Christopher Churchill

Timeline

• February 1998 — Christopher Churchill, 16, was arrested on charges he killed Debbie Smith, 32, her boyfriend, Jonathan Lloyd, 17, and Smith's three children, Kenny, 12, Jennifer, 7, and Corey, 5.
• May 3, 1999 — Christopher Churchill was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
• April — Churchill’s sentencing was scheduled for April.
• Six days later — Churchill was arrested six days after the killings.

Background

Christopher Churchill was 16 at the time of the murders in February 1998. He was from Noble, Illinois. The killings occurred on a Friday the 13th in a single-story frame house on North Noble Avenue in the small Richland County village of Noble. Churchill was serving his time at Menard Correctional Center in Chester, Illinois.

Christopher Churchill admitted in a videotaped statement that he killed his half-brother, his brother's girlfriend Debbie Smith, and her three children to "relieve stress."

The offence

The victims were Churchill’s brother, Jonathan Lloyd, 17; his brother's girlfriend, Debbie Smith, 32; and Smith’s three children: Kenny, 12; Jennifer, 7; and Corey, 5.

Churchill attacked all five with a hammer, watched some television, then had sex with Jennifer, the 12-year-old girl, as she lay dying.

Churchill recounted killing Corey and Kenneth first, then knocking Jennifer unconscious before attacking his brother and Debra Smith.

Police testified that Churchill told them that he had sex with Kenny. Churchill also acknowledged sexually molesting the bodies of Kenny and Debbie Smith.

When asked why he sexually abused the bodies, Churchill said that he "felt like being sick."

Churchill said he played cards with the family the night of the killings, then stayed up drinking at their home in Noble. He told police he had fantasized about killing his brother and "acted out a little anger'' on the others because they teased him.

Churchill acknowledged having sex with Jennifer before she died in a videotaped statement.

Investigation

Police said Churchill told them he had been fantasizing about killing his brother for more than a year, saying he wanted to use his sibling like a "guinea pig" on which he could release his pent-up anger.

The hammer was found behind the living room couch.

Prosecutors said blood found on a T-shirt that Churchill is believed to have worn during the killings matched Debbie Smith.

Arrest

Churchill was arrested six days after the killings.

Trial

Churchill’s lawyer said someone else was responsible for the killings and that Churchill was protecting his friends in a misguided attempt at altruism.

A maximum sentence of life without parole was available at sentencing.

Sentencing

Churchill was sentenced to life in prison without parole on May 3, 1999. His sentencing was scheduled for April.

Outcome

Churchill was serving his sentence at Menard Correctional Center in Chester, Illinois.

Aftermath

James Shelton, father of Debbie Smith, said: "I think it's a just verdict. He's going to suffer for the rest of his life for it,''.

Assistant Attorney General Allen Lolie said: "The defendant knew what he did. He wasn't ashamed of it, and he happily told police about it,''.

Churchill was sentenced after his sentencing scheduled for April.