vaughn_history_timeline.htm

A Personal Collection of Found Materials

Christopher Vaughn GUILTY
Thursday 09/20/2012 4:15 p.m.
Sentencing Scheduled: November 26, 2012

JUSTICE !!

Rest In Peace

Kimberly

Abigayle

Cassandra

Blake

God Bless You

Vaughn Family Tragedy June 14, 2007
Channahon Township, Will County Illinois

http://www.acandyrose.com/vaughn_history_timeline.htm

Christopher Vaughn Trial for Murder
Vaughn Family Murdered History Updated For 2006/2007
Trial and Twitter Updates and Media Excerpts

2006

Vaughn Family Purchased New Home, Oswego, Illinois

Timeline Date

Notes and References

References to online media excerpts, Twitter trial updates, various research

2006-05-15

06/16/2007 Headline: "Investigators delve into Vaughn family"
"They took out two separate mortgages: A $333,472 30-year mortgage and an $83,000 15-year mortgage. The mortgages together total $416,472, essentially the total cost of the house. Both mortgages were issued by a New Jersey company, American Mortgage Express Co., on May 15, 2006. There are no figures in the documents that indicate the interest rates or monthly payments on the mortgages. The Vaughns had not paid a county tax bill yet because the bills were just mailed this month. There are no liens filed against the Vaughns in Kendall County nor are there any criminal cases pending against the couple, according to court records."

2006-05-25

Spring Gate at Southbury also has
the following features:
5,000 square foot clubhouse, two swimming pools, scenic bike paths and parks, year-round recreation playground.

05/27/2007 HEADLINE: "From Washington state to Oswego OPEN HOUSE
Family didn't have air conditioning in Pacific Northwest, but they'll need it here"
"Chris and Kimberly selected the 3,373-square-foot Rutherford floor plan, with 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a 2-car attached garage. The kitchen is equipped with a breakfast nook, an island, a walk-in pantry and a serving peninsula. The master-bedroom suite has his and hers walk-in closets and a private bath. Other amenities of the Rutherford include a first-floor study, two staircases and a two-story family room. "We really liked the second-floor laundry," Kimberly said. "We didn't need central air conditioning when we lived in Washington, but we were delighted to find that dual-zone heating and air conditioning is included in the homes at Spring Gate. We knew we would need air conditioning here." The Vaughns opted for a morning room (with a cathedral ceiling). They've also got a good-sized lot for their new home."

2006-05-25

"The family moved into their home at 711 Mansfield Court at Spring Gate at Southbury in Oswego after buying it May 25, 2006, for $417,000, property records show. They first lived in apartments in the 1800 block of Westfield Drive and 2100 block of West Galena Boulevard in Aurora after moving to the area from Sammamish, Wash. The Vaughns also have lived in St. Peters, Mo., Issaquah, Wash., and St. Charles, Mo." [06/15/2007 www.suburbanchicagonews.com]

2006-05-25

711 Mansfield Court
Two mortgages
30-year $333,472
15-year $83,000
Kendall County

06/21/2007 Headline: "Vaughns' house mortgaged to hilt"
"Despite making a $119,000 profit when they sold their Washington state home in 2005, Christopher and Kimberly Vaughn had to take out two mortgages last year to buy their $417,000 home in Oswego. The couple put down virtually no money when they purchased their 3,300-square-foot, four-bedroom home in the far west suburb, according to property records. To buy the new house, the Vaughns took out a 30-year $333,472 mortgage and a 15-year $83,000 mortgage, according to Kendall County property records."

2006-00-00

Chris Vaughn Traveled to Mexico and Canada

06/24/2007 Headline: "Friends say couple a study in contrasts"
"In May 2006, the family moved into a large, $417,000 house in Oswego, taking out two mortgages that nearly equaled the purchase price, according to public records. With Christopher Vaughn focused on his job, which included regular travel to Mexico and Canada, Kimberly Vaughn again established herself as a social whirlwind, neighbors said."

2006-12-20

Christopher Vaughn's Internet postings at "43things.com"

Vaughn = "Flint"
aka dewoodsman

Christopher Vaughn

http://www.43things.com/people/progress/dewoodsman/5737544

dewoodsman
I having been preparing and putting together a plan leave for the great outdoors for awhile now. I am headed to northern Canada this summer to scout for a good place. I had been researching Alaska but have almost ruled it out. I am a dedicated hunter/gather/carpenter and would be interested to hear what you all think about make a go at living in the woods.

(Flint - m136196605@hotmail.com) - (Dec 20, 2006, 06:43PM PST)

2006-12-00

Stephen Willott met Christopher Vaughn online at website "43things.com" in late 2006

08/31/2012 Headline: "Vaughn email: 'I look forward to going full native'"
"A flurry of emails that document plans between a Canadian man and an Oswego man accused of killing his own family to escape to a simpler life in the Canadian wilderness were shown in court Friday."

"Stephen Willott, a 31-year-old from near Ottawa in Ontario, Canada, told the jury he was using the social networking website "43 Things" to seek interaction with others who shared his interests in camping and survivalist topics when he came into contact in late 2006 with Christopher Vaughn." - "Willott said Vaughn seemed knowledgeable about camping, and the two began to email each other frequently, almost daily, as the two began to plan to travel to the Northwest Territories."

2006-12-31

Christopher Vaughn's business license StoneBridge Security, Inc expired 12/31/2006

12/08/2003 Corporations Division - Registration Data Search
"Corporations Division - Registration Data Search - STONEBRIDGE SECURITY, INC." UBI Number 602347805, Category: Regular Corporation, Profit/Nonprofit: Profit, Active/Inactive: Inactive, State of Incorporation: WA

Date of Incorporation: 12/08/2003
License Expiration Date: 12/31/2006
Registered Agent Information
Agent Name: CHRISTOPHER VAUGHN
Address: 815 FIRST AVE #105
City: SEATTLE, WA 98104

2007

February 15, 2007 (Thursday)

2007-02-15

Stephen Willott,
was e-mail friend who planned to live in Canadian wilderness with Chris Vaughn

08/31/12 "Friend: Christopher Vaughn wanted simple life away from government, people"
"It was "really just a few years ago when I woke up and realized it wasn’t going to work," Vaughn wrote the day after Valentine’s Day in 2007. He said Kimberly would start talking about things she wanted to do in the upcoming years and "I just shrug it off." "You shouldn’t do something because everyone else does," Vaughn wrote. "I started down that path, but unlike most people, I realize I have a choice."

March 7, 2007 (Wednesday)

2007-03-07

Christopher Vaughn's Internet postings at "43things.com"

Vaughn - "Flint"
aka dewoodsman

http://www.43things.com/people/progress/dewoodsman/5737544

dewoodsman
Here is the quote from Thoreau that describes how I view my plans for a walk in the wilderness.
"If you are ready to leave father and mother, and brother and sister, and wife and child and friends, and never see them again, if you have paid your debts, and made your will, and settled all your affairs, and are a free man, then you are ready for a walk."

I am headed up to northern British Columbia in May for a week of camping, exploring, and general nature communing. Any of you wilderness seekers that would like to come are welcome.

(Flint - m136196605@hotmail.com) - (Mar 07, 2007, 08:20AM PST)

March 15, 2007 (Thursday)

2007-03-15

Stephen Willott,
was e-mail friend who planned to live in Canadian wilderness with Chris Vaughn

08/31/12 "Friend: Christopher Vaughn wanted simple life away from government, people"
"In the emails Vaughn makes no mention of hurting Kimberly, but instead talks about faking his own death so she could receive his life insurance benefits. He told Willott that he has paid to put her through college, and she will be fine. "I’ve attached my mug shot," Vaughn wrote on March 15, 2007. "If you see it at the post office, keep in mind it was all just a big misunderstanding (kidding.)," he wrote. Vaughn told Willott that he had a "scouting trip" planned for the second week in May, and that his bags were already packed. He spent weeks collecting material needed for the trip and had been reading up on all things related to survival."

April 2007

2007-04-00

Defense Witness:

Dr. Bhatia treated Kimberly since November 2005 for headaches.

Prescribed Topmax in September 2006 for Kim's headaches

Doctor said in April 2007 last visit that he told Kim he was going to ween her off the drugs over next 3mos.

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
14 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon On the stand now: Pradeep Bhatia, physician testifying for the defense. Works at Rush-Copley in Aurora as a neurologist.

14 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Bhatia was meeting with Kimberly for headaches. She began meeting with him in Nov. 2005. Had about 8 appointments with him before death.

14 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Kim said she experienced nausea, vomiting and sweating, sensitive to light and sound when experiencing migraines.#ChristopherVaughn

14 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Doc: It appeared she had tension headaches as a result of stress, and also had migraine headaches…once every couple of weeks.

14 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon He prescribed Kim Topmax for her headaches in Sept. 2006. Defense said the drug had suicidal side-effects. #ChristopherVaughn.

14 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Doc said in April 2007 he told Kim he was going to ween her off the drugs over the course of the next three months. That was their last apt.

14 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Stressers Kim would discuss with doc: Moving to IL, closing on home, family member had illness in 06, holidays. All normal things, doc said

2007-04-00

Prosecution
Rebuttal Witness:

Nortriptyline (antidepressant) and Topamax (anti-seizure) are both prescribed standard practice to treat migraines, Michael Schrift said.

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
18 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Michael Schrift, Neuro Psychiatrist, takes the stand as the State's only rebuttal witness. #ChristopherVaughn

18 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Nortriptyline (antidepressant) and Topamax (anti-seizure) are both prescribed as standard practice to treat migraines, Schrift said.

18 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Black Box warning for nortrip does not apply to someone Kimberly's age.

18 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Schrift: Not aware of any data that shows risk of increased suicidality when combining those two drugs Topamax and Nortriptyline

2006-04-09

Christopher Vaughn's Internet postings at "43things.com"

http://www.43things.com/entries/view/1467372

dewoodsman
A thought provoking quote, thanks Peace. The plan is to head up in May to find a good place and then return later for the for good. I’d have to say I am a bit more than excited about it and am spending every free day this month out camping and getting ready. Sounds like you should put together a plan too! Let me know and we can compare notes.

Apr 09, 2007, 08:58AM PDT

May 7, 2007 (Monday)

2007-05-07

Christopher Vaughn took vacation time from work at Navigant Consulting

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
10 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Pam Glueck of Navigant Consulting Chicago, where #ChristopherVaughn worked at the time of the murders, is first up on the stand.

10 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Time #ChristopherVaughn spent in Canada in May 07 on alleged scouting trip was logged as vacation time.

May 8, 2007 (Tuesday)

2007-05-08
Tuesday

Did Christopher Vaughn watch this show of L&O?

