August trial date for alleged family killer Christopher Vaughn
BY JON SEIDEL Sun-Times Media February 2, 2012 1:18PM
Christopher Vaughn
Article Extras
Updated: March 4, 2012 8:13AM
The trial of accused family killer Christopher Vaughn of Oswego could begin late this summer and last nearly two months.
Will County Judge Daniel Rozak agreed to an Aug. 13 trial date Thursday, which means prosecutors would put on their case more than five years after Vaughn’s wife and three children were found shot to death along Interstate 55 near Channahon.
Prosecutors said they might need up to five weeks to prove Vaughn pulled the trigger, while Vaughn’s attorney said he might need another two weeks “ballpark” to put on a defense. They’d both likely follow a longer-than-normal jury selection process.
Prosecutors say Vaughn shot and killed his wife, Kimberly, and three children — 12-year-old Abigayle, 11-year-old Cassandra and 8-year-old Blake — on June 14, 2007, after he pulled their SUV over on the way to a Springfield water park.
Court records show the children were each shot twice and Kimberly Vaughn was shot once under her chin. Christopher Vaughn also was shot, and his attorneys argue his wife turned the gun on him and the children before killing herself.
Prosecutors want to use online chat and e-mail messages to show Kimberly Vaughn hadn’t thought about suicide, nor did she think her husband had an affair in Mexico as he’s claimed. Rozak on Thursday allowed another set of e-mails into the trial.
Vaughn will be back in court March 23 as attorneys continue to debate what evidence jurors will have a chance to see.
Comments Click here to view or make a comment