman being put into a squad car, a reporter asked if Coleman had any thoughts to share about his children:
“You did see him drop his head … you just knew it’d just sunk in to him. He was having the full realization of the impact of what he’s going to go through.”
Coleman bowed his head, pursed his lips and seemed to fight back tears, as police led him off to jail.
Editor’s Commentary: In a related story, Saint Louis Radio Host McGraw Milhaven was appearing on the Nancy Grace Show a couple of days before Chris Coleman was busted. He was there to discuss why there hadn’t been an arrest in the case yet, but she insisted on asking questions about Coleman’s affair and a rumor that the woman in question was a stripper, a rumor, I might add, that has never been verified or even mentioned by police.
Milhaven finally lost his temper. He scolded her for her line of questioning, then said, “Your show is a joke, you are a joke. . . . .and I’m embarrassed to be on this show.”
I swear, the first time I saw this video I wanted to give McGraw Milhaven a gold medal and all the money I had in my pockets. I dream about doing things like this, but he actually got to do it!
In all seriousness though, Nancy Grace has built a career on the bodies of dead and missing children – The woman has no shame. Her brand of tabloid journalism epitomizes everything that is wrong with the news media today. Sensational headlines and an official policy of rushing to judgment and promoting rumors over facts, all for the sake of ratings, are hallmarks of a show that really would be a joke if it wasn’t for the fact that so many people go to there to get their “news”.
Does Christopher E. Coleman Deserve Hell?
- Yes, all baby killers need to burn (96%, 445 Votes)
- No (4%, 19 Votes)
Total Voters: 464
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He will likely say money and the pressure of being unable to provide for his family. Some things just get so bad for some people, they can’t think of any other solution but murder and life in prison. For many people right now, a prison sentence is better living then what they have now.
He didn’t snap….it was PREmeditated for the last 6 months…hence, him planting “threatening letter”.. Check out the new Convict Chris Coleman chat at http://cccc.forumotion.net/forum.htm
Yeah, i agree. This wasnt a case of him just snapping under pressure. He planted threatening letters and then set up the crime scene to look as if someone had broken in and killed his family. He put a lot of thaught into this. Anyone who could go from room to room and callously murder their children is just plain cold and evil.
I don’t take Nancy Grace too seriously, but it was funny that he told her off. It was also funny that she threw him off the show!
What is NOT funny is what this slime ball did to his beautiful family!
Anyone who thinks a child killer who is not going to Hell, should get their head examined. Recently, there have been many parents killing their whole family.
Do you all remember Ronald Gene Simmons? In December of 1986, he killed all 14 of his family members in Russellville, Arkansas and two at his former workplace. He was executed on June 25, 1990.
This is one of those cases of “Why did he have a girlfriend when his wife was so pretty?” I’ve seen several of those and really wondered. What was going on inside the relationship (or, conversely, inside his head) that lead him away from that beautiful woman and those gorgeous kids? Most men would kill (forgive the pun) for a chance to have that pretty little family.
Its was soo obvious the Nancy Grace had no clue what to do when Milhaven let her know she was full of shit! I have noticed that many of her guests and commentators will talk themselves in circles whenever they say something she disagrees with and she confronts them. Its a real shame to watch sometimes! She has focused a lot on the mistress angle of the story (as usual focused, on the unsavory parts) so much so that you would think that was all the case revolved around and not the real victims here. Coleman will have a special place in hell definitley…I will never understand how he could strangle his own children like that. I wonder if he will ever reveal his bullshit justification for this horrible tragedy?
I read something on CNN that had links from OPRAH.com
It was talking about people having “emotional affairs” where people are more connected with another person of the opposite sex (ooohh I have just offended 2% of the population) than they are with their spouse or significant other. Also it appears they married young. My wife and her first husband were “high school sweet hearts” and after being with eachother for / about 12 years he started feeling that he was missing out – about the same age as Chrissy here.
Also our society has placed a high value on new and exciting rather than that which is faithful and reliable. Thus a spouse of 12 years is just not as fun and exciting as a new significant other…..
Combine that with the reality of divorce – he leaves and she takes him to the cleaners, so he feels that he has no life. Maybe the boys were monopolizing their mother’s time and he didn’t like being alone at the gas station of love….
It’s obvious he felt this way for a while, manufacturing threats as to throw the police off his trail. He knows that there are many unsolved cases and he was hoping to become one of those statistics….
Also while she’s definately eye candy, behind closed doors she may have been quite a different person……..
Well whatever happened, it looks like reality hit… the fact that he had a marriage that could have been made better, the fact that not only has he lost his family, but his stripper girlfriend as well. Maybe the reality that there is really a God who is going to punish him also set in as well.
Whatever the case may be, his life is only going to be getting a lot worse and rightfully so……
Also I wonder why it seems to be happening in “good” families…. I have had some neighbors where the wife was either a killer whale or a skank, bitchey as all hell with real brats as kids and I wonder why they weren’t knocked off? it goes against he rules of Darwinism….
This is brilliant Fred, it really is. I couldn’t have expressed what Chris Coleman’s motive probably was and why what he did was so wrong any better if I had a month to do it. It’s almost like you read his mind in that moment when the seriousness of his dilemma hit him. Thanks so much for this comment buddy.
CNN had an article on “emotional affairs” where people are not physically intament, so they rationalize it’s OK, but emotionally they are more into the “other person” than they are with the spouse.
After being with someone for a few or many years, the newness wears off and it takes a little bit of work to keep it shiny!
Thanks for this post and site. Sometimes when writing such a comment, I reread it and try to see if I am on that same road to ruin or if I’ve strayed off the path like some of these POS have. While I am miles behind them, one does not need to murder their spuse to killl a marriage.
My first wife gt emotionally involved with just such a “friend”.
If one can’t tell their spouse about it, then something is wrong…
His wife was a pretty woman; however, if you look at celebrity divorces, and the amount of cheating rumor going on with the men, you’ll see clearly that looks don’t matter. In America, marriages have become disposable. And we, as a society tend to get bored with our spouses and want something new.
Anyway, I’d guess that the mistress was fun and exciting in ways his pretty wife was not. It’s the classic murder, all the way back to Francisca Rojas and the bloody handprint. Kids and spouse out of the way to clear the path for the new honey. Such a shame… I’m glad that this one is finally seeing the implications of what he did and realizing that he at least will likely lose everything.
what a beautiful young family.. such a freaking shame. i wonder what made this guy snap? i hear talk of a misstress, was that confirmed?
and, is it just me, or did his wife look eerily similar to casey anthony in the picture where shes a brunette?
I confess that I watch Nancy Grace, and although she is sometimes obnoxious, she’s a staunch advocate for missing and abused and murdered children. I think her show also has helped in putting pieces together in the Caylee Anthony case. I think she genuinely does care about children (though I’d never want to be on her show, lol). So sue me!
Yeah, I think Colemand should go to hell. And Joyce Meyers should screen the people who work for her ministry better!
That OK Kathy, I never claimed to know everything. The Nancy Grace bit was purely my opinion, which is why it was in italics. You’ve been commenting on this site for a long time, so we won’t be suing you….yet. :>)
Hey Kathy – I agree that NG’s motivation is good, but she is truly frightening. You know, she used to be a prosecutor, and she was one of those horrible ones who would twist the facts to fit her preconceived idea of who the perp was. If a woman was killed, Nancy Grace would point at the husband or boyfriend and never move her finger. Since it usually IS the husband or boyfriend, she was usually right, but in those few other cases, she destroyed people’s lives. That’s just not cool. She does the same thing now.
We, as private citizens, have the right to voice our opinions in talk, or on message boards like this – but it is just flat out wrong for a woman who has been a legal professional to go on TV and screetch and scream and destroy people, based on her gut feelings. As I said, she might be right most of the time (just because of statistics) but she gives ZERO benefit of the doubt, and our justice system is supposed to keep that principle at the top, at all times.
Remember the little missing British girl with the funny eye? NG all but accused the parents of murdering her. And Elizabeth Smart, out in the west? NG practically had her Dad strapped in the chair. And little Jessica, in FL. Till they found her body under the pedo’s trailer – the Graceless one had the lynch mobs ready to start marching with pitchforks and torches to get her Daddy.
It is dangerous and a huge disservice to our justice system. Casey Anthony has been tried and convicted in the court of media manipulation. Chances are that she did kill her baby, but how the hell can she get a fair trial when half the country is already convinced that she did it?