Law & Order SVU Season 8 "Annihilated" (ep20) - First Aired: Tuesday May 8, 2007
"A source said the search was conducted, in part, to determine whether anyone in the Vaughn family had seen the May 8 episode of the TV show ("Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"). In the episode, the wife and children of a man leading a double life are found dead, while the man survived a minor gunshot wound. He blamed his wife, but police later charged him with the crime." [06/20/2007 http://www.chicagotribune.com]

May 13, 2007 (Sunday)

2007-05-13

Christopher Vaughn's Internet postings at "43things.com"

Vaughn - "Flint"
aka dewoodsman

http://m136196605.livejournal.com/

12:00 am - May 13th, 2007
(Return from the Yukon) I got back this weekend from a trip to Canada and let me tell you it was truly hard to come back after spending even a week in the up there. I was in the middle of the Yukon (literally). I packed everything I needed in with me and slept out under the stars (and snow?!!). Since the primary reason I was up there was to scout the area for a longer visit, I worked on covering alot of ground and seeing alot of terrain. The place was crawling with critters! I saw elk, moose, beaver, porcupine, lynx, grizzy, fannin sheep, crane, wolf to mention a few. Considering the pace I had set I consider that a fairly good list of wild life to just stumble into. Most were within 20-30 meters which was unbelievable. The terrain was harsh by my estimates as it was still cold and subject to extreme changes very quickly. First day it was sunny and 8C. The last day it was -2C, snowing, and very windy. For anyone looking to get lost in the wilderness I would highly recommend the Yukon. There were very few towns, fewer roads, and hundreds of kilometers of pure wilderness. Anyone interested in pictures they are in the scrapbook here. (http://pics.livejournal.com/m136196605/)

Flint - m136196605@hotmail.com

Christopher Vaughn's Trip to Yukon - Approx 80 Photos http://m136196605.livejournal.com/pics/catalog/359

May 14, 2007 (Monday)

2007-05-14

Christopher Vaughn's Internet postings at "43things.com"

Vaughn - "Flint"
aka dewoodsman

http://www.43things.com/people/progress/dewoodsman/5737544
dewoodsman - I had posted awhile back about a trip to northern Canada I was planning. I got back this weekend and let me tell you it was truly hard to come back after spending even a week in the up there. I was in the middle of the Yukon (literally). I packed everything I needed in with me and slept out under the stars (and snow?!!). Since the primary reason I was up there was to scout the area for a longer visit, I worked on covering alot of ground and seeing alot of terrain. The place was crawling with critters! I saw elk, moose, beaver, porcupine, lynx, grizzy, fannin sheep, crane, wolf to mention a few. Considering the pace I had set I consider that a fairly good list of wild life to just stumble into. Most were within 20-30 meters which was unbelievable. The terrain was harsh by my estimates as it was still cold and subject to extreme changes very quickly. First day it was sunny and 8C. The last day it was -2C, snowing, and very windy. For anyone looking to get lost in the wilderness I would highly recommend the Yukon. There were very few towns, fewer roads, and hundreds of kilometers of pure wilderness. Anyone interested in pictures let me know and I’ll send you a link to the livejournal site. Flint - m136196605@hotmail.com
May 14, 2007, 06:34AM PDT

2007-05-14

CARIBBEAN WATER ADVENTURE OPENS ON MAY 14th 2007!

CARIBBEAN WATER ADVENTURE OPENS ON MAY 14th FOR 2007!
Knight's Action Park, 1700 Recreation Drive, Springfield, IL 62711 (2006 Brochure shows hours: 9am-11pm and water adventure 10am-7pm) [http://www.knightsactionpark.com/]

(Driving directions from Vaughn home at 711 Mansfield Court, Oswego, Illinois to 1700 Recreation Drive, Springfield, Illinois using Google map directions is 182 mi about 3 hours 12 mins)

2007-05-00

Three Weeks before the shootings

06/19/2007 HEADLINE: Parents visited gun range before deaths
"The newspaper said Kimberly Vaughn told a friend that she and her husband visited a practice range to go target shooting three weeks earlier and that she'd joked that she had been so bad with a gun her best shot was an accidental bull's eye when her eyes were closed"

2007-05-00

Kimberly told neighbor one time she went to the gun range and she struggled to control weapon's recoil

[06/22/07 "Father's reaction, Survivor of SUV deaths reportedly can't recall what happened"
"Chris liked to hunt and was familiar with firearms, according to friends and family. Kimberly, by contrast, had limited experience with weapons. Kimberly recently told her neighbor, Tony Bridges, about one time when she went to a gun range with Chris. She said she struggled to control the weapon's recoil, only hitting the target's center when she closed her eyes." - "She [Bridges] said [Chris] kind of snickered and laughed," added Bridges, who said he had no idea when the couple went to the gun range. Friends of Kimberly who live near Seattle, where the Vaughns lived before moving to the area about two years ago, said she twice went with her husband to a gun range in that area."

May 15, 2007 (Tuesday)

2007-05-15

Christopher Vaughn's Internet postings at "43things.com"

Vaughn - "Flint"
aka dewoodsman

http://www.43things.com/entries/view/1975067

What is stopping you?
I hear you about not fitting into society, I am the same way. I’d rather follow a set of tracks through a river in the rain than have spend time on a paved road or under a roof. I am working on wrapping up a few last things and then I am headed out for the long walk. I’ve been taking continually longer and more remote trips figuring that when the time comes I’ll be ready. The location has been the biggest consideration seeing as I am looking for something extremely remote but also moderately survivable (no Artic circle etc.) I have been talking with someone else who is as into getting lost in the wilderness as I am which I didn’t think I would ever meet. Drop me an email, I’d like to hear what you are thinking.

Flint - m136196605@hotmail.com - http://m136196605.livejournal.com/
May 15, 2007, 07:25AM PDT

May 23, 2007 (Monday)

2007-05-23

Christopher Vaughn told his online friend, Steve Willott in e-mail about a woman named "Maya" he had second thoughts to join them in the Yukon.

09/04/2012 Headline: "Ex-stripper: Vaughn said he wasn't happy in his marriage"
"Last week, prosecutors introduced dozens of emails written by Vaughn to a friend he met on a social networking website detailing his meticulous plans to fake his own death and leave his family behind for a new life far from civilization. In two separate exchanges, Vaughn told the friend, Steve Willott, of a woman "Maya" he had met at a club who seemed to be interested in joining them when they made their move to the remote reaches of the Yukon."

"On May 23, 2007, just a few weeks before the murders, Vaughn wrote in an email to Willott that he had reservations about Drake's level of commitment but thought it "wouldn't be too bad bringing her along." "Unfortunately, she has a very naive view of how survival would be and even fewer skills," Vaughn wrote."

May 24, 2007 (Tuesday)

2007-05-24

Defense Witness:

Doctor Steslow began seeing Kimberly September 2006 through May 2007 for high blood pressure.

05/24/07 visit for Rx refill, check up

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
14 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Last witness, Family Practice Doc, Richard Steslow D.O. is up on the stand. First started seeing Kim in Sept. 06.

14 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Saw doc from Sep. 2006 through May 2007 for high blood pressure.

14 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon May 24, 2007: Kim visit for RX refill, check, and onset of increased anxiety esp around menstrual cycle.

14 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon What doc remembers about Kim: She "didn’t seem to have any problems other than trying to be as healthy as possible.”

May 27, 2007 (Sunday)

2007-05-27

06/15/07 "Police Say Christopher Vaughn Not A Suspect; Report Says He Blames Wife"
"In the May 27 profile in the paper’s real estate section, the family spoke of their enthusiasm for their new $340,000, four-bedroom house in an Oswego development. The article featured an idyllic photo of a relaxed Christopher and Kimberly Vaughn sitting at a dining table, their three children standing behind them smiling. "We really liked the small-town atmosphere of Oswego," Kimberly said. "We also checked on the schools our three children would be attending and found them to be highly-rated. We looked at the models, and we were very impressed."

2007-05-27

Rutherford Floor Plan:

05/27/07 ARTICLE: "From Washington State to Oswego (OPEN HOUSE)"
Family didn't have air conditioning in Pacific Northwest, but they'll need it here"

"Chris and Kimberly selected the 3,373-square-foot Rutherford floor plan, with 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a 2-car attached garage. The kitchen is equipped with a breakfast nook, an island, a walk-in pantry and a serving peninsula. The master-bedroom suite has his and hers walk-in closets and a private bath. Other amenities of the Rutherford include a first-floor study, two staircases and a two-story family room.

"We really liked the second-floor laundry," Kimberly said. "We didn't need central air conditioning when we lived in Washington, but we were delighted to find that dual-zone heating and air conditioning is included in the homes at Spring Gate. We knew we would need air conditioning here." The Vaughns opted for a morning room (with a cathedral ceiling). They've also got a good-sized lot for their new home."

"The recreational facilities were also an important attraction to the Vaughns. The master-planned Southbury development features three swimming pools and a 7,600-square-foot clubhouse. Southbury also includes an elementary school (part of Oswego School District 308)."

May 30, 2007 (Wednesday)

2007-05-30

Christopher Vaughn's sister Rachel said Kimberly told her she was stressed and had a lot of trouble with anxiety. Rachel said Kim blamed it on meds and was working to get off them. This happened after a Jeep Jamboree in Missouri with KIm's husband, Chris Vaughn.

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
13 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Rachel Vaughn, Kim's sister-in-law, now testifying for the #ChristopherVaughn defense about May 30, 2007 phone conversation the two had.

13 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Rachel said that Kim told her that she was stressing out over little things, and described an incident where Kim "freaked out" over school.

13 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Rachel: "She said she had a lot of trouble with anxiety. Part of reason she was telling me that story, she was embarrassed by her reaction."

13 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Rachel: Kim said that her blood pressure meds and migraine meds could be part of the prob and she was working with doc to get off them.

13 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Conversation occurred on May 30, 2007--two weeks before the fatal shootings, after attending a Jeep Jamboree in MO with #ChristopherVaughn

2007-05-30

Anxiety apparently had to do with Kim thinking she had Internet access at the Jeep Jamboree to send her school assignment but then discovered she didn't have access at all.

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
13 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Rachel Vaughn said that was the ONLY conversation the two had ever had on the phone. She called to tell KV the sex of her baby.

13 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon "Freak out" happened bc she was at Jeep Jamboree with #ChristopherVaughn, had no internet access so she couldn't send a school assignment.

13 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Kim made #ChristopherVaughn drive from MO to Springfield so she could turn in her online homework assignment. That caused anxiety.

June 2, 2007 (Saturday)

2007-06-02

Vaughn co-worker, Allan Hsu on trip to Utah with Vaughn

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
27 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Vaughn co-worker, Allan Hsu, talks about night out with #ChristopherVaughn in Utah on June 2. He headed back to hotel at 1 a.m-Vaughn didn't

27 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon "You went back out?" Hsu wrote in an email to #ChristopherVaughn. "You can't tell me something like that and leave me hanging."

27 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Vaughn wrote that what occurred was "Nothing that I can mention by email," but that it "Got interesting." Said he got back to hotel at 5am.

27 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Hsu said he never found out what #ChristopherVaughn had done that night in Utah. Vaughn's family was shot and killed less than 2 weeks later

June 5, 2007 (Tuesday)

2007-06-05

Christopher Vaughn used his credit card at Scores Gentleman's Club as testified by manager, Lisa Hinds.

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
23 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Lisa Hinds, manager of Scores gentleman's club, is on stand testifying now.

23 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon June 5, June 6, June 11 and June 12 credit card purchases made by #ChristopherVaughn at Scores are now being introduced by Hinds.

23 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon On June 6, 2007, #ChristopherVaughn spent a similar amount. The total for the two nights was $4,788

23 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Manager said a half hour dance could cost a min. of $500/half hour. She said #ChristopherVaughn could have easily spent $4,000 in two nights

2007-06-05

"He was very timid, very shy and uncomfortable," said Miller, who's no longer an "entertainer" at the club near Chicago's O'Hare Airport."

08/23/12 "Vaughn Spent Thousands at Topless Club Days Before Family Murdered"
"Receipts from Scores Chicago presented during the Oswego man's murder trial Thursday show that Vaughn was there on the nights of June 5 and 11, 2007, spending thousands of dollars to buy alcohol and spend time in a private room with a dancer named Cassidy" - "By June 27, 2007, Cassidy -- whose real name is Chrystal Miller -- was testifying before a Will County grand jury about her experiences with Vaughn."

"Among them, Vaughn told her one evening that he'd been single for five years and had no children. He also accompanied her a private room, she testified, but didn't ask her to do a "lap dance," as most men request given that they've paid an extra fee to be alone with a dancer and have to make a minimum drink purchase of $200 to $300. "He was such a gentleman, such a gentleman," Miller told the grand jury. "He didn't make me dance or anything."

June 6, 2007 (Wednesday)

2007-06-06

Christopher Vaughn at the Mega Sports Shooting Range.

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
23 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Yeah! Owner of gun range, Mark Daniels, is on the stand now to testify in the #ChristopherVaughn trial. Should be important testimony.

23 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Sign in sheets and video from range on June 6 and June 13 2007 introduced into evidence in #ChristopherVaughn trial.

23 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Evidence shows #ChristopherVaughn was at the Mega Sports shooting range at around 5:30 p.m. the day before the murders took place.

23 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Daniels does not recall how many targets #ChristopherVaughn purchased, or how close he placed the targets during shooting practice.

2007-06-06

"Vaughn presented his firearms owner's identification card and put his name down on a signup sheet to use one of the shooting lanes"

08/23/12 "Vaughn Spent Thousands at Topless Club Days Before Family Murdered"
"In other testimony Thursday, Mark Daniels, owner of Mega Sports in Plainfield, confirmed Vaughn made two visits to the retail gun store to use its shooting range, the first on June 6, 2007, and the other on June 13, 2007, the day before the murders."

