Vaughn Had Article on Staging Crime Scenes

Story courtesy of the Huffington Post Chicago

Christopher Vaughn of Oswego stands accused of fatally shooting his wife and three children in the family's SUV four years ago. His defense team argues that his wife shot their children before turning the gun on herself.

But as Will County, Illinois judge Daniel Rozak made evidence in the case public last Thursday, it appears the prosecution has some damning evidence to contradict that theory.

Perhaps most compelling is an article reportedly found in the defendant's home -- a magazine story about staging crime scenes and "making the death appear to be a suicide," according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Other evidence unsealed by the judge includes reports that Vaughn took the murder weapon to a firing range the night before the murders; a statement by an exotic dancer that Vaughn professed affections for her; and his wife's $1 million life insurance policy that listed him as a beneficiary.

Vaughn also allegedly used the online screen name "dewoodsman" to write about his desires to flee his life and move to the Canadian wilderness. In one post still available online, dewoodsman wrote:

"I hear you about not fitting into society, I am the same way. I’d rather follow a set of tracks through a river in the rain than have spend time on a paved road or under a roof. I am working on wrapping up a few last things and then I am headed out for the long walk. I’ve been taking continually longer and more remote trips figuring that when the time comes I’ll be ready."

In the early morning hours of June 14, 2007, a passerby called the police when they saw Christopher Vaughn on the side of the road, apparently injured. When authorities arrived on the scene, they found Vaughn shot in the leg, and his wife and children murdered. After the shootings, Vaughn was not initially a suspect; in fact, he voluntarily spoke with police on several occasions. Eventually, though, cracks began to appear in his story. 

A litte more than four years after being charged with the family's murder, Vaughn still awaits trial in the Will County Jail.