I understand your point, Mazzi, but I guess one of the reasons I like Nancy Grace is that she expresses the same kind of outrage towards those who torture and kill children that many of us feel on this board. In fact–I think she’d fit in really well here, lol! She may sometimes be wrong in some of her assumptions, but I think she’s right on target with the Casey Anthony case, and she does have knowledgable guests on her show who contribute worthwhile information. I think most people watching the show understand that her show is primarily for entertainment value (unlike “America’s Most Wanted”, for example), and take her tirades with a grain of salt. It’s true that she has gotten even more emotional since having her twins, lol.
Hey Max, thanks for not suing me! You wouldn’t get very much if you did, though–maybe enough to feed your cats for a week!
Hehehe – No problemo Kathy. Seriously though, I like you and respect your opinion because you believe the victims of jerks like Coleman deserve all the justice and support they can get, and believe it as much as anyone else on this site. We don’t have to agree about everything, as long as we agree about that.
It’s kinda hard to say if he deserves hell or not.. As we see it, he probably does, as most of the evidence points to him. But another look upon it, how and why would he do that? Why would he just suddenly snap and kill them just like that..?
It’s sad and heartbreaking.
Especially when there are young kids involved.
Wow, for as high-profile as this is with three murders… I LIVE in CoMo and haven’t heard a thing about it. So much for thinking I live in a nice quiet town.
Ditto on my felings of Nancy Grace – she’s just toxic and vile.
I like ol Nancy Grace. Someone needs to point out the slime balls of the world. Plaster their faces everywhere just in case they get out. What this kook did was vile. He deserves the pit of fire with a gasoline marinade.
As far as Chris Coleman is concerned if he ends up in prison for the remainder of his life, he’s where he deserves to be.. Did he look into the faces of his sons, and his wife as he strangled them? The three people in the world that depended on him for love, safety, and everything a husband and father is supposed to provide?? Did he look at those boys and imagine them as babies in his arms?? I dont know… I have a hard time believing he did, because if he had I’m fairly certain he couldn’t have gone through with it.. although sometimes I think that some people just go through the motions.. if you know what I mean.. appearing as something, playing a part… until they discover that they just can’t play the part anymore and selfishly end it all.. I just dont know..
You know, I thought there was something fishy about this guy when I first read about the murders. I guess I was right.
I don’t understand how a Christian, raised by a pastor ,can kill ! He must be unattached !! Yes, he probably will go to hell.
Um, because Christians don’t kill ever, or is this just special because he was raised by a pastor? If so, um, wasn’t the bitch that killed Sandra Cantu a fricken Sunday school teacher, and her dad a preacher as well? Seems to me a lot of Christians kill, which is frightening considering… isn’t one of the messages of the religion that of love? Bah!
I hate to break it to you Joyce, but Christopher Colema was the head of security an a long time member of Joyce Meyers Ministries. You should know who Joyce Meyers is, being “attached” and all that. Well for those who don’t Joyce Meyers is a televangelist based in the Saint Louis Area. I’ve watched Joyce a few times, and she’s one of the better preachers out there – not much talk of money and nothing about that “word of faith” scam that most of them are using (in order to get something from God, you have plant a seed, i.e. make a donation to the church, and God will return your seed to you a 1000 fold), but I’ve also seen her on the shows of some of the worst offenders, like Paula White.
The point is Chris Coleman was meeting his mistress (More than once, say police) while traveling during several of Meyer’s appearances on the road. He’s a phony, a hypocrite, an adulterer and now he’s a murderer but he was also a card carrying lover of the little baby Jesus. Instead if trying to distance yourself from him, why don’t you try praying for the man. Ask yourself, what would Jesus do?
True, it probably would be more “christian” to pray for the man, than to condemn him.. Even though it’s a regular practice among some fundementalists, every church I’ve been to frowns on condemning people to hell.. I dont see this site as condemning anyone, but rather giving people a place to vent their anger, disgust, frustration, and grief..
