We thought it might be time for an update while we await the decision from the Appellate Court reconsidering Judge White’s choices regarding certain hearsay statements, so here you go.
• The many airings of the Lifetime movie “Drew Peterson: Untouchable” renewed interest in the missing person case of Stacy Peterson. An influx of tips and offers of assistance brought on new searches.
• Rumors surfaced of a biography of Kathleen Savio being written by a distant relative.
• The Raven Theatre in Chicago premiered a play called “Dating Walter Dante“. The play is loosely based on the private life of Drew Peterson, or more specifically the idea of dating a man suspected of killing two wives.
• Stephen Peterson’s next court date in his appeal to get his job back on the Oak Brook police force was continued to June.
• The bathtub drowning death of Whitney Houston reawakened media scrutiny of the manner of death of Kathleen Savio. It was pointed out once again that only an unconscious person could drown in the tub and that the coroner’s opinion in Savio’s second autopsy was that the gash on her head was not severe enough to result in loss of consciousness.
• Gossip columnist Michael Sneed reported that Peterson has about a dozen pen-pals and that four of them routinely put money in his commissary account.
• Partially clothed skeletal remains were found by a utility worker in a grassy area south of the I-55 expressway just north of La Grange Road. Waiting on identification.
Not really the letter sent from WGN news to Drew Peterson
Here at Justice Café it’s drought season when it comes to news about the Kathleen Savio murder case and the case of missing Stacy Peterson. Since the televised arguments over Judge Stephen White’s hearsay decision back in February Drew Peterson has remained jailed and awaiting an opinion from the appellate justices…and with Drew on hold, the news is on hold.
In place of any news related to the case, gossipy items have taken its place. From time to time we hear about what is going on with some member of Peterson’s family or an ex-girlfriend. More recently we’ve been treated to private letters made public by way of the tabloids, or the occasional letter written by Drew to the media, just to make sure no one has forgotten him. (You know how he loves the media!) Since he was barred from giving phone interviews while in jail, letters have become Drew’s only option for reaching out to the public.
So what is a news outlet to do if they can’t talk to Drew? Why, join the ranks of the “wacky” and “sincere” ladies (to quote Joel Brodsky) who have become Drew Peterson’s pen pals, of course!
Today, WGN ran a story about a letter that their producer, Aline Wessel, wrote to Peterson in jail, and his reply. Foregoing the customary introductory questions that a first time correspondent might ask such as, “What is your favorite color?”, “Who is your favorite group?” or even “Do you like me?”, Ms. Wessel eased into things by establishing a connection between herself and Drew Peterson by letting him know that she had attended the sister high school of his high school. Small world!
Then she got down and dirty with questions like, “How is the food in jail?”, “How are you treated in jail?” and “Do you ever watch the WGN morning news?” I think my favorite question though was, “Are you dating anyone?” Could she really be oblivious to the fact that people detained in solitary confinement are not allowed visit people face-to-face much less go out for dinner and a movie?
OK, not all the questions were quite so insipid although a good 90% of them have been answered before in Drew’s own letters to the media and in his lawyers’ frequent press releases and sound bites. She did ask him if he felt responsible for his cop son, Stephen, losing his job (after accepting guns from his father after the disappearance of Stacy Peterson). Peterson replied that he did not feel responsible.
Peterson as usual, took the opportunity to criticize the State’s Attorneys office, the Illinois State Police and the former head of the Oak Brook police force, while bemoaning the sad state of affairs that keeps him behind bars awaiting trial (not his own actions, of course – he’s being railroaded!). One can’t help but wonder how a Q & A by letter is any different than an interview by phone and is in any way more permissible.
If I were to write a letter to Drew, I’d tell him to thank his lucky stars that he has a six-person defense team of experienced lawyers making sure that he benefits from the full measure of the law. How many other accused murderers could say the same? Continue reading →
Two years ago, Drew Peterson was arrested and charged with the murder of his third wife, Kathleen Savio. Since that day he has resided at the the Will County Adult Detention Facility in Joliet awaiting his trial which is on hold indefinately, while we await a decision by the appellate court on whether or not they will overturn Judge White’s decision on what hearsay testimony can be admitted. We’ve continued to follow the case this last year. So, what has changed since May 7, 2009?
Legal Representation
Two years ago: Brodsky & Odeh, Abood Law, and John Paul Carroll represented Drew Peterson. George D. Lenard joined the case in December of 2009. One year ago:Andrew Abood and George Lenard withdrew from the case in April of this year, citing irreconcilable differences with Joel Brodsky. John Paul Carroll had a complaint filed against him in September and appears to have left the case. Presently, attorneys from Brodsky & Odeh, Steven A. Greenberg and Associates, Law Offices of Meczyk Goldberg, Joseph R. Lopez, P.C., and Walter P. Maksym Jr. made up the “Seven Samurai” representing Peterson in court. Today: After months of rumors of arguing and even a physical incident at the law offices of Brodsky & Odeh, Reem Odeh left the partnership and withdrew from the Peterson defense team in September. In February of this year, Lisa Lopez, wife of Joe Lopez, assisted with the oral arguments regarding the hearsay decision before the Appellate court, which were presented by Steven Greenberg.
