Sep 4, 2007 2:43 pm US/Central
Vaughn In Court In Massacre Of Family
Prosecutors To Decide On Death Penalty Pursuit By Sept. 20
WBBM 780 and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
JOLIET, Ill. (CBS) ―
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Christopher Vaughn (back left) is accused of killing his wife and three children.
CBS
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Christopher Vaughn appeared briefly in court Tuesday on charges with killing his wife and three children in the family's sport-utility vehicle in the far southwest suburbs in June.
Vaughn is accused in the June slayings of Kimberly Vaughn 34, and her three children –Abigayle Elizabeth, 12; Cassandra Ellen, 11; Blake Philip. 8. Their bodies were found on June 14 inside a red Ford Expedition that was parked on a secluded service road in Channahon Township.
Vaughn was arrested on June 23 at a funeral home in a St. Louis suburb, just hours before a memorial service for his family.
During a brief court appearance, the thinner looking Vaughn said nothing as he stood by his lawyers. State's Attorney Jim Glasgow, who is personally handling the case against Vaughn, told the judge he intended to have his decision on whether he will pursue the death penalty in the case by Sept. 20.
Outside of court Glasgow told reporters the decision whether or not to seek the death penalty is one of the gravest a prosecutor faces.
He says he and his staff taking their time and are in the process of review all statutory criteria. Vaughn has pleaded not guilty.
The names of more than 200 people are on a potential witness list in the case.
At least one customer from a west suburban Plainfield Mobil gas station is on the list.
Sources say the surveillance tapes from the gas station were seized by investigators, along with station receipts.
Two managers at the Stone Park Scores strip club may be called to testify. Sources say investigators have been at the club asking questions about Vaughn.
And the boss at Mega Sports Center, a Plainfield gun shop and shooting range, may also be called to testify about the gun enthusiast turned murder suspect.
CBS 2 Legal Analyst Irv Miller said of the potential witnesses will never testify on the stand.
Prosecutors from the Will County state's attorney's office have until next month to decide whether they will seek the death penalty.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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