Toxicology report: No drugs found in bodies
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[A coroners inquest was held on?Friday, July 10 at the Monroe County Courthouse in the deaths of Sheri Coleman, 31,?and her two young sons Gavin, 11 and Garret, 9.
The deaths of all three victims were ruled homicides by ligature strangulation. It took the jury, made up of five women and two men, only seven minutes to make the decision.
Monroe County Coroner Julie Gummersheimer told the jury that the lab tests were performed at?St. Louis University. She stated that the toxicology reports came back negative for drugs or alcohol on all three of the victims.
The only person to take the stand and testify at the inquest was Columbia Police Chief Joe Edwards. Edwards testified that at 6:50 a.m. an off duty Columbia police office was contacted by Christopher Coleman to check on the welfare of his family. The officer was familiar with the Colemans due to an ongoing investigation regarding threats that family was receiving.
Edwards went on to testify and identify the officer as detective sergeant Barlow. Barlow went to the front door and attempted to alert people that he was there; and at the same time another officer, Columbia police sergeant Jason Donjon had arrived on the scene and went to the back of the house. Once at the back of the house, he noticed a window open and radioed dispatch. Donjon entered the basement and walked upstairs where he noticed obscene spray-painted messages on the wall. Upon both officers making their way upstairs, they noticed more obscene vulgar spray-painted messages. Once on the top floor, they encountered the body of Garret in bed. The officers called out and there was no response. One of the officers felt for a pulse but did not feel any. He observed ligature marks on Garret's neck and his body was cold. The officers then observed Sheri Coleman face down and attempted to roll her over. Her body was locked and rigid. Blood had settled to the front of her body and it appeared she had been dead for an extended period of time. The next body discovered was that of Gavin. He had a mark around his neck. Edwards stated there was still evidence on the boy and the officers did not want to disturb the body. Though they did notice disturbing vulgar messages spray-painted on the top of the sheet that covered Gavin's body.
Edwards went on to testify that the officers secured the residence and notified the coroner and the Major Case Squad, beginning the criminal investigation. The last thing he testified to was the fact the Christopher Coleman was arrested two weeks after for the murder of his wife, Sheri and two sons Gavin and Garret.
Coleman's attorney Art Margulis held a brief press conference at the courthouse after the inquest. When Margulis was asked about crime scene photos he responded by saying they are disturbing, clearly disturbing. He stated that his client Christopher Coleman is doing fine
"We see him about twice a week. And he is holding up well." said Margulis
"he's got two major issues, number one is he is loosing his family and number two is he is dealing with these criminal charges.?he is handling it pretty well.
Margulis said go to trial sometime next year
Christopher Coleman remains incarcerated in the Monroe County Jail on first-degree murder charges. He's pleaded not guilty.