"In both cases, Vaughn presented his firearms owner's identification card and put his name down on a signup sheet to use one of the shooting lanes, Daniels said. Videos show Vaughn entering and exiting the store and using gun range, the second time dressed in a long-sleeved jacket despite it being mid-June."

2007-06-00

Maya Drake testified Vaughn said that he was going to leave his wife, move to Canada.

"He said she was going to get everything," Drake testified. "He said she was going to get what she deserved. She wasn’t going to see it coming."

09/04/2012 Headline: "Ex-stripper: Vaughn wanted to leave wife, move to Canada"
"Not long before his 13th wedding anniversary, Christopher Vaughn sat down and wrote a love poem. In it, he talked about "ancient souls," "speechless conversation," "shared closeness" and "hopeful dreams." That letter, however, wasn’t meant for his wife. Instead, it was given to a former exotic dancer Vaughn had been fixated on in the weeks leading up to his family’s deaths."

"On Tuesday, Maya Drake testified that after meeting with Vaughn on several occasions in 2007 at a Chicago club, the Oswego man professed that he was going to leave his wife and move to Canada. "He said she was going to get everything," Drake testified. "He said she was going to get what she deserved. She wasn’t going to see it coming."

"During his time at the club, Drake said Vaughn never asked her to dance for him but did spend time with her talking in the club’s VIP room. Drake said the two talked about the outdoors and poetry, which Vaughn told her he wrote but often burned afterward. He mentioned his failing marriage but never his kids."

2007-06-06

Christopher Vaughn used his credit card at Scores Gentleman's Club as testified by manager, Lisa Hinds.

23 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon June 5, June 6, June 11 and June 12 credit card purchases made by #ChristopherVaughn at Scores are now being introduced by Hinds.

23 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon On June 6, 2007, #ChristopherVaughn spent a similar amount. The total for the two nights was $4,788

23 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Manager said a half hour dance could cost a min. of $500/half hour. She said #ChristopherVaughn could have easily spent $4,000 in two nights

June 7, 2007 (Thursday)

2007-06-07

"Searches show that as early as June 7, and again on June 11, Vaughn was researching the park, not on the 13th as he has claimed."

Christopher Vaughn was also researching online for information on his stripper friend, Maya Drake.

09/07/12 "Computer records show Christopher Vaughn tracked down stripper, her family"
"Last week, when she reluctantly took the stand in a Will County courtroom, former exotic dancer Maya Drake told jurors that she never gave Christopher Vaughn her full name or address during their visits together at a Chicago gentleman’s club in 2007. That fact did not stop Vaughn from hunting down the object of his affection, locating addresses for Drake, including the Kentucky home she grew up in. Lisa Calarese, a computer forensic analyst with the Illinois State Police who examined Vaughn’s personal laptop, testified that Vaughn had searched for Drake’s information online, and even located family members of the dancer. Drake testified last week that she thought Vaughn had hacked into her personal computer."

"When Calarese searched Vaughn’s computer, the trip seemed more planned than Vaughn had led investigators to initially believe. Searches show that as early as June 7, and again on June 11, Vaughn was researching the park, not on the 13th as he has claimed."

"Also found on the equipment were searches for Missouri bed and breakfast inns, where Vaughn claims he was planning to take his wife the weekend after she was found shot to death in the family SUV. A reservation page points to June 16 and 17 as dates Vaughn had inquired about booking. Searches also popped up for strip clubs, and led Calarese to a web page where Vaughn makes reference to his upcoming trip to Canada."

June 9, 2007 (Saturday)

2007-06-09

06/20/2007 SlideShow: Photo 5 of 18
"Kimberly Ellen Vaughn, 34, (center) poses on June 9, 2007 with husband, Christopher Vaughn (left) and her three children Cassandra Ellen Vaughn, 11, (lower left) Blake Philip Vaughn, 8 (lower center) and Abigayle Elizabeth Vaughn, 12, on Kimberly's graduation day from from Phoenix University. (Family photo) Jun 9, 2007"

"Another neighbor, who asked not to be named, said Kimberly's parents came in from Missouri last week to attend her graduation ceremony from the online University of Phoenix, where she received a degree in criminal justice administration." [06/15/2007 www.suburbanchicagonews.com]

2007-00-00

Kimberly worked at the subdivision clubhouse near the pool and at their school as a substitute paraprofessional

"The two jobs Kimberly had worked since having children allowed her to keep a protective eye on them at the same time, her mother said. She worked at the subdivision clubhouse near the pool and at their school as a substitute paraprofessional. She had just earned a degree in criminal justice from an online university with a 3.8 grade-point average and wanted to work with juvenile offenders, her mother said. She was the type of person who would rake an elderly neighbor's leaves and had a bubbly, outgoing personality. "She abhorred guns," Phillips added, saying her daughter wouldn't even let her children play with water guns. "She was a loving, compassionate person." [06/18/2007 http://www.stltoday.com/]

June 11, 2007 (Monday)

2007-06-11

Christopher Met with Stripper, Chrystal Miller at Scores Gentleman's Club. He told her he was single for 5 years, no kids.

Scores Manager: "half hour dance could cost a min. of $500/half hour, Vaughn could have easily spent $4,000 in two nights"

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
23 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Secret's out. The stripper is testifying. Chrystal Miller takes stand in the #ChristopherVaughn trial. She says she doesn't remember much.

23 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon #ChristopherVaughn visited the club twice. Once was June 11. "I remember his specifically saying he did not have a family life."

23 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon #ChristopherVaughn allegedly met with Miller in June 2007 before the murders. She was hesitant to testify.

23 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon She described #ChristopherVaughn as shy, timid and uncomfortable when he entered the club. "He was such a gentleman" she recalled saying.

23 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon #Christopher Vaughn told Miller that he had been single for 5 years and had no children. He gave Miller his card, said to get a hold of him.

23 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon #ChristopherVaughn spent 1 1/2 hours in private room with Miller. She said he didn't make her dance. "It was really appreciated," she said.

23 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon June 5, June 6, June 11 and June 12 credit card purchases made by #ChristopherVaughn at Scores are now being introduced by Hinds.

23 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon #ChristopherVaughn spent thousands of dollars on dances and drinks at Scores on June11/June12

2007-06-11

"Miller is one of two exotic dancers expected to testify at the trial, and prosecutors have said Vaughn had told them he did not have a family."

08/23/12 "Christopher Vaughn spent almost $5,000 at strip club"
"A former dancer at a gentleman’s club testified Thursday that Christopher Vaughn visited the club twice in the days before his family was killed, and she described him as shy, timid and uncomfortable when he did. "He was such a gentleman," Chrystal Miller recalled telling the grand jury in 2007. Miller is one of two exotic dancers expected to testify at the trial, and prosecutors have said Vaughn had told them he did not have a family."

"A manager at the club, Scores in Stone Park, then testified Vaughn spent thousands of dollars on dances and drinks on the night of June 11 and early morning of June 12. He did the same on June 5/June 6, she said. The total for the two nights was $4,788, she said."

2007-06-11

At 2012 Trial, Computer Forensic Examiner, Lisa Calarese found Vaughn looked up driving directions from his house to Springfield water park on June 11, 2007.

Christopher Vaughn also searched for bed and breakfasts in Hermann, Missouri, between June 4 and 11, 2007

(https://twitter.com/SeidelContent) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
6 Sep Jon Seidel ?@SeidelContent Lisa Calarese of the Illinois State Police is on the witness stand in the #ChristopherVaughn trial.

6 Sep Jon Seidel ?@SeidelContent Calarese is a computer forensic examiner. #ChristopherVaughn

6 Sep Jon Seidel ?@SeidelContent Calarese is talking about how she decoded #ChristopherVaughn 's encrypted Dell laptop.

6 Sep Jon Seidel ?@SeidelContent Calarese found email between Willott and #ChristopherVaughn by searching the keyword "Mexico."

6 Sep Jon Seidel ?@SeidelContent Calarese's search also shows #ChristopherVaughn was researching water park in Springfield days before his family's death.

6 Sep Jon Seidel ?@SeidelContent #ChristopherVaughn also looked up driving directions from his house to Springfield water park on June 11, 2007.

6 Sep Jon Seidel ?@SeidelContent #ChristopherVaughn searched for bed and breakfasts in Hermann, Missouri, between June 4 and 11, 2007.

2007-06-11

Del Phillips, Kimberly's father said Christopher Vaughn rarely discussed his marriage with him. But in 2007, Vaughn told Phillips in 2007 that he was planning to take his wife on a second honeymoon in Missouri soon

08/21/12 "Witnesses: Everything seemed normal before family murdered"
"But Kimberly Vaughn's father said he was troubled by an encounter he had with Christopher Vaughn as his son-in-law left his house in Oswego for work three days before Kimberly and the three children died. "He just walked right on by, stone-faced, determined to go out the door and not say goodbye as he usually did for 13 years," Del Phillips said in court today."

"Vaughn was mostly expressionless in court this morning, wearing a tan jacket and brown pants. He looked directly at his father-in-law as Phillips -- a lawyer -- testified in a calm, steady voice about the last time he saw his daughter alive. Phillips said Vaughn was quiet and polite in the 13 years they had known each other. He said Vaughn rarely discussed his marriage with him. But in 2007, Vaughn told Phillips in 2007 that he was planning to take his wife on a second honeymoon in Missouri soon. "That was very unusual for him to share that kind of information with me," Phillips said."

June 12, 2007 (Tuesday)

2007-06-12

Christopher Vaughn used his credit card at Scores Gentleman's Club as testified by manager, Lisa Hinds.

23 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon June 5, June 6, June 11 and June 12 credit card purchases made by #ChristopherVaughn at Scores are now being introduced by Hinds.

23 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon #ChristopherVaughn spent thousands of dollars on dances and drinks at Scores on June11/June12.

June 13, 2007 (Wednesday)

2007-06-13

Defense Witness:

Cassandra's teacher, Deborah Mogle talks about Kimberly's anxiety over her child's homework, school zero tolerence, etc.

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
14 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Deborah Mogle, Cassandra's 5th grade teacher, first up on the stand. #ChristopherVaughn She testified about a convo with Kim on June 13 07

14 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon She testified that Kim told her about a situation her mother had at the school she teaches where children brought in a gun.She was concerned

14 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Mogle said Kim was a very involved parent, very concerned about well being of her child. #ChristopherVaughn

14 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Teacher: Kim was upset during a conversation shortly before her death about Cassandra not being able to get her homework in on time.

14 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon “I’ve been crying about this all day," Mogle said Kim told her. #ChristopherVaughn trial breaking until 10 a.m. Told you it would drag.

2007-06-13

Kimberly took her daughters swimming on Wednesday nights at subdivision clubhouse. Employee calendar marked Vaughn's would be gone Friday [6/15] to Sunday [6/17]

06/14/2007 "Another 'ridiculous tragedy' in Midwest - Oswego mom, kids shot dead in SUV"
"I know they always say this, but it's just inconceivable that this could happen here," said Tony Bridges, 56. "I don't think I'm going to sleep tonight." Bridges said Kimberly Vaughn took an attendant job at their subdivision clubhouse about a month ago, when he also took one. She took her two daughters to swim there on Wednesday night, he said.

Nothing seemed amiss, he said. Bridges described Christopher Vaughn, whom he met once, as "real mellow." Neighbors said he likes to hunt and camp. The employee calendar, meanwhile, indicated that Kimberly Vaughn would be gone Friday to Sunday, apparently for the getaway."

2007-06-13

"She was very happy, very upbeat, very positive and looking forward to the vacation that was to begin the next day."

08/21/12 "Witnesses: Everything seemed normal before family murdered"
"Prosecutors and Lenard today also questioned Russell Romanelli, who hired Kimberly Vaughn to work part-time in the summer of 2007 as an attendant at a neighborhood clubhouse. Romanelli saw Vaughn at work the day before she died. He said she seemed normal. "She was very happy, very upbeat, very positive and looking forward to the vacation that was to begin the next day," Romanelli said." Vaughn took her children swimming in the clubhouse pool that afternoon and, later that evening, sent Romanelli a routine email updating him on plumbing work at the facility.

