GUILTY IL - Kimberly Vaughn, 34, & 3 children slain, Channahon Twp, 14 June 2007

[jacalyn]

I have been looking here and reading for years. Just want to say Thank-you all for the information and this sight. I have never forgotton! What person would run away if your wife was alive after shooting you (get real) and leave her behind with your children and a loaded gun. The case took forever to go to court and the crime scene was in a mini-van. Hopefully her family can finally not have to relive this anymore. Bless them. His dumb *** parents are probably looking at new Jeep for their baby boy. Cars are not allowed in prision.

Again, thank you all.

 

[jacalyn]

Never saw anything about if the children were tested for drugs. Yea, that would take a brain if they did. Hoping this, so the didn't see a person they loved do this to them. IF they tested Kimberely, maybe he put something in her steak dinner or drink latter and carried her to the car. Which would explain why she'd get up early to go anywhere, after entertaining her neighbors, cleaning up after dinner and arrangements not made for the dogs while their gone. WHY...there was not trip, just a short ride to the tucked away planned spot. Not rocket scientist.

 

[hollyjokers]

Welcome to WS, jacalyn! Always nice to have someone new to discuss the case with. I think the testimony about Sandy & Blake pushing back in their seats meant they def knew what was happening, and Blake actually raised his left arm to shield himself. Can't even imagine what that must have been like. I haven't heard of any toxicology reports on any of them.

 

[hollyjokers]

I have an 8 year old nephew: just picturing that scrawny little arm trying to block a bullet makes me want to cry.

 

[jacalyn]

Welcome to WS, jacalyn! Always nice to have someone new to discuss the case with. I think the testimony about Sandy & Blake pushing back in their seats meant they def knew what was happening, and Blake actually raised his left arm to shield himself. Can't even imagine what that must have been like. I haven't heard of any toxicology reports on any of them.

Felt ill when I read that information here, but in that small area they would of been jarred awake. I read in the first two days after it just happen, people (think atleast 2) said they heard shots. Believe this is a neighborhood in a distance behind the cell tower to the right of it. I also copied the first pictures, enlarged them and it showed the drivers side of the SUV windshield was hand wiped, as to clear fog. That's what it looked like to me, we've all done it, so it was easy to come to that conclusion. My gut was he was going to put Kimberely behind the wheel to make it look like she got lost. Congure up they had a fight she left with the kids, must of got lost and you can add the rest. He'd be back at home with his dogs and Jeep. Kimberely could have woken when he got out of the drivers side (unplanned) he paniced shot her and the shots woke the children up. Then he nicked himself before he fled. I deleted the pictures years ago, not pleasant to look at. NO ONE at the BBQ the night before or the phone call to her sister that evening, was one word mentioned about going to a water park.

Something I read here was the blood stains, hers and the monsters were on the belt that was detracted. No explaination on earth, except the truth can explain that. The father, the husband, killed his whole family and did not mess up his house. Beyond sad.:jail:

 

[hollyjokers]

Yes, the blood evidence tells the real story. I had visions of him standing outside the passenger door shooting everyone with Kim's dead hands, while wearing gloves on his own. Your theory makes a lot more sense that he had something else planned, removing himself from the scene entirely, but panicked & screwed the whole thing up. Too bad, unlucky Chris! lol

 

[chicoliving]

Thank you all for the updates on the trial!!

:blowkiss:

 

[Cubby]

Neurologist: Christopher Vaughn's wife didn't appear agitated


Defense questions doctor about two drugs that Kimberly Vaughn was taking


Dr. Pradeep Bhatia, an Aurora neurologist, was called by Vaughn's defense team but said his patient Kimberly Vaughn showed no signs of major depression or of being agitated or hostile.

"I never had any reason to believe she was depressed," he testified. "She was always smiling and cheerful."


http://articles.chicagotribune.com/..._christopher-vaughn-topamax-defense-attorneys

 

[jacalyn]

having to relive this again like it was yesterday. WE are not attached to this woman and her children, and we feel deeply. Great posters here that seek justice. Like I said before, read everything here, for weeks, months, and years. Thanks again, to everyone for the facts/information provided,inasmuch as I would NOT forget.

 

[hollyjokers]

Looking forward to closing arguments (hopefully we'll get a good twitter feed), then I think no more than 2-3 hours for jury deliberations, including time for selecting a foreperson & a leisurely lunch break. The charges are pretty straight forward & no DP to consider. I kind of wish they would give the wild boy what he wanted: drop him off in the middle of the Yukon wilderness with just his awesome fleece jacket & cowboy boots. Good riddance.

