UPDATE: National forensic expert provided 'final piece' of evidence in Coleman case

By Ann Rubin

KSDK -- NewsChannel 5 has new information about the case, including what may have given prosecutors the confidence to finally seek charges.

Chris Coleman appeared in court, pleading not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder for the strangulation deaths of his wife Sheri and their two children, Garett and Gavin. Investigators arrested Coleman late Tuesday night.

PHOTO GALLERY: Chris Coleman arrested

That last minute break in the case came in the form of a second opinion from nationally-renown forensic expert Dr. Michael Baden.

Baden, the former Chief Medical Examiner of New York City, has served as an expert witness in several high profile cases, including the trials of O.J. Simpson, Kobe Bryant, Phil Spector, and others.

Sources said Baden looked over the autopsies in the Coleman case and would be willing to testify to the fact the time of death for the victims was most likely before 3 a.m. and no later than 5 a.m., which would put Chris Coleman at home at the time of the murders. This was just the final piece in a complex array of evidence that allowed prosecutors to move forward with charges.

And while investigators cannot directly address evidence, they did say their case is strong.

"We want to have a good investigation and a solid case and we're confident that we have that," said Major Jeff Connor, head of the Major Case Squad.

The Major Case Squad will spend another day or two tying up loose ends. They even received a few fresh tips following Coleman's arrest.

"We've handled half a dozen calls like that, nothing major," Connor said. "But just people that have now seen the attention and decided it would be best to call us about information."

Relatives from Sheri Coleman's side of the family said they're glad to finally have some answers.

"There is a profound sense of relief that someone has been charged. We now know who, but we need to know why," said family spokesman Enrico Mirabelli.

On Wednesday morning, as he arrived for his arraignment, Chris Coleman was met with jeers and taunts at the Monroe County Courthouse. His attorney, Bill Margulis, said he'll fight the charges in court.

"My client, Mr. Coleman, maintains his innocence. And we're going to play this out in the judicial process," Margulis said.

Coleman is being held without bond. His next court appearance is set for June 10 at 10 a.m.