West Suburban Bureau

CBS 2's Kristyn Hartman, Mike Puccinelli and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
JOLIET, Ill. (CBS) ― The Oswego man who is accused of shooting his wife and three children dead made his first court appearance Thursday in Illinois.

Christopher Vaughn was originally charged with eight counts of murder, but Thursday prosecutors said they dropped four charges in order to better focus their case.

As CBS 2 West Suburban Bureau Chief Mike Puccinelli reports, Vaughn never said a word when he appeared via video link from the Will County Courthouse Thursday. He was clean-shaven and composed as he sat quietly during the short proceeding. He showed no emotion as his three lawyers argued on his behalf.

Vaughn is accused of killing his wife Kimberly, and their children Abigayle, Cassandra and Blake.
They were found in a sport-utility vehicle on a frontage road near Channahon, Ill., on June 14. Vaughn had superficial gunshot wounds.

He was arrested June 23 near Saint Louis hours before a memorial service for his wife and children. He was returned to Illinois on Tuesday.

Vaughn did not say anything as he walked into the Will County Jail in Joliet Tuesday night with his hands and feet chained, escorted by Illinois State Police.

His afternoon hearing at the Will County Courthouse in Joliet, gave Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow an opportunity to formally present charges against Vaughn to a judge.

"We narrowed the focus of our prosecution to the allegations of intent to kill," Glasgow said.

Vaughn remains charged with four counts of first-degree murder. The remaining charges allege the Oswego man shot his family with intent to kill.

Vaughn's attorneys preliminarily entered a not guilty plead Thursday on his behalf. But the judge didn't accept it saying the plea should be entered at a later date.

Vaughn was transported to the Will County jail on Tuesday night. During that trip he made statements that caused the state troopers to believe he might harm himself.

"He was placed on suicide watch due to statements that were made to transporting state troopers and the people that did the booking," said Will County Sheriff Paul Kaupas. "He's still in medical at this time."

Kaupas said Vaughn will be placed in special housing away from other inmates who might want to harm an accused child-killer.

He also has been outfitted in a special suit that is meant to protect him from himself.

"He has what they call a 'special watch gown' that Velcro's over the shoulders and he basically can't do anything with it except take it on or take it off," Kaupas said.

Vaughn's attorneys didn't comment on the 32-year-old's demeanor as he prepares to face quadruple murder charges in what could be a death penalty case.

We are going to meet with him now," defense attorney Gerald Kielian said Thursday. "Thank you for coming."

The Vaughn family was found in a sport-utility vehicle parked off a narrow road to a cell phone tower in far southwest suburban Channahon Township, where Christopher Vaughn was also found with a gunshot that wounded his leg and arm.

He first told investigators that his wife had shot him and had shot the children dead, then had committed suicide, but after nine days, authorities concluded the evidence indicated otherwise and brought charges against him.

Vaughn fought extradition for more than a week, but on Tuesday decided to waive the right.

"He does not wish to pursue further appellate review," said Vaughn's attorney Dave Waltrip. "And that he wants to move forward with the case in Will County and defend himself against the charges that have been brought against him up there."

"I am pleased that we will not have to go through a lengthy extradition battle that would have only served to delay Christopher Vaughn's inevitable return to Illinois,'' said Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow. "My office stands prepared to move forward promptly with legal proceedings that will bring Mr. Vaughn to trial.''

Glasgow spokesman Charles Pelkie said the state's attorney will personally prosecute the Vaughn case.

A grand jury is set to hear evidence in the case in the coming weeks. An indictment could be handed up shortly after that.

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