Family of slain mom, 2 sons seek delay in lawsuit

WATERLOO -- Attorneys for the family of three people killed in southwestern Illinois want a judge to delay court proceedings in their wrongful-death lawsuit.

In representing Sheri Coleman's family, Belleville attorney Jack Carey seeks the deferral so the family can add Joyce Meyer Ministries as a respondent in their case against the woman's husband, Christopher Coleman.

Carey wants to delay the proceedings and discovery for at least 90 days as he recovers from heart surgery.

A hearing is scheduled for Dec. 18.

Christopher Coleman worked for Joyce Meyer Ministries. He's pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges in the May deaths of Sheri Coleman and their two sons, ages 11 and 9. Their bodies were found in the family's Columbia home.