Innocent plea made in Ill. family killing

WATERLOO, Ill., May 21 (UPI) -- A father accused of killing his wife and two sons pleaded innocent in Waterloo, Ill., following arrest at his parents Southern Illinois home.

Christopher Coleman, 32, appeared at the Monroe County Courthouse Wednesday and was greeted by shouts of "baby-killer," the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

Coleman faces three charges of first-degree murder.

Coleman attorney William Margulis said his client insists he is innocent in the deaths of his wife, Sheri, 31, and sons Garett, 11, and Gavin, 9. All three victims were found dead in the family home in Columbia, Ill., on May 5.

Police arrested Coleman Tuesday based on evidence indicating the victims died of strangulation.

Robert Cronin, who lived next door to the Coleman family, told the Post-Dispatch the homicides and Coleman's arrest has left some neighborhood residents shocked.

"You know the world has evil in it, but you don't expect it to take place right next door." Cronin said.