Waiting for evidence in Vaughn case

Although the slayings happened a little more than two years ago, lawyers still are waiting for some evidence to be processed in Christopher Vaughn's case.

In fact, some of the work might not be completed until early next year, said Gerald Kielian, one of Vaughn's lawyers, in court Wednesday.

Vaughn, a former private investigator who lived with his family in Oswego, is accused of killing his wife and three children on June 14, 2007, while they were en route to an out-of-town water park.

Early that morning, state police found the bodies inside the family's SUV while it was parked on an Interstate 55 frontage road in Channahon Township.

Kimberly, 34, and Abigayle, 12, Cassandra, 11, and Blake, 8, had been shot to death.

On the day of their memorial service, Vaughn was arrested and charged with the crimes.

He is being held without bond at the Will County Jail and is eligible for the death penalty.

Will County State's Attorney Jim Glasgow plans to try the case himself, and Assistant State's Attorneys John Connor and Mike Fitzgerald have been working on it as well.

While in Will County Judge Dan Rozak's courtroom Wednesday, Kielian talked about the process of examining the evidence. Some blood-stained seat belts from the SUV have yet to be tested at the state crime lab, but that work should be completed in December or January, he said.

On Oct. 2, the defense filed paperwork in court asking to have three tests done on a jacket Vaughn was wearing the day of the murders, Kielian said.

Then the state could do some additional testing on the same piece of clothing -- the state's test could destroy a part of the jacket.

The experts in the case are trying to expedite the work, Kielian said.

Rozak then scheduled Vaughn's next court appearance for 9:30 a.m. Dec. 1.

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