I actually like Joyce Meyer.. I watch her show once in a while, and have read two of her books (she’s got quite a few that address topics ranging from becoming more organized, to being patient with yourself as you go along in life).. Thats why I like her.. she’s into common sense, not condemnation.. As soon as I read that this guy was connected to her organization I thought to myself that it was just a matter of time before someone started up the christian bashing.. (not saying you did Max.. I’m just waiting).. Christopher Coleman wasn’t a christian.. he was a wolf in sheeps clothing.. He was a deluded fool who believed that he could be absolved of all of his wrongs by being part of a ministry.. and when it all started to fall apart.. the world got to see his true self.. He’ll be held accountable one way or another.. I’m sure of it..
I’m glad you saw that I wasn’t bashing real Christians minjofu, only the ones who say “do as I say, not as I do”. I get really angry at people who profess to love Jesus but seem to not know a thing about Him or His philosophy. They judge people for a litany of faults the we all possess but they pretend they don’t have, they hate people for all kinds of reasons – being Gay, Jewish, Muslim, etc, etc… They are the minority of Believers but they have the loudest voices, so unfortunately they sometimes appear as the face of Christianity.
I have to admit I am cautiously optimistic about Joyce Meyers, but I’m also troubled by the way they distanced themselves from someone that Joyce herself described as a “dear friend” at the start of this nightmare. It would have been nice to see a statement supporting the man Chris Coleman but condemning the sin he committed. You know, hate the sin, love the sinner.
Anyways, I’m a lot more spiritual then I let on sometimes, and this story really got me thinking about that subject. I seem to always learn something from every article I write, especially the ones that bother me enough to keep me awake at night while they buzz around in my head. I can’t say I feel bad for Chris Coleman, because I don’t, but it bothers me how he’s been abandoned by his church, such as it is. Jesus always spoke of leaving the flock to find the lost sheep, and Chris is as lost as one can get. It just doesn’t feel right to me.
I have to admit that sometimes I am conflicted.. There are some behaviors and lifestyles that are just not okay as far as the bible is concerned.. and while I want to be a good christian, I just don’t feel that sense of.. I can’t call it hate, because I dont think christians are supposed to HATE anyone.. I dont feel like worshipping God by a different name is evil, and I dont’ feel like homosexuality is evil (when it’s within monogamous relationships.. I feel the same way about heterosexuality though)..
Joyce is human, and she has a lot tied up in her ministry, so.. I suppose I can see why she would distance herself.. I’m not saying it’s right, but I can see why she would..
Joyce,
I was raised in a very strict babtist home, my father a preacher. I won’t bore you with the horrors that went on in our household. I will tell you this, it’s never as pretty as you think it is!! I don’t know what his “life” was like growing up as a PK, but I can tell you that I personally became DETACHED from Christianity real quick when I figured out that “life” wasn’t supposed to be so sad and horrific as it was in my house growing up. I am not saying all preachers’ households were like mine, but most of the PK’s that I have ever talked to have lived a similar “life” like mine….
Just FYI,
Bryann
Please note that the date is incorrect in your paragraph eleven, it should state May 5th.
I believe hell has a fine bed for Chris Coleman.
Woops, there’s a dumb mistake. Thanks for letting me know One4Justice.
Great coverage on this case, Max. Nice of you to give us the news as opposed to the gossip (i.e., the “other woman” angle). Not to say that it is not important to the case as far as character, motive, et al, but I’m glad you focused on what’s important: the crime itself.
Also, your article is the first I’ve seen noting the time of the alleged threats to be in Nov. ’08 – gee, the same time as when he/they had Sheri’s name removed from the mortgage (supposedly for credit/financial reasons).
Is pop psychology politically incorrect? God, I hope so, cuz here’s my take –
Does anyone know anything about Coleman’s family other than that his Dad is a minister? Any siblings? For all the public façade, this family does not look emotionally close. At the graveside pictures, his (father, presumably?) looks awkward when he drapes his arm lightly around Coleman’s shoulder. They’re all distanced from each other and don’t appear to turn toward each other or speak much at all in any of the pics I’ve seen. Also, the family pics with Sheri and the boys – only in the studio or professional shots does he even seem to look at her.
Never does this guy show any emotion. Never.
I think this guy is a major narcissist with emotional detachment disorder – a psychopath. Popular belief is that narcissists think highly of themselves, when in fact, the reverse is generally true (from my understanding). As such, these kinds of people tend to have uncommonly low self esteem and consequently wrap their whole lives and psyche around putting themselves in a position to feed this ego they can’t seem to nurture within themselves.