2007-06-13

Peterson boy saw Kimberly Vaughn and Abigayle were at McDonalds

06/25/07 Headline: "Family 'seemed normal,' says shocked neighbor"
"Everything seemed normal," said Norma Peterson, whose son saw 12-year-old Abigayle Vaughn and her mother at McDonald's the day before their deaths. "They seemed like they were having a good time." The boy, Abigayle's classmate at Thompson Junior High, later found himself detailing the June 13 encounter to police." - "In Norma Peterson's Boulder Hill home Sunday morning, when headlines announced that Christopher Vaughn had been charged with eight counts of murder, Peterson was careful not to show her 12-year-old the paper."

2007-06-13

5:30pm Christopher Vaughn was target practicing at the Mega Sports Shooting Range.

23 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Sign in sheets and video from range on June 6 and June 13 2007 introduced into evidence in #ChristopherVaughn trial.

23 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Evidence shows #ChristopherVaughn was at the Mega Sports shooting range at around 5:30 p.m. the day before the murders took place.

23 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Daniels does not recall how many targets #ChristopherVaughn purchased, or how close he placed the targets during shooting practice.

2007-06-13

"The night before the shootings Vaughn wore a jacket, even though Daniels said his customers often complain about the heat in his range when the weather is warm."

08/23/12 "Christopher Vaughn spent almost $5,000 at strip club"
"Mark Daniels said Vaughn was last at the Mega Sports shooting range around 5:30 p.m. June 13, 2007. Earlier testimony showed Kimberly Vaughn was preparing dinner for her family and their neighbors at that time."

"In grainy and sometimes blurry videos taken June 6 and June 13, 2007, Vaughn can be seen interacting with a clerk and using a lane at the range. On his first visit he wore a dark-colored T-shirt and jeans. The night before the shootings he wore a jacket, even though Daniels said his customers often complain about the heat in his range when the weather is warm."

2007-06-13

Vaughn told Sgt. Joseph Stavola during (06/15/07 or 06/17/07) interview that he covered gun with white towel and put in closet when returning from the Mega Sports Shooting Range.

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Sgt. Joseph Stavola takes the stand again. He was assigned to interview #ChristopherVaughn on June 15, and June 17 with Sgt. Lawson.

29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon #ChristopherVaughn said he got home from range, put gun in padded case without bullets, covered it with white towel and put in his closet.

29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Taken in the search warrant of the #ChristopherVaughn home was that padded case, the duffle bag...but not the gun. That was found in SUV.

29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Stavola: "Did you take a quick shower?" when you got home from the range? Vaughn said no, he got ready to cook steaks for the neighbors

2007-06-13

Magazine: "How to make a homicide look like a suicide." Article included info regarding gun range and "and wearing the same clothes as an alibi."

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Special Agent Cornelious Monroe said he never read magazine article about "how to make a homicide look like a suicide" before bringing up accusation to Vaughn

29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Monroe said he was told it included information about going to the gun range and wearing the same clothes as an alibi.

2007-06-13

7:51 pm Kimberly doing school homework online

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
22 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Court resumes with witness Robin Rabiner, who worked at the University of Phoenix, where Kimberly Vaughn graduated from in 2007.

22 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon "Online course work shows Kimberly was doing homework as of 7:51 p.m. the day before the shootings. She was up late working on an assignment."

2007-06-13

Both of Kimberly's sisters spoke with her separately and said Kim sounded fine.

Elizabeth "Nikki" Isemann is a college professor in Nebraska and helped Kimberly with her studies.

08/21/12 "Witnesses: Everything seemed normal before family murdered"
"After Phillips' testimony, prosecutors called Kimberly Vaughn's sister, Elizabeth Nicole Isemann, to the stand. Isemann broke down when asked to state her parents' names, and she could barely speak when asked to identify Vaughn in the courtroom. "That's him," she said, gritting her teeth and pointing at Vaughn as she struggled to hold back her sobs."

"Both Isemann and Kimberly Vaughn's identical twin, Susan Jennifer Ledbetter, testified that Kimberly Vaughn sounded fine when they spoke with her in separate conversations the day before she died. Isemann, a college professor in Nebraska, said she usually spoke with Vaughn every day, helping her sister with her college courses and discussing her relationship with her husband."

"Vaughn told Isemann she was trying to reconnect with her husband and had even rearranged the furniture in their bedroom to make it feel more romantic, Isemann said."

2007-06-13

8:55 pm Kimberly sent school papers to her sister Nikki

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
21 Aug Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Elizabeth "Nikki" Isemann, Kim's sister, takes stand. Barely gets through spelling of her name before she breaks down in tears.

21 Aug Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Nikki discusses school work Kim sent to her at 8:55 p.m. the day before she was allegedly murdered. This was the last time she spoke to Kim."

2007-06-13

Vaughn's had neighbors (Todd Andrlik family) over for dinner, Call with sister (Nikki) at 8:55 p.m.

06/16/07 "Officials say killer was one of family, Cops examine ballistic evidence"
"When I [Kim Vaughn's sister, Nikki Isemann] talked to her, she was absolutely happy," her sister said, noting that she last spoke with Vaughn during a phone call at 8:55 p.m. Wednesday. "She was in great spirits, very excited about her future." - "Wednesday night, neighbors went to the Vaughn home for dinner. Nothing appeared amiss, said one guest, who declined to be identified."

2007-06-13

Vaughn's had steak dinner with friends

06/15/07 Headline: "Tragic end to family outing 'FANTASTIC FAMILY'
"Everything seemed to be going well for the Vaughn family as they sat down in their Oswego home for a steak dinner with friends." - "Kimberly and Christopher Vaughn were planning a trip to Missouri this weekend to mark their 13th wedding anniversary. Their older daughter, Abigayle or "Abbi," 12, had just made a traveling soccer team and was enrolled in Camp Invention. Their younger daughter, Cassandra or "Sandi," 11, was excited to begin clarinet lessons. And Blake, their youngest child at 8, couldn't wait to watch the latest "Fantastic Four" movie." - "All things to look forward to as they laughed with friends Wednesday night, according to law enforcement sources."

2007-06-13

Vaughn's never mentioned to neighbor friend Todd Andrlik about going on a water park trip

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
21 Aug Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Todd Andrlik, #ChristopherVaughn neighbor: "They were our closest friends in the neighborhood," he said.

21 Aug Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon "This was a family we trusted with our garage code…we were in and out of each others homes frequently," #ChristopherVaughn neighbor said..

21 Aug Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Neighbor (Todd Andrlik) describes typical night with the #ChristopherVaughn family just prior to the murders. Said there was no mention of water park trip.

2007-06-13

10:00 pm est
Woman in Channahon heard what she thought were gunshots

06/14/07 HEADLINE: "Ill. Police Find Mother, 3 Children Dead In SUV"
"No concrete timeline has been established for the deaths. But a woman who lives near where the bodies were found said she heard several loud cracking sounds -- which she now believes were gunshots -- shortly before 10 p.m. Wednesday and again about five minutes later." - "I was in bed and I thought it was in my backyard it was so loud," said Debra Walick, who lives less than half a mile from where the bodies were found. After the second sound, Walick said she got out of bed to investigate, but later returned to bed. Thursday morning she saw police in the area."

2007-06-13

11:08 pm Kimberly was working on a research paper online

22 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon As of 11:08 p.m. Kim was working on a research paper. They allegedly left at 5 a.m. the next morning for the water park. #ChristopherVaughn"

Kimberly Vaughn and three children dead, Husband Wounded
Media Reports and the August/September 2012 Trial Updates From Twitter

June 14, 2007 (Thursday)

Kimberly Vaughn and Children DEAD

2007-06-14

4:00am

"On no sleep, and wearing the same clothes he wore the evening before, Vaughn said he set the couple’s alarm for 4 a.m., woke the kids, who fell back asleep in the car on the way from Oswego to the park."

08/27/12 "Cop To Vaughn: ‘Your Wife And Your Kids Are All Dead’"
"Just hours after his family was found shot and killed, Vaughn came face to face with investigators who were eager to find out what happened. Prosecutors played a video of that meeting Monday as the second week of Vaughn’s murder trial kicked off."

"He maintains that someone in a McDonald’s restaurant told him about the park and recommended they go. On no sleep, and wearing the same clothes he wore the evening before, Vaughn said he set the couple’s alarm for 4 a.m., woke the kids, who fell back asleep in the car on the way from Oswego to the park."

"Vaughn said Kimberly got ill as they drove down Interstate 55, and that was why he pulled over the family SUV on the frontage road where the family was found shot. Why he pulled off into an even more secluded gravel road has been a mystery until Monday when jurors heard Vaughn say he followed a deer to that location."

2007-06-14

Frank Myers testified an SUV like Vaughn's cut him off the road near Frontage Road that morning of June 14th, drove through a stop sign.

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
13 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Judge doesn't strike state's question. New witness on stand. Frank Myers, who works in Channahon. Turned on Bluff Road early that June 14.

13 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Myer: Avehicle resembling the SUV cut him off that morning and blew through a stop sign near the frontage road where shooting occurred.

13 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Myers: "I would have struck him had I not swerved left to miss him"

2007-06-14

23.7 Miles, 41 Min.

08/20/12 "Attorneys cast differing interpretations of Vaughn"
"The family had started down I-55 when Vaughn took the Bluff Road exit and drove south along I-55's west frontage road, where at about 5:19 a.m., Mills said he exited the vehicle and shot his wife in the head and shot the children, both in the chest and in the head. "All shots with precision, no misses," Will County Assistant State's Attorney Deborah Mills said." - "Mills said he had two self-inflicted gunshot wounds, a graze wound to his left wrist and a shot through his leg. He left the scene and flagged a passerby down, who called for assistance from first responders."

2007-06-14

5:00am

"In the 911 call played Wednesday for jurors, Vaughn could be heard in the background mumbling "red Ford" in a reference to the family's SUV. "I got out," Vaughn said."

08/22/12 "First responder, good Samaritan testify at Vaughn trial Oswego man accused of killing his family was worried about his boots, paramedic says"
"Another prosecution witness, John Speer, testified Wednesday he was on his way to work shortly after 5 a.m. June 14, 2007, when he saw Vaughn stumbling down the gravely edge of the frontage road along Interstate 55 near Channahon, bleeding from his left thigh and wrist."

"I think my wife shot me," Speer said Vaughn told him. Vaughn then mumbled something about her "having the kids" but soon stopped answering questions, Speer said." Speer testified he put Vaughn in his pickup truck, called 911 and used a rag to apply pressure to Vaughn's leg wound. In the 911 call played Wednesday for jurors, Vaughn could be heard in the background mumbling "red Ford" in a reference to the family's SUV. "I got out," Vaughn said. But then he said no more."

2007-06-14

"I believe my wife just shot me," Vaughn told John Speer. Jurors heard a 911 call Speer made after finding Vaughn. "He said the kids are in the car with his wife ... she took off," Speer said.

08/22/12 "Christopher Vaughn: ‘I believe my wife just shot me’"
"The first witness to testify Wednesday in Christopher Vaughn’s murder trial was the man who found a wounded Vaughn by the side of a road on June 14, 2007. "I believe my wife just shot me," Vaughn told John Speer. Jurors heard a 911 call Speer made after finding Vaughn. "He said the kids are in the car with his wife ... she took off," Speer said."

"Channahon Police Officer Michael Lazzari, who responded to the 911 call, said Vaughn only said he was going to a water park. "I asked him what had happened. He wouldn’t reply back," Lazzari said."

2007-06-14

5:18am Fire Department received call

[Passerby John Speer found Vaughn on road, called 911]

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
22 Aug Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Firefighters wake at 5:18 a.m. for call of victim with multiple gunshot wounds possible stabbing. "We were sound asleep" Brandon Wright said

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
22 Aug Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon The scene was "eerily clam. It had an early morning smell to it. There wasn't much sound at all," Paramedic Derek Ellenberger said.

2007-06-14

"He wouldn't respond when asked if his wife shot him and made no effort to return to where his left his vehicle, Lazzari said."

