Drew Peterson: another hearing this friday

July 6, 2009

UPDATE July 8: Hearing rescheduled for Thursday, July 14th.

NAME                 DATE     ROOM    TIME      CASE   
PETERSON DREW W     7  10  9  402     930     09CF001048
PETERSON DREW W     7  10  9  402     930     09CF001048

drew-wont-shut-upDrew Peterson will be in court again this Friday, July 10, for a motions hearing. At that time Judge Stephen White should rule on continued motions and hear any new ones.

At Peterson’s last hearing Joel Brodsky argued six motions before the judge. He asked that prosecutors be required to give more details about their theory of how Peterson killed Kathleen Savio as well as summaries of the 9,470 investigative reports provided to the defense. This was denied. The judge also denied the request that Peterson be allowed to retain evidence against him while he is in jail.

At the last hearing Judge White asked the prosecution to reveal if payment or other consideration was given to Paula Stark, Len Wawczak or Thomas Morphey in exchange for their testimony. He also agreed to enter an order forbidding the state from listening to recorded phone calls between Peterson and his attorneys; although John Connor, chief of the Will County State’s Attorney’s major crimes unit stated that prosecutors have not been listening in.

The prosecution was also asked to produce a list of the fifty witnesses most likely to be called to testify, from over 800 witnesses originally named.

Will County Circuit Court Schedule

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TruTV/True Crimes ~ Drew Peterson: Wife Killer?

July 1, 2009

From the Tru-TV Crime Library

Death Foretold

By: Chuck Hustmyre
 

Kathleen Savio

Kathleen Savio

BOLINGBROOK, Ill.—Kathleen Savio predicted her own murder. She told her sister it would be made to look like an accident. She even named her killer, her ex-husband, police sergeant Drew Peterson. Not long afterward, Kathleen Savio, 40, was found dead—drowned in a bathtub, her long dark hair matted with blood from a one-inch gash on the back of her head. The county coroner ruled her death an accident. She was Drew Peterson’s third wife.

With Kathleen’s death, Drew Peterson got control of a million-dollar life insurance benefit for the couple’s two sons, and he inherited all of his ex-wife’s money and property, including her suburban Chicago home and her half of their joint business investments. Kathleen’s dire prediction to her sister was not the first time she foretold her own murder. In November 2002, two years before her death when her divorce from Peterson was at its nastiest, Kathleen wrote to the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office, begging the prosecutor to charge Peterson with breaking into her home and holding a knife to her throat.

Kathleen wrote that her police sergeant ex-husband was furious over having to pay her child support. “He knows how to manipulate the system, and his next step is to take my children away,” Kathleen wrote. “Or kill me instead.” In the end, prosecutors now say, he did both. Three years later, Drew Peterson’s fourth wife, Stacy, disappeared.

Read the rest of this entry »


Drew Peterson’s would-be hitman revealed?

June 27, 2009


From Fox News Chicago

Updated: Friday, 26 Jun 2009, 10:08 PM CDT
Published : Friday, 26 Jun 2009, 9:18 PM CDT

34 year-old Jeffrey Pachter is a warehouse worker who got to know Drew Peterson in the mid-90s when they both worked for a cable wiring company, that according to Pachter’s wife.

Peterson at the time was moonlighting from his job as a Bolingbrook Police Sergeant.

Pachter, who was 18, had been charged with criminal sexual abuse for his relationship with a girl who court records indicate was 13-to-16 years old.

Peterson reportedly helped Pachter get court records that later resulted in Pachter pleading guilty to a lesser charge.

When prosecutors arrested Peterson and charged him with the 2004 murder of his third wife, Kathleen Savio, they alleged he tried to hire a hit man in late 2003, while divorcing Savio.

Pachter’s wife, whom Jeffrey is now divorcing, said he never mentioned it at the time.

But late last year when Pachter tried to reconcile with his family, he told her all about it.

According to Mrs. Pachter, Jeff said Peterson called one night and offered him $25-thousand to kill Savio but he said no and no money was ever paid.

He only told one person at the time. That friend, she says, kept the secret until Peterson’s fourth wife Stacy disappeared, and then he went to police.

Pachter is vacation with his parents in Wisconsin.

We reached his mother by phone and she said they had no comment.

