Father Denies Murdering Entire Family
Get ready for a huge waste of time and tax payer dollars as Christopher Vaughn who entered a plea of not guilty in slayings of wife, and 3 children. This is one of those "heard around the world tragedies", but are we, as a society so numb to reading about these family violence cases, they have become common place in communities across the country?
Vaughan is the "poster boy" for men who kill not only their wife, but their own childen.
The plea came as the 32-year-old Oswego man made his first courtroom appearance in Will County to face first-degree murder charges for the June 14 shootings in Channahon Township.
Vaughn, clad in blue jail fatigues, didn't speak during the brief hearing before Will County Judge Daniel Rozak.
Instead, defense attorney Gerald Kielian entered the not guilty plea on behalf of Vaughn, who was clean-shaven and had a new, short haircut.
Vaughn's parents, residents of the St. Louis area, were in the Joliet courtroom for the hearing, along with two other relatives, but all left without commenting on the charges.
Kielian also declined to comment, telling reporters outside the courthouse: "We have no statement to make today."
Vaughn is accused of shooting his family to death during an outing early June 14 after parking the Ford Expedition along a frontage road near Interstate 55. Killed were his 34-year-old wife, Kimberly, along with their children, Abigayle, 12; Cassandra, 11, and Blake, 8.
Sources have said Christopher Vaughn -- who had minor gunshot wounds in his wrist and leg -- initially told police his wife had opened fire on him and his children.
Vaughn, a computer security expert, was arrested in St. Charles, Mo., on June 23 -- the day after the wake for his slain family members and just hours before their memorial service.
Investigators haven't offered a motive for the killings.
Attorneys representing Vaughn initially tried to delay his extradition to Illinois but then relented, allowing Vaughn to return July 3 to Will County.
Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow has yet to say whether he'll seek a death sentence if Vaughn is convicted of the murders.
No bail has been set for Vaughn, who remains in the Will County Jail.
Reporter/drozek@suntimes.com
