1 of the two men charged with murder in the 2009 deaths of a central Illinois family now claims he killed 1 of the victims in self-defense.

Lawyers for Chris Harris of Armington filed documents Wednesday in Logan County Circuit Court claiming Harris was justified in using force against 14-year-old Dillen Constant. Harris attorney Daniel Fultz declined to comment on the reasons behind the claim.

Constant and 2 of his siblings were found bludgeoned to death in their home in Beason along with their parents, Rick and Ruth Gee. Beason is about 35 miles northeast of Springfield.

Harris and his brother, Jason Harris, are both charged with murder in the killings.

Chris Harris is a former in-law of the Gees.