This would tie into the need for adulation from other women, despite how lovely/sweet/perfect, etc., his wife seems to have been. Also, as most of us know, it’s easier to be a lover or g/f, b/f than a spouse cuz some of the glamour wears off or wears thin after awhile. And while most psychopaths or those with narcissistic-type tendencies are experts with the public façade (a la Ted Bundy), they have to have “down time” at home. And this is especially upsetting for them because now the spouse is in a position to see and possibly expose this pumped-up image he has of himself. And that’s probably the ONLY thing this guy was ever afraid of. Exposure.
I’ll bet he was verbally and emotionally abusive to her and the kids at home to keep them in line so as to protect himself and to make them think that any perceived faults or weaknesses present in their lives or in him all stemmed from THEM, not him.
Sick bastard all the way around.
Guess I should say, “if he did it …” Guess I won’t.
Thanks for the compliment LaZyJeStYr, I appreciate it. And thanks for that little bit of info about the first threats in November coinciding with Coleman’s removal of Sheri’s name from the house deed. I wasn’t aware of that relationship. Pretty damning stuff, wouldn’t you say? I’m going to squeeze that into the story, along with some thing I found out today about the cops finding portions of threatening letters on his computer’s hard drive. This Forum, called ColemanChat.com, is a great clearinghouse of info on this case from all kinds of sources.
http://cccc.forumotion.net/forum.htm
You make a lot of interesting observations about Chris Coleman in your “psychological evaluation” of him. You certainly don’t need a PHD to see that you’re probably very, very close to the truth about the kind of person he is.
Hey Laz – I am not an expert (although I am studying to become one) but it sounds like your dx may be close to the mark. I don’t jump on the bandwagon of guilt until all the evidence is in for circumstantial cases, but I do suspect that this guy killed his family.
What I don’t get though is how these guys think they can get away with it. I know that narcissists are not always the clearest thinkers and that they often believe they are above the laws of normal mortals, but still – even cursory research would show that the husband is always the first suspect and that even if he was innocent, he would be wrung through the wringer. Even a pathological liar would have trouble keeping up the cover, and even an obsessive ex-marine would have problems ensuring that there was no physical evidence in a triple murder.
Anyway, if he’s guilty, I hope he fries. If he is innocent I hope that he doesn’t get railroaded.
“I wonder what made him snap” He didn’t snap. He’s the same brand of Narcissist – and our culture has created and epidemic of them – of fathers who can’t be trusted around their own wives and children – self-centered to the core and thus able to justify anything they do. Financial pressures my foot – don’t give this type ligitimacy. We all have financial pressures and we don’t annihilate our loved ones. Narcissist Narcissist Narcissist – just like Scott Peterson, Neil Entwistle, Drew Peterson, Mark Hacking, John List and on and on…He always was a Narcissist, but it just took the certain conditions for him to show it. If I were a juror in a case like this all I would need to hear is the MMPI result from the psych exam read “Narcissist” and I would understand that this is a person who is more likely – has less restraint about doing something like this. How many times do we have to see such types in the news? Narcissist Narcissist Narcissist. There’s your answer. They don’t have normal emotions, they don’t form normal bonds with their spouses, parents, siblings or even their own children – no matter what the appearance is until they kill. That’s when you realize that they don’t and didn’t all along form bonds that prevent this type of things. And they don’t need an important excuse like financial problems – all they need is themselves and their own folly and whim for an excuse to kill. Away with these pussys.
It defies logic, doesn’t it? But then, logic and this level of disturbed psychology aren’t exactly bed partners. At least, not logic as WE know it. The courtroom commentator programs should be bringing in psychologists to sit in on their broadcasts any time now to start dissecting this guys psyche.
But in my opinion, digging into the murky depths of this guy’s gray matter is for OUR benefit – so that we can better understand this type of “anti-social” behavior and eradicate it (and him) from our world. So we, as a society, can identify the causes/circumstances of the makeup of this kind of individual and maybe be able to step in and circumvent this kind of disaster in the future. As parents, school teachers, friends, siblings, etc. – help spot it in children demonstrating these traits and maybe get them some help.
