Christopher Harris convictions affirmed on appeal

[November 24, 2015]  LINCOLN - Following a May 2013 jury trial, Christopher Harris was found guilty of five counts of first degree murder, one count of attempt (first degree murder), one count of aggravated battery of a child, one count of home invasion, and one count of armed robbery. The convictions stem from the 2009 murders of the Gee family in Beason, Illinois.

The trial court sentenced Christopher Harris to five terms of natural life imprisonment for first degree murder, 30 years imprisonment for attempt (first degree murder), 30 years imprisonment for home invasion, and 20 years imprisonment for armed robbery, all of which were imposed consecutively.

Christopher Harris appealed his convictions arguing that the trial court erred in refusing to admit two statements by one of the victims that he believed supported his claim of self-defense. The Fourth District Appellate Court issued its opinion on November 19, 2015 finding that the trial court was within its discretion to determine that the two statements of the victim should be excluded as too remote in time. In rendering its decision, the Fourth District Appellate Court affirmed Christopher Harris’s convictions and sentences.

“The hard work of all who participated in the trial of Christopher Harris has been confirmed in this ruling. We worked very hard to research and litigate many of these pretrial evidentiary issues. It is rewarding to know that all that hard work is confirmed after additional scrutiny by the Appellate Court,” stated Jonathan Wright, Logan County State’s Attorney.

[Off ice of the Logan County State's Attorney Jonathan Wright]

Past related articles

07/20/2013 - 5 consecutive life sentences for Christopher Harris

05/31/2013 -  Jury swift: HARRIS GUILTY
5 Gee family murders, attempted murder, home invasion and armed robbery