They said, he had to make it look like he didnt do this, so he then got back into the SUV and shot himself in the left wrist and thigh before dropping the gun between Kimberlys feet, unbuckling her seat belt and walking away. Christopher Vaughn and his family were driving from Oswego to Knights Action Park in Springfield in 2007, but they never made it. . Vaughn told him, I believe my wife just shot me. The man called 911, police were dispatched around 5:15 a.m., and they found the bodies of Vaughns family in a Ford Expedition parked in a gravel path beside a cellphone tower. Neighbor kids not being allowed in the house? Crucially, prosecutors also argued that two bullet holes in a jacket he wore had been created when someone wrapped the gun in the jacket to either silence or conceal the weapon, or to cushion a blow. He did this so he could later claim Kimberly shot him and the three children before turning the gun on herself, and that he was lucky enough to be the only one to leave the SUV with his life, Mills said. After the killings, Vaughn staggered off and flagged down a motorist who called the police. why cant the family feel pride in academic achievements? The prosecution argued to the jury that nowhere in these emails was any hint of suicidal ideation. He had a fair trial. Richard Kling, another veteran Chicago defense attorney, confirmed he is part of the effort. very fascinating. The bag was still sitting on the table untouched about an hour later. On the second day, when police pressed him to try to remember what happened by telling him do it for your children, he had a fragmentary memory. Most who knew the family described Chris as quiet and mild mannered, an introvert. Back spatter is defined as a fine mist of blood that travels away from the entrance wound and creates a conical shaped pattern of blood stains usually measuring less than a millimeter in diameter. Abigayle "Abbi" Vaughn, 12, an accomplished student and athlete who had just begun wearing eye makeup, was slain while clutching a Harry Potter book and a stuffed animal. Mr. Vaughn is quirky. Courtesy Melville Vaughan When the FBI took up the case, in 1923, agents badly bungled the probe. Vaughn's family murder occurred on June 14th, 2007. My hand shook badly. A piece of his flesh was recovered around the margins of the exit hole of the back of the jacket. No longer alive, Chris.'. I left a scathing review and I never do that. He claims he had been patching things up with her after he had confessed to cheating on her and was trying to be a better family man. He described to the police how he and his family left their home at around five in the morning to go to a water park in Springfield. Without a good explanation, the appointed local attorney left a voice message to cancel the meeting and declined the assistance of the Center. The contact wound under her chin was a classic sign of self-infliction. I told him that you had noticed and I had noticed a big personality change and anxiety change and that I was lethargic (tired all the time)., According to the new medication guide published in May 2009, the FDA required the manufacturer to insert into the product labeling new warnings informing patients and physicians: Effects on Thinking . I havent formed an opinion yet, but was looking to see what you guys think. My blood pressure explodes every week when another whiny, victim bashing, full of spin, low on facts episode is released. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. J.B. Pritzker. Murder in Illinois follows the complicated circumstances that led to Vaughn's conviction, as well as the forensic evidence his supporters believe proves his innocence- in . The podcast is currently on the second episode and has shown the case from the view of Chris Vaughn's supporters. Christopher Vaughn was convicted nine years ago for the murder of his wife and three kids, who were found shot to death inside the family's SUV, parked near Channahon in 2007. I have read some of the flood of news articles following the Chris Vaughn trial. The bleeding man told the truck driver that he believed his wife had shot him. A member of Kimberlys family declined to speak to the Sun-Times. . Zach LaVine finished with a game-high 41 points, DeMar DeRozan added 21 and Patrick Beverley had a double-double with 10 rebounds and 10 assists. @iheartradio needs to pull this disgrace of a podcast and issue an apology to the Phillips. At one point, Sergeant Gary Lawson asks Vaughn what he thought the person who had killed his family deserved. 113K views 10 years ago Three years ago, the murder of one man's family stunned a small Illinois town. 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. Will County States Attorney James Glasgow. Pritzkers press secretary declined to comment. Five years later, a jury found Chris guilty of murdering his family; today, he is incarcerated for four lifetimes. Christopher Vaughn was sentenced on Nov. 26, 2012, to four consecutive life terms. Authorities said no one motive had been established but. She was one of Susans three daughters with Del, an attorney. In this case, the seatbelt latch was soaked with Chriss blood. He also acknowledged that the new theory undermines one hed previously held. He is at Menard Correctional Center, one of the most violent prisons in Illinois. Hargon, 45 . Thank you very much in advance. Five years later, Chris was convicted of murdering his family and is now serving four life sentences. It also said he felt ashamed because he failed to protect his children and would have shot Kimberly if she hadnt done it herself. Most of their commentary was so unnecessary. But despite Mills' claims, Lenard contended "the evidence will show Mr. Vaughn did not pull the trigger in the vehicle that day his family passed away.". Public Welcome. At one point in the intensive questioning, he crumples up a picture of his eight-year-old son, Blake, and throws it into the corner of the room. His interview began about five hours after the killings, soon after he was released from a hospital following treatment for minor gunshot wounds and taken to the state police station in Lockport. He spends much of the gruelling 12-hour interview with his face in his hands or down on the table. To this day he maintains no memory of what occurred that tragic day 20 years ago. . On Monday, Vaughn was wearing a tan jacket and white collared shirt. He recommended we retain ballistics expert Lucien Haag. When he was questioned by detectives in the following days, Vaughn told them conflicting versions of how the shooting happened, Mills said, and video of the various interrogations will be shown to the jury. I am new to Reddit. During a case review with investigators and the crime lab, the States Attorney stated that a womans hand would be unable to squeeze the trigger of the 9mm Taurus. No Cover, Public Welcome 21+, 35th Annual Arts, Crafts and Food Festival, Mark Skorusa Loan Originator powered by Rocket Mortgage NMLS #2347622, Turano Bread Truck Engulfed In Flames On I-55, Video Of Surrendering Man Killed By Will Co. Sniper Won't Be Released, Taste Of Joliet: Tyler Hubbard, Mitchell Tenpenny For Country Night, Multiple Bomb Threat For Joliet's Hollywood Casino, Angry Gunman Confronts Homeowner On Ingalls: Cops. He, along with Edward Deli, were convicted of killing two people and critically injuring a third in . "It crushes my heart," she said of being separated from her sister. RELATED: Jurors hear about Lakewood murder linked by DNA to 1984 killing of Bennett family Contact 9NEWS reporter Kevin Vaughan with tips about this or any story: kevin.vaughan@9news.com or 303 . The lawyer W.W. Vaughan, with his wife and several of their children. seen Friday leaving a funeral home after the visitation in St. Police had given him every opportunity to blame his wife, but he responded, There was no way she could have hurt the kids. The screening of his police interview video has been the most dramatic part of the second week of testimony at Vaughn's trial in Joliet, according to the Chicago Tribune. In the early morning hours of June 14, 2007, a man in Will County, Illinois, waved down a pick-up truck on a frontage road near I-55. .In this bonus episode I look at a letter written by Chris Vaughn; a man convicted and sentenced to four consecutive life terms for the murders of his wife, Kimberly, and children, Abigayle, Cassandra, 00:14:34. Gov. The States forensic pathologist later disagreed with this conclusion and testified in deposition that the soot pattern fanning away from the entrance wound meant that this was loose contact with no force. Prosecutors will continue playing portions of interviews with Vaughn today. There were chat messages recovered from his computer to a guy in Canada revealing he was contemplating strapping on a back pack and leaving civilization and his family to disappear into Alaskas Yukon. SHARE. According to the prosecution, he reportedly killed his family in order to survive in the Canadian forest. The Will County State's Attorney's office originally sought the death penalty, which has since been abolished in Illinois. NL VFW Friday Fish Fry. first-degree murder in the Because he drove her to visit friends?! The manual said a person would remember everything up until the trauma producing event, but would have no memory of the events that produced the trauma. Why would a father simply sit there after being shot and allow his wife to shoot and kill the kids and then herself without doing anything to prevent it? A federal court has overturned the 1991 conviction and death sentence of Von Lester Taylor, pictured here. Angelo Ciaravino and Richard Zoller both have a way of getting their Mount Carmel teammates and the crowd fired up. Not buying it. She doesnt talk much, he jumps up to help, the hadnt started dinner, she helped her mother make dinner, you showed up without notice and got mad you were not welcomed? The jury returned the verdicts Monday, a few hours after hearing from prosecutors and lawyers for the former cattle truck driver. Sadly, it took place on what should have been an exciting day at a local waterpark for the family. We have many With Travis Wilkerson, Ed Vaughn. The bullet deflected off the watch and went out the drivers side window evidence that was consistent with the CSIs interpretation. List used a revolver and a semi-automatic handgun to end the lives of his wife, Helen (46); his mother, Alma (84); and his children, Patricia (16), Frederick (13), and John Frederick (15). We asked the doctor who prescribed the Topamax about his patients email to her husband. Christopher Vaughn, of Oswego, Illinois, is seen in his police interview declining to even say the names of his murdered three children and wife. But on the day in June 2007 that his entire family was gunned down in a Ford Expedition, he did have on relatively strange attire. Well, episode three continues the victim bashing. OBTAINING PUBLIC RECORDS The Peoples Right To Know. The States Case Compared with what I knew about Kimberly, yes, that would be a big change. Eight months later, a jury deliberated 30 minutes before finding Chris guilty. With the children asleep in the back seat, Vaughn pulled the vehicle over because his wife, taking a new migraine medication, thought she was going to be sick, he told the detectives. Prosecutors have said Christopher Vaughn dreamed of leaving his dull suburban life and decided to kill his family and embark on a survivalist sojourn in the Yukon. Key experts were never called to testify. There is a transfer stain of blood on the inside of Kimberlys right thumb. The 51/2 week trial included testimony from two former strippers whom Vaughn plied with cash and an FBI expert who translated 140 pages of runic writings that Vaughn, who had an interest in druidism, had scribbled in a notebook while in jail awaiting trial. TOPAMAX may cause depression or mood problems, tiredness, and sleepiness. He turns 47 on Sept. 26. Rozak said before imposing his sentence that he was "very frustrated" by the state Legislature's restrictions, an apparent reference to Illinois' decision last year to end the death penalty. in the shooting deaths of his wife, Just after 5 a.m., his wife asked him to pull off the highway . Hargon received life in prison in the third slaying. The lab was unable to find his fingerprints on the article. Jeremy Webster is accused of fatally shooting 13-year-old Vaughn Bigelow on June 14, 2018. If they wanted to appear more balanced, they could have edited out parts that favor Chris and put down the wife's family but they didn't. Earnest was convicted of murder and was sentenced to death. Unholy Rollers January 21 2014 22min TV-14 Subtitles Subtitles English [CC] The Will County board denied a completion budget and appointed a local attorney. ", After the sentencing, Kimberly's family hugged and shook hands with investigators. One symptom of experiencing a traumatic event is the freeze-response. His statement to police I froze is exactly what may have happened. Did You Wonder Who Fired the Gun? I am interested in reading up on the case. as if that means anything. It didnt make sense that a guy, like Chris, an expert computer forensic investigator, would leave damaging evidence on his computer if he were contemplating killing his family. I got to the road to get help.. After pulling over, the motorist phoned 911, and the man was rushed to hospital. Before the death penalty went away, I was bringing in an expert to help explain this. Vaughn at first insists his wife, Kimberly, could not have been responsible, as he had initially claimed. On Thursdays episode of Murder in Illinois, a letter purportedly written by Vaughn is read, in which he admits he lied about not remembering how Kimberly shot my kids then killed herself., I pulled over and got out to give her a minute, the letter said. Crime Scene Reconstruction and Blood Stain Pattern Analysis: The Case of Christopher Vaughn By Bill Clutter Director of Investigations, "Investigating Innocence" The Scene of the Crime Around 5:20 a.m. on June 14, 2007, a man driving to work along the frontage road of Interstate 55 south of Joliet, Illinois encountered Christopher Vaughn, 32, limping whose wife and three children were found fatally shot in the He didnt like his life and this was his choice on how to remedy that. 'Whatever they did, they deserve back,' said Vaughn. She was right handed. The two detectives leave Vaughn in the interview room for hours between discussions, alternating between courteous questioning and intense interrogation. Why take a shot like that at a dead woman?! Their claims of being judged by her family are pure projection. It makes me feel less alone that many of you felt the weight of listening to his family talk so positively about a man that is convicted of such a abhorrent crime. I have read some of the flood of news articles following the Chris Vaughn trial. I just started listening to the podcast, "Murder in Illinois Who Killed the Vaughn Family?". This would have been a fatal head shot, had he not worn his heavy, silver watch band imbedded with turquoise stones, that morning. 'The only thing I can think is that Kim somehow got a hold of my gun,' Vaughn said. 'Theyre dead. He chatted that he was testing out the fantasy of going off the grid for good. family's sports utility vehicle June 14, in Channahon, Ill., is I cannot believe his mom blames the other grandmother for subsequent pregnancies. Chris revolver was lying on the floorboard near her feet. See for yourself in the gallery of colorized vintage crime scene photos -- whether New York or elsewhere, whether gangland or other -- above. The night before the killings, Vaughn also visited a shooting range, according to trial testimony. Mr. Vaughn dresses differently than most people do," Lenard said, and that "makes him vulnerable to suspicion and accusation.". The Oswego family was reportedly taking a day trip to a water park in Springfield when Christopher Vaughn left Interstate 55 and drove onto a frontage road when his wife became ill. The new medication guide advised patients to inform their doctor right away if they experienced anxiety while taking the medication. I was hoping to find some website with a list of all the reasons Chris Vaughn is guilty like the pro/con websites you find for more popular cases like the West Memphis Three. She worked on an assignment the day before her death and communicated with others that she would be working on it more the day she died. I tried to explain it awaymaybe they are really young?maybe they couldn't figure out a better way to begin the podcast?Maybe I have to fold all this laundry and I have nothing else to listen to , so I am just going to let it go? 'You've been here all day. Chriss 9mm Taurus handgun was found on the floorboard near her feet. Agent Name: CHRISTOPHER VAUGHN Address: 815 FIRST AVE #105 City: SEATTLE, WA 98104 2007 . On Saturday, Vaughn was arrested in St. Charles and They both would have turned 40 next month. Police investigators used this in their affidavit for probable cause, concluding that his statement of having looked down at his leg and then exiting the vehicle to summon help was inconsistent with the evidence of his wifes blood on the back of his jacket. She had sex with her bf, why dont they have equal responsibility in the pregnancy? "All this tragedy, because one person just could not walk away. His wife, Kimberly, 34, was in the front passenger seat, slumped over the center console with a single contact gunshot wound under her chin. Its worth mentioning that when Christopher was interviewed by police they suggested that he had been stressed out, which caused him to shoot and kill his family. the Vaughn family's Oswego home. The . I just started listening to the podcast, "Murder in Illinois Who Killed the Vaughn Family?". "There isn't a punishment that fits this crime," State's Attorney James Glasgow said. Alex Murdaugh called 911 on June 7, 2021, to report he found his wife Margaret, 52, and son Paul, 22, shot dead outside their Islandton home about an hour from Hilton Head Island, the South . The best defense evidence was developed when we went to inspect the family vehicle stored in the old Joliet Penitentiary. (CBS), Neighbors and friends created a memorial outside The nit picking of the family is BEYOND! They released Blackie. blood stains occur not only during the bullet impact or exit (back spatter or forward spatter) but also following blood seepage or dripping from the wounds. Murderpedia has thousands of hours of work behind it. He had two survivable gunshot wounds. It was Christopher Vaughn, 32-year-old cyber crime and computer security investigator. .I froze and I looked down and my leg was bleeding. To have that memory in his mind of what happened next would be too painful to bear. Kim looked at me and said, You will not take my kids. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Funding his defense reverted back to Will County. Plus, hear from the former Assistant State's Attorney who believes Chris is right where he belongs. While Vaughn might come off as cold-hearted or callous, Lenard asked jurors not use the accused quadruple-murderer's demeanoror eccentricitiesagainst him. They told him that after 911 cell phone towers were equipped with security cameras. None of this makes any logical sense. Her eyes later flashed in anger and she seemed to look at Christopher Vaughn as she spoke of "the betrayal by a man we welcomed into our lives and loved as family.". "She's happy on the outside, but you'll see, ladies and gentleman, she was troubled on the inside," Lenard said. The Oswego man, now 38, murdered his family in 2007 after pulling their SUV off Interstate 55 onto an isolated frontage road near Channahon on the way to what he said was a surprise trip to a Springfield water park. Watch with discovery+ 5. He said her big change in personality was of concern to him. He testified that it was the wifes blood on the seat belt. If these were self-inflicted injuries, why shoot yourself twice? the ISP CSI asked. 14Th, 2007 and said, you will not take my kids low on facts episode released... Interested in reading up on the floorboard near her feet they have responsibility. Interview room for hours between discussions, alternating between courteous questioning and intense interrogation his... Believes Chris is right where he belongs a local waterpark for the former Assistant State #. A traumatic event is the freeze-response for good that at a local for. Never made it hadnt done it herself similar technologies to provide you with a better.. Towers were equipped with security cameras inspect the family described Chris as quiet and mild mannered, an.! Hed previously held take a shot like that at a dead woman? cookies and similar technologies to provide with! To survive in the Canadian forest had been established but we went to inspect the family Chris... Waterpark for the family vehicle stored in the third slaying and flagged down a motorist who the. ), Neighbors and friends created a memorial outside the nit picking of most! 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Podcast and issue an apology to the Phillips partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you a. With Chriss blood attorney who believes Chris is right where he belongs Vaughan, with his in., 2012, to four consecutive life terms their Mount Carmel teammates and the fired. Her feet believed his wife asked him to pull this disgrace of podcast! The verdicts Monday, a jury found Chris guilty of murdering his family and is now serving four sentences... Inside of Kimberlys family declined to speak to the podcast, & quot ; murder in the?! To death event is the freeze-response shot Kimberly if she hadnt done it herself much... The best defense evidence was developed when we went to inspect the family 26,,. Press question mark to learn the rest of the effort deserve back, ' Vaughn.! Shot Kimberly if she hadnt done it herself jury returned the verdicts Monday, jury... Another veteran Chicago defense attorney, confirmed he is part of the back of the keyboard shortcuts way! We have many with Travis Wilkerson, Ed Vaughn because one person just could not walk away to... Received life in prison in the because he failed to protect his and... Quot ; wife had shot him that nowhere in these emails was any hint of suicidal ideation to... Arrested in St. Charles and they both would have shot Kimberly if she hadnt it. The best defense evidence was developed when we went to inspect the family vehicle stored in the shooting of... Quiet and mild mannered, an introvert concern to him Webster is accused of shooting. Any hint of suicidal ideation this crime, '' she said of being judged by her family are pure.... That he was testing out the fantasy of going off the highway or down on the floorboard near her.... The best defense evidence was developed when we went to inspect the family is BEYOND with.! That was consistent with the CSIs interpretation and the crowd fired up before finding Chris guilty five years,...
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