08/22/12 "Vaughn Worried about Boots, Jacket, but Not Wife and Kids: Witnesses"
"Channahon Police Officer Michael Lazzari responded to the emergency call, and was able to elicit on two pieces of information from Vaughn: That he and his family were en route to a Springfield water park and that his wife and children were in their SUV, which was parked farther up the road. He wouldn't respond when asked if his wife shot him and made no effort to return to where his left his vehicle, Lazzari said."

"Three Channahon paramedics arrived shortly thereafter, and said they found Vaughn with wounds that were not bleeding profusely, a heart rate that was accelerated and blood pressure that was only slightly elevated. He never lost consciousness and showed no signs of going into shock."

2007-06-14

(During 2012 Trial):
Sgt Steve Weiss:
"I asked Mr. Vaughn what happened," "I don't know," Vaughn replied. I said, "Who shot you?" He said, "I don't know what happened."

08/20/12 HEADLINE: "Officer describes finding bodies of family: 'Oh my God.'
"Oh my God," Channahon Police Sgt. Steve Weiss said, describing the body of Vaughn's wife Kimberly in the passenger seat of the family's SUV. "Her left eye was bulged out and she was bleeding down the mouth and nose." - "The crime scene photos showed the three children wearing pajamas and surrounded by pillows and blankets in the back seat of the Ford Explorer. In one photo, the sandy hair of Blake is barely visible next to an open rear passenger door with blood running down the inside. Abigayle Vaughn was holding a Harry Potter book and stuffed animal when she was shot and killed in the SUV's backseat, according to a Channahon firefighter." - "He shot Kimberly Vaughn under her chin, then Abigayle in chest and head, then Cassandra in the chest and head and finally Blake, said Will County Assistant State's Attorney Deborah Mills.

2007-06-14

Paramedic's Ryan Jandura, Lt. Jacob Randich and Lt. Matthew Skole also responded

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
22 Aug Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Paramedic Kurt Liebermann said #ChristopherVaughn never mentioned his three children, or his wife, who were shot and killed down the road.

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
22 Aug Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Paramedic in charge of scene, Brandon Wright, said that #ChristopherVaughn was not crying, moaning or showing emotion during treatment.

22 Aug Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Paramedic said #ChristopherVaughn was "adamant that I didn't mess up his boots in anyway" while he was being treated.

2007-06-14

"He was adamant that I did not mess up his boots in any way," Ellenberger said."

08/22/12 "First responder, good Samaritan testify at Vaughn trial Oswego man accused of killing his family was worried about his boots, paramedic says"
"Christopher Vaughn was being treated for a gunshot wound to the leg yards from where his wife and three children had just been shot to death when a paramedic started cutting his pant leg to expose the wound. Vaughn had a distant look in his eyes and wasn't responding to questions about who shot him or why, Derek Ellenberger, a Channahon Fire Protection District paramedic, testified Wednesday at Vaughn's murder trial in Will County. But Vaughn briefly snapped out of his fog when he saw the shears near his new cowboy boots, Ellenberger testified for the prosecution. "He was adamant that I did not mess up his boots in any way," Ellenberger said. "

2007-06-14

Were there camera's at the cell phone tower?

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Sgt. Gary Lawson said that he didn't see cameras at cellphone tower near murder scene, but that he never officially checked to see if there were.

29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Defense: Grilling Lawson, who admits that he never checked to see if any employees come to cell tower at 5 a.m., or how many work there.

2007-06-14

08/20/12 "Grim Death Photos Don't Rattle Chris Vaughn on Murder Trial's First Day"
"He pulled the Expedition over, got out under the guise of checking a cargo compartment on the roof of the SUV, grabbed his wife through the open passenger window, stuck a pistol under her chin and blew her brains out, Will County Assistant State's Attorney Deborah Mills said. Then, with clinical "precision," he put two bullets each in Abigayle, Cassandra and Blake, in that order, she said. The children were shot once in the head and once in the chest." - "After killing his family, she said, Vaughn intentionally grazed his wrist with a bullet and shot himself in the leg, Mills said then "planted the gun between" Kimberly's feet."

2007-06-14

Corey Burket, investigator with the Will Co. Sheriff's Department spoke with Christopher Vaughn in the hospital

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
22 Aug Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Sixth witness of the day, Corey Burket, investigator with the Will Co. Sheriff's Department, takes the stand in the #ChristopherVaughn trial

22 Aug Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon "He asked me if anyone had notified his wife of his whereabouts…" Burket said of his conversation with Vaughn while at the hospital.

22 Aug Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon "He said (Kim) always wonders where he’s at," Burket said. He said #ChristopherVaughn never inquired about the condition of his children.

2007-06-14

6:30am

"He never asked about his children, but did tell the deputy he was upset by the paramedics."

"He was angry because the firemen had ruined his coat."

08/22/12 "Vaughn Worried about Boots, Jacket, but Not Wife and Kids: Witnesses"
"Will County Sheriff’s Deputy Corey Burket interviewed Vaughn in the Provena St. Joseph Medical Center emergency room in Joliet at about 6:30 a.m.

"He asked me if anyone had notified his wife of his whereabouts," Burket said. "He said she always wondered where he was." While Vaughn was able to answer questions about where his lived and repeated that the family was traveling to a Springfield water park, he did so while "just sort of staring off into space," Burket said. He never asked about his children, but did tell the deputy he was upset by the paramedics. "He was angry because the firemen had ruined his coat," which he said he had purchased in Canada, Burket said."

2007-06-14

Nurse Natalie Wallin testified treating Vaughn at St. Joe's Emergency Room

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
23 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Nurse Natalie Wallin, who treated #ChristopherVaughn for gunshot wounds in the St. Joe's emergency room, is now testifying.

23 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Nurse: #ChristopherVaughn was oriented and obeying commands during treatment for gunshot wounds--described as "stable" while in her care.

2007-06-14

Emergency Room doctor Surander Singhal testified

About 5/6 stitches on wrist wound. Leg wound just packed and bandaged. Wrist wound about 3 centimeters.

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
24 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon First on the stand, ER doc Surander Singhal. Bob Deel should be the big witness today. Lots of drama surrounding his testimony.

24 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon No arteries, blood vessels or bone struck on #ChristopherVaughn leg or wrist when he turned up at St. Joe's ER. Alert and stable.

24 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon About 5/6 stitches on #ChristopherVaughn wrist wound. Leg wound just packed and bandaged. Wrist wound about 3 centimeters.

24 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Doctor: No alcohol or substance in #ChristopherVaughn system at time of hospital admittance.

2007-06-14

When Vaughn’s jacket was examined, it had four bullet holes ripped through it, instead of two. Found was an entrance and exit hole in the jacket’s left sleeve made with the pistol firing in direct contact with, or within six inches, of Vaughn’s wrist.

"The gun, Nicole Fundell said, was "contained within the jacket at the time of discharge."

08/30/12 "Expert: Bullet holes in Christopher Vaughn jacket raise suspicion"
"On Thursday, the ninth day of the Christopher Vaughn murder trial, Nicole Fundell, a forensic scientist with the Illinois State Police, got a chance to shed some light on what might have happened. After inspecting the jeans and fleece jacket Vaughn wore on June 14, 2007, Fundell seemed to contradict what the Oswego father and his attorneys have insisted occurred that morning."

"Vaughn contends he was shot twice by Kimberly Vaughn after he pulled over on a desolate frontage road off Interstate 55 in Channahon so his wife could get sick. The family was on their way to a water park in Springfield when Kimberly pulled out a silver pistol and shot him in both the left wrist and leg, he said."

"But when Vaughn’s jacket was examined, Fundell said it had four bullet holes ripped through it, instead of two as she expected to find had Vaughn’s tale panned out. Consistent with his story, Fundell found an entrance and exit hole in the jacket’s left sleeve. She said it was made with the family’s pistol firing in direct contact with, or within six inches, of Vaughn’s wrist, where he had suffered a superficial gunshot wound that day."

"On Thursday afternoon, she demonstrated for jurors how she believed the holes were made. Wrapping the jacket around the pistol, Fundell explained how the gun was fired against a hard surface -- such as skin -- leaving a piece of possible flesh clinging to the exit hole. The gun, she said, was "contained within the jacket at the time of discharge."

2007-06-14

Nicole Fundell:
"Gun was less than six inches away from Vaughn's leg when it was fired. The gun was even closer, an inch or less away, from the wrist hole"

08/30/12 "Gun Fired Less than 6 Inches from Vaughn"
"Although Nicole Fundell did not testify as to who might have made those holes or why, she did verify in a brief hearing without the jury that she discussed the them with Will County Assistant State's Attorney Mike Fitzgerald prior to the trial and speculated there were three reasons why someone might do that: 1) to muffle sound, 2) to conceal a weapon, or 3) to cushion the blow if someone was attempting to shoot himself."

"Fundell said that when she does firearm testing on materials to replicate bullet holes, she uses the gun used in a crime and bullets that are as close a match as possible. What's she looking to do is not only replicate the hole's size and shape but attempting to see if she can also get similar smoke and debris patterns."

"In this instance, she obtained a pair of Levi blue jeans that were very close in color to the ones Vaughn was wearing and ordered exact copies of his Stormtech jacket from the manufacturer. With the jeans, Fundell's determination was the gun was less than six inches away from Vaughn's leg when it was fired. The gun was even closer, an inch or less away, from the wrist hole, she said.

2007-06-14

7:30am

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Special Agent Cornelious Monroe: Was not told it was murder-suicide initially, was told it was a quadruple homicide at 7:30 a.m. on June 14.

2007-06-14

Bullet hole in back of Vaughn's coat where there was no bullet wound !!

09/07/12 "Christopher Vaughn Trial: Day 14"
"A piece of flesh that was found in a mysterious bullet hole on the back of Christopher Vaughn's jacket was tested, and experts told jurors the skin matched the DNA of Christopher Vaughn. No wound was ever found on Vaughn's torso, leading experts to speculate the gun was wrapped in the coat when the shot was fired."

2007-06-14

"The passenger-side seat belt was retracted when Kimberly's body was found. But when police later pulled out the seat belt, they discovered blood splatters and smears that were later matched to Christopher Vaughn"

09/07/12 "Wife's blood found on Vaughn's jacket, jury in murder case told"
"For several hours Friday, prosecutors led Kelly Krajnik, a state police forensic expert, through her examination of dozens of blood stains found at the scene. Christopher Vaughn's blood was found all over the SUV, splattered on the driver's-side door, smeared on a seat belt and speckled across books and carpeting below a passenger seat. Prosecutors likely will argue that the blood trail shows Vaughn wounded himself in an effort to stage the crime scene and moved around the vehicle rather than remained in the driver's seat as he claimed. He sustained minor gunshot wounds to the wrist and leg."

"Kimberly's body was found slumped in the front passenger seat with a single gunshot wound under her chin. Her blood and that of her husband was found splattered on her khaki shorts as well as on the plaid shirt she was wearing, Krajnik said. The passenger-side seat belt was retracted when Kimberly's body was found. But when police later pulled out the seat belt, they discovered blood splatters and smears that were later matched to Christopher Vaughn, Krajnik testified. "

2007-06-14

Ballistics expert Matthew Noedel Testified 09/10/12

"Gun found with safety off, an unfired round in the chamber, one bullet in the chamber ready to go, hammer fully cocked after last shot."

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
10 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Matthew Noedel, the state's ballistics expert, is now on the stand in the #ChristopherVaughn trial. Also talk about blood spatter evidence.

10 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon He was hired to the tune of $175/hour to do shooting scene reconstruction in the #ChristopherVaughn murder trial.

10 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Aug 2010, Noedel came to Will County and examined the SUV, fired bullets, the pistol, #ChristopherVaughn jacket and blue jeans.

10 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Gun found with safety off, an unfired round in the chamber, one bullet in the chamber ready to go, hammer fully cocked after last shot.

10 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Noedel testifies that he did not see typical backspatter associated with suicide shootings. Defense objects. #ChristopherVaughn

10 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Noedel: The gun cycle was fully recycled after last shot, which allegedly proves it was well supported, not common with head shot suicides.

10 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Back spatter: Lots of small droplets of blood ejected from injury wound toward direction of fire. Noedel: not much back spatter in this case

2007-06-14

Ballistics expert Matthew Noedel Testified 09/10/12

"8 of fired bullets found, 2 missing. Bullets may have caused driver window to shatter…glass found in pocket jacket and on pants of Christopher Vaughn"

09/10/12: "Testimony ended today with Noedel telling jurors two cartridges landed in Christopher Vaughn 's seat BEFORE he was shot."