Read the story at Fox News

Thanks, Lola, for spotting this!

UPDATE June 28:

Public records show that Jeffrey Pachter was charged with a crime, paid his dues, and that the case was closed in 1995.

09-29-1995 0001 4650 TERMINATE SENTENCE – SATISFACTORILY

In the eyes of the law, Jeffrey A. Pachter “satisfactorily” paid his debt to society 15 years ago.

The public records show he has no further cases of criminal sexual abuse on his record. DuPage County records show that his only active case is that of the current divorce: Case Number 2009D 000064.

Case Title IN RE: THE MARRIAGE OF JEFFREY A PACHTER AND NICHOLE K PACHTER

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Peterson lawyers want help with discovery

June 25, 2009

law-school-for-dummies By:  –Steve Schmadeke – Chicago Tribune

Attorneys for Drew Peterson, charged with murder in the 2004 drowning death of ex-wife Kathleen Savio, were in court Thursday seeking help as they sift through more than 30,000 pages of investigative reports and hundreds of hours of audio recordings turned over by prosecutors.

Joel Brodsky argued six motions before Judge Stephen White, essentially asking that prosecutors be required to give more details about their theory of how Peterson killed Savio as well as “Cliff’s Notes” versions of the 9,470 investigative reports he has received.

“Are they saying my client held her underwater or knocked her unconscious or hit her over the head with a blunt object?” he said, later adding: “How did he do it? The state certainly has to prove that.”

John Connor, chief of the Will County State’s Attorney’s major crimes unit, argued that all that information was detailed in the reports given to Peterson’s lawyers.

“I’ve never seen a request like this in any homicide case I’ve participated in,” he told the judge.
White denied or continued the motions. He did tell prosecutors to give Peterson’s attorneys an estimated time that Savio was last seen alive as well as an estimated time her body was discovered in the bathtub of her Bolingbrook home.

Prosecutors also agreed to reveal whether any money or other consideration was given to Lenny Wawczak and his wife Paula Stark, former acquaintances of Peterson who Brodsky said in court Thursday wore wires and also videotaped his client.

Read the rest of this entry »


Three court dates for Drew Peterson this week

June 22, 2009

Peterson has three court dates this week, Wednesday the 24th at 9:30, Thursday the 25th at 1:30 and Friday the 26th at 9:30.:

PETERSON DREW W 6 24 9 402 930 09CF001048 0 MURDER/INTENT TO 1 Return Date
PETERSON DREW W 6 24 9 402 930 09CF001048 0 MURDER/INTENT TO 2 Return Date

PETERSON DREW W 6 25 9 402 130 09CF001048 0 MURDER/INTENT TO 1 Motions
PETERSON DREW W 6 25 9 402 130 09CF001048 0 MURDER/INTENT TO 2 Motions

PETERSON DREW W 6 26 9 402 930 09CF001048 0 MURDER/INTENT TO 2 Return Date
PETERSON DREW W 6 26 9 402 930 09CF001048 0 MURDER/INTENT TO 1 Return Date

http://www.willcountycircuitcourt.com/

Thanks, Noway, for the info.

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Video: Mock Trial of Drew Peterson

June 14, 2009

On May 28th at the IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, WGN Radio’s Legally Speaking presented a mock trial of the closing arguments in the prosecution of Drew Peterson for the death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio.

State’s Atty. James Glasgow took Chicago-Kent College of Law and WGN to task for staging the proceedings, going so far as to call a school dean, the show and the Illinois Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission to try and prevent the “abhorrent” event, which ended with a hung jury.

Chicago-Kent College of Law Dean Harold Krent said WGN contacted both sides in advance of the mock trial but he didn’t hear of Glasgow’s objections until the prosecutor left him a message the day of the event.

Attorney and co-host of Legally Speaking, Karen Conti presented closing arguments for the prosecution; while attorney Joseph Lopez argued for the defense of Peterson. The case was presided over by retired Judge Richard E. Neville.

In my opinion, the proceeding is ultimately irrelevant. The arguments were based only on what is publicly known to be the evidence, and the jurors were given only twenty minutes to deliberate.

Still, there’s no denying that it’s a fascinating venture. After all, isn’t this what we do on blogs and forums every day?

