 May 22, 2013 Related Galleries Photos: Murder trial of Chris Harris Photos: Beason killings, investigation Wednesday, May 22, 2013 10 a.m.: Tabitha Gee's injuries included a laceration that nearly severed her right ear and a skull fracture that sunk into her brain, Dr. Channing Petra has testified. One juror shook his head and shut his eyes when graphic photos of the child's injuries were displayed. 9 a.m.: The doctor who treated survivor Tabitha Gee will testify this morning along with a Logan County detective. Pantagraph.com will have live coverage from the courtroom. Check back here throughout the day for updates. PREVIOUS COVERAGE Tuesday May 21,2013 2:30 p.m.: Dillen Constant's DNA was found in fingernail scrapings for Rick Gee, according to the scientist. The result was previously cited by the defense to support Harris' claim that Dillen was in the midst of a killing spree when Harris arrived.�? 1:50 p.m.: A state forensic scientist is giving results of DNA tests on blood from the Gee home. It is apparent that the victims moved among several rooms during the killings. Blood found outside the home was linked to Dillen Constant, 14. Results so far have not matched Harris. Noon: Chris Harris repeatedly denies having anything to do with the Gee family slayings in the videotape, saying at one point, ""You guys have the wrong guy. I wouldn't kill my family. " 10:15 a.m.: Chris Harris denies in the interview that a blood palm print belonged to him despite crime lab results matching him to the print. "I never went there. It's impossible. I didn't kill anybody" Harris said when confronted with the evidence. 9 a.m: The final interview Chris Harris gave to police is being played for the jury. A detective told him initially, "I'd like to eliminate you" as a suspect. Pantagraph.com will have live coverage from the courtroom. Check back here throughout the day for updates. PREVIOUS COVERAGE Monday, May 20, 2013 10:25: Harris testified that police asked him to answer questions when he went to the jail to pick up his clothing collected earlier by police. It is his first time on the witness stand since his arrest. The state denies he was in custody when he was speaking to police. 9:55 a.m.: Chris Harris is taking the witness stand. 9:45 a.m.: The defense wants the judge to suppress Harris' statement based on a state police detective's testimony Friday that police had Harris' palm print from the crime scene and were looking for him. Police asked Harris to answer more questions despite his statement to them that a lawyer discouraged him doing so. 8:50 a.m.: The jury will not report today for the trial, according to a defense lawyer. Lawyers are expected to argue legal matters related to a police interview with Harris. The jury was sent home early Friday after lawyers for both sides met to discuss the undisclosed matter. Pantagraph.com will have live coverage from the courtroom. Check back here throughout the day for updates. PREVIOUS COVERAGE Friday, May 17, 2013 2:30 p.m.: The DNA of three Gee family victims was found on blood- stained evidence, said forensic scientist William Frank. Ruth Gee's blood was found on her computer; Dillen's DNA was on Chris Harris' right shoe and Rick Gee's DNA was detected on blood stains collected from the inside of the truck, said the witness. 2 p.m.: A state DNA expert is testifying about tests he performed on evidence from the crime scene. He will give his conclusions soon on whether Harris is linked to the truck, shoes, tire iron and other items collected during the investigation. 11 a.m.: A former girlfriend of Chris Harris just testified she noticed no serious injuries on him when the two had sexual relations the day after the Gee family homicides. Kristy Moore of Clinton said Harris had a fresh wound on the palm of his hand, but no other marks when she picked him up at a Clinton gas station. 9 a.m.: Jason Harris' former girlfriend Jennifer Earnest and her mother, Sara Duncan, both subpoenaed to testify, were sent home by a prosecutor Friday morning. The women were clearly irritated with -Duncan saying she spent $900 on plane tickets and made the trip to Illinois from Florida Thursday on her birthday. The women are charged with obstruction of justice for allegedly giving a false alibi for Chris Harris. Pantagraph.com will have live coverage from the courtroom. Check back here throughout the day for updates. PREVIOUS COVERAGE Thursday, May 16, 2013 4:30 p.m.: Jason Harris wrapped up his testimony after more than nine hours on the stand Wednesday and Thursday. Stanford bar owner John Williams testified this afternoon that