JOLIET, Ill. | Opening statements are scheduled to begin in the trial of an Illinois man accused of fatally shooting his wife and their three children.

A jury of four women and eight men will decide the fate of Christopher Vaughn, who's on trial in Will County. The jury was picked last week, and prosecutors and the defense will begin making their cases today.

Vaughn is accused in the June 14, 2007, killings of his wife, Kimberly, and their three children — 12-year-old Abigayle, 11-year-old Cassandra and 8-year-old Blake.

Prosecutors contend Vaughn was driving his family in their SUV when he pulled onto a frontage road and shot them near Channahon, about 40 miles southwest of Chicago.

Vaughn has pleaded not guilty and contends his wife killed the children and then herself.

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