Media Exposure
Two years ago:Drew’s last interview was given over the phone to a WLS radio show host, Eric Mancow Muller, from jail on May 27, 2009. He also gave one other in-jail phone interview on May 15, to Matt Lauer of the Today show. One year ago:Drew was prohibited from giving interviews to the press. Today: Despite the gag order prohibiting interviews, Peterson has spent the year writing letters and statements that have been provided to the media, in particular to gossip columnist for the Chicago Sun Times, Michael Sneed.
Judges
Two years ago: Judge Richard Schoenstedt was first assigned to the case; then Judge Carla Alessio-Policandriotes and finally Judge Stephen White. Will County Chief Judge Gerald Kinney made the new appointments. Judge Daniel J. Rozak set Peterson’s bond. One year ago: Judge Stephen White presided over the case. Today: Judge Stephen White retired in October 2010. There is presently no judge assigned to the Kathleen Savio murder case.
Hearsay Evidence
Two years ago: The Hearsay Statue was passed into legislation November, 2008 One year ago: In October 2009, Peterson’s defense lost a motion to declare the act unconstitutional. Hearsay evidence and witnesses were heard during hearings in January 2010. Today: The judge’s decision regarding the hearsay statements was leaked in July 2010, revealing that possibly fewer than five of the 15 statements being considered were to be allowed. This decision was appealed by the prosecution. During February oral arguments before the appellate justices, States Attorney Jim Glasgow was asked what he now wanted to “hang” his argument on. Glasgow said that he chose “804 (b)” or, in other words the common law doctrine that is part of the Illinois Rules of Evidence (rather than the so-called “Hearsay Law”). We are presently waiting on the opinion of the appellate justices.
Peterson family
Two years ago: Drew’s four youngest children were left in the care of their step-brother, Oak Brook Police Officer, Stephen Peterson. Today : In August 2009, Stephen Peterson was suspended for accepting and hiding weapons for his father, shortly after the disappearance of Stacy Peterson. In February 2010, Peterson was fired from Oak Brook Police Force. He is presently appealing his dismissal. Son, Thomas, wrote a letter and made a filing asking to be removed from the Savio family’s civil suit against Drew Peterson. This has not been granted yet. Tom Peterson was chosen as valedictorian of his graduating class.
Drew’s Love Life
Two years ago:Christina Raines was at the house that Drew and Stacy Peterson shared at the time or his arrest and was also taken into custody. She removed her belongings from his home shortly afterwards. Raines is on the list to visit Drew in jail. One year ago: In January Raines posted a status update on her Facebook page stating, “I met someone who i fell in love with and very happy with. I think i just about gave up on drew with all his lies i dont even really visit him anymore.” and then, “But his kids i love dearly and still visit with them they are good kids” Today: In August 2010 we heard that Christina Raines was engaged to a new man. In February 2011 we obtained a photo of Chrissy with her fiancé. In April, an old acquaintance of Drew’s, Diana Grandel, released some letters from Drew in which he made sexual comments to her and offered Stacy’s clothing to her.
Two years ago:When Drew was arrested, he was preparing to fly out to the Bunny Ranch Brothel in Reno, Nevada, to see if he would be a good fit as head of security there. One year ago: Soon after Drew’s arrest he attempted to have his motorcycle auctioned off on eBay. He was asking for $50,000 and offered to apply a decal with his signature on the bike. eBay removed the auction for violation of its “murderabilia” rules. Today: While Drew’s bids for attention have been mostly curtailed due to his detention, his lawyer and PR people continue to pepper the news with updates and letters from him detailing everything from his life in jail to his opinions about the legal decisions regarding his children. More recently Kathleen’s oldest son, Tom, has been the subject of news stories and has written his own letters to the press in support of his father.
Stacy Peterson
Two years ago: Missing. No communication from her since October 28, 2007. Searches were ongoing. One year ago: Still missing with no sightings or communication from her. Today: In August 2010, based on a tip, searches for Stacy’s remains took place near Peoria. No evidence was found.
This morning at a meeting by the Oak Brook Police and Fire Commission, by a unanimous decision, Stephen Peterson, son of accused murderer Drew Peterson, was fired from his position as police officer.
Peterson had been suspended with pay since August, when he was accused of interfering with an investigation, accepting an illegal firearm and failing to keep the investigation confidential.
He was found guilty of only one of the three charges: Obstructing the investigation into the disappearance of his step-mother, Stacy Peterson.
Galesburg, IL – Police investigators and dive teams spent much of Monday in a Knox County lake, following up on a tip in the disappearance of Stacy Peterson.
”This is part of the Stacy Peterson investigation”, confirmed Illinois State Police spokesman Tom Burek.” We’re looking for evidence to follow up on a lead’.”
Several divers searched a stretch of shoreline in Lake Storey near Galesburg Monday. The small lake is just off Route 150. Burek says the search was connected to a previous one in Peoria back in June, and Lake Storey on August 3rd.
”The specifics of the lead, I can’t really discuss. It’s the same lead we’ve been working on since late spring”, Burek said after a police briefing on the search Monday in Galesburg.