he gave Jason the cocaine the brothers used before the Gee family was killed. Williams, owner of Tweakers, said he was using cocaine when the brothers stopped by his home. 1:45 p.m.: In a December 2012 interview with police, Jason Harris recanted his earlier claims that his brother intended to rape victim Justina Constant. He stood by his story that Chris only wanted to talk to the girl. The December meeting came in preparation for Jason's testimony. Noon: Jason Harris' lawyer, Steve Skelton of Bloomington, watches his client testify. During a break, Skelton said Harris is paying a "high price" for being dishonest," adding that his client "acknowledges his role and responsibility and that there's a price to pay for that." 11:30: Jason Harris admits he lied about where he was during the Gee family killings. He told police he ran down the road and was picked up. Detectives tried repeatedly to get him to tell the truth, he said. "You gotta tell us a version that makes sense," detectives told him, according to transcripts of an interview. 9 a.m.: Jason Harris is back on the stand this morning, answering questions about an Oct. 6 interview with police. A transcript presents yet another version of what happened the night of the Gee family killings. He said his brother took nothing with him into the house. He also said he ran from the scene -- both lies, he said. Pantagraph.com will have live coverage from the courtroom. Check back here throughout the day for updates. ------ PREVIOUS COVERAGE Wednesday, May 15, 2013 3:45 p.m.: In answers devoid of emotion, Jason Harris could not explain why he didn't question his brother's move to take a tire iron with him to talk to Justina Constant at the Gee family home in Beason. Defense lawyer Dan Fultz put the tire iron up his sleeve to illustrate what Chris may have looked like and walked stiffly for several minutes as he questioned the witness. The defense questioning will not conclude today. 2:30 p.m.: At the close of his testimony, Jason Harris admitted he lied during several police interviews. "I told so many stories I don't remember what I told," he said. The defense is asking him questions now, focusing on the timeline leading up to the killings. 1:30 p.m.: Chris Harris went to a Peoria to see survivor Tabitha Gee because "he was worried about her pointing him out," Jason Harris said on the stand. Chris Harris told Jason that cocaine the two shared the night of the murders caused him to act violently, said Jason; he added he helped Chris hide the Gee's computer "to keep him out of trouble." Noon: Jason Harris quotes his brother as saying "I (expletive)up and killed them all" after Chris Harris left the Gee house covered in blood, carrying a tire iron and the Gees' laptop computer. Jason stood by as Dillen, 14, was beaten by Chris after the youth fled the house. 11:30 a.m. Jason Harris heard "a really loud thump and a really loud scream. It sounded like a bowling ball dropping" after his brother went into the Gee family house. 10:30: Jason Harris is testifying about the hours before the killings. They went to Tweakers Bar in Stanford until 9:30 p.m., then to a store in Minier for cigarettes and next to bar owner John Williams' house looking for cocaine, Harris said. Harris, wearing street clothes and shackles, said Williams handed him about a gram of cocaine and the two brothers stopped at a barn near Jason's house to snort some of the drug. The brothers made two attempts to meet women Chris Harris knew in Lawndale and McLean before heading to the home of Chris' ex-wife in Beason, said Jason Harris. They did not stop but drove through town. Chris then drove to Rick Gee's home to talk to Justina, a 16-year-old victim who, he told his brother, "had hit on him a few times." 9:30 a.m.: Vale tells the jury that chemical testing turned up evidence of blood inside Chris Harris truck, on the floorboard under driver's seat and in several other spots. 9 a.m.: The state's first witness is state police Sgt. James Vale. He collected Chris Harris' shoes and evidence from the suspect's truck nine days after the killings. Chris Harris' brother, Jason, is expected to testify later today. ------ Tuesday, May 14, 2013 4:50 p.m.: Jason Harris will testify tomorrow at his brother's trial, a prosecutor said. 4:30 p.m.: Shoe impressions from two pair of Chris Harris' shoes were similar to prints in the house but no clear conclusions could be reached on an exact match, the witness said. 4 p.m.: Shoes collected from the home of Gee family murder suspect Jason Harris could not be linked to footprints found outside or inside the home. A state forensic scientist is testifying on comparisons she made on shoes for both brothers. 11 a.m.: Chris Harris' finger and palm prints were found in Justina's bedroom, on the counter of the bathroom where Austin Gee, 11, was found and on the lap top computer taken from the bedroom of Rick and Ruth Gee, the witness said. Dillen Gee's finge print was identified from a door. 9:35: The fingerprint found on a window pane in victim Justina Constant's bedroom matched Chris Harris, the scientist said. 9 a.m.: A forensic scientist is explaining how she examined fingerprints collected at the Gee crime scene. Chris Harris' fingerprints were found in two rooms of the home of his former in-laws. ------ Monday, May 13, 2013 3:00 p.m.: A state crime scene investigator is explaining the process of collecting foot ware impressions and fingerprints from the Gee home. Chris Harris has admitted being in the home. His shoe and finger prints were matched with evidence in the home. Two jurors are having trouble staying awake during the testimony. Noon: Before breaking for lunch, the jury heard more of the police interview with Chris Harris, including a statement by an investigator that evidence against Harris had been mounting in the days since the Gee family was killed. 10:45 a.m.: Chris Harris told an investigator, "I'm not a killer" during an interview nine days after the killings. A state police agent admitted he was surprised when evidence began pointing toward Harris as a suspect, according to the videotaped interview played for the jury. 9 a.m.: Jurors are watching the video of Chris Harris' second interview with police from the start of the video. The panel was told to disregard what they heard during 20 minutes of the video shown on Friday when the jury heard a reference to methamphetamine in an unedited version of the recording. ------ Friday, May 10, 2013 4 p.m.: An editing error in a videotaped interview Christopher Harris gave to police allowed jurors to hear a potentially prejudicial remark and brought the trial to an early adjournment Friday afternoon. 3:30 p.m.: The jury is about to watch a Sept. 30,2009 interview Chris Harris gave to Illinois State Police investigators. Noon: Crime scene expert Michael Oyer explained a photo depicting the outline of a blister on the palm of Chris Harris hand. The small injury was the only sign of injury noted by police 11 days after the Gee family slayings. 11 a.m.: The Gee's laptop computer along with a wireless card and Chris Harris' sneakers found with the tire iron were shown to the jury. The computer was damaged as if it had been run over by a vehicle, said crime scene expert Michael Oyer. 9:50 a.m.: Jurors are looking at the tire iron allegedly used to kill the Gee family. Crime scene expert Michael Oyer took the item found under a bridge near Armington from a sealed box and held it up for jurors to see. Jurors also viewed photos of Harris taken 11 days after the killings. The only injury on his body was an outline of a small blister on his hand. 9 a.m.: Michael Oyer is back on the witness stand to testify about evidence collected during autopsies of the victims. Samples from sexual assault kits, fingerprints and DNA standards collected from the victims are being introduced as evidence. ------ Thursday, May 9, 2013 2:45 p.m.: One juror is showing signs of distress in viewing graphic photos of Austin Gee on the bathroom of the family's home. The juror, a young man who works at a restaurant, shook his head and blocked his view of the photo with his hands. 2:15 p.m.: Jurors and spectators were shown close-up photos of injuries suffered by Gee family members. The wounds, allegedly inflicted by blows from a tire iron, were clearly depicted on a large screen, along with bruises on the hands of victims, suggesting the fatal injuries were not delivered without resistance. 11:55 a.m.: The jury is viewing photos of the blood-splattered home of Rick and Ruth Gee. A crime evidence investigator said there were no signs of forced entry to the home. More crime scene investigators are schedule to testify after lunch. 10:15 a.m.: A Logan County paramedic wiped away tears as he described how he carried 3-year-old Tabitha Gee from her Beason home after she was discovered alive. A crime scene technician is next to take the stand. 8:50 a.m.: Paramedics who responded to the Gee home will be the first state witnesses followed by crime scene technicians who processed hundreds of pieces of evidence. ------ Wednesday, May 8, 2013 2 p.m.: The former stepfather of Rick Gee testified about the discovery of five members of the Gee family slain in their home. William Koehler identified the blood splattered rooms of the home. The jury saw a photo of Rick Gee lying in the hallway. 1 p.m.: A 14-year-old neighbor testified about the day he found blood on the Gee family's door. Seaton Landstrom said he was scared at the sight and summoned the victims' relatives down the street who entered and found the bodies. 11:15 a.m.: The first witness for the state is going to be Judy Stodgell, mother of victim Rick Gee. 11 a.m.: Defense attorney Peter Naylor's opening interrupted by prosecutors' objections to descriptions of alleged abuse of Dillen Constant by Rick And Ruth Gee, including nailing his bedroom windows shut. Charges of drug use and sex by the Gees with other partners in front of the children cannot be proven, the prosecutors said. 10:30 a.m.: The state described the fatal head blows each victim suffered ranging from two to 30 strikes with a tire iron during a dramatic opening by Wright. Jason Harris heard "thud, thud, thud, thud, thud" from inside the house, Wright said. 10 a.m.: Prosecutor Jonathon Wright drops a bombshell, telling the jury that Chris Harris' younger brother, Jason, has accepted a plea deal in exchange for testifying at the trial. In his opening statement, Wright said Jason Harris waited outside the Gee family house while Chris killed five family members and severely injured another. 9 a.m.: The eight rows of seats are full in the courtroom with family members for the victims and to a lesser extent Chris Harris. A dozen media are in the audience. Lawyers are setting up their areas ahead of opening statements set to begin soon. ------ Tuesday, May 7, 2013 4 p.m.: all four alternates have been chosen to complete the panel. Opening statements are set for 9 a.m. Wednesday followed by the state's witnesses. 12:30 p.m.: Three of four alternate jurors have been selected for the jury. One additional alternate will be selected this afternoon. 8:30 a.m.: The panel of four alternate jurors is expected to be chosen today. Opening statements are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday. ------ Monday, May 6, 2013 1:15 p.m.: Chris Harris smiled at his mother and stepfather as he entered the courtroom after lunch break. Interviews are set to resume shortly with a person who could complete the panel of 12 main jurors. 11:30 a.m.: A man the judge described as a perfect potential juror was dismissed after he convinced Judge Scott Drazewski that serving would be a hardship. Five people have been interviewed so far today in an effort to fill the panel of 12. 9:00 a.m.: An interview is underway for what could be the final member of the jury panel. The defense dismissed a woman from consideration this morning who said the person who killed the Gee family has serial killer tendencies. Harris is paying close attention to the questioning of a man who said he has heart problems. ------ Friday, May 3, 2013 3:15 p.m. : The 35th potential juror is being interviewed for the final panel of four jurors. Harris' lawyers just exercised a peremptory challenge to dismiss a woman who would miss her granddaughter's graduation if she were chosen. Each side is allowed seven challenges for releasing a person without giving a reason. It has been acknowledged that jury selection won't be completed today because four alternates also must be picked. 1:30 p.m.: The layout of the courtroom to include audio visual equipment for display of photos and diagrams was previewed by lawyers and the judge. The small courtroom has cramped quarters -- four tables for lawyers -- that now accommodate other materials for the trial. 12:00 p.m.: At the lunch break lawyers are considering four potential jurors who could complete the panel of 12. 10 a.m.: A pre-school teacher has been removed from consideration as a juror. Harris' lawyers asked that she be dropped from the jury pool after she said Harris starts out at a disadvantage because children were among the victims. "It could keep me awake at night ... I'm more sensitive to crimes against children" she said. 9 a.m.: Jury selection has resumed to pick the final four jurors in the Chris Harris trial. Harris is looking through jury surveys that have background information about it potential jurors. ------ Thursday, May 2, 2013 4:30 p.m.: A clerical worker at a hospital just completed the second jury panel, bringing the number of jurors to eight. Lawyers accepted the eight from two dozen interviewed over two days. More jurors will be screened Friday. 