Wednesday, October 07, 2009
 
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3 more arrests in Beason slayings

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[October 07, 2009]  Logan County Sheriff Steve Nichols sent shock waves through a throng of media when he announced three more arrests had been made in the Gee family slayings.

In a prepared statement Nichols said:

"I want to thank everyone for attending this press conference. On October 1st I announced the arrest of Chris Harris on 5 counts of murder and 1 count of attempted murder of the Raymond Gee family in Beason, Illinois. I also told you that the investigation was continuing.

Early this morning, the Gee Homicide Task Force arrested three additional persons involved in this case. Those arrested are:

 

Jason L. Harris

4022 Miller Rd.

Armington, Ill. DOB 08-11-87 age 22
 

Jennifer C. Earnest

4022 Miller Rd.

Armington, Ill. DOB 10-11-85 age 24

 

Sara A. Duncan

5541 Rosehill Rd. 101

Sarasota, Fla.

DOB 05-16-68 age 43

 

Jason L. Harris is the brother of Chris Harris. Jennifer C. Earnest is the girlfriend of Jason L. Harris. Sara Duncan is the mother of Jennifer Earnest. Jason Harris, Earnest and Sara Duncan are currently being charged with obstructing justice, a Class A felony. Jason Harris and Earnest were arrested at the Safety Complex. Sara Duncan was arrested today in Sarasota, Florida.

 

These arrests are based upon subsequent investigative interviews that have occurred since the previous press conference.

 

Again, this investigation will continue until all leads have been exhausted and the analysis of the crime scene evidence is completed by the Illinois State Police Crime Lab.

 

I would like to commend all members of the Gee Homicide Task Force, including my department, Lincoln Police Department, Illinois State Police, Illinois State Police Crime Lab, Illinois State Police Terrorism and Intelligence Center, Logan County State's Attorney's Office, Illinois Attorney General's Office, and the Logan County Emergency Management Agency.

 

We all owe a great deal of gratitude to each of these fine officers, criminal analysts, prosecutors and to the countless others behind the scenes that could not be here today. Thank you for your service!!"

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In a brief Q-and-A, Nichols would not elaborate on the arrested individuals' involvement in the case, outside of the fact they were charged with obstruction of justice. He said that there could be further charges in the future but would not say.

 

The following is the text from the brief Q-and-A the sheriff allowed.

 

Q. Do you expect more arrests?

A. Other charges may be pending.

 

Q. Just to clarify, these charges are obstruction of justice, not that they took part?

A. Obstruction of justice.

 

Q. Can you describe in what way they took part?

A. No.

 

The sheriff made it a point to bring up law enforcement on the stage with him.

"Most of them up here on the stage behind me, without these people we wouldn't have accomplished what we've got up to this date."

 

Q. Can you update us on the 3-year-old?
A. Last update I had she is still in fair condition.

 

Q. What do you make of the ex-wife of the primary murder suspect saying she doesn't believe her husband is in any way connected with this?
A. I have no comment at all.

 

Q. Can you explain how these three individuals arrested knew the Gee family?
A. Well, as you can see, Mr. Harris is a brother to Chris Harris, and I think it will go from there.

 

Q. Is it true that security has been increased for Tabitha Gee?

A. The security for Tabitha has been the same from day one.

 

Q. Why is Mr. Harris being held in McLean County?
A. It's for different reasons that I made that decision.

 

Q. What can you tell the people of Lincoln and Beason, Ill.? Can they rest easy at this point or do you believe there are others? You said there might be other charges or arrests? 

A. The same thing I have said from the start: Continue to lock your doors at night, just like you would under any other circumstance; know where your kids are; and pay attention to what is going on around you, and take care of your neighbors. Nothing different since day one.

 

Q. Do you still need the public's help?

A. We'll take any tip if someone has valuable information.

 

Q. What about a weapon?

A.  At this point in time I have no comment on that.

[LDN staff]

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