 Christopher J. Harris, 31, and Jason L. Harris, 23, each face more
than 50 counts of first-degree murder in the September 2009 deaths
of Ruth and Rick Gee and three of their children. The parents and Justina
Constant, 16, Dillen Constant, 14, and Austin Gee, 11, were
found beaten to death in their home in Beason.The Harris brothers
are also charged with the attempted murder of a fourth child,
3-year-old Tabitha Gee, who survived her attack.
At both brothers' hearings, prosecutors said that DNA and other
forensic testing was going along as scheduled, with completion
anticipated sometime in mid-June.
Judge Thomas Harris stated in both hearings that although the death
penalty has been repealed, he wished to proceed according to the
original agreements made by the prosecution and defense.
"It would not be beneficial or efficient to put in deadlines,"
the judge said.
Both the state and defense attorneys agreed with the judge.
With capital punishment no longer being allowed in Illinois,
counties will be faced with paying for lengthy and expensive trials
that previously were paid for through the state's Capital Litigation
Trust
Fund.
The new law that bans capital punishment and equates to a loss of
a major state funding resource goes into effect less than one week
before the next hearing for the Harris brothers.
The next scheduled date for the brothers has been set for July 6.
The judge said a discussion of the "setting" for the two
trials can be discussed then.
Stephanie Wong and Steve Skelton representing Jason Harris were
both present at the hearing.
Chris Harris was represented by James Elmore.
[By
MIKE FAK] |