Stacy Peterson was a 23-year old mother when she went missing in October of 2007.
Her husband, ex-police officer Drew Peterson is awaiting trial in connection with the death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio. Stacy Peterson was his fourth.
The Lake Storey search ended about five hours after it began, Burek telling News 8 that ”nothing of significance” was found in or near the lake.
”You don’t always hit a homerun”, Burek said. ”We’re going to stay moving forward with this.”
Also, Peterson appeared in court today for two matters. One was for a status hearing of the State’s appeal of admissible hearsay statements in the Kathleen Savio murder case. No further date was assigned, as Judge White indicated nothing more would happen until the Appellate Court issued its ruling.
The second matter was the pending charges relating to unlawful use of a weapon and possession of a rifle shorter than legal length. During that hearing, testimony was heard by both defense and State witnesses. Among the witnesses were a Bolingbrook sergeant who worked with Drew Peterson on the Swat team, Peterson’s son Steve, Teresa Peterson, and ISP Agent Hardy.
The defense is mounting a Second Amendment argument against the gun charges. The state statute that bans automatic weapons with barrels under a certain length is being challenged on claims that it violates the right to bear arms, following the McDonald v. Chicago ruling in the U.S. Supreme Court that forced the City of Chicago to toss its handgun ban.
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UPDATE 8/14: Jailhouse correspondence from Drew Peterson. On Saturday gossip columnist Michael Sneed printed in her column excerpts from a 10-page letter that was given to her. In typical self-immolating Peterson style, Drew mocks and scoffs at the ISP, jail conditions and his jailers, affirming to anyone reading it that he is truly where he belongs.
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ISP Master Sgt. Thomas Burek has confirmed that a search took place near Galesburg, IL (about an hour’s drive Northwest of Peoria) on August 3rd for evidence related to the Stacy Peterson missing person case.
The search was prompted by the same source that led investigators to the Peoria area two months ago and lasted most of the day.
The Galesburg Police Department, the state Department of Natural Resources and the state Department of Agriculture assisted Illinois State Police in their search efforts.
Burek has stated that nothing was found during this latest search.
It would seem that the “Peoria Source” must be credible since the Illinois State Police are continuing to explore his or her leads.
Check out the comment thread for updates and discussion.
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Drew Peterson and attorneys were back in court today. Reporter Joe Hosey tweets that the defense was given “heavily redacted” reports on the Peoria search effort for the remains of Stacy Peterson.
Joel Brodsky also has requested more information from Fox News about the autopsy of Kathleen Savio that was performed by Dr. Michael Baden.
Meanwhile, columnist Michael Sneed reports that the search near Peoria for Stacy Peterson’s remains resumed over the weekend. Her sources indicate that the same informant is still driving the efforts. No wonder Drew and his team are eager to find out more…
We’ll keep you posted with court updates throughout the day. Check out the comments thread for the latest information.
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Search for Stacy Peterson goes quiet Authorities have yet to resume search at Jubilee College park
By MATT BUEDEL (mailto:mbuedel@pjstar.com)
Posted Jun 15, 2010 @ 08:24 PM
DUNLAP — After a flurry of activity in a tract of Peoria County forest briefly intensified the investigation into the disappearance of Stacy Peterson, the case has turned, publicly, all but silent once more.
Authorities have not returned to a secluded site off West Grange Hall Road near Jubilee College State Park since police and an anthropologist carefully sifted soil where an informant tipped them the woman’s body might be buried.
The search quietly began the morning of June 4 but gained national media exposure the next day, when it was abruptly halted with little explanation. Illinois State Police have said a search of the property would resume, though no timetable for a return to the land has been revealed.
Peoria County Sheriff Mike McCoy said Tuesday his department still is awaiting word from the lead investigators on the case.
“The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office and Illinois State Police District 3 said that when they return, they would contact us before they came,” he said. “At this time, we’re protecting the site, waiting to assist them when they return.”
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UPDATE (1:09 CST): Fox Chicago reports that forensic anthropologist, Alan Harn, says only opossum bones were turned up Saturday after digging in three locations where cadaver dogs had indicated.
However, he stated today that investigators have a “really good” lead and that he recommended they return to the area with ground penetrating radar.
Illinois State Police have stated that they have no plans for any activity in the Peoria area today, but that they will continue to follow up on a lead that sent them there Friday to dig for the remains of Stacy Peterson.
Spokeperson, Sgt. Tom Burek told the press last night that the tip received was, “credible enough that we’re here. There’s investigators from the Chicago Metropolitan Area, and part of that team that are here.”
We’ll continue to update the blog with any news we hear. Check out the comment thread for discussion and the latest updates.
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TMZ reported this morning that based on a tip from fellow inmate of Drew Peterson, they are searching an area near Peoria for the remains of Stacy Peterson. Illinois State Police have disputed the source of the tip but they are indeed digging near the town of Metamora, Illinois. It’s been reported that dogs hit on a certain area where excavation is now taking place. Stacy’s family is at the scene this morning.
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Drew Peterson and attorneys were back in court today. Reporter Joe Hosey tweets that the defense was given “