And learn to avoid the SOBs when they’re adults. Can you imagine how Sheri’s PARENTS must feel? Can you imagine how this must add to their grief? Can you imagine how many “red flags” they probably ignored over the years because of his refined public image?
I’m definitely interested in the psychology of this, but I don’t think we’ll ever UNDERSTAND it, and not sure I’d WANT to.
I agree with you wholeheartedly, Mazzi, in keeping the mind open for possible innocence and try not to let the horror of the crime get in the way of judgment. But we are human. And I, for one, WANT this guy to be innocent. I don’t want him “proven” innocent, I want him to BE innocent. Big difference.
So we appreciate these forums where we can pick each others’ brains and try to ascertain some semblance of truth? Or “what fits”?
Meanwhile, back to some of the facts …
I think the most damning thing the jury won’t be able to get over isn’t the glove or the spray paint or any other forensic evidence, it’s going to be HOW can you explain not calling her family for TWO WHOLE DAYS to let them know their daughter was dead. That’s just not human.
Okay, so back to the psyche thing – his parents, did THEY know? If so, now we know WHO helped him to become what he is today. I am not a big “blame the parents” person, but you cannot deny they were a big part of his formative years, and if THEY approved or turned the other cheek or were part of his decision not to let Sheri’s family know “just yet” while they figured this whole thing out …
I believe he will be convicted or exonerated on forensics (they seem to have an abundance of it), but the most damning part of it all is his behavior.
Does anyone know the story about Coleman supposedly destroying the makeshift memorial outside his home? I heard reference to it somewhere in a “by-the-way” comment, but that’s it.
I despise those makeshift memorials with the plastic flowers and teddy bears and candles. They really bother me. I would almost certainly destroy one if it was for my family – and I guarantee you I would be innocent.
People do grieve in different ways. I don’t think that any actions he took immediately after the murders can be interpreted to mean anything. Seriously. he may not have called the family because he was sedated. Maybe he was scared to call them. Maybe he hates them, or they hate him. Maybe it never even occurred to him because they are not close. Maybe he assumed the cops told them.
Actions BEFORE the murder matter. And certainly things like packing up his suitcases and taking $50k from the bank might mean something afterwards, but even that can only be seen as suspicious and not proof of anything.
I agree that I want him to be innocent. Or to be guilty. Not just “probably” one or the other. But if there is to be an error in judgment, I would rather it be in his favor than against him. If you are even remotely religious or spiritual, you believe in a higher being. So if we, as humans fail to punish him for crimes we can’t prove, then we can take comfort in the knowledge that he WILL get his in the end. If you are an atheist then I guess there is no comfort to be had, but at least, he is not likely to become a real danger to society. I wouldn’t recommend marrying him and having kids with him, but he is probably safe as a kitten to live next door to.
“Safe as a kitten to live next door to …”
God, you’re pro’ly right, and isn’t that scary as hell anyway???? ACK!
I agree with where you are coming from, Mazzi, so I do not want to take what you are saying out of context with these next questions/comments, but I do want to point out this:
“actions before the crime” is indicative of premeditation
While many of said actions prior to this tragedy do point to forethought, the actual crime itself also shows traces of not-well-thought-out actions, ergo, spontaneous.
I tend to believe that he may have been of a mind frame that excluded having his family (Sheri & the boys) intimately involved in his future and apparently took steps in that regard, but I tend to think he fast-forwarded those plans as a result of some argument or other mitigating factor, causing him to act precipitously and possibly murderously when it might not have been his original intent. Then had to cover it all up by killing the boys (who might have witnessed it).
Then you have manslaughter for her; murder for them.
Just one of many theories
It sounds like we are on the same page again, Laz =)
Actions before the crime are important, because, unless he was planning to commit a murder, he wouldn’t KNOW that a murder was going to happen. So, if he did things that were connected to the crime immediately beforehand, that’s important. (For example – Scott Peterson made 5 concrete anchors for his boat a few days before he killed his wife. All but one of the anchors disappeared, and his dead wife was later found in the water, likely held down by some sort of anchor).
Whether Scott Peterson cried, was stone-faced or threw up after he was told about her death is not really important. Any of those responses are legitimate, guilty or innocent.
