Death penalty sought in 4 murders

An Oswego man accused of killing his family may face the death penalty if convicted of the quadruple homicide.

Prosecutors announced Thursday their intention to seek capital punishment during a brief Will County court hearing.

A handcuffed Christopher Vaughn, 33, did not show an outward reaction. His family, including parents, left court without comment.

Vaughn was indicted July 25 on four counts of first-degree murder. The computer security consultant denies opening fire on his wife and three children June 14 near Channahon.

Though Vaughn does not have a criminal history, State's Attorney James Glasgow said the crime cries out for the law's ultimate punishment. He alleges the murders were committed in a cold, calculated and premeditated manner.

"The most solemn decision a prosecutor can make is whether to seek the death penalty," Glasgow said. "It is a decision that demands an intensive review of all the evidence available in a case, as well as thorough analysis of the factors in aggravation and mitigation as set forth in the statute."

Police arrested Vaughn June 23 at a St. Charles, Mo., funeral home hours before a memorial service for his wife, 34-year-old Kimberly Vaughn, and their children, Abigayle, 12, Cassandra, 11, and Blake, 8.

The couple married in 1994. Originally from Missouri, the family lived in Washington state before moving to Illinois two years ago. They rented an Aurora apartment before buying a house in Oswego last spring.

Kimberly Vaughn and her children were found shot to death in their Ford Expedition parked on a frontage road near I-55 and Bluff Road in Channahon Township after a wounded Christopher Vaughn flagged down a passing motorist.

The husband's 9 mm handgun also was found inside the vehicle.

Vaughn, who suffered superficial wounds, denied killing his family while voluntarily speaking with police three times before his arrest.

Prosecutors later charged him with first-degree murder, citing forensic evidence, some of which they said conflicts with his account of what happened.

Vaughn is due in court again next week. He is being held without bond in the Will County jail.