Murder conviction upheld in Beason family slaying

Posted on November 24, 2015

Christopher Harris. (Photo courtesy Illinois Department of Corrections)

By Joe Ragusa

BLOOMINGTON – The murder conviction of a man charged with brutally slaying a family of five in Beason has been upheld by the Fourth District Appellate Court.

Christopher Harris, 35, is serving five life terms for the 2009 murders of Rick and Ruth Gee, along with three of their children: Justina Constant, Dillen Constant and Austin Gee. A fourth child was critically injured but survived.

The appellate court rejected Harris’ argument that he actually walked in on Dillen Constant killing his family and then killed Dillen in self-defense.

Harris was convicted in 2013 by a Peoria County jury. His brother Jason Harris was also charged with murder in the case but he’s serving a 20-year sentence after pleading guilty to lesser charges.

Harris was the ex-husband of Rick Gee’s daughter, Nicole. The home where the slaying occurred has since been burned to the ground by authorities.

Joe Ragusa can be reached at [email protected].

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