Harris Gets Life Term for Beason Murders

An Illinois man convicted of fatally beating five members of his ex-wife's family in Logan County in 2009 has been sentenced to life in prison.

A judge sentenced Christopher Harris to five consecutive life sentences on Friday.

The 34-year-old Harris faced a mandatory life sentence after he was convicted in May on five counts of first-degree murder, home invasion and other charges.

Harris admitted killing 14-year-old Dillen Constant on Sept. 21, 2009.

Harris claimed he killed the teen in self-defense after discovering him slaughtering his own family at their home in Beason, about 40 miles northeast of Springfield.

Harris' own brother testified against him, describing the sickening sound as Harris pummeled his former mother-in-law and her family with a tire iron.