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Transcript: Testimony at Kathleen Savio’s Death Inquest from officer who was never at the scene

June 12, 2009

We’ve long been aware of the existence of a 28-page transcript of Katheens Savio’s death inquest. However getting a look at it would seem to have been a fleeting privilege granted to the media in early November 2007.

About that time we did see the transcript quoted from and were especially intrigued by the testimony of Illinois State Police Officer Herbert Hardy. Hardy testified on behalf of the ISP investigators, although he was neither present at the scene of Kathleen Savio’s death nor at the autopsy following.

Q. Any indication what the initial call was in reference to maybe when you got your call?
A. Well, I wasn’t called. The Master Sergeant Covey (phonetic) was called, and they related to him that it was – they had an individual deceased in her home in the bathroom, the master bathroom.
Q. And you never went to the death scene, sir?
A. No, I was never present at the death scene.

Recently, we were supplied with a portion of the inquest transcript (pages 7-15) in which Officer Hardy is questioned by Coroner Patrick O’Neil. We share it with you here.

If we get our hands on any more of the transcript document, we’ll make it available here!

Thanks to commenter Cyrhla, who emailed us the PDF!

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Drew Peterson’s appeal to reduce $20 million bond: Denied

June 5, 2009

20-millionToday a three-judge panel from the Illinois Third District Appellate Court ruled to deny Drew Peterson’s petition to reduce the amount of his bond from $20 million.

Peterson’s lead attorney, Joel Brodsky, says, “We’re disappointed in the ruling from the Illinois Third District Appellate Court, but we accept the Court’s ruling. However, we are also confident that as the weakness of the State’s case is exposed over the following weeks and months we will have another opportunity to ask for a reduction in bond.”

Per court document filed today:

“Appellant’s Motion for Review of Bail Order is DENIED.
“Defendants bail bond should not be modified or reduced”

Peterson’s next court date is scheduled for August 10th, 2009 (pre-trial).

Read the Press Release

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Judge shuts down Drew Peterson’s fun and games

June 3, 2009

Drew Peterson

Drew Peterson’s lawyers were back in court today under a new Will County judge, Stephen White, who was assigned to the case on Monday.

JOLIET, Ill. – A judge is making it tougher for Drew Peterson to talk to the media from jail.

Will County Judge Stephen White ordered Peterson’s lawyers on Wednesday to give him phone numbers of family, friends and attorneys that Peterson calls. Peterson has to notify the jail if he wants to call anyone else.

The judge’s order comes after Peterson called a radio show from jail. White also wants to be notified on all interviews and press releases, and he ordered the names of witnesses and potential witnesses be sealed.

Peterson has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the 2004 death of his third wife Kathleen Savio. He’s also a suspect in the 2007 disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy.

White set the trial date for August 24th.

Read the AP story

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Drew Peterson: Defense asks for yet another judge.

May 29, 2009
Joel Brodsky at Peterson's Mock trial Thursday

Joel Brodsky at Peterson's Mock trial Thursday

UPDATE JUNE 1: Case reassigned to Judge Stephen White

***********************
Drew Peterson’s Attorney Asks For New Judge

CHICAGO (CBS) ― Drew Peterson’s defense attorney has asked for another new judge to be appointed in Peterson’s murder trial.

If Joel Brodsky’s motion is granted, the case would have its third judge.

Last week the Will County state’s attorney had asked that Judge Richard Schoenstedt be removed, on the grounds of bias against the state. Will County Chief Judge Gerald Kinney last Thursday appointed Carla J. Alessio-Policandriotes to oversee the case.
Read the rest of this entry »


Drew Peterson calls in to radio show from jail

May 27, 2009


This morning the hosts of the Mancow and Cassidy Show at WLS radio accepted a collect call from Drew Peterson who is currently in custody at the Will County Adult Detention Facility in Joliet.

Told by his attorney, Joel Brodsky, to expect to hear Drew’s new “stand up comedy act” they goaded him to joke with them and give them his “A material”.

Besides cracks about the food, and the sterotypical fear of being sodomized by fellow inmates, Drew joked that maybe they could hold a “Win a Conjugal Visit with Drew” contest. He then went on to talk about missing his kids and the fact that he’s reading the bible and doing a fair amount of praying these days.

