Kathleen Savio -- Found Deceased 3/1/04

This delay disappointing yet the prosecutors have to take this route of hearsay due to the botched first investigation. They have little evidence to present otherwise. They have autopsy reports but that may not be enough to convict Drew P. of the murder-it just shows someone murdered Kathleen. Sigh...

WooHoo! he has to stay behind bars!

Those are good points Sherry. It's better to have a delay than to see him acquitted, and it is good news that he has to stay behind bars during the appeal.

I hate to say it but I just can't trust he will be convicted of Kathleen's murder unless that hearsay comes in. The first investigation was botched because no evidence was collected and then the coronor ruled it an accidental death. I'm glad that Dr. Baden will be allowed to testify but he nearly had his whole report tossed thanks to FOXNews producer, Steph Watts, helping to turn her body and leaving unrelated notes on the autopsy report. Thankfully Dr. Blum's autopsy report says it was murder. Now, connecting Drew P. to her murder will be a tough go-even with the hearsay.

Ugh! I so want to see that evil man put away for life! I want the arrogance of Brodsky to be put down a few notches, too.

Thank God too that the original bail is $20 million, and he hasn't come up with the $2 mil needed to spring him...At least there are some sensible folk out there that haven't contributed to the Free Drew Fund...

Judge: Clock hasn't run out on Peterson's gun charge

July 20, 2010
By JOE HOSEY

OLIET -- Drew Peterson's murder trial is on hold, but the felony gun charge the cops arrested him on more than two years ago looks like it's finally on the fast track.

Judge Richard Schoenstedt tried to kick-start the trial into action Monday morning, but Peterson's attorney, Joel Brodsky, was not prepared.

Brodsky argued Monday that a speedy trial term had lapsed and that Peterson should skate on the charges.

Peterson was arrested in May 2008 for allegedly possessing an assault rifle with an illegally short barrel. Brodsky claimed Peterson was allowed to carry the gun since he was a Bolingbrook police sergeant.

Peterson bailed himself out of jail the same day he was arrested and had a right to go to trial within 160 days, not including time off the clock for delays his attorneys created.

But in November 2008, Schoenstedt dropped the charges when prosecutors refused to surrender internal communications to Peterson's lawyers. The appellate court determined Schoenstedt goofed and sent the case back last week.

In the meantime, Peterson returned to jail in May 2009 for allegedly killing his third wife, Kathleen Savio. His murder trial was set to start a week and a half ago, but a last minute appeal by State's Attorney James Glasgow put this case in limbo.

The way Brodsky had the days counted on the gun case deadline, the prosecution blew its chance to nail Peterson by two days. The judge didn't buy it, but to be on the safe side, offered to start the trial immediately. After a lengthy, private conference with Peterson, Brodsky backed off.

"If I had two more weeks, I could be ready to go to trial," Brodsky said. "I couldn't get ready in one day. That wouldn't be fair to Drew."

Familiar face returns

While Brodsky was the only one of Peterson's six current attorneys present in court Monday, a lawyer from the former cop's past turned up and stuck around all morning. Andrew Abood, who abandoned Peterson's murder case, showed up to quit the gun case too.

While Abood was filing a motion to withdraw, Brodsky filed a motion signed by Peterson to fire him. Schoenstedt accepted Abood's paper instead of Brodsky's.

Asked if he was subpoenaed to testify at Peterson's murder trial, Abood said, "I heard I might be on the list," and added, "I don't think I'll be called, I'll tell you that."

Abood, who jumped ship on the murder case after clashing with Brodsky, sat next to Peterson in the jury box prior to Monday's hearing. The two men spoke for more than 20 minutes, smiling and laughing throughout.

"Drew and I are fine. Drew's great," Abood said of their conversation. He also said he offered to buy Brodsky lunch.

"I can buy my own lunch," Brodsky said.

Constitutional issue?

Of the gun charge being back in court, Brodsky accused Glasgow of trampling on the constitutional rights of not only his client, but everyone in Will County.

"Will County residents don't have the right to a speedy trial, the right to confront witnesses, the right to bear arms," he said, pointing out that Peterson must remain in jail during what might prove a lengthy appeal process, that Glasgow is trying to get hearsay evidence allowed at Peterson's murder trial, and that Peterson was charged with possessing an assault rifle he supposedly was permitted to carry as a Bolingbrook cop.

"Does Mr. Glasgow think Will County residents have any constitutional rights?" Brodsky asked, making Peterson a symbolic victim of the state's attorney's tyranny.

"Drew just happens to be the poster boy, so to speak," Brodsky said. "If (the Constitution) doesn't apply to him, it doesn't apply to anybody. Everybody in Will County should be concerned."

Glasgow's spokesman, Charles B. Pelkie, took exception to Brodsky's criticism.

"These are comments that are not befitting of the profession that he's in," Pelkie said.

"Joel should argue these points in court," he said. "When he does argue these points in court, he's often wrong."

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/plainfieldsun/news/2512944,4_1_JO20_PETERSON_S1-100720.article

Peterson prosecution: If we missed deadline, time's still not up

By Christy Gutowski | Daily Herald Staff
Published: 7/20/2010 7:40 PM



Even if the hourglass ran out, Drew Peterson prosecutors argue their 11th-hour appeal regarding barred hearsay statements should be heard because a recent Illinois Supreme Court decision "markedly changed the law."

Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow is asking appellate justices to consider his appeal of Judge Stephen White's May 18 hearsay decision even if they find the defense is correct that prosecutors blew the 30-day deadline.

Glasgow cited a June 24 Illinois Supreme Court decision upholding the DuPage County death penalty conviction of Eric Hanson for the 2005 slayings of four relatives that the prosecutor said shows he is entitled to present additional hearsay evidence.

In its unanimous opinion, the state high court found long-existing common law does not require them to weigh a hearsay statement's reliability for its admissibility.

"The people will argue that a material change in the law is akin to a material change in facts," Glasgow wrote in this week's appellate motion, "and the people will submit that (Hanson) marked a material change in the law."

In response, Peterson's attorneys said Glasgow is now admitting he missed the deadline. Last week, they asked the appellate court to dismiss Glasgow's appeal based on the timeliness issue and accused Glasgow of intentionally stalling the trial until after White retires in October.

Charles Pelkie, a Will County state's attorney spokesman, said prosecutors are confident their appeal is timely, but they also are prepared to argue the Hanson issue provides "a reasonable excuse" should the appellate court rule in the defense's favor. As for the 30-day deadline, prosecutors said, the clock didn't start running until subsequent hearsay filings after White's May 18 sealed ruling.

White barred the majority of more than a dozen hearsay statements the prosecution argues helps prove the retired Bolingbrook police sergeant killed third wife Kathleen Savio in 2004. The statements may prove crucial for the prosecution, which lacks forensics, a confession or concrete medical evidence implicating Peterson.

The defense, which also sought repeated trial delays, has filed its own appeal. They want Peterson freed from jail during the lengthy appellate process. White declared there is "compelling reason" to keep Peterson behind bars on a $20 million bond.

Glasgow argues Peterson faced "financial devastation" from the former couple's upcoming settlement as he tried to begin a new life with his bride, Stacy, about 30 years his junior, and their new baby.

Authorities initially called the 40-year-old Savio's bathtub drowning an accident, but they exhumed her body and ruled otherwise after suspicions grew about Peterson in light of the October 2007 disappearance of Stacy, 23, who still hasn't been found. Much of the barred hearsay testimony deals with Stacy.

Drew Peterson, 56, denies wrongdoing in both cases.

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=395338

Five of the 13 'hearsay' comments will be allowed in the Drew Peterson trial. DA is still trying to get all 13 admitted. See link below:

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=7566968

Article referenced above by sitemama:

Ruling details Peterson hearsay evidence

Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Stacey Baca

(CHICAGO) (WLS) -- A written ruling by Judge Stephen White apparently details the judge's reasons for disallowing hearsay evidence in the Drew Peterson murder trial.

Peterson's trial, for the murder of his third wife, Kathleen Savio, was to begin earlier this month but was delayed while the prosecution appealed.

The judge sealed his ruling on hearsay evidence back in May. However, ABC7's news partner, the Daily Herald, obtained a copy of that written ruling, and it details specific quotes about what Peterson's third and fourth wives told friends, family members and a church pastor.

Drew Peterson remained in custody Wednesday while prosecutors appealed a judge's ruling about what hearsay evidence can be used in his murder trial. That hearsay evidence includes comments that Kathleen Savio, whom Peterson is accused of killing, told others.

In the ruling, the judge barred eight of the 13 hearsay statements, but he did allow comments Savio allegedly told her sister and a college friend. In one of the statements, Savio allegedly told her sister, "Drew said he's going to kill me, and I would not make it to the divorce settlement. I will never get his pension or my children."

"I'm happy with the statements he wants to allow, but you need everything you can get in a murder trial in order to convict a person," said Nick Savio, Kathleen Savio's brother.

Nick Savio says he is pleased Judge White will allow five hearsay statements in the trial. But, he says, he strongly supports prosecutors who are trying to get all 13 statements into the courtroom.

"Let's hear everything. Why only five statements? Let's hear everything, let's bring it all out. This is the one shot you get to get him, and let's just bring out everything," Nick Savio said.

According to the judge's sealed ruling, Savio also told a college friend that Peterson "could kill her and no one would know." It goes on to say that in 2003, Peterson grabbed Savio and said, "Why don't you just die?"

"Those are incredibly powerful comments because they are words brought out from the dead, someone who is not there, who you feel sympathy for, and all of a sudden, you hear their words and it has resonance, it has meaning to the jurors," said legal expert Thomas Glasgow.

The judge also ruled that part of a conversation between Stacy Peterson, Drew Peterson's fourth wife who is missing, and her pastor would be allowed in the trial.

A spokesman for the Will County State's Attorney would not confirm any information about the leaked ruling but did say the office is "outraged" and considering all its legal options.

ABC7 Chicago also reached out to Peterson's attorney, but he did not return phone calls Wednesday.

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=7566968

Yea, Yea and ...Maybe this will be enough to seal the deal...I couldn't be happier that is unless the judge lets all statements in...

In one of the statements, Savio allegedly told her sister, "Drew said he's going to kill me, and I would not make it to the divorce settlement. I will never get his pension or my children."

He certainly made good on his promise above, didn't he?.......I hope they allow the rest of the statements. I realize hearsay won't hang him, but it will certainly draw the noose a little tighter around his smarmy neck.

Justice for Kathleen and Stacy....

Justice Cafe has some interesting things to say about this....The States's Attorney wants an apology from Joel Brodsky....read it for yourself...the judge thinks he killed both Kathleen and Stacy...

Estee wrote:Justice Cafe has some interesting things to say about this....The States's Attorney wants an apology from Joel Brodsky....read it for yourself...the judge thinks he killed both Kathleen and Stacy...

Link, please?

Sorry... http://petersonstory.wordpress.com/

That should do it...

The Drew Peterson letter: My life in jail

August 14, 2010
By Michael Sneed
Chicago Sun-Times

He says he sleeps on a lawn-chair mattress in a cold cell, where he is being housed in isolation and is frequently strip searched.

Besides his lawyers, the only human contacts for Drew Peterson -- who is awaiting trial in the death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio -- are prison guards and an inmate who brings him meals, clean clothes and linen "passed through a chuckhole," Peterson says in a handwritten letter to Chicago Sun-Times columnist Michael Sneed.

In the 10-page letter received by Sneed last week, the 56-year-old Peterson describes in detail his life in the Will County Jail since his May 2009 arrest. Peterson -- a former Bolingbrook cop who has also been named a suspect in the disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy -- is facing even more time in prison while prosecutors appeal a ruling that blocked them from using hearsay evidence in his upcoming trial.

"It almost took an act of God to get a second blanket and a thermal shirt,'' he writes. "I haven't figured out yet if I'm being protected from the other inmates or are they being protective from me."

Read more: http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/2599218,bolingbrook-peterson-letter-jail-jo081410.article

Please don't tell me he expects anyone to feel sorry for him....... because I think he is RIGHT where he belongs, getting EXACTLY the treatment he deserves. His treatment is more humane than what he did to Kathleen and Stacy!!!

What an ass!

I think the cell next to Joran is empty.

Last-minute appeal in Peterson murder trial

Drew Peterson's murder trial will likely be delayed until at least next year

WGN News
August 17, 2010

 

CHICAGO - Prosecutors have been given permission to move forward with a last-minute appeal in Drew Peterson's murder trial.

An appellate court will allow prosecutors to appeal a judge's decision to allow only five of 13 hearsay statements into trial, for jurors to hear.

Read more: http://www.cltv.com/news/wgntv-drew-peterson-appeal-moving-forward-aug17,0,4295938.story

Julie wrote:I think the cell next to Joran is empty.

Lol Julie!

Whats another year??? Maybe Staceys remains can be found in the meantime and he can face both charges at the same time.. He has wasted enough tax payers $$$$....

Either way, the 5 statements that are allowed will likely be ample...

Savio's Family Reacts to Peterson Murder Trial Delay

Posted: 5:14 PM Aug 18, 2010
Reporter: Lauren Kravets

Jury selection was supposed to begin last month, but now because of the appeal, it's likely the trial will not begin until next year. But Sue says the outcome is worth the wait.

"I'm pretty disappointed it's going to be another year, possibly even more, but I'm pretty confident in the prosecution that they will come to a guilty verdict."

It's also expected that Peterson will have to remain in jail throughout the appeal process, since the judge ruled last month that there's "compelling" reasons to keep him behind bars.

That brings relief to Sue's husband, Mitchell Doman, "At least we know where he's at; he can't be out there hurting somebody else."

Read more: http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/101013879.html

Drew Peterson’s cop son suspended

August 28, 2010

JOLIET, Ill. (STMW) - The Oak Brook cop son of accused wife-killer Drew Peterson was suspended from his job, possibly for his part in hiding an assault rifle from the state police.

Stephen Peterson, a 6-year veteran of the Oak Brook department, was put on paid administrative leave Friday. He declined to discuss the matter.

Stephen Peterson testified in court four days prior to his suspension and admitted to taking possession of an AR-15 and at least one other weapon his father did not want the state police to get their hands on.

From the witness stand Monday, Stephen Peterson recalled that on Oct. 30, 2007, Drew Peterson showed up at his son’s North Aurora home with two or three guns. The weapons were among his father’s “favorites,” Stephen Peterson said, and “he didn’t want anything to happen to them.”

Read more: http://wbbm.cbslocal.com/2010/08/28/drew-petersons-cop-son-suspended/