Monday, Jul. 06, 2009

Triple murder suspect's job records to get review before release

WATERLOO -- Accused triple murderer Christopher Coleman's employment records from his job as a bodyguard for televangelist Joyce Meyer will first be reviewed in her lawyer's private office before they can be made public.

Coleman is charged with strangling his wife and two sons.

Belleville attorney Jack Carey, who represents the family of Coleman's murdered wife Sheri Coleman, said, "I need that information. They have it and they won't give it to me."

Attorney Dennis Fields of Waterloo, appearing with James Michael King, of Tulsa, Okla. on behalf of the Joyce Meyer Ministries based in Missouri, agreed that Carey could review all of the requested records, but if there's a disagreement about whether or not the document is confidential Associate Circuit Judge Andrew Gleeson will be on hand to moderate and decide. The review is set for July 20.

Coleman is in the Monroe County Jail without bail, charged with the first-degree murders of his wife Sheri and their sons Garett, 11, and Gavin, 9. Information released in the case after the News-Democrat won a court action to open search warrant applications showed that Coleman wanted to divorce Sheri and had talked to a Florida girlfriend just hours before the victims were found on May 5 in their home on Robert Drive in Columbia.

During the hearing today, attorneys for both sides agreed that no assets from Coleman received as part of his employment with Joyce Meyer Ministries will be transferred to Christopher Coleman, who had pleaded not guilty.

Also attending the hearing was Mike Bauer, who handles "risk management" for Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc.