Pathologist, Wife's Acquaintances To Testify In Vaughn Family Massacre Trial
JOLIET, Ill. (CBS) -- In the Christopher Vaughn murder trial, prosecutors are expected to call a forensic pathologist to the stand Wednesday.
As WBBM Newsradio's Regine Schlesinger reports, also due up for the prosecution Wednesday are several people who spoke with Christopher Vaughn's deceased wife, Kimberly, in the days leading up to the shooting deaths of her and her three children.
LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Regine Schlesinger reports
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Maya Drake said she had met with Vaughn four or five times, during which he mentioned his wife of more than 10 years, but did not mention his children. Drake said Vaughn told her he wasn't happy in his marriage. She said he seemed upset during one visit when he said his wife spent $5,000 on curtains.
The stripper also testified Vaughn never asked her to dance for him, but did spend time with her in the club's VIP room. The two talked about the outdoors and poetry.
Drake said Vaughn never asked her to move to Canada with him, but had stated that his intention was to leave his wife.
"He said she was going to get everything," Drake testified. "He said she was going to get what she deserved. She wasn't going to see it coming."
Drake went to police after she recognized Vaughn's name and face on the news in June 2007. She said she "immediately" recognized him as the man she had met at the club.
Prosecutors Tuesday also showed jurors the content of a storage locker in which Vaughn kept camping gear for a new life he allegedly planned to start in the Canadian wilderness.
On June 14, 2007, Vaughn, his wife, and their three children – Abigayle, 12; Cassandra, 11; and Blake, 8, were on their way to a water park in Springfield from their home in Oswego.
Prosecutors say Vaughn shot pulled off Interstate 55 in Channahon Township and stopped on the frontage road. Then, authorities say, he shot his entire family inside their Ford sport-utility vehicle.
Vaughn's wife was shot in the head, and each of his three children were shot twice. Vaughn himself suffered minor gunshot wounds in his wrist and leg.
Days later, Vaughn was arrested at the funeral services and charged with murder.
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