DNA analysis has determined that human remains found along the Des Plaines River near Channahon were from an unidentified male, the Illinois State Police said in a statement today.

TRIBUNE BREAKING NEWS STORY

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Stacy Peterson Searchers – “We Will Find Her”

May 24, 2009

findstacyboatOver these many, many months, there remained, and still does, a dedicated group of searchers who were steadfast in their belief that Stacy would be found. They quietly used their bonds of friendship to organize when they could, set out on ground and water, and continued to be steadfast in their belief that they could make a difference. They wanted to help Stacy’s sister through a difficult time and be supportive in any way they could, especially if they could bring her beloved sister home.

Yesterday, this very dedicated group of searchers set out to do a water and land search, yet again. They are united in hoping that the remains discovered last week are Stacy, but felt they wanted to continue to search until they are assured that Stacy has, in fact, been found.

While doing a ground search near the area where the remains were discovered last week, a bone fragment was sighted. After verifying that they had, indeed, found a piece of human skeleton, they contacted law enforcement regarding their discovery. This was overwhelming for them, as they had to come to grips with finding a skeletal portion of a human being. The searchers do not consider this discovery as being by any one particular person, because they do this as a group. However, for the searcher that did make the initial, unnerving discovery, it was a moment of distress and utter sadness.

We are told the bone fragment is significant, and will, no doubt, be important in making an identification.

We hope their kind actions and months of dedicated searches bring closure, someday, to Stacy’s family and friends.  They are the quiet warriors.

remains-location-final

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Glasgow drops bombshell: Peterson tried to hire someone to kill Savio

May 22, 2009

blue-jump

In 2003, Drew Peterson offered someone $25,000 to kill his third wife, Kathleen Savio, a year before he himself killed her, Will County state’s attorney James Glasgow told the new judge in the case as she let Peterson’s $20 million bond stand.

Glasgow revealed no details about who Peterson approached or how the plot was supposed to have been carried out.

The prosecution also alleged that Peterson told a police officer he would be better off if Kathleen Savio was dead because he would be financially ruined by a pending divorce. She was found drowned in her bathtub three weeks later, a gash to the back of her head.

The defense first asked Circuit Judge Carla J. Alessio Policandriotes to recuse herself on the grounds that she had minor contact with Drew and Kathleen over their divorce case in the past. She refused.

No word yet who this police officer is who says Drew told him Kathleen would be “better off dead”, but Fox once reported that Drew’s former partner, Alex Morelli, severed all ties and says that he wants nothing more to do with Drew and has nothing positive to say about him. He has said Drew has “turned his world upside down”.

Several police officers have testified at the special Grand Jury over the last year and a half.

A source said the would-be hit man was an undercover narcotics officer who had once worked with Peterson when the disgraced former cop was a member of the Metropolitan Area Narcotics Squad.

Joel Brodsky says, “Amazing how people are suddenly starting to remember these things in the last six weeks. Obviously, someone came forward and we’re going to find out who it is. But, in these high-profile cases, they often bring people out of the woodwork making allegations.”

A pretrial conference is scheduled for June 17.

Read story at CNN
Read story at Herald News
Read story at NBC News

Morelli info from Acandyrose

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Drew Peterson case has a new judge

May 21, 2009


From WGN/Tribune Breaking News Center:

Prosecutors get new judge in Peterson case
May 21, 2009 2:26 PM

Will County Chief Judge Gerald Kinney today allowed prosecutors to replace a judge in the Drew Peterson murder case, saying the defense had not established a pattern of abuse by the state of its right to replace judges.

“I do not find that this has been established by the defense’s response,” Kinney said during a hearing held at the Will County courthouse.

Prosecutors had filed a motion to replace Judge Richard Schoenstedt, arguing he was prejudiced against the state.

Kinney assigned the case to Judge Carla Alessio Policandriotes — at which point Peterson’s attorney, Joel Brodsky, said he wanted to replace that judge. But after a brief recess, Brodsky withdrew his request.

A hearing with the new judge is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Friday.

UPDATE: REMAINS FOUND NEAR DES PLAINES RIVER REMAIN UNIDENTIFIED – CORONER’s STATEMENT
coroners-statement


Decomposed body found on the banks of the Des Plaines River

May 20, 2009


Could these be the remains of Lisa Stebic or Stacy Peterson?

This is what we know so far:

  • The body is female
  • Lower half of the body only
  • Clad only in panties
  • The Stacy Peterson water searchers say the body was found south of where they had previously seen a sonar image of a body in the water
  • Apparently, the body moved to the location where it been discovered.
  • Cales family has been contacted by ISP
  • Task forces that were working on both Stacy Peterson and Lisa Stebic cases are on the scene.
  • Drew Peterson is being monitored as this news is breaking. He can watch TV but cannot listen to radio
  • Remains reported found in some sort of tub
  • Autopsy to take place tomorrow morning
  • Joel Brodsky reportedly said drew is “unconcerned” about the remains being found

We will update as we learn more.
body_640_updated

Story at ABC
Story at CBS
Story at Tribune

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Drew Peterson’s Motion to Modify and Reduce Bond

May 20, 2009

Below is the motion filed on May 18th by Joel Brodsky to get Drew Peterson’s twenty million dollar bond reduced. It makes the same assertions that we have heard the defense state during their many media appearances: Peterson is a solid citizen, not a flight risk and that the bond is uncommonly and unjustly high.

The motion also begins to attack the case of the prosecution, calling it “weak and circumstantial at best”. It questions whether or not a crime was even committed, and attacks the so-called Hearsay Law which State’s Attorney James Glasgow has said will be part of the prosecution arsenal.

The motion is accompanied by an Exhibit A: Kathleens Savio’s Death Certificate and strangely enough, Exhibit B: an anonymous editorial and comment from the Sun-Times.

One interesting claim made in the motion is that Peterson is on a small, fixed income–something that Joel Brodsky denied less than two weeks ago during an appearance on WLS radio, Mancow and Cassidy show.

From the Motion to Reduce Bond.

“13.  Mr. Peterson is retired and his only source of income is his pension from the Bolingbrook Police Department which is approximately $6,000 per month. He has no substantial savings or investment accounts.”

From the Mancow and Cassidy Radio Show.

Mancow Muller: He’s broke! You’re never going to get paid.

Joel Brodsky: Oh, I’ll get paid. Drew not only was a police officer but he was a business man. He owned a bar. He had a printing company. He had a photography company. He had, if I recall, five different businesses. All were profitable.

 
Peterson’s on-again off-again fiancée, Christina Raines, also seems to think he’s good for the two million dollar bail. At least, that’s what she told her father.

Thanks, Bucketoftea for finding the document.

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Peterson Grand Jury Ends

May 19, 2009

SOURCE:  GRAND JURY ENDS PETERSON PROBE

May 19, 2009

GJ CollageJOLIET — The grand jury investigating the fate of Drew Peterson’s last two wives wrapped up Tuesday with the testimony of potential star witness Thomas Morphey, a source said.

The grand jury’s 18-month term is set to expire Thursday, but the source said it finished two days early.

Charles B. Pelkie, the spokesman for the state’s attorney’s office, said he could neither confirm nor deny whether the grand jury, which was hearing testimony regarding the murder of Peterson’s third wife, Kathleen Savio, and the disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, as well as the apparently unrelated disappearance of Plainfield mother Lisa Stebic, was in fact done.

The grand jury indicted Peterson two weeks ago on first-degree murder charges in connection with Savio’s death, but no indictments are on file relating to either Stacy Peterson or Stebic’s disappearance, although they may be under seal.

Pelkie declined to comment on whether or not the grand jury has returned indictments in either Stacy or Stebic’s case.

Read the rest of this entry »


The Selling of Drew Peterson, continued

May 19, 2009


Steph Watts, formerly of On the Record with Greta Van Susteren and now a freelancer, described on Fox News Chicago tonight how Joel Brodsky approached him with an offer: $200,000 for a story about Drew Peterson and Chrissy Raines, complete with the opportunity to videotape the two of them at home.

The figure of $200,000 was arrived at by their belief that is what the family of Casey Anthony was offered for a story.

Watts stated that were Peterson to be acquitted he imagines Drew and Joel Brodsky would simply “Rejoin the media circus” and the two of them would continue to “pimp themselves out for interviews.”