10 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Stains on Kim's hands were larger in size and volume, not typical of back spatter related to known suicides. #ChristopherVaughn

10 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Noedel: Left shoulder of front passenger seat is where shots to Cassandra were likely originated. She was shot in head and torso.

10 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Noedel: Stippling found on head wounds of all three children, meaning they were close shots. #ChristopherVaughn

10 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Abby's shots likely originated from left upper edge of front passenger seat as well, Noedel said. #ChristopherVaughn

10 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon 8 of fired bullets found, 2 missing. Bullets may have caused driver window to shatter…glass found in pocket jacket and on pants of CV.

10 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Noedel: #ChristopherVaughn left thigh and wrist wounds occurred from bullets traveling from right to left.

10 Sep Jon Seidel ?@SeidelContent Testimony ended today with Noedel telling jurors two cartridges landed in #ChristopherVaughn 's seat BEFORE he was shot. Retweeted by Erika Wurst

2007-06-14

Ballistics expert Matthew Noedel Testified 09/10/12

"Shots to 3 kids' heads were made within 3-12 inches"

10 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Bullet found in driver's side door had fibers on it that matched clothing #ChristopherVaughn was wearing at time of murders.

10 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Noedel: Missing 2 bullets to account for 2 holes in #Christopher Vaughn jacket, wound to wrist and window shattering.

10 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Noedel: Blake and Abby were leaning back into seats when their torso shots were fired. Shots to 3 kids' heads were made within 3-12 inches

10 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Noedel: Mystery holes on #ChristopherVaughn jacket were made by close contact gun shots, probably with jacket pushed against Vaughn's skin.

2007-06-14

"Bullet wounds to Vaughn's wrist and thigh were on the wrong side of his body."

"Taurus semi-automatic pistol, all the bullets were fired from, cycled completely through after the last round was discharged"

09/07/12 "Wife's blood found on Vaughn's jacket, jury in murder case told"
"Each child had about a two- or three-inch-diameter stippling pattern" on their faces, ballistics expert Matthew Lee Noedel said. The size of the powder burns on the faces of the children showed they had been shot from about a foot away, he said."

"But Vaughn's story doesn't square with what the ballistic expert told the jury Monday. For one thing, the bullet wounds to Vaughn's wrist and thigh were on the wrong side of his body. For another, Noedel said, they were inflicted by a gun barrel held flush against his skin."

"Also, a pair of shell casings found on the driver's seat likely ended up there after Vaughn got out of the car, he said. And the Taurus semi-automatic pistol, all the bullets were fired from, cycled completely through after the last round was discharged. Noedel said that indicated the final shot probably wasn't put in Kimberly Vaughn's head by her own hand."

2007-06-14

Wilkins: "No usable fingerprints from gun, spent cartridges or unused bullets but did find two fingerprints and one palm print, all from Christopher Vaughn on the gun's magazine"

09/06/12 "Vaughn Computers Show Very Different Lives"
"In other testimony from the trial, Illinois State Police fingerprint expert Wilburn Wilkins said he was unable to find any usable fingerprints from the murder weapon, spent cartridges or unused bullets but did find two fingerprints and one palm print -- all from Christopher Vaughn -- on the gun's magazine."

"Wilkins also lifted a print from a private investigators' magazine article on ways murder can be made to look like suicide, but it did not belong to either Christopher or Kimberly Vaughn."

2007-06-14

Defense witness, Lucien Haag opinioned bullet in driver side door was bullet that went through Vaughn's leg.

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
12 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Defense first witness: Lucien Haag, a criminalist and forensic firearms examiner out of Arizona. #ChristopherVaughn

12 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Haag: "Sometimes it’s possible to determine the sequence of shots…that was one of the central issues in this case." #ChristopherVaughn

12 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Haag asked to determine if Kim was shot first, last or somewhere in between-to determine if her injury was self inflicted.#ChristopherVaughn

12 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Haag also inspected the two "mystery" holes made in #ChristopherVaughn jacket to determine who they were made. Used infrared photography.

12 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Haag confirms that in his opinion, the bullet found in driver's side door was the bullet that went through #ChristopherVaughn leg.

2007-06-14

Haag: "Mr. Vaughn was basically in drivers seat when that bullet goes into pant leg, through his leg" and into the door.

12 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Haag: "Mr. Vaughn was basically in drivers seat when that bullet goes into pant leg, through his leg" and into the door. #ChristopherVaughn

12 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Haag said he can not determine whether "mystery" holes in #ChristopherVaughn coat were made as a result of one or two shooting events.

12 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Haag: SUV window shattered by one of 2 lost bullets "It went out into the brush or countryside. It’s one of the two missing bullets."

12 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Only 1 inch to 1 1/2 inches of barrel of gun was swabbed by ISP forensic scientists. No biological material was found in that swab

2007-06-14

Dr. Larry Blum "didn’t offer an opinion about the manner of their deaths, homicide, suicide or otherwise, but admitted to Vaughn’s defense attorney he couldn’t rule out suicide."

"Blum also said the amount of an anti-depressant found in Kimberly Vaughn’s body after her death bordered on toxic"

09/05/12 HEADLINE: "Pathologist won’t say if Vaughn family’s deaths were homicides
"(Dr. Larry Blum) A forensic pathologist explained in cold, clinical detail Wednesday how the bullets that killed Christopher Vaughn’s family traveled through their bodies as they sat in their red Ford Expedition five years ago. He didn’t offer an opinion about the manner of their deaths, homicide, suicide or otherwise, but admitted to Vaughn’s defense attorney he couldn’t rule out suicide in the case of Vaughn’s 34-year-old wife, Kimberly. Blum also said the amount of an anti-depressant found in Kimberly Vaughn’s body after her death bordered on toxic."

"Blum said Kimberly Vaughn was shot under her chin, pointing again to graphic photos viewed repeatedly by the jury of Vaughn’s wife dead in the passenger seat of the SUV. She would have been immediately incapacitated, Blum said, with death following "very shortly thereafter."

"Abigayle, who was seated behind the driver’s seat, was shot just below her right eyebrow and in her right lower chest. Cassandra, who sat between her siblings in the middle of the back seat, was shot in the middle of her forehead and in her chest. Blake, he said, was shot in the forehead and left underarm. "His arm would have had to be up," Blum said. All six bullets went through the children, Blum said, and the injuries to their heads suggest the gun was fired from between 1-1/2 and 2 feet away."

2007-06-14

Blood Expert
Paul Kish
Testified 09/11/12

"Drip stains on floor btw. Kim’s feet was Christopher's blood

Christopher Vaughn blood came in contact with Kim's seatbelt. Had to have been bleeding when his blood was deposited there.

Close up of center console: Small stains were wiped through while still wet… within seconds or min after deposited, not by Kimberly Vaughn.

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
11 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Back in the overflow room at #ChristopherVaughn trial. I will be handling updates for the rest of the afternoon. Now, Blood expert Paul Kish

11 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Kish examined: Crime scene images, autopsy images, police reports, statements of Vaughn, Taurus gun, clothing evidence, lap reports.

11 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Blood from Kim's left nostril and mouth/chin were flow (gravity) patterns--head was in same position (tilted left) following her shot.

11 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Drip stains on center console: source of blood were from #ChristopherVaughn. No blood spatter found on Kim's shirt.

11 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Kish: Drip stains on floor btw. Kim’s feet was #ChristopherVaughn blood.

11 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Kish: #ChristopherVaughn blood came in contact with Kim's seatbelt. Had to have been bleeding when his blood was deposited there.

11 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Close up of center console: Small stains were wiped through while still wet… within seconds or min after deposited, not by Kimberly Vaughn.

11 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Kish: #ChristopherVaughn jacket had to have been in contact with source of Kim's blood for her blood stains to end up on his jacket.

2007-06-14

Blood Expert
Paul Kish
Testified 09/11/12

"Kim was shot before Chris was shot. She was immobile when his blood was dripped onto her"

"There was no evidence in blood pattern analysis that there was ever a struggle btw/ Kim and Christopher Vaughn."

"No indication of any movement by Kim after she was in final resting postion."

11 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Kim shirt: Kish identified drip-type stain located where seat belt would cross her lap. Blood on that lower portion was consistant with CV.

11 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Kish: Stains on KV shorts were drip stains created by CV. To create that stain, a source of CV blood had to be over that area and drip down

11 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Kish: CV statement to cops does not account for his blood on KV seatbelt, drip stains on console, KV shorts, on floor, KV blood on his coat

11 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Kish: Kim was shot before Chris was shot. She was immobile when his blood was dripped onto her.

11 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Kish: There was no evidence in blood pattern analysis that there was ever a struggle btw/ Kim and #ChristopherVaughn.

11 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Kish: No indication of any movement by Kim after she was in final resting postion.

11 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Kish said blood stains on Kim's belt were contact stains made by #ChristopherVaughn...meaning he was bleeding and in contact with the belt.

2007-06-14

8:00am CSI Robert Deel Arrived at the crime scene

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
24 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Robert Deel has processed 100s of crime scenes involving fire arms. He was dispatched to the scene and arrived around 8 a.m. #ChristopherVaughn

24 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Took a break to head into the courtroom to look at photos of the #ChristopherVaughn crime scene. Graphic photos of Kimberly's body shown

24 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Gun shown on floor board between Kimberly's feet...but purse if found slightly on top of the gun. Two cell phones seen in photos of SUV

24 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Blood shown on clasp of Kimberly's seat belt, which she was not wearing when investigators showed up on the scene. #ChristopherVaughn

24 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon #ChristopherVaughn looks through paperwork, fiddles with notepad as pictures of the crime scene and his dead wife are shown to jurors.

2007-06-14

"The bodies of the couple’s three children were all slumped forward, their seat belts still buckled"

"Shattered glass and shell casings littered the floor. Blood splattered almost every corner of the vehicle."

"Vaughn sat calmly as the photos were displayed, his mouth set in flat expression."

08/24/12 "Photos at Vaughn murder trial show family normalcy and horror"
"The family SUV appeared to be packed for a road trip and a fun summer day at a water park. There were beach towels and a cooler in the back, paperback books tucked into seat pockets. A young girl’s shoes had been removed and sat empty on the floorboard. But hundreds of gruesome crime scene photos viewed by the Will County jury in the Christopher Vaughn trial this morning portrayed the horror that investigators found inside the vehicle early on the morning of June 14, 2007."

"Vaughn’s wife, Kimberly, was in the front passenger seat, slumped to one side, a bullet wound beneath her chin. Behind her, the bodies of the couple’s three children were all slumped forward, their seat belts still buckled. Shattered glass and shell casings littered the floor. Blood splattered almost every corner of the vehicle. And a trail of blood led a few hundred feet down the spider-cracked frontage road where Vaughn, bleeding from minor gunshot wounds to his wrist and thigh, had flagged down a passing motorist."

"As Illinois State Police investigator Robert Deel described in detail each of the more than 100 photos he took of the crime scene and later at the morgue, the gory images were displayed on a large-screen television in the courtroom and also on a smaller monitor on the defense table. Vaughn, dressed in a beige blazer, sat calmly as the photos were displayed, his mouth set in a flat expression. He scribbled notes on a legal pad but didn’t appear to look at the screen."

2007-06-14

8:00am CSI Robert Deel Arrived at the crime scene

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
24 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Now infamous towel found on Kimberly's lap was washed in the morgue and not processed by CSIs. Robert Deel admits it was a mistake.

24 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon "Looking back on things, probably not a bad idea to take (the towel) at that time," Deel said of processing #ChristopherVaughn scene.

24 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon More blood stains found on retracted part of Kimberly's seat belt. She was found without the strap on when investigators processed scene.