Peterson was later found with a different hair color, in a borrowed vehicle with a large amount of money – looking like he was heading to Mexico. THAT was suspicious, but also possibly semi-legit. If he was truly innocent but felt like he was going to be railroaded, he might have had the desire to escape. So, it’s not really evidence, but it is damned weird.
As far as the legal definition of murder v. manslaughter, it has been terribly watered down by plea deals, but first degree murder can happen in a split second. The legal definition of “malice aforethought” doesn’t really mean pre-planned. It roughly means that at some point (even a split second) before committing the murder, the killer knew what he was doing, chose to do it, and did it. So, when someone carefully plans a murder it is definitely murder one, but when a wife pushes her husband, and he sees red and thinks “I’m gonna kill da bitch” and then does it – it is also first-degree murder. IF Coleman killed his wife and boys, it will be first degree for all three, almost certainly.
Oh, I definitely agree his actions before the crime are of utmost importance. Never thought otherwise cuz that will help determine intent.
But like you said/implied – the legal standard and how the Courts have interpreted it over the years with the help of high-priced lawyers (who admittedly are just doing their jobs) have seriously compromised the concept.
So it’s going to hinge on his actions prior to the crime, cuz if it comes down to his culpable mental state – did he understand the nature and quality of his actions and did he understand right from wrong – how can you argue that? I mean, it takes how long to strangle/smother someone? Especially if, by God, they are fighting for their life??? Only way out of that is heat-of-passion or diminished mental state. And if his prior actions all lead to a life without Sheri in it, he’s screwed.
In case anyone is interested there is a website set up to make donations for the Memorial people are planning to build in memory of Sheri, Garett, & Gavin.
http://www.sheriannherboys.com/index.htm
I’ve tried that site before and never had any luck (under construction). Tried it again just now and same problem. I’ll keep trying, but if anyone else is making it through, I’d like to know so I can find out why it’s not pulling up for me.
Tks
Looks like just the “home page” isn’t working.
This bypasses that:
http://www.sheriannherboys.com/photos.htm
Google sherriannherboys and then click on the second heading. It will take you to the photo gallery and you can navigate from there.
I hope that the boys stayed asleep and never knew what was going on. The one thing that was kind of suspicious to me was the fact that he called for a welfare check. If, when my husband calls in the morning to make sure that we are up and at ‘em I don’t answer the phone, he figures that we are busy and can’t answer or else we are already at the bus stop, he wouldn’t call the police unless it was all day of not hearing from me and even then he would probably come home to check himself. Why would he call the police unless he already knew that something had happened?
** May 26 Update **
Sheri’s Family Files Wrongful Death Suit Against Chris Coleman
This comes as no surprise, but it does get interesting because the suit, filed by Illinois lawyer Jack Carey, names as “respondents in discovery” not just Coleman’s former workplace (Joyce Meyer Ministries), but also his father, Ronald Coleman, who has a ministry of his own.
This means the lawyer is petitioning the Court to have access to information these people might not want to be giving out, like correspondence, computers (for email/search history checks); financial records; travel information, and whatnot.
The family has stated they are filing the suit to ensure that Chris Coleman is unable to profit from this travesty. (Notice I didn’t say “crimes” yet???)
God, I hope they don’t turn this into a media circus with JMM at the center. I am really impressed at the readers and admin of this site who have, unlike so many others, kept the focus of this story on Sheri and her boys and the suspect, and not JMM or the “other woman.” Shows a lot of intellect here. Right? Right? Hello???? Okay, maybe it’s just me.
Meanwhile, the Colemans and JMM aren’t going to be getting any sleep anytime soon.
Interesting they are trying to get Ron Coleman to cough up info. Yowsa
The way I see it, his job and his girlfriend (if one exists) have nothing to do with anything, unless and until there is hard evidence that he killed his family. THEN it may be important to some degree or another.
I don’t approve of people cheating on spouses, but it is not my business. We don’t know what (if any) arrangements the couple could have had. (And no one else does either – no matter how close they think they were to his wife.) I understand that there are a LOT of families – particularly with small children, where instead of a divorce, the spouses cheat – and it’s not a big deal. (Think of Bill and Hillary Clinton for a high profile example.) So, simply having a GF does not mean that he would go kill his wife. However, if he killed his wife – having a girlfriend on the side could certainly be relevant.
