Second man charged with murder of five Illinois family members

By Calvin Palmer

A second man was charged yesterday in connection with the brutal murder of five family members in a farming community in Illinois.

Jason Harris, 22, of Armington, Illinois, was charged with five counts of murder and one count of attempted murder, Logan County Sheriff Steve Nichols said.

His elder brother, Christopher Harris, was charged on October 2 with the murder of his former father-in-law, Raymond “Rick” Gee, Gee’s wife, Ruth, and three of their children — 16-year-old Justina Constant, 14-year-old Dillen Constant and 11-year-old Austin Gee.

They were found beaten to death in their home in Beason on September 21.

A three-year-old daughter survived the attack and remains in hospital with serious injuries.

Harris was being held without bond. He already was in custody when the charges were filed. 

His girlfriend, Jennifer C. Earnest, 24, and her mother, Sara A. Duncan, 43, of Sarasota, Florida, were arrested and charged Wednesday with obstruction of justice.

Harris’ brother, Christopher Harris, 30, was divorced several years ago from Nicole Gee. They had reconciled and intended to marry again, according to his stepmother, Debbie Harris.

She said he was not capable of commiting the crime and had no motive.

[Based on a report by the Associated Press.]