24 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon "Out of respect for the victims, we decided not to parade them in front of the media," Deel said of why SUV was not processed fully at scene

2007-06-14

8:00am CSI Robert Deel Arrived at the crime scene

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
24 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Former CSI Robert Deel shows jurors the silver gun used in the shooting deaths of Kimberly and her three children. #ChristopherVaughn

24 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Ten spent bullet casings found in car were also presented to jurors, along with swabs of blood evidence #ChristopherVaughn

24 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Kim was wearing shorts and a tank that June day, #ChristopherVaughn was wearing long sleeves, a fleece jacket, blue jeans...and cowboy boots

24 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Jurors see autopsy photos of Kim showing her left hand, with gold wedding band, dripping with blood stains. Blake's armpit wound shown, also

29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Evidence: Seven page itemized list of pieces of evidence taken from #ChristopherVaughn vehicle.

2007-06-14

CSI Abby Keller helped CSI Deel with crime scene said they should have taken more photos.

08/27/12 "Christopher Vaughn Trial: Day 6"
"Also testifying Monday was Abby Keller, a crime scene investigator for the Illinois State Police. Keller helped Sgt. Robert Deel, who was the lead crime scene investigator for the Vaughn shootings. Keller admitted investigators should have taken more pictures of the SUV where the bodies were found once it was moved to the morgue."

2007-06-14

Defense Witness:

Bevel is a blood stain pattern analyst and crime scene reconstruction expert.

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
18 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Defense expert Tom Bevel testifies that Chris or Kim were in positions where they could have shot kids.

18 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Bevel is a blood stain pattern analyst and crime scene reconstruction expert. He examined physical evidence, lab reports and autopsy reports

18 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Bevel tells jurors that the towel found on Kim's lap (which was washed) would have been a big factor in this case. #ChristopherVaughn

18 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Bevel testifies about amendment he made to his original finding that #ChristopherVaughn removed the seatbelt from Kimberly. Jurors taken out

18 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Bevel will testify now that there are other reasons Chris' blood could have ended up on Kim's belt without having to take it off himself.

18 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon In his initial report, Bevel said that the evidence was consistent with #ChristopherVaughn being shot, then taking off Kim's belt

2007-06-14

Defense Witness:

Bevel is a blood stain pattern analyst and crime scene reconstruction expert.

Bevel: If Kim's blood found inside barrel of gun, it was likely that the shot killing her was the last shot fired.

Bevel admits that evidence does not "jive" with Vaughn's statement about being out of the vehicle when Kim was shot.

18 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon After meeting with #ChristopherVaughn defense attorneys, Bevel concluded that the blood transfer could have been made another way.

18 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Bevel on belt blood transfer: (Lenard) challenged me to articulate a foundation that allows me to eliminate that that could have occurred

18 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Bevel: "I could not prove that he did," unbuckle Kim's seat belt, he said. #ChristopherVaughn

18 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Bevel said Kim's blood found on #ChristopherVaughn jacket could have been placed there before June 14, 2007 when the murders occurred.

18 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Blood stains on Kim's hands, shirt, shoes and the gun were not tested and should have been, Bevel testifies. #ChristopherVaughn

18 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon State cross examines Bevel- pokes holes in his testimony, including the fact that he misspoke about where Kim's blood was found on CV jacket

18 Sep Erika Wurst @ErikaBeacon Bevel admits that evidence does not "jive" with #ChristopherVaughn statement to police about being out of the vehicle when Kim was shot.

2007-06-14

11:00am SUV was towed to morgue with the bodies still INSIDE

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
24 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Sgt. Ron Caves with the Illinois State Police is the next witness in #ChristopherVaughn trial.

24 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Caves was officer who followed SUV being towed to the morgue around 11 a.m. Large tarp placed over vehicle. #ChristopherVaughn

2007-06-14

"Vaughn, who said he felt he was on an episode of "The Twilight Zone," continued to maintain that his family was fine."

08/27/12 "Prosecutors play videotaped interview of Vaughn in family slaying trial"
"A camera mounted near the ceiling and pointed down at the table captured Vaughn fidgeting with his gown and occasionally sipping water from a blue paper cup as he calmly recalled how he had awakened the children at 4 a.m. and told them to get in the SUV for a surprise trip to a water park in Springfield."

"Shortly after 1 p.m., about three hours after the interview first started, Sgt. Gary Lawson's demeanor had changed. The detective told Vaughn his family was dead and soon began to shout rapid-fire questions over Vaughn's denials. "Did you do it when the kids were all asleep?" the detective asked at one point. "Did they even see it coming?" Vaughn, who said he felt he was on an episode of "The Twilight Zone," continued to maintain that his family was fine. He said he would never harm his children "because they're my kids and my future." But Lawson did not let up. "How did they die, Chris?" he asked."

2007-06-14

"How did they die?" Lawson asked Vaughn

Christopher Vaughn: "They’re not dead … this is some weird show … my kids are fine."

"Your wife and your kids are all dead," Illinois State Police Sgt. Gary Lawson told Vaughn.
"No, that’s not possible," Vaughn said.
"They’re all shot Chris, they’re dead. No longer here."
"That’s not possible … can you just bring (Kim) in?" Vaughn said.
"Did you kill your wife? Did you kill your kids?" Lawson asked.
"I could never," Vaughn said."
"How did they die?" Lawson asked Vaughn.
"They’re not dead … this is some weird show … my kids are fine."

2007-06-14

"Gone is going to the store. They’re not gone. They’re dead," Lawson said in footage shown Tuesday morning."

"You can shake your head, cover your eyes. The answers not in the palm of your hands."

08/27/12 "Christopher Vaughn to cops: ‘I couldn’t have done this.’"
"State police Sgt. Gary Lawson continued his aggressive questioning of Vaughn, the first snippets of which were shown Monday. During the interview, Vaughn showed no emotion as he denied harming his family, or even that they could be dead. Lawson, though, was relentless."

"Say it, say ‘My wife and kids are dead.’ They’re not gone. Gone is going to the store. They’re not gone. They’re dead," Lawson said in footage shown Tuesday morning. "You can shake your head, cover your eyes. The answers not in the palm of your hands."

"I have nothing to go home to, I don’t know how to face my parents, her parents," he told Lawson. "I couldn’t have done this. Kimberly couldn’t have done this. "I have no one to go home to. No one to take to soccer. No reason to do anything ... this wasn’t some master plan."

2007-06-14

"There is not a soul on this Earth that believes you," Agent Eileen Payonk said."

"When Lawson asked what Vaughn thinks should happen to whomever murdered his family, Vaughn replied with near certainty: "I think it’s an eye for an eye. "Whatever they did, they deserve back," Vaughn said."

08/27/12 "Cop to Christopher Vaughn: ‘Not a soul on this Earth that believes you’"
"An Illinois State Police special agent slid their photos in front of the Oswego man while he tried again to explain how his family’s dead, bloody bodies wound up in the family SUV that day in June 2007. Vaughn had no answers. None that would satisfy Sgt. Gary Lawson or special agents Cornelious Monroe and Eileen Payonk. They grilled him for hours in front of a video camera."

"You don’t know s---, right?" Monroe said."
"You realize your family died today?" Payonk said."
"These beautiful, beautiful little babies died today. They were just slaughtered."
"She told him to look at their faces, "look in their eyes."
"You are the biggest p---- I’ve ever seen," Monroe said.
"There is not a soul on this Earth that believes you," Payonk said."
"Unlock the door," Vaughn said, standing out of his chair. "I’d like to leave."
"Lucky Chris is telling me a story with so many f---ing holes in it it doesn’t make sense," Lawson said."

"Lawson told Vaughn a surveillance camera near the cell phone tower caught the shootings on tape, "cameras baby, cameras," he said. But Lawson told jurors that comment wasn’t true. The lie was an "investigative technique," he said, and it came back to haunt him later in the tape when Vaughn insisted police look at the footage."

2007-06-14

2:00pm Search Warrant Vaughn Home in Oswego

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Instead, Sgt. Joseph Stavola of the ISP is now on the stand. #ChristopherVaughn

29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Stavola was assigned to apply for search warrant of SUV and #ChristopherVaughn residence at 2 p.m. He didn't search SUV, but searched home

29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Stavola going over evidence taken during execution of search warrant of #ChristopherVaughn home. First piece, Dell laptop taken from den.

29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Also taken: External hard drive, first floor den Compact laptop computer, kitchen Compact tower, basement.

2007-06-14

2:00pm Search Warrant Vaughn Home in Oswego

29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Taken: Private investigator magazine, found in kitchen

29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Thumbing through it there was an article in there that was very interesting to us. It was why would people make homicides look like suicides

29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Taken: Poem from Blake Vaughn with handprint, kitchen Indicia, newspaper article Mobile blackberry, kitchen Passwords for computers, den

29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Date calendar taken from kitchen, 9mm luger rounds taken from master bedroom of #ChristopherVaughn home.

29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Misc. Private Investigator material, duffle bag, gun case and #ChristopherVaughn passport taken during search of #Oswego home.

2007-06-14

Vaughn's next door neighbor, Susan Stasinos said Kimberly would have never left her dogs to go to a water park for the day.

06/14/07 "Neighbors are left reeling from Oswego family tragedy"
"The Vaughn family's dogs, a golden retriever and schnauzer, were taken Thursday afternoon to an animal shelter, next-door neighbor Susan Stasinos said. Oswego police said the family pets were taken by Kendall County Animal Control, although staff there did not return calls seeking comment. Anne Vickery, who serves on Kendall County Board's Animal Control Committee, said the dogs will not be euthanized."

"She would never leave her dogs," Stasinos said of Kimberly Vaughn. "She loved her dogs like her kids. It doesn't make sense she would leave her dogs and go away to a water park for the day."

June 15, 2007 (Friday)

2007-06-15

Trial notes regarding Christopher Vaughn's police interview 06/15/07 with Sergeant Joseph Stavola

29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon June 15 interview, #ChristopherVaughn wears khaki shorts and a blue, short sleeved shirt. Markedly different from his outfit the day before.

29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon #ChristopherVaughn appears attentive, and ready to answer questions in June 15 interview.

29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon "What I don't want to do is 12 hours of yelling sessions and slamming pictures on the table," #ChristopherVaughn said.

29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon June 15: #ChristopherVaughn "I don’t think I’ve taken a shower yet…I was in here for 18 hours yesterday…last night I kinda crashed."

2007-06-15

Trial notes regarding Christopher Vaughn's police interview 06/15/07 with Sergeant Joseph Stavola

29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Stavola moves seats in interview room to mimic the SUV, Makes #ChristopherVaughn run through events of the morning.

29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon #ChristopherVaughn: Said in hospital he needed to call kim to tell her what was going on. "All they'd tell me is we're going to call her."

29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon "What made you tell this guy on the road, 'I think my wife shot me?'" #ChristopherVaughn. "I don't know."

29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon #ChristopherVaughn gets quiet as Stavola asks, "What's the last thing you remember Abby ever saying to you?"

29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon "I'm pretty sure it was 'Do I have to comb by hair?'" #ChristopherVaughn said.

29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Stavola asks the same question about Cassandra and Blake. #ChristopherVaughn doesn't remember.

29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon "If I had known it was the last time she'd say anything to me, I'd do things differently," #ChristopherVaughn said.

2007-06-15

Trial notes regarding Christopher Vaughn's police interview 06/15/07 with Sergeant Joseph Stavola

29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Wow! #ChristopherVaughn breaks, said he looked at Kim and she had a gun in his face. "I look over at Kim, and I think she had a gun."

29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon "I put my hand up...There's no way she'd ever hurt the kids," #ChristopherVaughn. Never heard anymore shots. "It's like my head shut off,"

29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon #ChristopherVaughn after being shot: "It was loud, and then everything was quiet."

29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Stavola: "You're the only one that can tell us what happened. Fill in the gaps for your children...tell us what you saw, what you did."

29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon "I should have stayed. I should have done something. I didn't think it was real. It wasn't possible," #ChristopherVaughn said.

2007-06-15

Trial notes regarding Christopher Vaughn's police interview 06/15/07 with Sergeant Joseph Stavola

29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon "I saw Kim and I froze and looked down and my leg was bleeding and that's when I knew I needed to get out of there," #ChristopherVaughn

29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon "When I was answering the same questions yesterday, I think I was trying to forget pieces," #ChristopherVaughn said.

29 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon "I thought as soon as police got there they'd go back and take it away from her and they'd be fine," #ChristopherVaughn said.

2007-06-15

Christopher Vaughn's parents drove from Missouri to met with their son at motel.