As for Joyce Myers – I have no real idea who that is. I am not a Christian (I’m Buddhist). Again, it’s not my business if people get comfort out of holy rollers, scientology, moonies or whatever. There are good people who truly believe, and there are bad people who exploit others, but unless the exploiters commit a crime, I stay out of it.
So, till more information is known, I am not going to make a big deal about it, one way or another =)
That was in Columbia Il not Columbia Mo
I agree with everything you say about this evil, evil man. BUT it does get me when people run websites on exactly the same subjects (death of children and wives) as Nancy Grace then criticize her for the same thing they are doing.
Oh, come ON, can’t you tell this is a forum? And I’m sure somewhere in the small print it states that the opinions on this site are not necessarily those of management. Shit, what DOESN’T have that disclaimer? Add to which, you can pretty-much tell from the PEOPLE YOU’LL SEE IN HELL site name that opinions on this site aren’t going to be politically correct. In contrast, Nancy Grace’s show bills itself as a news program; hence, a more professional, unbiased approach is expected, yet she often seems to take her cue from Jerry Springer.
Besides, it’s not criticism when you’re right, it’s arrogance.
****** I just went back and read the story to see how slanted it was … WTF? That’s straight reporting. What a shame. It’s much more fun when they bash the perp. – but you can’t fault the story. It’s great reporting all the way around.
There’s a huge difference between difference between us and Nancy Grace Sharon, but you have to look past something as obvious as subject matter to see it. The difference is our intent, the reason we exist, why we do these stories. Nancy Grace exists to exploit and sensationalize stories for the sake of ratings. Accuracy always takes a back seat to attention grabbing headlines. Do you remember the “exclusive” interview of Elizabeth Smart that she did? Obviously, Elizabeth was on the show to talk about the National Sex Offender Registry, but all Nancy wanted to talk about was the kidnapping, to the point where Smart had to tell her off.
PYSIH exists for one purpose – to support the victims of violent crime, and to make sure their stories are not forgotten. This website makes no money, In fact, the administrator usually ends up paying for our server out of his own pocket to make up for the shortfall in revenue from donations and advertisements. I work as editor, taking care of the day to day operation of the site, on a strictly voluntary basis, along with several writers and a researcher who all donate their time. Nancy may have started out with good intentions, but she lost her way long ago.
OMG! Who is this woman?! Really she looks fake she sounds fake and she’s so dumb!!!! I’m like stunned or something wow..she’s so careless of people!
The other woman angle IS legit:
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/illinoisnews/story/38C8A2705592CEA2862575C6000E2F8E?OpenDocument
and
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/illinoisnews/story/B1F6BDD14E1D573F862575C5005BFE6B?OpenDocument
I never said it wasn’t buddy, the problem I had was people treating the rumor that Tara Lintz worked as a stripper as fact. I never was able to find any proof of that being true, but Nancy Grace was all over it.
Wow…Did he actualy think that he was going to get away with this?
He’s a dumb bastard i dont understand why he did this for… MONEY? I think that it’s wrong of this world to put so much value into shit like this..Happyness don’t come in a fucking box and things just shoulcn’t cost so damn much!
But anyways no reason is a good enough excuse to kill your wife and babies!
Tiny’s Bar in Columbia, IL is having a tribute/fundraiser in memory of Sheri, Garret and Gavin. It starts at 5:00, but my daughter and I went early. We went to the house, left a memento and said a prayer. My heart aches for that whole town. The pain was palpable. At Tiny’s we had great burgers (I had a Blue Moon) and bought a T-shirt made in their honor (which my daughter loves). I feel simultaneously more at peace and more disturbed by this heinous act. Standing in THAT town in front of THAT house — you KNOW he did it. What a shame. Damn shame.
UPDATE: Added picture and latest information concerning Chris Coleman’s girlfriend, Tara Linz.
You have GOT to see this picture – LOL – (That, that) Dude looks like a lady….
LaZyJeStYr is KRISTI BIRD, AKA
; KAYLEE TOWERS….WANTED IN TUCSON. AZ FOR TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS AND CRIMINAL VIO. FAILURE 2 APPEAR.