WATERLOO, Ill. – Monroe County State's Attorney Kris Reitz has filed paperwork to possibly seek the death penalty against Chris Coleman, who is accused of fatally strangling his wife and their two sons at their home in Columbia.
St. Louis television station KTVI reported Friday that court documents indicate Reitz will note that there were multiple victims, two were under the age of 12, and the slayings appear to have been premeditated.
The 32-year-old Coleman has pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder, and is being held without bond.
Investigators say they believe Coleman used a ligature to strangle 31-year-old Sheri Coleman and their sons Garett and Gavin.
The three were found dead May 5 after Coleman telephoned police to ask them to do a well-being check on his family.
Click here for photos.
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox