"The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice."

Strapped for cash, Drew Peterson tries to auction his house.

The Peterson home

Peterson’s house going to auction block?

November 11, 2009

BY MICHAEL SNEED Sun-Times Columnist

Scoopsville: Huh? Sneed hears an attorney for jailed murder suspect Drew Peterson is hoping to rent out/auction off Peterson’s empty Bolingbrook home for broadcast use during his upcoming trial!

“We are thinking it could be an excellent site for a news broadcast during the trial,” said attorney Walter Maksym, who filed a federal suit against JP Morgan Chase bank recently for suspending Peterson’s access to his $220,000 credit line.

“It would be a perfect place for someone like Geraldo Rivera. Don’t you think?” Maksym told Sneed.

Peterson, who is in jail charged with the murder of his third wife, Kathleen Savio, was hoping to use the credit line to post part of his bond, pay his attorneys and hire expert witnesses. The credit line was authorized in 2005 and suspended by the bank in May.

“If he can’t pay for his own defense, the taxpayers could wind up paying for the enormous cost of the defense,” Maksym said. “I’m not handling his murder case. I’m working with his attorney Joel Brodsky, who is vigorously defending him, and we are looking for any way possible to raise money so Peterson won’t be denied a fair trial. The bank severed his credit line because Peterson is being detained for trial, and we believe it violates federal law.”

Auctioneer Leslie Hindman tells Sneed she received a call from Maksym on Tuesday wondering if she might auction off “the use of Peterson’s house as a site for broadcast during the trial.”

Quoth Hindman: “I said, ‘No. I’m not interested in doing such a thing. It would be much too weird.’ ”

The Peterson home, which once housed his missing fourth wife, Stacy, and four children, has been vacant since Peterson was incarcerated in May.

Read Sneed’s column at the Sun-Times
Read the story at NBC Chicago

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Savio inquest juror, Jim Pretto: If we had known…

Jim Pretto told ABC News back in February of 2008 that if they had known all the facts about the case in 2004, he would have called Kathleen Savio’s death a homicide.

“There was no evidence at all to point toward it being a murder,” Pretto said. “There was nothing presented at all.” Pretto said that though the jurors on the coroner’s inquest were suspicious, they did not have enough evidence to call Savio’s death anything but an accident.

“We had no other alternative,” he said. “I think more evidence should have been presented, more investigation should have been done at the time.”

We’ve all seen the complete inquest transcript now.  Yes, there was no testimony or evidence presented to the jurors to indicate that foul play might be suspected.  In fact, ISP Officer Herbert Hardy said otherwise.  One panel member (Dennis Pratl) made it personal, and said Drew Peterson was a good guy.   Yet, Jim Pretto wishes they had listened more to Kathleen’s family. The jurors did not hear about Savio asking for a restraining order against Peterson, and they were told by the ISP officer that there were no insurance policies involved. They did not hear about the police being called eighteen times to intervene in their disputes.

Several questions arise about these claims made by Pretto.  Who exactly was responsible for making sure these important issues were presented to the jury panel?  Or, in the alternative, who was responsible for making sure they were not presented to the jury panel?   Oversight or out-of-sight.  Which is it?

At the time of this juror’s interview, Anna Doman said:  “I think we’re closer” to justice. “I just wish it was four years ago.”

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Tribute to Stacy Peterson stolen in the night

Plaque and tree honoring Stacy Peterson

The Drew Peterson defense must be anticipating more bad news in court today.

A tree and plaque commemorating missing mom, Stacy Peterson, were dug up and stolen from in front of the Bolingbrook Aquatic Center overnight, two years to the day after Stacy was first reported missing and the night before another status hearing for Drew.

Members of the Westbrook Christian Church in Bolingbrook erected the plaque and tree outside of the Aquatic Center, at 200 Lindsey Lane in Bolingbrook.

I’m reminded of the Dr. Seuss tale about the Grinch who attempted to destroy Christmas by stealing the Christmas tree.

Flowers and a candle remain at the site of the theft

Vandalizing the tribute to a missing woman won’t change the facts of her disappearance, and it can’t destroy the love and anguish of her family and friends. They will continue to miss her, to search for her and to pray.

The plaque’s inscription was a simple one:

Stacy Peterson
Mom Sister
Friend

We’ll be reporting any news from the hearing today, as we learn it. Check the comments on this post.

Larger photos of the plaque and tree (lilac bush?) from Summer 2008 (Thanks, Wayne!):
Tree and plaque
Plaque
Read a report on the theft at WBBM.

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Remembering Stacy Ann Peterson

October 28, 2009: Today marks the second anniversary of the disappearance of Stacy Peterson.

Let’s try to remember this today and mark it in some way in our own lives. Her passing has meaning. Her absence is felt. Her family and friends mourn her, yet they have no closure and no justice.

*************************************************************************
On October 28, 2007, after ending a phone call with a friend, Stacy Ann Peterson was never seen nor heard from again. She’s lovingly and fondly remembered by her sister, family and friends as a wonderful, devoted mom, someone who loved to be with family, especially when gathering to celebrate a happy occasion, and someone who wouldn’t hesitate to help another, if needed. Stacy’s disappearance and ensuing story touched many people, including strangers who never knew or met her–strangers who devoted week after week to search for her, who became friends with her sister and family members, and vowed to keep looking for her until she was found.

Tuesday, October 27, the WE network show: “Secret Lives of Women” is airing an episode called “Loved & Controlled” which will feature three stories, one of them the Drew Peterson cases. Anna Doman and Cassandra Cales , will be talking about their sisters, Kathleen Savio and Stacy Peterson and what life was like living with Drew Peterson.

In the clip below, Cassandra looks back at Stacy’s life, and her disappearance.

And Anna Doman talks about the mysterious death of her sister.

Upcoming Air Dates:
Tuesday, October 27 at 10pm | 9c
Tuesday, November 3 at 11pm | 10c
Tuesday, November 10 at 4pm | 3c
Tuesday, November 24 at 8pm | 7c
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This Saturday: Remember Stacy Peterson and help victims of abuse

Stacy Peterson, missing since October 28, 2007

This Saturday, October 24, you are invited to participate in Groundwork’s First Annual Angels Against Abuse 5k Walk to raise funds for Guardian Angel Community Services, a Joliet-based non-profit that provides services to victims and families of domestic violence.

In memory of Stacy Peterson, Team: “Angels For Stacy” is partnering with the missing persons advocacy organization, Peace4 the Missing.

Visit the team page to join the team, walk, sponsor or make a donation.

By the way, you don’t need to join the “Angels for Stacy” team to participate. You can join a different team, start your own, or register without joining any team.

• WHERE:
  Hammel Woods, Crumby Recreation Area, Shorewood IL
  Enter on Black Road, .25 miles east of Rt. 59
• WHEN:
  Saturday, October 24, 2009
  8:00am Check-In. On-site Registration
  8:45am Opening Remarks by Will County State’s Attorney, James W. Glasgow
  9:00am Walk Begins
• FEE:
  $10 Registration
  Free T-Shirt with $50 Donation

Groundwork is a domestic violence program of the Guardian Angel Community Services, a non-profit 501c (3) social service agency. Groundwork operates a 24-hour emergency shelter that provides a safe haven for victims. Last year the shelter provided almost eight thousand nights of shelter. Nearly a third of those nights were for children who had been impacted by domestic violence. Additionally, Groundwork operates a 24-hour hotline providing crisis intervention, safety planning, information and referrals. All services are offered to victims free of charge. Groundwork also offers legal advocacy as well as individual and group counseling to adults and children.

Team Angels for Stacy/Peace4 the missing is not associated with the Friends of Stacy Peterson.

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Civil case against Drew Peterson to proceed

Peterson civil case can proceed

October 14, 2009 (CHICAGO) (WLS) — A Will County judge ruled Wednesday that the civil lawsuit against Drew Peterson can proceed.
The family of Peterson’s third wife Kathleen Savio filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Peterson.

The former Bolingbrook police officer is also charged in criminal court with murdering Savio.

Peterson’s attorney had asked that the judge issue a stay on the Savio family’s civil case pending the outcome of the criminal case.

“The judge didn’t stay the case, didn’t freeze the case. But he also said that Drew or indicated that Drew can take his Fifth Amendment privilege in answer to any question or any pleading,” said Joel Brodsky, Peterson’s attorney.

Savio’s death was originally ruled an accident, but the case was determined to be a homicide after Peterson’s fourth wife Stacy disappeared.

Read the story at ABC7/WLS, Chicago

Thanks TAI, for posting the news.
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Exclusive: Michelle LeFort, Lisa Ward’s co-author speaks out.

Author, Michelle LeFort

UPDATE 4:18 pm: It would now appear that Victoria Connolly and Lisa Ward have received cease and desist letters and that Joel Brodsky may have sent one to Ms. LeFort at an old address. We’re going to need to hold off on any further questions for a bit.

Since the news broke that Drew Peterson’s former step-daughter, Lisa Ward was speaking out and writing a book with allegations of abuse, there’s been plenty of discussion, here on the blog and elsewhere. We’ve wondered, why is she speaking up now? Why is she writing a book? Who is this author she is working with? Why is Drew’s lawyer hopping up and down and barking like a terrier?

Co-author, Michelle LeFort emailed us this morning with the answers to some of the questions we have been asking.

As for the “cease and desist” demand that Joel Brodsky announced he has issued against the author, she states that she, Vicki Connolly, and Lisa Ward, “have never been given a cease and desist letter-not one of us.” As to Joel Brodsky’s public claims that money is the motivating factor in coming forward, LeFort denies it. “We have made NO money as Mr. Brodsky, wonder attorney, might suggest and all hold down respectable jobs.”

LeFort does not believe that by speaking out, they are endangering the case against Drew Peterson.”We refuse to violate any testimony in this fiasco. Peterson needs stopped. We are trying to believe justice has the opportunity to prevail.”

This morning Ms. Lefort also posted a comment at Justice Café. We paste her comment here in toto, for you to read.

I am Michelle LeFort. I’m sorry that we cannot comment on some of the questions that you raise in this blog and that the administrator asked me to comment on. I am happy to make a statement and had emailed as well.

Vicki (the correct spelling) had a car accident March 1, 1990 in Naperville unincorporated. She did NOT date Jeffrey Archer (personally verified by his wife, his parents and Vicki as well.) Jeffrey was killed, and had been having an affair, but it was with someone else and his wife knew about it. It could have been misconstrued to have been Kathleen Savio, but, again, it was not someone who had anything to do with this case according to his wife.

(NoWay –hello, Darlin)

Lisa and Vicki have not come forward until now, because they are afraid. The legal team for Drew Peterson isn’t even the worst of it, but the sheer unabashed fear they faced for the duration of the time they spent with Drew. Money and Power are all I have seen in researching this case for nearly two years as HIS motive. We have waited to come forward for the very reason that Brodsky is proving all over the Internet-it comes down to name-calling. EVERYONE who says anything negative about Peterson is called a liar. Please tell me you see the antics. Are either of these men capable of rigorous honesty? They bash everyone. We really didn’t want to see our names smeared in the headlines with everyone else’s. We are human; we have feelings; we have fears; we are not backing down, just trying to do the right thing. We commend Cassandra, Anna and Sue, Neil, Steve … we understand what you go through and we’re sorry.

Step-daughter, Lisa Ward, alleges sexual abuse by Drew Peterson

Lisa Ward

Drew Peterson’s Former Step-Daughter Speaks Out Exclusively to INSIDE EDITION
Airdate: 10/9/2009

“How does a father do that to a child?” Tears flow from a woman who says she suffered beatings and sexual abuse at the hands of her notorious former stepdad, Drew Peterson.

“I was beat with a belt, with my pants down.”

Peterson is now behind bars, charged with the murder of his third wife, Kathleen Savio. He’s pled not guilty.

“He looked…cold, heartless, exactly the same person that I’ve known my whole life,” says Ward of seeing Peterson, on TV, for the first time in years.

Lisa Ward was just 8 years old when her mom Vicky met and fell in love with Peterson in 1984. From day one, Lisa says she was terrified of Peterson, who was working as an undercover narcotics cop.

“He grabbed me back of head pushed and said whether I liked it or not he was going to marry my mother and he was going to be my father and I would respect him.”

She says her new step-dad was a control freak with a volatile temper. “You could just feel the tension throughout the house. You would just cringe, and hope that rage wasn’t coming back at you.”

And Lisa makes a shocking allegation about humiliating punishments she says continued into her early teens: “He would make me go into his room and pull down my pants and expose myself to him completely so I could be spanked bare bottom. The more I fought the worse it was.”

When her mom was hospitalized after a near-fatal car crash, she says Peterson did unspeakable things to her. She was only 14.

“He had told me that he missed my mother so much that he didn’t want to be without her. He asked me to come lay down with him. He had tried to touch me in an inappropriate way. I went in my room locked my door, and I thought to myself that can’t be happening,” she says tearfully.

Drew loses big. Change of venue denied, hearsay law upheld in Peterson case.

Drew Peterson defense team arrives at the Will County courthouse. Photo - Warren Skalski

Hearsay law upheld in Peterson murder case
October 2, 2009 4:32 PM

A Will County judge today upheld the state’s new hearsay law, which prosecutors plan to use in their murder trial against Drew Peterson.

Under the law, which took affect in December, prosecutors plans to submit as evidence letters and statements by Peterson’s third wife, Kathleen Savio, to friends and family before she was killed in 2004.

Peterson’s attorneys have argued that the so-called “Drew’s law” violates a defendant’s 6th Amendment right to cross-examine witnesses; goes against state and federal constitutional provisions against retroactively applied laws; and “erodes the presumption of innocence” by asking a judge before the trial even starts to find that Peterson murdered Savio to silence her.

But Judge Stephen White sided with prosecutors and allowed the law to stand.

Peterson’s attorneys said they would notify prosecutors whether they intend to introduce their own hearsay evidence by Oct. 29, their client’s next court date.

Peterson, in custody at the Will County Jail in Joliet, is also considered a suspect in the disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson.

Eearlier, Peterson lost his bid to move his murder trial outside of Will County.

Peterson’s attorney, Joel Brodsky, has argued that widespread publicity would make it difficult for the former Bolingbrook police sergeant to get a fair trial in Will County.

The motion cited stories about Peterson that ran in the Chicago Tribune, CNN, Huffington Post and local television stations.

Some of the stories detailed the order of protection Savio took out against Peterson and the letters she mailed out before her death. The motion argued that they exposed jurors to “highly significant information which may not be admissible at trial.”

Peterson’s attorneys also objected to a 2008 press release from the Will County state’s attorney’s office that announced that results of an autopsy on Savio’s exhumed remains concluding her death was a homicide.

The complete autopsy was not released, only the manner of death, which his attorneys said “prejudiced the jury pool in regards to the most contested fact of the entire case — namely the manner of death.”

– Steven D. Schmadeke

Read the story at the Chicago Tribune

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Kathleen Savio’s death inquest – a sister testifies

Susan Doman

If you’ve been following this blog, you know that we’ve been trying to locate the full transcript of the coroner’s jury inquest into the death of Kathleen Savio from May 1, 2004.

To date we’ve been able to share with you the pages containing the testimony of Herbert Hardy (pages 7-15). We’ve now located the first six pages of the transcript, in which Susan Doman (then Savio) testifies, and we’re pleased to be able to share them with you.

EXCERPT:

Q. Is there anything else you’d like to add, ma’am?

A. Yes. I just — it’s very difficult for my family because of my sister telling us all the time, and I can figure, everyone, everything — one that she has seen that if she would die, it may look like and accident, but it wasn’t. She just told me last week, and she was terrified of him. He always threatened her. He had her in the basement one time. He did, many, many things to her. He only wished for her to go away.
And it’s just very hard for me to accept that, what happened. His reactions after this were a laughing matter. Cleaning everything out, ready to get rid of the house. It’s very hard.

Sue Doman’s testimony is especially interesting at this time, as this Friday is the date of Drew Peterson’s next hearing in which the defense will be arguing against the constitutionality of the “hearsay law”.

View this document on Scribd

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