Drew Peterson Hearsay Hearings – Day 12: ISP trooper on stand

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Over 44 witnesses have testified already in the hearing to decide what hearsay testimony may be admitted to the murder trial of Drew Peterson. Who will testify today?

We’ll be updating throughout the day as we get information. Please make sure to check out the comments thread for the latest!

While we wait for updates why not take a look at the actual “Hearsay Law” and the motions and replies that have been filed regarding its significance to this case?

Some people over-simplify or are just mistaken about what the act allows and then react in a panic over the sixth amendment and the right to confront. In reality the law applies only to a very specific kind of testimony.

It’s not the lightest reading, but if you want to understand why these hearings are so important and how certain statements may or may not be allowed in Drew Peterson’s trial, you owe it to yourself to dive in!

  • Defendant’s motion to declare 725 ILCS 5/115-10.6 unconstitutional
  • State’s Attorney Objection to Defendant’s motion to declare 725 ILCS 5/115-10.6 unconstitutional
  • Attorney General’s Objection to Defendant’s motion to declare 725 ILCS 5/115-10.6 unconstitutional
  • Defendant’s Reply to the Responses of the Attorney General of the State of Illinois and the Will County States Attorney to the Defendant’s Motion to Declare 725 ILCS 5/115-10.6 Unconstitutional

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    117 thoughts on “Drew Peterson Hearsay Hearings – Day 12: ISP trooper on stand”

    2. Hey Facs. Thanks for the link to the papers filed by JBetc. I’m always surprised at the language. I don’t think it would be the done thing to describe someone as a talking head in such a document here! The appeal itself is patent rubbish, of course.

    3. Sure thing, Bucket! I apologize for the bossy tone in the post because I know that it’s hard to wade through all the legalese. (I haven’t read every word of all those documents myself) but just reading over the act itself really helps to understand what’s going on.

      Even to a lay person the defense’s motion is just awful! The way it refers to “Drew” without even benefit of his last name, and bizarre phrasing like a “newly minted homicide”… and that snotty, unprofessional tone throughout!

    9. LOL, Noway. Nothing like a draft to keep the flies away.
      Facs, thank you for the links. I’m going there now. And legalese is bossy in itself.
      No word yet on who’s up, today?

    12. LOL Facs! I can see those 6 eency weency tiny little legs furiously going at it.
      I can go, Bucket. And at the prices quoted, I promise I would be far more economical!
      I was just reading through the “Defendant’s Reply to States Attorneys Response”, figuring I’d get the gist from the Attorney General as the arguments are made. I’d read some or all of this before, and maybe because of that, I’m focusing on different things.
      Did anyone ever note the number of times “if” is used in their response? I’m no lawyer, never even played one on TV, but if this were my attorney, I’d want definitive statements, not ‘if’ this, or ‘if’ that. They’re basically asking for us to accept their hypotheses.
      If (lol) you need examples, I’ll supply them.

    13. joehosey
      A state police master sergeant who as a trooper was temporarily assigned to investigations and worked Savio’s death said
      3 minutes ago from txt

      He was “disgusted” by the eway his superiors handled the case. Bryan Falat said his concerns about the way the case was handled fell on
      2 minutes ago from txt

      Deaf ears. Falat said he disagreed with questioning Drew Peterson at the Bolingbrook police station, with allowing Peterson to be present
      less than 20 seconds ago from txt

    14. joehosey
      When his wife Stacy Peterson was questioned, and suggested the neighbors who went into Savio’s home with Peterson and found Savio’s body
      2 minutes ago from txt

      Be reinterviewed. All of this apparently went unheeded. Attorney Joel Brodsky questioned the veracity of Falat’s testimony and said
      half a minute ago from txt

    15. Let me guess the rest…
      “Why didn’t you go to the police? I think Falat was just trying to make it easier on the prosecution. Anyone want chicken wings?”

    19. I think what he mans about the embarrassment to be caught on the losing side. He’s implying that they’re lying now to join the winning side.

    20. So people are feeling embarrassed, huh ?
      What they should be feeling is horror, shame and regret. “Embarrassed” is their egos responding and only because the got caught and no they have some explaining to do.
      Fellow harpies and hellcats: if this ISP officer Falat was temporarily assigned to this case, how is it that Patrick Collins became the investigator and why? PC had no experience, so we know that experience was not among the qualifiers.

    21. LOL it’s another one of those issues where it doesn’t matter what they say; it’ll look as bad or worse!

    22. Trooper testifies at Drew Peterson hearing

      February 4, 2010

      ASSOCIATED PRESS
      An Illinois State Police trooper says he told the lead investigator in the death of Drew Peterson’s third wife that he thought Peterson and his fourth wife were lying when they were interviewed.

      Master Sgt. Bryan Falat assisted in the investigation into Kathleen Savio’s 2004 death.

      His testimony Thursday comes after Savio’s friends testified that they told authorities Peterson may have been involved in her death. And it marks the first time a witness has said at least one investigator shared those suspicions.

      Falat says he was disgusted by what he described as a woefully incomplete investigation…

      http://www.suntimes.com/news/peterson/2030005,drew-peterson-murder-trial-020410.article

    23. It all comes back to the botched investigation. Sadly – that botched investigation may create doubt in jurors because they didn’t get hard evidence pointing to Drew or clearing anyone else.

      It’s very disheartening to have all of these people testifying that they told the police this and that after Kathleen’s death and nothing ever came of it. Whether the people’s memories are wrong/made-up about what they did or the police just truly ignored them it is truly, truly sad.

      I do think the police ignore tips as I had personally witnessed way back when there was the girl in my area that said she was abducted and raped by a man who fit the description of a sexual predator I found online near our junior college where my daughter’s friends said they thought they saw him. I called the police 3 times and they never called me back. I gave up trying to find out why when the girl finally admitted it was a hoax but now that really bothers me and makes me realize that you need to do a certified letter or something that you can prove later down the line if something did happen.

    24. Can someone testify at a jury trial that they thought someone was lying?? In all of the cases on TV and in shows that I’ve seen – I would picture the defense objecting to the response since it is just the person’s opinion. Of course – my experience is not real life.

    25. thinkaboutit2 :

      Can someone testify at a jury trial that they thought someone was lying?? In all of the cases on TV and in shows that I’ve seen – I would picture the defense objecting to the response since it is just the person’s opinion. Of course – my experience is not real life.

      Witnesses are ofter asked about their perceptions of the suspect immediately after a crime occurs.

      “Did you feel that he was telling the truth?” or “Did he behave strangely” would be perfectly acceptable questions for the trooper since he was an eye witness to the behavior of Drew Peterson after his ex-wife was killed. I imagine a judge would overrule any objection to it.

    26. “Whether the people’s memories are wrong/made-up about what they did or the police just truly ignored them it is truly, truly sad.”

      IMO, Drew Peterson’s memories are the ones that are wrong/made-up and it’s more than just “sad”. It’s downright murderous.

    27. I think my sentence came out wrong. I’m responding to some people (not here) who feel that witnesses are mistaken or making up what they told police. My point is that no matter what reason this didn’t get into the investigation – it is sad for Kathleen because justice may never be served for her.

      I’ve always said what my gut feeling is. I’m just stepping back and thinking about what a jury of 12 people who are not me will think. There are people out there that truly believe he is innocent and there will be some who are on the fence and the botched investigation may make them question if someone else could have killed her since there is no hard evidence gathered pointing to anyone. This could quite frankly result in a hung jury in spite of my gut feelings about the case.

    28. I agree it would be easier to get a conviction had the scene of Kathleen’s death been properly treated as a homicide scene and evidence had been collected, but even then, Drew knew a lot about crime scenes and what to do to avoid leaving evidence(where’s Stacy?)so IMO even had it been treated as a homicide scene there might not have been good evidence.

      That said, I think the circumstantial evidence is overwhelming and based on what numerous attorneys have said, most cases are won on circumstantial evidence. It’s not often that is there a video recording of a murder.

      I wouldn’t venture a guess at the outcome of Drew’s trial since it is still very far away. This hearing is only determining which, if any, of 15 hearsay statements will be admitted as evidence to that trial. Who knows how much of what has been said at these hearings (beyond those 15 statements ) will be presented to the jurors. I think a lot of what we are hearing is being presented to convince the judge that Drew killed Stacy and Kathleen so their hearsay statements can be considered and the judge doesn’t have to believe in Drew’s guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt” the way a jury will. At least, that’s what Karen Conti said this morning.

      But you know all that… :)

    29. I’m bringing over a comment I made early today on yesterday’s thread:

      Here are decsriptions of eight of the 15 statements the State wants to be admissable. These are “non-testimonial statments” (statements made to people who were not required to notify police, nor made to police or for the purposes of prosecution).

      #2 — Kathleen to a roommate
      #3 and #4 — Kathleen to a fellow student
      #5 — Kathleen to a co-worker
      #6 and #7 — Kathleen to her sisters
      #8 — Stacy to a friend
      #9 — Stacy to a pastor

      http://petersonstory.wordpress.com/documents/kathleen-savio-murder-case-legal-documents/#g

      I would assume that in addition to these there are seven more statements the state wants admitted.

      Prosecutors want witnesses to be able to testify about the alleged 2002 incident when the case goes to trial, saying their participation will give Savio “a voice from the grave.” Will County Judge Stephen White will decide whether 15 hearsay statements are permissible under a new state statute dubbed Drew’s Law.

      http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-0203-drew-peterson-hearing-20100202,0,4789883.story

    31. joehosey twitter

      # A fortune teller testified that Stacy Peterson said Drew Peterson told her “he was a cop, he could kill her, hide her body and nobody
      4 minutes ago from txt

      # Would ever find her. Irene Lalagos of Glendale Heights said Stacy told her this during a Fortune telling session. Lalalgos also said a
      2 minutes ago from txt

      # Tearful Drew Peterson called asking for her help. He said Stacy was leaving him and he did not want her to divorce him. Lalagos is a
      1 minute ago from txt

      # Long-time friend of Peterson’s mother, Betty Morphey. Even with what Stacy told her, Lalagos failed to foretell her disappearance.
      2 minutes ago from txt

    32. This evidence has to prove to the judge that it should be admitted in the trial. That is the first step. I think that most times circumstantial cases do better with juries than a judge. JMO.

      Only time will tell. I’m just calling out what I see – and that if this evidence is allowed at the trial that it still may not convince a jury. That’s all. I wait patiently to see what other evidence the prosecution brings forward in this hearing.

    34. facsmiley :
      “Even with what Stacy told her, Lalagos failed to foretell her disappearance.”
      Oh, good God!

      because tearful Drew Peterson called asking for her help. Interference.

    35. I really hope that revelation didn’t come out on cross-examination. Did they really try to discredit her testimony because she can’t actually tell the future? LOL!

    36. facsmiley :
      I really hope that revelation didn’t come out on cross-examination. Did they really try to discredit her testimony because she can’t actually tell the future? LOL!

      They cannot as she is a fortune teller.She cannot predict a murder.

    38. craig_wall
      psychic for Stacy Peterson says Stacy told her that Drew said he could kill her, hide her body and nobody would ever find her
      16 minutes ago from API

    43. Cop: Stacy Peterson’s answers about Savio seemed scripted
      February 4, 2010 2:27 PM

      A state police investigator testified today that he questioned Drew Peterson and his fourth wife Stacy about the death of Kathleen Savio and did not believe they were telling the truth.

      “It was obvious that Stacy was hiding something, that she was not telling the truth,”said State Police Master Sgt Bryan Falat. He recalled telling the lead investigator that “Mr. Peterson was not being truthful.”

      Falat said the state police officer leading the initial investigation into Savio’s death in 2004 paid too much deference to Peterson, interviewing him in the lunchroom of the Bolingbrook Police Department where he worked, and agreeing to allow Peterson to be present when Stacy Peterson was interviewed.

      “Quite honestly, I was sort of disgusted about how the investigation was handled,” Falat said…

      …

      …Falat held the rank of trooper at the time of the initial investigation into Savio’s death, and he was doing temporary duty as an investigator. He assisted State Sgt. Patrick Collins on the investigation.

      Falat said he thought it was a bad idea to interview Peterson at the Bolingbrook Police Department because Peterson would feel too comforntable there, aganst usual police procedure.

      “I was told that it was [Collins'] decision and we were going to the Bolingbrook Police Department to do the interview,” Falat said.

      At first, Peterson’s demeanor was “very cooperative, almost jovial, but as we started asking him questions it into turned into arrogance and a little cocky,” Falat said.

      Falat said he asked a few questions about whether Peterson stood to gain financially from Savio’s death and about his time with his children during the weekend because they were his alibi for when Savio was killed.

      “That’s when he became sort of cocky and arrogant,” Falat said.

      When Peterson was asked what he was doing on the Sunday before Savio’s body was found, Falat said Peterson acted suspiciously.

      “When Mr. Peterson was talking, he was very still. He wasn’t moving his hands or anything, and he was staring at mostly Sgt. Collins, which was odd,” Falat said, adding that most people move their hands when they talk.

      During his explanation of what he did that day, Peterson also kept blurting out times when he and the children were doing things, without thinking, raising “some concerns,” Falat said.

      After Peterson left, Falat said he told Collins, “I believe Mr. Peterson was not being truthful.”

      “I felt we needed to bring him in for further questioning,” Falat said.

      Two days after Savio was found dead, Collins and Falat interviewed Stacy Peterson. But Drew Peterson was at the interview because he would only allow Stacy Peterson to be interviewed if he was in the room, Falat said.

      “I thought it was ridiculous. I then expressed my concerns to Sgt. Collins,” he said.

      Stacy Peterson’s rundown of the day of Savio’s death was “eerily similar to Mr. Peterson’s account,” Falat said.

      “Once again, her times, there was no thinking involved, she just blurted out all the times,” he said.

      She sometimes appeared unsure and would look at Drew Peterson, as if to figure out what to say. There also was some prompting by Drew Peterson, he said.

      She was too “scripted” in her answers, Falat said.

      Later today, Irene Lalagos, a self-proclaimed psychic and longtime friend of Drew Peterson’s mother, of Glendale Heights, testified that Stacy Peterson told her Drew Peterson had said he could kill her and her body would never be found. Lalagos said read Stacy Peterson’s cards at least twice, and talked to Peterson about how he was treating his fourth wife.

      Lalagos said that she reads a 40-card deck that people shuffle them themselves. Lalagos says she can feel a person’s vibrations from the cards and hears the voice of God.

      In June 2007, she said that Stacy Peterson “told me Drew told her he was a cop, he could kill her and hide her body, and nobody would ever find it.”

      “She was afraid for her life,” Lalagos said.

      Sometime about the time of that conversation, Drew Peterson called Lalagos and said that Stacy wanted to leave him, and he didn’t want a divorce, and wanted Lalagos to talk to Stacy Peterson.

      Lalagos advised Stacy Peterson to see a minister, psychologist or a minister about her troubles with Drew. Stacy told Alagos that Peterson was “smothering her,” checking the mileage on her car after she drove it.

      Lalagos said she told Peterson that “he needed to treat [Stacy Peterson] like a wife and not a daughter.”

      – Erika Slife, Steven Schmadeke

      http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/02/cop-stacy-petersons-answers-about-savio-seemed-scripted.html

    44. After Peterson left, Falat said he told Collins, “I believe Mr. Peterson was not being truthful.”

      “I felt we needed to bring him in for further questioning,” Falat said.

      Again, someone who had concerns at the time, said something and still…nothing happened.

    45. Well – if they don’t get the hearsay in they could potentially bring this woman in as she is testifying that Drew himself told her knew Stacy really wanted a divorce instead of what he has said in the press about her threatening that once a month with her cycle…

    48. Maybe Drew decided to save 25,000 bucks and killed Kathleen without anyone’s help and assigned the money to pay for the coverup?
      Collins seemed to be desperate in not allowing anyone to run the investigation. I do not know who was responsible for appointing him to this investigation, but not only Collins retired. Also his boss, Ken Kaupas. I wonder how is Hardy and Girten who were canvassing the grass in the neighbourhood.

    49. thinkaboutit2 :

      Well – if they don’t get the hearsay in they could potentially bring this woman in as she is testifying that Drew himself told her knew Stacy really wanted a divorce instead of what he has said in the press about her threatening that once a month with her cycle…

      Yes, it will be hard to play the flippant “once a month she wanted a divorce and then we’d be romantic again” card, against her statement that he called her up, crying and worried.

      Of course, the defense will just say she’s lying.

    50. facsmiley :

      joehosey
      A state police master sergeant who as a trooper was temporarily assigned to investigations and worked Savio’s death said
      3 minutes ago from txt

      He was “disgusted” by the eway his superiors handled the case. Bryan Falat said his concerns about the way the case was handled fell on
      2 minutes ago from txt

      Deaf ears. Falat said he disagreed with questioning Drew Peterson at the Bolingbrook police station, with allowing Peterson to be present
      less than 20 seconds ago from txt

      This testimony shows the Police couldn’t go to the Police either (if you know what I mean).

      No doubt a lot of them were almost in the same position as the victims/witnesses because somewhere in the system Drew was given the green light to do as he pleased with little or any consequences or accountability on his part.

      You can tell straight away from the so called “investigation” etc into Kathleens death that something very hinky was going on as the “investigation” was virtually non existent, even the most basic of procedures were not followed, countless violations of departmental policies were left “unnoticed” or totally ignored and that’s not normal, but it didn’t stop there so the problem must be much higher up the food chain for Drew to be able to collect his bounty and move on.

      I suppose the 20 million dollar Bond is a good indication of what we don’t know about yet (!!)

    52. facsmiley :
      Looks like this Collins just got thrown under the bus…and like maybe he belongs there.

      When the time is right they will all throw each other under the bus and maybe they will get to the actual source (!!)

    53. Even to a lay person the defense’s motion is just awful! The way it refers to “Drew” without even benefit of his last name, and bizarre phrasing like a “newly minted homicide”… and that snotty, unprofessional tone throughout!

      +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

      “newly minted homicide”

      That’s very creative – LOL !!

    55. Ill. trooper describes Drew Peterson investigation

      By DON BABWIN
      The Associated Press
      Thursday, February 4, 2010; 4:34 PM

      JOLIET, Ill. — An Illinois State Police trooper involved in the original investigation of the 2004 death of Drew Peterson’s ex-wife testified Thursday that he quickly suspected it was a homicide, even though the lead investigator initially believed it was an accident.

      Master Sgt. Bryan Falat described an investigation in which Peterson’s colleagues at the Bolingbrook police department came and went from the home where Kathleen Savio’s body was found in a dry bathtub and in which Peterson was allowed to be with his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, as she was questioned. Falat said he told the lead investigator in Savio’s death about his concerns about the investigation.

      Falat’s testimony came during a hearing to determine what hearsay evidence will be allowed at Peterson’s upcoming murder trial in the death of Savio, his third wife.

      Falat said he told the lead investigator that Drew and Stacy Peterson should be questioned again because of what he saw as holes in their accounts of what happened and evasive answers.

      “In my opinion it was obvious Stacy was hiding something,” Falat said. “(And) she was not telling the truth.”

      He added that their accounts seemed “eerily similar” and “the two stories seemed like they were scripted.”

      Peterson, a 56-year-old former Bolingbrook police officer, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in Savio’s death, which was originally deemed an accident but reclassified as a homicide after the 2007 disappearance of Stacy Peterson. Drew Peterson has not been charged in Stacy Peterson’s disappearance, but authorities say he is a suspect.

      Falat is the first investigator to testify that he was suspicious of Drew Peterson in 2004.

      Earlier in the hearing, the lead investigator, retired State Police Sgt. Patrick Collins, conceded he believed Savio’s death was an accident from almost the minute he stepped into her suburban Chicago home. He acknowledged conducting a less-than-thorough investigation, even failing to collect forensic evidence, interview Savio family members or secure the house where her body was found.

      Falat testified Thursday that he started telling Collins even as they were leaving Savio’s house that night about his concerns with the way Collins was handling the investigation.

      Falat said, for example, that Peterson should not have been questioned at the Bolingbrook police department as Peterson requested.

      Falat also took issue with Collins’ decision to allow Peterson to be present when investigators interviewed Stacy Peterson. He said Stacy Peterson hesitated at times and appeared to look to her husband for advice.

      “I thought it was ridiculous,” Falat said.

      Falat also testified that he thought Stacy Peterson and Savio’s two sons should have testified before a grand jury.

      His testimony also suggested that others at what he saw as a potential crime scene were not concerned about being careful not to disturb what might be evidence.

      “I was disgusted with it,” Falat said when asked about how he viewed the investigation.

      Later Thursday, psychic Irene Lalagos testified that Stacy Peterson said Drew Peterson told her that he could kill her and hide her body in a place where no one would ever find it. Lalagos said she read cards for Stacy Peterson once in 2006 and once in 2007.

      Lalagos also testified Stacy Peterson said she wanted to leave Drew Peterson, but she didn’t know how she get away with four kids.

      http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/04/AR2010020403037.html

    56. justanotherhen:
      This testimony shows the Police couldn’t go to the Police either (if you know what I mean).
      No doubt a lot of them were almost in the same position as the victims/witnesses because somewhere in the system Drew was given the green light to do as he pleased with little or any consequences or accountability on his part.
      You can tell straight away from the so called “investigation” etc into Kathleens death that something very hinky was going on as the “investigation” was virtually non existent, even the most basic of procedures were not followed, countless violations of departmental policies were left “unnoticed” or totally ignored and that’s not normal, but it didn’t stop there so the problem must be much higher up the food chain for Drew to be able to collect his bounty and move on.

      I suppose the 20 million dollar Bond is a good indication of what we don’t know about yet (!!)

      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      Drew orchestrated Kathleen’s murder and the “investigation” right up to the coroners jury. He was assisted and those who assisted must be held accountable. I would be curious to know how many early retirements have occured since the Stacy disappeared and national attention was focused on the thing.
      How is it that Collins was assigned this case ? How is it that another cop pal was on the coroners jury speaking of the thing in glowing terms to the other jurors ?
      Why were leads and information ignored ? Why is the thing so special and influential that others are willing to sacrifice their own reputations and jobs to enable him to kill ?

    57. It all comes back to the botched investigation. Sadly – that botched investigation may create doubt in jurors because they didn’t get hard evidence pointing to Drew or clearing anyone else.

      +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

      The botched investigation should cause doubt in jurors minds because it was botched.

      Even the investigator Sgt. Collins said so himself, what more do jurors want to hear than straight from the horses mouth !!

      His investigation didn’t back anything up to conclude it was accidental drowning anymore than it could have been aliens and Drews BS was accepted at face value and that’s not an investigation, that’s just plain negligence.

    58. Please remember to include “IMO” or otherwise make sure to indicate when you are expressing an opinion regarding what has happened in these cases. It’s fine to have a theory but please don’t present it as fact.

      Thanks.

    60. http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/metro/renter-savio-drew-peterson-threatened-life

      VIDEO Analysis: Karen Conti on Peterson…

      Renter: Savio said Drew Threatened Life

      Updated: Thursday, 04 Feb 2010, 9:33 AM CST
      Published : Thursday, 04 Feb 2010, 7:25 AM CST
      FOX Chicago News

      Witnesses at the Drew Peterson hearing continue to talk about how Kathleen Savio lived her last days in fear for her life.

      Kristin Anderson rented Savio’s basement for a couple months and said that Savio told her, Peterson broke into the house, held a knife to her throat, and told her he could kill her any time and it would look like an accident.

      That renter also told the court that Savio kept a briefcase of police reports and other documents to provide a paper trail in case Peterson eventually did kill her.

    61. It must have been very difficult and frustrating for many Police Officers to see all this going on around them and not being able to do anything about it either but having to go with the flow.

      May 7, 2009 was probably a very good day for them too !

    62. Lalagos, though, is the first witness to testify that Stacy quoted Peterson suggesting he could hide her body. Lalagos said her loyalty to Peterson’s mother, Betty, a lifelong friend, kept her from coming forward. She did so after authorities subpoenaed her.

      She said a sad Drew Peterson also called her once asking how to save his marriage. When asked why Peterson called her, she responded tersely: “How am I supposed to know?”

      http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=356907

    63. Hi Ladies! It’s been a LONG time since I’ve posted, but I’ve never stopped checking in from time to time. Been trying to keep up with everything that’s happening of late, and just a bit ago I saw an article that seems to indicate Bob Deel testified yesterday. Does anyone know for sure if he did or not? The link I’m posting may not highlight, but it should able to copy and paste if anyone wants to read it, and I included an except below about Bob Deel.

      http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=356907

      Earlier in the court hearing, Collins conceded he believed Savio’s death was an accident and never considered Peterson a suspect or followed up with interviews of Savio’s family. Collins said he relied on the opinion of the crime-scene investigator, Bob Deel, who testified Thursday that he did not collect forensic evidence, dust for fingerprints, test for traces of blood elsewhere in the home or even collect a disposed condom in the bathroom trash, for possible clues. In fact, Deel conceded, he didn’t even notice a gash on the back of Savio’s head.

    65. Facs, I just realized we posted the same article. Guess I was writing my post as you were posting yours. Curious that this is the only place I’ve seen Bob Deel’s name mentioned as a witness.

      So glad you and Rescue are still doing this blog…especially now, with everything that’s beginning to unfold.

    66. Collins said he relied on the opinion of the crime-scene investigator, Bob Deel, who testified Thursday that he did not collect forensic evidence, dust for fingerprints, test for traces of blood elsewhere in the home or even collect a disposed condom in the bathroom trash, for possible clues. In fact, Deel conceded, he didn’t even notice a gash on the back of Savio’s head.

      +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

      And Sgt. Collins relied on Bob Deels expert opinion – LOL !

    68. It’s not hard to see how they came to the conclusion Kathleen drowned in the bath tub.

      It’s probably because her body was in the bathroom (!!)

      Investigation over ………..

    70. In fact, Deel conceded, he didn’t even notice a gash on the back of Savio’s head.

      ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

      So where did he think the blood in the tub came from or didn’t he see that either ??

    71. JAH, as I said earlier, the incompetence is just mind boggling, and it’s obvious no one took any steps to really investigate anything.

    72. cfs7360 :
      JAH, the incompetence is just absolutely mind boggling. Seriously.

      It’s scary, but is it incompetence as all this is just too incompetent to be just that !!

    77. Well, if they were, I hope it all comes out out trial, but it absolutely sickens me to think that could be a possibility.

    78. The further this goes the more I wonder who knew what, ya know what I mean? I just have a very hard time believing they were all that incompetent….IMO! They had such disregard for human life and the family left behind.

    79. Something is not right here:

      An investigator that doesn’t investigate

      A crime-scene investigator that doesn’t collect any forensic evidence

      A locksmith that doesn’t send any bills

    81. justanotherhen :Something is not right here:
      An investigator that doesn’t investigate
      A crime-scene investigator that doesn’t collect any forensic evidence
      A locksmith that doesn’t send any bills

      I agree. Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.

    82. Deel’s investigation was just totally Shoddy. I was thinking maybe they just didn’t find enough clues to think it was anything other than an accident. Especially when the coroners findings came back to say it was accidental. But not to collect any evidence in the first place was just unreal. This needs to go in the ISP’s handbook as how not to handle an investigation.

    84. facsmiley :Hi CFS!! Long time no see.
      Good catch on the Bob Deel testimony. I keep finding that they post these articles and then update them later.

      Hey Girl!! Yes, it has been a long time, but I’m so glad to see things moving along as they should be. However, I can’t get enough news fast enough during the day, and I’m about to wear out my Google button trying to find updates. Don’t remember any of my passwords or logins on any of the other blogs from way back, so this one is my lifeline to what’s REALLY going on. SO GLAD you all are still here!

    85. An Illinois State Police crime scene technician also testified, saying that besides taking photographs and walking around the inside and outside of Savio’s house he collected no evidence and did not look for fingerprints – even as he insisted that he did not conclude the death was an accident until later.

      Bob Deel also acknowledged that he did not see any bruises on Savio’s body or even the cut to her head, saying even if he had “they were insignificant to me.” Deel said he still believes that the death was an accident.

      http://www.kansascity.com/440/story/1727810.html

    86. I have the same issue. I forget my password and then I forget my password to my email account I used to register so I can’t retrieve them. LOL

      Rescue’s on vacation but I’m sure if she was here she’d send you some big (((hugs))).

    88. Bob Deel also acknowledged that he did not see any bruises on Savio’s body or even the cut to her head, saying even if he had “they were insignificant to me.” Deel said he still believes that the death was an accident.

      ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

      There you are -

      Why would he say that ?

      It doesn’t make any sense and for a man trained in forensics it makes even less sense to make that last statement.

    89. facsmiley :

      An Illinois State Police crime scene technician also testified, saying that besides taking photographs and walking around the inside and outside of Savio’s house he collected no evidence and did not look for fingerprints – even as he insisted that he did not conclude the death was an accident until later.
      Bob Deel also acknowledged that he did not see any bruises on Savio’s body or even the cut to her head, saying even if he had “they were insignificant to me.” Deel said he still believes that the death was an accident.

      http://www.kansascity.com/440/story/1727810.html

      Weren’t there bruises and scratches that showed up in the pictures, that it sounds like he, himself took? This guy is obviously just trying to cover his a** IMO.

    91. Weren’t there bruises and scratches that showed up in the pictures, that it sounds like he, himself took? This guy is obviously just trying to cover his a** IMO.

      ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

      Yes he disagrees with his own pictures he took and even if he did see a cut to her head that would have been insignificant …….

      WHAT ?????

    92. Facs, Rescue has my email address…well, I guess she still has it. At any rate, I have hers, and if you don’t mind, could you get her to email me yours? I have some questions for you that I would really prefer not to post publicly. I’ll email her and let her know that I asked you to send it, if you don’t mind. If you do, that’s okay too. :D

    94. justanotherhen :All I can say is – Good thing the case was reopened and properly investigated this time.

      I’m so glad it was too, and I think Anna and Sue had a tremendous amount to do with getting it reopened by going public with Kathleen’s paperwork and letters. Best I can remember, it wasn’t until after they were on Greta that it was announced Kathleen’s body was going to be exhumed, but I may be wrong.

    95. I believe people like Sgt. Collins, Bob Deel etc are intelligent people to be in the profession they are in the first place and this looks like they are saying things they don’t even believe themselves, which makes me think there is much more to all this than what meets the eye !

    96. justanotherhen :I believe people like Sgt. Collins, Bob Deel etc are intelligent people to be in the profession they are in the first place and this looks like they are saying things they don’t even believe themselves, which makes me think there is much more to all this than what meets the eye !

      They may be the only two whose their veracity is not questioned by Brodsky, who, by the way, I hope is experiencing tremendous, long lasting discomfort over the testimonies of most of the other witnesses.

    97. only two whose veracity….sorry. I really do hope he and Drew and the rest of the crew are in serious angst about these past few days, because they never know from day to day who’s going to be testifying. That’s what makes this hearing so intense….wondering what bombshell is going to be dropped on the Drew Crew everyday. Just pray these statements can all be used.

    99. IMO it makes you wonder about what this Deel guy saw especially after hearing from one of the coroner’s jurors (Walter James) some time ago where it was reported:

      But James said the bloody bathtub gave him pause.

      “I had some doubt as to what happened because the pictures that we did
      see, the tub was empty, but there was all kinds of blood still in the
      tub and all around the drain and the rim of the tub,” James said. “I
      thought in the back of my mind that if there was water in the tub,
      that would have probably diluted some of the blood and the blood would
      have gone out with it. But as we looked at the pictures, there was
      still a lot of blood inside the tub.

      Source: http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Alt/alt.true-crime/2007-11/msg00549.html

    101. Hmm – my last post disappeared…

      IMO Deel’s testimony also is inconsistent with what Walter James said they saw in the photos at the coroner’s jury inquest.

      VAN SUSTEREN: So was there any part of anybody who thought, Hey, maybe this is a homicide, looking at the autopsy picture — autopsy report, looking at all the blood in the tub?

      “We did, and I was kind of apprehensive with one photograph showing her face down in an empty tub. And there was a lot of blood remaining in the tub, and I just — I didn’t — myself did not consider — it was inconsistent with drowning. I feel that the blood that was in the tub should have probably dissipated into the water and drained out with the water. But like I said, I’m not an expert forensic person, so as a layperson, that’s just how I felt.”

      and

      “Well, I think as being panel members, and also being laypeople, we just — we didn’t have the expertise to determine how the bruises occurred. And I think that was one of the reasons why we just dismissed the bruises. Or we didn’t dismiss them, but we just said that we did not know how the bruises occurred.”

      Source: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,311713,00.html

    102. Bob Deel also acknowledged that he did not see any bruises on Savio’s body or even the cut to her head, saying even if he had “they were insignificant to me.” Deel said he still believes that the death was an accident.

      *******

      So how is it that he wouldn’t investigate where the blood came from if there was blood in the tub?? All I can say is OCF IMO.

    105. facsmiley :
      So the coroner’s jurors saw blood and bruises but the criminal investigator did not!?
      That just doesn’t make any sense at all.

      Yes that’s scary.

      Makes you wonder what is really going on here !!

    106. but it also makes you wonder how they could have arrived at an accidental death, if they didn’t investigate anything, didn’t collect forensic evidence, didn’t notice bruising or a head injury and can’t see anything in death scene photos that is there for others to see (!!)

    107. 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.”

      ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

      Looks like not everyone was so easily convinced this was an accidental death.

      A lot of people had questions and concerns of their own that went nowhere.

    108. IMO it’s not incompetence at all, it’s all crooked. And I thank these hearings for confirming it for me. Not even a sniff of proper procedure or reasonable answers. They all belong under the bus. With chains on. I still nurse the hope that there are Federal Grand Jury indictments sitting on someone’s desk awaiting the whistle, and that all his and his buddies’ and sponsors’ extracurriculars will be exposed, too.

      JMHO, of course.

    110. http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local-beat/Drew-Petersons-Been-on-His-Best-Behavior-83576237.html

      Not long ago Drew Peterson did an interview from his jail cell boastful of his outsized personality and bold shenanigans during the run up to his arrest for killing his third wife, Kathleen Savio.

      “There is no book written on how I’m supposed to act,” he told Matt Lauer on the Today Show in May. “Would it be better if I hid my head down hunched over and had tears in my eyes?”

      But over the last three weeks while witness after witness has taken the stand in an often-shocking hearsay hearing, Peterson appears to have found the behavioral text.

      For the most part Peterson is subdued. He speaks only to his lawyers and doesn’t flash that brazen smile that became a calling card of the former Bolingbrook cop.

      Peterson arrives at the Joliet courthouse every day in chains and a jumpsuit.

      His lawyers provide him with a fresh suit and tie. He changes. His chains are reattached, before he enters the courtroom. Then the chains are removed, again, in a show for the court.

      He scans the courtroom every time he comes in, and has been known to stop and stare at Cales family members and friends — Stacy Peterson’s relatives — in an apparent attempt to intimidate them. But that’s the extent of his showmanship.

      It’s a far cry from his behavior just after his arrest.

      For weeks he acted out in a what became a media spectacle.

      He mulled a chance to appear on a show about a whore house, but that was scrapped.

      He agreed to participate in a radio promotion with Mancow Muller called “Win a Date With Drew.” that was shelved.

      “Hey, Mancow,” Peterson said over the phone when the event was canceled. “I know we can’t do the date with Drew. I’m thinking we should do ‘Win a conjugal visit with Drew.’”

      He told the press that jail was nice because he was “getting three squares a day,” that his handcuffs were “bling,” and that he might start taping them with a camcorder. And on, and on.

      After those outlandish statements made the media rounds Will County Judge Stephen White applied a limited gag order to Peterson, barring him from talking to the media.

      But that’s not what has been keeping Peterson in check during the hearsay trial, Joe Hosey, who authored a book about Peterson and has been attending the hearing, said to CNN.

      Hearing former acquaintances, friends and even family members recount tales of murderous intent may have finally cracked Drew’s jester exterior.

      “I think reality has sunk in,” Hosey said.
      First Published: Feb 4, 2010 2:48 PM CST

      * * * *

      I hope this isn’t already up, if it is please remove, Gatekeep, and sorry.

    111. bucketoftea :
      IMO it’s not incompetence at all, it’s all crooked. And I thank these hearings for confirming it for me. Not even a sniff of proper procedure or reasonable answers. They all belong under the bus. With chains on. I still nurse the hope that there are Federal Grand Jury indictments sitting on someone’s desk awaiting the whistle, and that all his and his buddies’ and sponsors’ extracurriculars will be exposed, too.
      JMHO, of course.

    112. Hi Cyrhla

      I hope you don’t mind me dragging the above over from the last thread. I didn’t want it to get lost.

    115. IMO this was Drew’s cop pals stepping up to the plate to control, bungle and kill any investigation. I do not believe in *coincidents* of this magnitude. IMO others were controlling the direction of the “investigation” and Drew knew this and thats why he was hostile to ISP Bryan and responded only to retired ISP Collins in the BB Police Dept. IMO Drew was probably thinking ” who the &^%$ is this punk questioning me..”
      IMO Drew has or had friends in high places and was running a shadow force complete with networking. 2 women dead/missing ? Kids deprived of a loving mom in their lives ? Collateral damages.

    116. Writer & Bucket, I definintely agree that the investigation was totally railroaded in Drew’s favor. There is no telling how many fellow “friends” and officers heard him say, “people are going to think I killed her,” who then intentionally ignored protocol on his behalf to try to protect him.

    117. cfs7360 :Writer & Bucket, I definintely agree that the investigation was totally railroaded in Drew’s favor. There is no telling how many fellow “friends” and officers heard him say, “people are going to think I killed her,” who then intentionally ignored protocol on his behalf to try to protect him.

      In my opinion….

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