 

[hollyjokers]

Defense blood expert, Tom Bevel, on now. Initially reached same conclusion as prosecution's expert that CV was shot, then unfastened KV's seatbelt. BUT after meeting with the attorneys.....there are other ways to account for blood on seatbelt. And Kim's blood could have been on jacket before 6/14/2007. Emphasizing the washed towel was a huge evidentiary mistake.

Prosecution objects that Bevel is expressing opinions that were not included in his written report & judge breaks to sort it out.

Objection overruled. Bevel testifying that many blood spots were never tested :-( including spots on Kim's hands, shoes, shirt & gun.

 

[hollyjokers]

Inside of gun barrel not thoroughly tested. Bevel considers it important. Pros: 1-1 1/2 of barrel tested, no blood found.


Getting lit up on cross. Bevel submitted two reports on his findings, never mentioned anything about Kim's blouse but today is a fountain of knowledge on blood on the blouse.

Admits best explanation for blood on KV seat belt is CV unfastened after shot.

State is destroying this expert's sworn testimony.

 

[hollyjokers]

Christopher Vaughn has declined the opportunity to testify in his own defense. Defense has rested.

State's only rebuttal witness, Michael Scrift, neuro-psychiatrist about FDA warnings for Topamax. Kim does not fall into the category for people likely to become suicidal. Not aware of any data that shows increased suicide risk for patients using combination of Topamax & Nortriptyline together. Very common course of treatment for people with migraines.

Rebuttal is over, Lenard makes one last plea for directed verdict.....ummm, no. And closing arguments will begin Thursday morning!

 

[Cubby]

Prosecutors called only one rebuttal witness, Dr. Michael Shrift, director of the neuropsychiatry program at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Vaughn's defense team had sought to paint Kimberly Vaughn as troubled and taking medications for her migraine and tension headaches that increased her risk of suicidal behavior.

Shrift testified that the drugs Kimberly Vaughn was taking — Topamax and nortriptyline — are commonly prescribed together. He said there is no strong evidence that either drug increases suicide risks and no evidence that, when taken together, any risk is multiplied.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/...er-vaughn-trial-0919-20120919,0,6285575.story

Well worth the entire read on the above article. Wish I could have posted it all.

I am so ready for this case to get to the jury. I am ready for verdict watch in this one, and like hollyjokers am curious as to how long it will take the jury to reach a verdict. I agree it will probably be very quick.

 

[Cubby]

Vaughn’s Murder Trial Wraps Up

JOLIET, Ill. (KMOX) – The jury in the trial of a former St. Charles County man accused of murdering his wife and three children, has today off before hearing closing arguments tomorrow.

http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2012/09/19/vaughns-murder-trial-wraps-up/

I can't wait until this case get's to the jury. I'm hoping for a verdict before the end of the day Friday. lease:

 

[BigFatMommyDog]

It looks like it might go to the jury as early as today -

"The state's closing arguments will be handled by Will County Assistant State's Attorney Mike Fitzgerald with prosecutor Christopher Regis giving a final word to jurors before they begin deliberations later today."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-closing-arguments-today-in-vaughn-trial-20120920,0,5627718.story

 

[Cubby]

I wonder how long the judge will give each side for closing arguments.

I'm beyond ready to be on verdict watch for this case.

 

[hollyjokers]

Both Kim & Chris' families are present. Courtroom is packed, judge is at the bench & here we go.

Chris Vaughn no longer wanted Kimberly, Abigayle, Cassandra & Blake in his life. There's no way Kimberly was suicidal or homicidal. We don't have to prove motive, but the defendent had a motive, its all over this case. They were obstacles to him. Obstacles to the way of life he wanted to live. They were holding him down. Christopher Vaughn was shot twice superficially, everyone else in that car ends up being slaughtered.

 

[hollyjokers]

Now she's just summarizing :-(

Michael Fitzgerald delivering closing, going over evidence presented. Blood evidence in SUV belonging to CV doesn't jive with his story.

CV says he's shot & leaves the vehicle so why is his blood drips all over the passenger seat where Kim was sitting.
More importantly, why is her blood on him? That fact alone should convict him. CV had his cell phone with him during the shootings, but he didn't use it. He showed no sense of urgency to leave the scene despite wife shooting him.

 

[hollyjokers]

State on answers given by CV at the scene, "I don't know." recurring theme with him & this case.
"What happened?" no reply
"who shot you?" no reply
"did your wife shoot you?" no reply
What he told state police was a falsehood. He already knew what happened there.