4 p.m.: After nearly a full day of interviewing potential jurors, the number selected for the panel stands at four. Twenty-three have been questioned so far today, with three for the next panel of four tentatively accepted. The court seats the jury in panels of four. 11 a.m.: Three of five jurors interviewed this morning have been excused. A mental health therapist who has no replacement and a woman with hearing issues were released. A third woman questioned yesterday was dismissed when the state used a peremptory challenge that allows each side to pass on a potential juror for no reason. Three other people are still under consideration as part of the next panel of four. 9 a.m.: The 10th potential juror is on her way into the courtroom to answer questions from the judge and lawyers. Chris Harris is smiling and chatting with defense lawyer Peter Naylor. He has been looking over jury surveys. ------ Wednesday, May 1, 2013 4:30 p.m.: the pace of jury selection has slowed. Three people have been excused for reasons that lawyers believe disqualified them. A second grade teacher cried when asked by defense lawyer Fultz if the deaths of children impacted her. A man who cares for his ill parents and a woman who is bothered by graphic depictions also were released. Juror questioning continues Thursday. 1:30 p.m.: Three women and one man have been chosen as the first four jurors. The panel includes a retired optician, a consultant and a casino hostess, all women, and a man who is general manager of an industrial cleaning business. Questioning continues this afternoon if more potential jurors. Chris Harris has been reading surveys competed by about 160 possible jurors and taking notes as he sits between his lawyers at the defense table. 11:30 a.m.: Three women answered questions so far this morning. Their feelings about self-defense claims and gruesome photos were among the questions. Jurors will be chosen in panels of four. 10 a.m.: The judge and lawyers for both sides just finished questioning of the first potential juror, a woman who is a retired optician. She struggled when asked if she might hold the state to a higher burden than beyond a reasonable doubt in reaching a verdict. She finally agreed she could be fair to both sides. 9 a.m.: Defense and prosecuting lawyers are going over about 160 surveys from potential jurors to determine which people may be eliminated without questioning for hardship or medical reasons. Harris is in court dressed in a white shirt and blue tie. He is wearing leg shackles shielded from the jury's view. Handcuffs were removed when he came into court. ------ Tuesday, April 30, 2013 11 a.m.: About 150 potential jurors were given a preview of the murder case against Harris today. Judge Scott Drazewski read all 38 indictments to the would be jurors who reported for jury service. He told them the trial will last about a month, a comment that put a grimace on some people's faces. When the trial resumes Wednesday, the jury candidates will be brought to the courtroom individually to answer questions from lawyers and the judge. Harris will be in court dressed in an outfit other than his jail uniform. He will not be handcuffed but will wear leg shackles hidden by skirting added to the defense table. 9:30 a.m.: The state has dismissed 25 murder charges against Chris Harris along with charges of alleged criminal sexual assault of victim Justina Constant. The dismissals are part of the state's effort to narrow the case for jurors. Chris Harris is not in court today, electing to stay in jail for the initial phase of jury selection. Thirty-three murder counts remain. ------ Monday, April 29, 2013 2 p.m.: With pre-trial motions decided, plans were made for the start of jury selection. Jury candidates will complete surveys and learn details of jury service when the trial resumes Tuesday. 1 p.m.: A prosecutor says the state will reduce the number of charges Chris Harris will face. Assistant Attorney General Michael Atterberry was not specific on which counts will be dropped. More than 50 of the counts are murder charges. Many of the counts repeat the same charges with minor legal distinctions. 11:15 a.m.: The jury will not hear comments allegedly made by Ruth Gee to a medical provider about the behavior of her son, Dillen Constant. The judge denied defense arguments about the mother's 2009 remarks that her son could harm himself or others. 9 a.m.: The first order of business for lawyers in the trial involved rearranging the desks and chairs in the small space they will share in the courtroom. That finished, Judge Scott Drazewski is calling 11 pre-trial motions to be heard. ___  Continue reading...
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