In Oklahoma, a 42-year-old man, Vaughn C., has been sentenced to life in prison for the brutal murder of his 40-year-old wife, Jordan C. Vaughn, an ex-deputy, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in September after he shot his wife twelve times in the face. The sentencing occurred earlier this week.
During the hearing, the victim’s father, N. Pyle, voiced his anger, criticizing Vaughn and recalling doubts he had about their marriage. Pyle told the court, “No, you just shot her 12 times in the face.” Pyle responded to the sentence by stating, “I think it was only just that he spend the rest of his life in prison.”
One of the defendant’s children, also the victim’s stepson, spoke during the trial. Looking at Vaughn, he said, “I (expletive) hate you.”
Before the sentence was handed down, Vaughn expressed in a statement read in court that he was suffering, claiming, “Please believe me when I say it is so much worse for me. I am tortured every single day. It’s been brutal. I would take her place if God would let me. I will accept the sentence given to me by the court.”
According to court documents, Vaughn shot his wife on August 30, 2023, at their home. Body-worn camera footage shows Vaughn appearing distraught after the shooting. A probable cause affidavit revealed that Vaughn’s stepson heard gunshots and screams around 2 a.m. that night. The 17-year-old, who went to bed earlier, did not think his parents were home. He rushed outside, called the police, and later learned his mother was dead when the officers arrived.
Body-worn camera footage captured a tense moment as officers asked Vaughn, “Are you in there with anyone else?” He replied, “No, it’s my wife.” When asked if she was alright, he responded with a simple “No.”
Officers then ensured that Vaughn didn’t have a weapon, as they explained they needed his help to assist the injured woman. Vaughn, crawling out of the bedroom on his hands and knees, spoke emotionally into a black cellphone, calling for his uncle.
Although Vaughn initially refrained from confessing to the crime, he later spoke to detectives. According to the affidavit, he claimed to not remember the entire incident but recalled his wife sitting on their bedroom bed before the gunshots. Vaughn mentioned calling his uncle, saying, “He’s f—– up,” and was advised by his uncle to turn himself in to the police.