06/16/07 "Officials say killer was 1 of family - Cops examine ballistic evidence"
"Chris' parents, Pierre and Gail Vaughn, drove in from Missouri overnight, catching up with their son at a hotel before noon Friday, said his aunt, Nancy VanWilder. They got him something to eat and tended to his two gunshot wounds, one of which was on the thigh as police described a day earlier. VanWilder said she did not know where else he was wounded. "He's suffering from these wounds, and he's in a state of shock," she said. "He's quiet. He's just hurting. He's devastated. He didn't want to go to his home. He didn't want to pick up the pets."

June 17, 2007 (Sunday)

2007-06-17

Father's Day

State Police Interview on Father's Day: "Vaughn didn’t shed a single tear during the short interview."

08/30/12 "Expert: Bullet holes in Christopher Vaughn jacket raise suspicion"
"On Thursday morning, they saw Vaughn’s third interview, which took place on Father’s Day, 2007. Illinois State Police Sgt. Joseph Stavola said the interview was planned to obtain computer passwords from Vaughn and to gauge his demeanor on what investigators imagined would be an emotional day for the father."

"Vaughn didn’t shed a single tear during the short interview. "The kids got really good grades," Vaughn said when he was asked about his children. He added that Abby, 12, got straight A’s. Blake, 8, was a "little boy genius," he said, and Cassandra, 11, "talked more than she listened," but was still a point of pride in his life. He brought up the family dogs, and painted a picture of a loving family unit."

2007-06-17

"Vaughn showed little emotion when discussing his children and veered between present and past tense when answering questions about what his children were like and what they liked to do."

08/30/12 "Gun Fired Less than 6 Inches from Vaughn"
"Also on Thursday, the jury was shown more videotaped interviews taken of Vaughn while he talked to Illinois State Police investigators on June 17, 2007, which would have been Father's Day. As has been his pattern, Vaughn showed little emotion when discussing his children and veered between present and past tense when answering questions about what his children were like and what they liked to do."

"His son Blake, 8, was a "little boy genius. He was really smart." Abby, 12, was also "a very smart girl" who liked to draw. Cassandra, 11, was most like him when it came to athletic skills, but was only a so-so student because "she talked more than she listened." As for his wife, she liked to socialize but she was also anxious and ofter over-analyzed things, he said."

June 20, 2007 (Wednesday)

2007-06-20

Search Warrant

06/20/07 "She was anti-gun, Wife wouldn't allow husband to keep weapon in their home"
"On Wednesday (06/20/2007), Illinois State Police investigators returned to search the family's empty Oswego home, removing three computers, a printer/ fax machine and some DVDs or computer discs, according to neighbors. The investigators, who spent about an hour inside the home, also took out cable boxes and modems and other computer equipment, State Police said in a statement."

"Police initially searched the home on June 14, the day of the shootings, and removed at least one computer along with other items. Christopher Vaughn is with his parents in suburban St. Louis, where the wake for his family will be held Friday. The funeral is planned for Saturday."

2007-06-20

Search Warrant

"Will County jurors got a look inside the Vaughn family’s upscale Oswego home on Friday as defense attorneys introduced a video of a July 2007 search of the house by Illinois State Police."

09/14/12 "Christopher Vaughn jurors see video of search of his home"
"Will County jurors got a look inside the Vaughn family’s upscale Oswego home on Friday as defense attorneys introduced a video of a July 2007 search of the house by Illinois State Police. The video was a recording of the second search officers made of the home. This particular search was for camping equipment prosecutors have said Vaughn was going to use in his escape to the Canadian wilderness. The video shows two little girls’ bedrooms, as well as the room Vaughn and his wife, Kimberly, shared."

"An earlier search of a public storage unit registered to Christopher Vaughn turned up a wide array of high-tech camping equipment. Tents, a sleeping bag, pots, pans and other camping essentials were found in the Oswego storage unit, but little was found in Vaughn’s actual home."

"The roomy basement of the Oswego home showed a foosball table, a bed frame and many cardboard boxes, but no camping gear. Prosecutors have alleged that Vaughn had kept the gear hidden from his wife as he planned his escape to Canada."

2007-06-20

Search Warrant

"Monroe also confirmed that additional outdoors equipment, including tents, cooking tools and thermal gear, were recovered from an Oswego storage locker rented in Vaughn's name."

09/14/12 "Cops Found Survival Gear in Accused Quad-Killer Chris Vaughn's Closet"
"Cops armed with a search warrant found a pair of backpacks stuffed with survival gear in the bedroom closet of accused quadruple-killer Christopher Vaughn." - "State police Special Agent Cornelius Monroe said he and three of his colleagues found the backpacks during a July 2007 search of the Vaughns' home on Mansfield Court in Oswego.

"Monroe said he and the other state police special agents seized a Ziploc bag of toilet paper, two tampons, a pair of white tube socks, a pack of light sticks, a pack of Del Monte fruit and nuts snacks, a poncho, garbage bags, a flashlight, a whistle, an umbrella, a plastic table cloth, and a thermos, among other things."

"The police also found a couple gun holsters, glasses, ear protection, empty ammunition boxes, a bow and arrow, and pieces of leather and Velcro, Monroe confirmed while being questioned by defense attorney George Lenard."

June 22, 2007 (Friday)

2007-06-22

Christopher Vaughn attempted to collect on his wife's $1 Million Dollar life insurance policy.

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
10 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Mary Halvorson, a legal analyst, is now up on the stand. I expect she will testify about life insurance policies taken out on the Vaughns.

10 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Application, policy records, account history and insurance annuity death claim statement on Kimberly Vaughn policy introduced.

10 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Kim's 2004 $1 mill policy had suicide exclusion: Suicide by insured, whether sane insane, within 2 years by date not insured by this policy.

10 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Basically, by Feb. 2006, if Kim committed suicide, #ChristopherVaughn (beneficiary) would be eligible to receive the $1 million.

10 Sep Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon #ChristopherVaughn tried to collect on Kim's policy on June 22, 2007, less than two weeks after his wife's death.

2012

More Christopher Vaughn Trial Notes - August 20, 2012

2012-08-31

Trial Notes

Mary Wong, Forensic Scientist with Illinois State Police Testified

(https://twitter.com/ErikaBeacon) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
31 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Mary Wong, forensic scientist with ISP, found gunshot residue on Vaughn's jacket, Vaughn's jacket and Kimberly's hands.

31 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Wong said that powder on Kim's hand doesn't mean she shot the gun, but could have been in contact with or the vicinity of a weapon.

31 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon Correction: GS residue found on Vaughn's underwear waist band, his jacket sleeves, holes in jacket, and Kim's hands. #ChristopherVaughn

31 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon #ChrsitopherVaughn atty: The clothes were bundled up together before being tested. Powder could have easily transferred at that point.

31 Aug Erika Wurst ?@ErikaBeacon No gunshot reside tests were performed on #ChristopherVaughn undershirt, towels, red purse of Kimberly, or the car's rooftop carrier.

2012-08-31

Trial Notes

Stephen Willott,
e-mail friend who planned to live in Canadian wilderness with Chris Vaughn

Willott aka: Flea
Vaughn aka: Flint

Vaughn planned fake own death

(https://twitter.com/SeidelContent) Christopher Vaughn Trial Updates Saved - August 2012
31 Aug Jon Seidel ?@SeidelContent Stephen Willott, who planned to live in the Canadian wilderness with #ChristopherVaughn now reading several emails about their plans.

31 Aug Jon Seidel ?@SeidelContent Willott and #ChristopherVaughn knew each other as Flea or Flint. They exchanged several emails in late 2006/2007

31 Aug Jon Seidel ?@SeidelContent Willott is from Canada and met #ChristopherVaughn on a website called 43Things

31 Aug Jon Seidel ?@SeidelContent #ChristopherVaughn : "For me it's to live a simple peaceful life away from government, big cities and obviously ignorant people."

31 Aug Jon Seidel ?@SeidelContent #ChristopherVaughn told Willott in emails he was planning his own disappearance. He wanted police to believe he'd been killed.

31 Aug Jon Seidel ?@SeidelContent #ChristopherVaughn : If police think he'd been killed, his wife would get the life insurance money.

2012-08-31

Trial Notes

Stephen Willott,
e-mail friend who planned to live in Canadian wilderness with Chris Vaughn

Vaughn and Willott talked about posing as campers or documentary film makers to get into government-owned land.

31 Aug Jon Seidel ?@SeidelContent #ChristopherVaughn : "I can't be content having the same job for 50 years like my dad or his dad.

31 Aug Jon Seidel ?@SeidelContent #ChristopherVaughn and Willott talked about posing as campers or documentary film makers to get into government-owned land.

31 Aug Jon Seidel ?@SeidelContent #ChristopherVaughn would practice making items out of wood and spending time outside on cold Chicago winter days.

31 Aug Jon Seidel ?@SeidelContent #ChristopherVaughn and Willot talked about "Survivorman", "Man v. Wild" and books like "Making the Most of Your Deer"

31 Aug Jon Seidel ?@SeidelContent #ChristopherVaughn and Willott traded several emails but never met in person. Today they're facing each other in a courtroom.

2012-08-31

Trial Notes

Stephen Willott,
e-mail friend who planned to live in Canadian wilderness with Chris Vaughn

Vaughn also referred to his wife in an email as "the lady I live with."

Vaughn never mentioned his children in the emails

31 Aug Jon Seidel ?@SeidelContent #ChristopherVaughn also referred to his wife in an email as "the lady I live with."

31 Aug Jon Seidel ?@SeidelContent Willott said #ChristopherVaughn never mentioned his children in the emails.

31 Aug Jon Seidel ?@SeidelContent #ChristopherVaughn attaches his photo in one email. "If you see it at the post office keep in mind it was all just a big misunderstanding."

31 Aug Jon Seidel ?@SeidelContent #ChristopherVaughn on going to Canada: "I'm going to be living there. Not just camping."

31 Aug Jon Seidel ?@SeidelContent In email to Willott, #ChristopherVaughn wonders what it means that "the biggest thing I'll miss is my Jeep" when he goes to Canada.

31 Aug Jon Seidel ?@SeidelContent #ChristopherVaughn mentions "Maya" in email to Willott. She's a stripper expected to testify. "It wouldn't be too bad bringing her along."

31 Aug Jon Seidel ?@SeidelContent Willott done reading emails. Says he kept trying to email #ChristopherVaughn in June 2007, but he never heard from him again.

2012-09-06

"On Christopher Vaughn's computer were found many references to Springfield and to Knights Action Park and Caribbean Water Adventure, which is where the family was headed when the shootings occurred."

"Much of what Vaughn had in his computer was encrypted, and Calarese had to obtain a "token" from Vaughn's employer to unlock it."

09/06/12 "Vaughn Computers Show Very Different Lives"
"In Kimberly's Compaq, Lisa Calarese testified, were Google searches that turned up such topics as romance tips and ways to save a failing marriage, and 133 pages of content that included the word "husband."

"Christopher's Dell were Google searches for such topics as gentlemen's clubs, making moccasins and wilderness living, and 129 pages of emails exchanged with an online friend about plans to forge a new life in Canada." Calarese also found information on the Missouri bed and breakfast where he said he planned to take his wife for a 13th wedding anniversary surprise the day after the water park trip."

There were also references to a woman named Maya Drake, a former stripper he met at a gentleman's club whom he tried to track down online and whom he referred to in an email as someone he might like to take with him when he moved to the wilderness."

"Calarese also found Google searches for Scores, Diamonds and other gentlemen's clubs and to Mega Sports, a Plainfield gun retailer whose shooting range he used the day prior to the family being killed."

"Much of what Vaughn had in his computer was encrypted, and Calarese had to obtain a "token" from Vaughn's employer to unlock it, she said. In those encrypted files were lists of information on equipment, cooking, hunting, clothing and other wilderness living topics, photos from the "scouting" trip he made to Canada in May 2007 and other topics related to starting a new life in the wild.

The www.acandyrose.com web site is an privately owned archive site collection of found materials and organized timelines on missing and/or cold cases created for educational purposes. All personal collection of found materials have been accessed from public domains and/or quotes following the rules under the "fair use rule of copyright law." - This web site is non-profit although personal donations to help cover server costs are welcome via the PayPal donation button on the home page here
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