Christopher Vaughn, accused of murdering wife & 3 children, June 2007

[Kip]

Finally, some news about this case. The wheels of justice sure grind slowly.

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/1671733,Vaughn-attorney-witnesses-murders-JO071709.article

Here's background on the case for those not familiar with it:

http://www.jurorthirteen.com/ChristopherVaughn/tabid/497/Default.aspx

[Amy]

Can't get the first link to work. What is happening w/the case? I have often wondered where this was going, but not much @ all had been reported since his arrest. TIA

[Kip]

The link worked for me, so don't know what's up with that. Basically, it's still in the pre-trial phase. Defense attorneys want to talk to some state witnesses, but the witnesses don't want to talk to the attorneys. Since it's a death penalty case, the defense attorneys can petition the judge to require the witnesses to be deposed. The judge is hearing arguments.

Here's some excerpts from the article:

JOLIET — The lawyers representing Christopher Vaughn want to talk with some state witnesses in his murder case.

They'd like to interview Christal L. Miller of Lombard, an exotic dancer who worked at Scores, a strip club in Stone Park; two paramedics who went to Channahon Township on that hot summer morning when Vaughn's family was found shot to death in their SUV; and two neighbors who lived near the Vaughn's home in an Oswego subdivision, as they prepare their defense.

But there's a hitch — they won't talk to Gerald Kielian and Scott Rosenblum, Vaughn's lawyers.

On Friday morning, Kielian and Rosenblum went to Will County Judge Dan Rozak and asked him for permission to depose...

In most criminal cases, depositions aren't allowed; witnesses must come to court and testify in person. But death-penalty cases are an exception. A supreme court rule allows some depositions, but there are guidelines....

[Amy]

Thanks. The link worked tonight (took a long time to load) but I tried @ least 3 times this morning and got a "can't find this file" notice.

So I guess what the witness will testify about for the state isn't part of discovery? Just actual evidence, I suppose.

Hope they keep printing articles about the case as it goes along. Don't think they will get the indictment removed, tho. Just like so many others, when the one person left alive who was there keeps changing his stories, it is unlikely that anyone else killed the family. IMO, of course.

[Breakingnews]

No trial date yet - but some news on his defense.

But the Daily Herald has learned Vaughn maintains it was his wife, Kimberly - severely depressed and suicidal as a side effect of improperly taking prescription medication she used to treat migraines - who opened fire before turning the gun on herself. Vaughn also will say he suffered immediate memory loss due to the traumatic event, a source close to the investigation said.
(...)
His defense team argues the wife had used Nortriptyline and Topamax, both of which can be taken for depression but also are commonly used to treat migraines. Medical experts warn of possible suicidal side effects if users suddenly stop taking the medication rather than being weaned off properly.
(..)
Though Vaughn denied killing his family, the source said, he did admit to having extramarital "indiscretions" and frequenting a particular strip club.

More at:
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=349851

[Amy]

Thanks for the link. I remember @ the time, he had come up w/several scenarios---and now he says he had amnesia immediately after the murders? GMAB!!!!!

And the meds Kimberly is reported as having been on--I do believe I read twice in thie account as a side effect might be suicidal tendancies. Hmmmm... didn't say anything about homocidal tendancies @ all. So, how does that explain her killing her children?