Chris Coleman gets 3 life sentences for Ill. strangulation deaths of wife, two sons
(CBS/KMOX) WATERLOO, Ill. - A judge has sentenced former marine and ex-pastor Chris Coleman to three life prison terms without the possibility of parole for the murders of his wife Sheri and the couple's two sons, 9-year-old Gavin and 11-year-old Garrett.
Judge Milton Wharton considered the death sentence and the fact that the jury on Friday made Coleman eligible for the death penalty.
But in the end, the judge said that Illinois' abolition of the death penalty, effective July 1st, did affect his decision. He said he made the "tough decision," imposing life in prison without parole. Judge Wharton says Coleman's time will be better spent in self-reflection.
Prosecutors say Coleman killed his family to be with his mistress and to protect his job as a body guard working for Joyce Meyer Ministries.
Monday morning, Coleman waived his right to let the jury decide his sentence putting the decision in the hands of Judge Wharton.
The jury was then dismissed and the prosecution and defense made statements to Judge Wharton.
Monroe County Prosecutor Kris Reitz spoke for five minutes, saying Coleman is cold, calculating, scheming and hatefully and shocking evil. He said, "If not the death penalty for this defendant, then who?"
Defense Attorney John O'Gara took thirty minutes to address the court, saying the jury's verdict is a death sentence, adding, Chris Coleman will die in prison.
"You know a life sentence condemns him to a six by eleven foot coffin where he'll be with another man 23 hours a day. You know all too well what a horrible punishment it is to put a person in prison and know he will die there."