LINCOLN -- The cases referred to as "The People of the State of Illinois versus Christopher J. Harris and Jason L. Harris" have brought together a massive contingent of law enforcement officers and lawyers poised to handle one of the most complex criminal matters currently pending in the state.

The Armington brothers were indicted earlier this week on more than 60 counts ranging from home invasion to first-degree murder of Rick and Ruth Gee and three of their children. The men also are accused of the attempted criminal sexual assault of homicide victim Justina Constant and the attempted murder of Tabitha Gee, 3, who survived the attack and remains hospitalized.

State resources began to arrive within hours of the discovery of the bodies Sept. 21 in the form of 26 Illinois State Police agents, crime scene technicians and intelligence analysts. The state crime lab examined 133 items of evidence over two days, work that state police said contributed to the arrest of Chris Harris on Oct. 1.

Logan County and Lincoln police departments also worked long hours during the investigation that included assistance from the FBI.

It was clear early on that the complex case was beyond the resources of local law enforcement.

Logan County Prosecutor Michael McIntosh asked for assistance Sept. 25 from the Illinois attorney general's office. Assistant Attorneys General Michael Atterberry of Springfield and Stephen Plazibat of Chicago were assigned to the Gee Task Force.

"We assist counties as we are needed," said Robyn Ziegler, spokeswoman for the Attorney General's office.

The attorney general's office currently is assisting with nine murder cases in Illinois, she said.

Defense teams have been assembled for each of the Harris brothers. Springfield lawyers Tim Timoney, James Elmore and Matthew Maurer will represent Chris Harris and Steve Skelton of Bloomington and a second lawyer who has yet to be named will handle the case against Jason Harris.

The state also will provide a lawyer for Jennifer Earnest, Jason Harris' girlfriend who faces obstruction of justice charges accusing her of providing a false alibi for Chris Harris. Her mother, Sara Duncan, who faces similar charges, has hired a private lawyer.

Before his appointment to the Chris Harris case, Elmore estimated that a defense in the multiple homicide could cost $500,000.

A large share of the expenses for the case will be paid by the state's Capital Litigation Trust Fund set up to provide resources in cases involving the possibility of the death penalty. A total of $4.4 million was available in 2008 for counties outside Cook County.

In another Central Illinois death penalty case, the state fund paid $1.7 million in expenses for the prosecution of Amanda Hamm and Maurice LaGrone in the drowning deaths of her three children. Hamm was convicted of child endangerment, and LaGrone was convicted of murder in 2006.

Timoney asked for the additional resources after Chris Harris was charged with murder. The state has 120 days to decline to seek the death penalty.

"This is a death case until the state says otherwise," said Timoney.