Rumor has it that NBC paid six figures for the collect-call interview granted to Matt Lauer earlier this week.

Fox News Chicago

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Drew Peterson pleads not guilty to murder

May 18, 2009


Former police officer Drew Peterson pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Monday on first-degree murder charges in the 2004 slaying of his third wife, Kathleen Savio.

9:47: The prosecution has asked for Judge Richard Schoenstedt be removed from Peterson’s case.

10:01 According to MSNBC Brodsky is challenging the move to change judges, and Will County Chief Judge Gerald Kinney is slated to hold a hearing on the issue Thursday.

10:03: The request sent the hearing into a recess, and it is going to be continued until Thursday.

10:14: Press Conference: Brodsky says Drew is going to get a vigorous and zealous defense.

Now that the charges have been brought, it will limit what they can say. They’ll try to be as open as possible.

Calling the proceedings gamesmanship and says the State doesn’t want to try this case on the merits. Says they want to try it on technicalities.

Says it shows the State’s weakness.

10:15: Abood says the motions says prosecution believes the judge is “prejudiced against the state.”

10:16: Reporter: Savio’s familoy says that Drew was smirking and waving at them today. Abood says he was with Drew and didn’t see it.

10:17 Reporter asks Joel about being paid for interviews. He skirts it by saying “News agencies don’t pay for interviews”.

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The doublespeak of Drew Peterson: What does it expose?

May 16, 2009

DrewPDummieIn the eighteen months since Stacy Peterson disappeared from her home, her husband and only suspect, Drew Peterson has never passed up an opportunity to appear in the media and talk about the case and his life. Drew’s attorney, Joel Brodsky, has allowed and even condoned these many appearances, usually appearing alongside his client.

Brodsky calls this unusual approach his white noise media technique. “Its an over saturation of the media. If you say just a few things they can pick it apart for inconsistencies, but if you say a lot then any inconsistencies will cancel each other out” is how he explained it on an Internet forum.

So, at this point we have many, many statements from Drew Peterson. I don’t know about inconsistencies — he has been pretty consistent with time line details (except for a few glaring exceptions), but all those public statements do seem to have provided more than a few contradictions, or at least discrepancies between what he says and how he acts.

  • Drew seems to have some pretty negative feelings about people wearing wires to gather information, but his own ex wives say that their homes and phones were bugged by him.
  • Drew wants us to believe that he is truthful, and yet he boasts about his days as an undercover narcotics cop and says he enjoyed working “cons”. He also states that back in the day “you had to lie to your girlfriend to see your wife”.
  • Drew denigrates all potential witnesses as drug addicts, street rats, mentally ill, etc. Yet these are the same people that he had work for him, went into business with, and let babysit his kids.
  • Drew takes exception to the Grand Jury of lay people who indicted him for murder because they aren’t legal or forensics experts, but he was happy to accept the decision of the Coroner’s Jury of lay people who said that his third wife’s death was accidental.
  • Drew claims that every potential witness to come forward is just trying to profit from the situation, and yet he’s been charging for interviews as far back as January 2008, and has his PR man pitching reality shows and a book deal.
  • Drew says that his ex-wife Stacy was always “seeking attention from men”, but he never passes up the chance to chat with an attractive reporter or producer, or to go out to bars where girls sit on his lap for photos.

We know there are more than these examples!

Peterson is presently in custody in the Will County Jail, where yesterday he granted a collect-call telephone interview to Matt Lauer of MSNBC. He is scheduled to be arraigned Monday, May 18.

Idea for this post is from a comment by Thinkaboutit. Thanks!

Video of phone interview with Matt Lauer

I don’t know who made the clever book cover at the top, but if it’s yours let me know so I can credit you.

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Christina Raines hires lawyer, Gloria Allred

May 15, 2009
Christina Raines

Christina Raines


Today, self-described discrimination attorney and feminist lawyer Gloria Allred released a statement on behalf of her new client, Christina Raines.  Here it is in its entirety:

Today, I can confirm that I will be representing Chrissy Raines as a spokesperson in the case of People v. Drew Peterson.

Chrissy, age 24, has known Mr. Peterson for many years. This year they became romantically involved and she lived on and off with him for part of this year. She cares for him and believes that he cares for her. They did have plans to marry once the divorce from Stacy Peterson became final.

