2nd mistrial motion denied in Vaughn trial

JOLIET – A Will County judge has denied a second mistrial motion from defense attorneys for a suburban Chicago man accused of shooting dead his wife and three young children.

Judge Daniel Rozak on Thursday denied the motion from Christopher Vaughn’s attorneys. Vaughn’s defense attorney said he expects to finish his case Tuesday, setting closing arguments for next week.

The judge told jurors “we are very close to the end.” Prosecutors rested their case Wednesday after calling around 80 witnesses over three weeks.

Vaughn claims his wife, Kimberly, is to blame for the 2007 shootings that occurred as the family traveled to a waterpark.

He said she killed 12-year-old Abigayle, 11-year-old Cassandra and 8-year-old Blake, then killed herself.

Prosecutors said the Oswego man killed his family so he could move to Canada.