Christopher Vaughn trial scheduled to start Aug. 13

JOLIET, Ill. — A trial day has been set for Christopher Vaughn, the man who allegedly killed his family in 2007 after stopping in Channahon while traveling during a family vacation.

Vaughn's trial is set to begin Aug. 13, said Charles Pelkie, spokesman for the Will County State's Attorney's Office. Final pre-trial motions will be wrapped up Aug. 13, he said, and the actual trial will begin Aug. 14.

Originally, it was going to be a death penalty case, but State's Attorney James Glasgow de-certified it as a death penalty case after the Governor signed legislation abolishing capital punishment in Illinois, Pelkie said.

The Oswego man is being charged with four counts of first-degree murder. In June 2007, he allegedly killed his wife, Kimberly, and their three children, Abigayle, 12; Cassandra, 11; and Blake, 8.

All four died of gunshot wounds, Illinois State Police said at the time. Kimberly Vaughn was shot once, and the children each were shot twice. The killings took place in the family's vehicle parked near a cellular telephone tower off a frontage road near Interstate 55 and south of Bluff Road.

Vaughn 's 9 mm handgun was found at the scene. After Vaughn was wounded in the leg, he apparently walked away and eventually flagged down a passerby to call 9-1-1, authorities said.

According to published reports, Vaughn told police his wife shot their kids and then shot him as he tried to escape. He claims she then turned the gun on herself.

Although Vaughn was originally released, he was arrested the morning of his family's services later that June 2007.