Chrissy was shocked when Drew was arrested on a charge that he killed Kathleen Savio (his third wife). She takes no position on whether or not he is guilty of that crime or whether or not he had anything to do with the disappearance of his fourth wife Stacy Peterson. That is for the jury to decide. However, her heart goes out to both families who have suffered such a terrible loss.

Gloria Allred

Gloria Allred

Chrissy may be a witness in this case. If called as a witness Chrissy plans to tell the truth.I am in the process of applying to the Illinois Court for permission to represent her in this matter. It will be within the discretion of the Court as to whether or not to admit me for this purpose.

Chrissy has no plans to do any interviews at this time. She wishes to maintain her privacy both at work and at home. Chrissy asks that the press not contact her, since she will not be making any comment, and will simply refer everyone to me. Any such contact with Chrissy will be viewed by me as attempted harassment of a potential witness.

I look forward to working with Chrissy Raines and protecting her rights in this very challenging, emotionally tumultuous, high profile case.

Gloria Allred
Attorney at Law
representing
Chrissy Raines
May 15, 2008 

As far as considering approaches to her client as harrassment, if Ms. Raines continues to make obscene gestures, and to swear and swat at the press, I get the feeling they are only going to be more inclined to pursue quotes from her. Some ladylike behavior might be more fitting with her apparent desire to be left in peace.

I somehow doubt that Chrissy’s heart goes out to the families. Her actions have shown nothing but disrespect for them since the beginning and her actions speak volumes. I hardly think they need or desire the condolences of the woman who jokes to Drew, “Are you going to drown me in the bathtub, too?”


Video courtesy WomenScorned – Thanks!

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PETERSON GRAND JURY HEARS WIRE TAP TESTIMONY

May 14, 2009
Thomas Morphey and  Lenny Wawczak take a break from testifying.

Thomas Morphey and Lenny Wawczak take a break from testifying.

From NBC 5 News…

PETERSON GRAND JURY HEARS WIRE TAP TESTIMONY
By DICK JOHNSON

Updated 11:30 AM CDT, Thu, May 14, 2009

The former friends of Drew Peterson who allegedly wore wire taps to record potentially incriminating conversations with him are before a Will County grand jury today.

The grand jury is in its final two weeks of work toward a possible indictment in the disappearance of Peterson’s fourth wife, Stacy.

landpAlso in front of the grand jury is Thomas Morphey, Drew’s stepbrother, who claims he helped carry a blue plastic barrel out of the Peterson home, which he now believes contained Stacy’s dead body.

Read the story at NBC Chicago News

BTW, Steve Carcerano also appeared before Grand Jury today.

MAY 15 UPDATE: Mike Robinson also testified at yesterday’s Grand Jury.

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The Drew Peterson Defense: The Practices & Ethics of Trying Cases in the Media; The Role & Responsibility of Defense Counsel

May 13, 2009

“I think the public is a little more sophisticated. They take, forgive me, lawyers with a grain of salt.”

~Laurie L. Levenson, Professor of Law, Loyola Law School

cartoonOver the past eighteen months or so, Drew Peterson and his attorney, Joel Brodsky, have subjected us all to an onslaught of trial-by-media. Presumably, not based on any facts that they have in hand, or even offering alternative responses to publicly disclosed information, but using the media to continuously discredit the victims’ families and friends, and to expose potential witnesses to nothing short of character assassination.  On local television and radio, national news, cable news, newspapers, blog-talk radio stations.  Joel Brodsky has even used a blog to post and comment, as a way to get feedback  about his client.

In this high profile case, rather than follow conventional wisdom by advising his client to refrain from discussing potential charges in the death of his ex-wife, or disappearance of his current wife, Joel Brodsky has encouraged it.  Even getting in on the media blitz himself.  At one point, his own law partner questioned his actions, and expressed concern about it.  Yet, she was told it would  get them all book deals some day. Joel Brodsky has even used his high-profile client to promote his personal liquor establishment.

Is this ethical?  Is it within the guidelines of the American Bar Association Rules?  Is it the go-to method for defending a high-profile client, even before he is charged with a crime?

How does a defense attorney’s role change when defending a high-profile client? Beyond traditional legal defense, must a modern defense attorney seek to protect a client’s public image? When speaking with the media, what rules, if any, should constrain a defense attorney’s behavior? Does media coverage affect the fairness of a trial?


Duke Law – The Court of Public Opinion – Transcript

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Drew Peterson on trial: Who will be called to testify?

May 10, 2009

courtroom-dpJoel Brodsky is back in town and one can only assume that Monday he will be getting around to dealing with his client, Drew Peterson, who currently sits in isolation in the medical unit of the Will County Adult Detention Facility.

Peterson is scheduled for an arraignment hearing on May 18, for the murder of his third wife, Kathleen Savio.

It’s anyone’s guess when the case will actually go to trial, but when it does who do you think will be called up as witnesses? The following is a list I put together but maybe you can think of more…or reasons why some of these people might not be called.

  1. Michael Baden, M. M.D.
    Forensic Pathologist
    He analyzed Kathleen Savio’s remains November 16, 2007 at the request of her relatives. He concluded she died after a struggle, and her body was placed in the bathtub where she was found.
  2. Bill Belcher Jr.
    A witness for Kathleen’s first autopsy, March 1, 2004
  3. Dr. Larry W. Blum
    Forensic pathologist who performed autopsy of Kathleen on November 13, 2007. Concluded in his report that the actual cause of Kathleen Savio’s death was drowning and that the legal manner of death was homicide. “Dr. Blum’s forensic report renders his expert opinion that this is a homicide,”
  4. Bob Brenczewski
    Will County Chief Deputy Coroner
  5. Mike Calcagno
    BBPD Chief in 2004 said he felt for Kathleen and gave her his personal cell number
  6. Steven Carcerano
    A friend and former neighbor of Drew and Kathleen. Discovered Kathleen’s body.
  7. James B. Carrol
    Drew Peterson’s Uncle and executor of the estate of Kathleen Savio
  8. Victoria L. Connolly
    Drew Peterson’s 2nd Wife
    Said that during their marriage an increasingly controlling Peterson told her he could kill her and make it look like an accident.
  9. Charlie Dastych
    DuPage County’s Chief Deputy Coroner
    Reviewed Kathleen’s autopsy report at CBS 2’s request. “The injuries that are noted in the autopsy report definitely indicate there is evidence of suspicion that could be looked at at a different level,” Dastych said. “Evidence of a possible struggle.”
  10. Bob Deel
    ISP crime scene technician.
    Deputy Coroner Mike VanOver: “Bob Deel was asked by me if he thought there was anything hinky here, and stuff like that, and if we should be doing something different, and I was told no.”
  11. Read the rest of this entry »


Drew Peterson in Jail. Joel Brodsky on Vacation.

May 8, 2009

sun-timesDespite the fact that his client, Drew Peterson, has been arrested and sits in the Will County Adult Detention Facility in Joliet, Joel Brodsky remains in New York City for a mother’s day holiday with his wife. As of this morning, he still has not spoken with his client.

Last night on Geoff Pinkus’ Chicago Overnight radio show, Geoff recalled Joel and Drew’s demeanor when they appeared on his show on March 15th.  Pinkus was surprised by Joel’s demands to plug not only his legal practice but also the wings at a sports bar he owned.

Pinkus says his impression was that Joel Brodsky was more concerned with promoting himself than in defending his client.  He couldn’t understand why Joel seemed to have no control over his client, and questioned why he stayed on as Drew’s attorney when it was so obvious that the man was out of control.  “To me, Joel Brodsky is not doing Drew Peterson or himself any favors”, Pinkus stated.

Joel and Drew: Best Buds or The Two Stooges

Joel and Drew: Best Buds or The Two Stooges

Drew Peterson appeared in court today at 1:30 pm CDT in Joliet, Ill. His arraignment for first-degree murder in the death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio, has been continued until Monday, May 18.

Joel Brodsky appeared on all three network morning news programs this morning in New York. He will also do interviews with WGN TV in Chicago, MSNBC, WLS Radio and WFLD (Fox) Chicago.

WGN Radio’s John Williams interview with Andrew Abood (MP3s): Part I Part II
Video of ISP press conference
Audio of press conference – Part I
Audio of press conference – Part II
PDF of Indictment for murder

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