Three years since Drew Peterson’s arrest for murder. What has changed?

On Monday it will be three years since Drew Peterson was arrested and charged with the murder of his third wife, Kathleen Savio. Since that day he has resided at the Will County Adult Detention Facility in Joliet awaiting trial. So, what has changed since May 7, 2009?

Trial Status

Today: At a pre-trial hearing on May 4, 2012 Peterson’s defense team indicated that they could be ready to go to trial in 60-90 days.

Legal Representation

Today: In September, Attorney Walter Maksym was asked to “step aside” from the legal team after he was criticized by the federal appeals court for filing “unintelligible” court papers that were “riddled with errors”. As the case nears trial, it has been announced that Atty Joe Lopez will present closing arguments.
One Year ago: After months of rumors of arguing and even a physical incident, Reem Odeh left the partnership and withdrew from the Peterson defense team in September 2010. In February of 2011, 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.
Two years ago: Andrew Abood and George Lenard withdrew from the case in April of 2010, citing irreconcilable differences with Joel Brodsky. John Paul Carroll had a complaint filed against him in September and appears to have left the case. Attorneys from Brodsky & Odeh, Steven A. Greenberg and Associates, Law Offices of Meczyk Goldberg, Joseph R. Lopez, P.C., and Walter P. Maksym Jr. then made up the “Seven Samurai” representing Peterson in court.
Three years ago: Brodsky & Odeh, Abood Law, and John Paul Carroll represented Drew Peterson. George D. Lenard joined the case in December of 2009.

Media Exposure

Today: The Sun-Times continues to shill for Peterson. On April 17 they featured a sympathetic story and cover photo of Drew Peterson after the state won their appeal to get more evidence admitted to his trial for murder.
One year ago: Despite the gag order prohibiting interviews, Peterson spent 2011 writing letters and statements that were provided to the media, in particular to gossip columnist for the Chicago Sun Times, Michael Sneed.
Two years ago: Drew was prohibited from giving interviews to the press.
Three 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.

Judges

Today: On May 4, 2012, Judge Edward Burmilla was assigned to the case.
One year ago: Judge Stephen White retired in October 2010.
Two years ago: Judge Stephen White presided over the case.
Three 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.

Hearsay Evidence

Today: After the appellate court did not reconsider the barred hearsay statements due to a missed deadline, the State appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court which decided that the appellate court should consider the evidence on its merits. In April the appellate court reversed Judge White’s decision and decided that the hearsay statements were reliable and admissible in court. Peterson’s defense announced that they would not appeal and wanted instead to go to trial.
One year ago: 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”).
Two years 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.
Three years ago: The Hearsay Statue was passed into legislation November, 2008

Books, Plays and Movies

Today: In June 2011, the Annoyance Theater in Chicago presented a satirical play, Waiting for Drew Peterson, about two sisters obsessed with Drew Peterson. In January of 2012, the Lifetime movie network aired the movie, “Drew Peterson: Untouchable“. Based on Joe Hosey’s book, Fatal Vows, it broke all viewing records for the network. In February of this year, the Raven Theater of Chicago presented, Dating Walter Dante, a play inspired by the love life of Drew Peterson.

Peterson family

Today: Stephen Peterson is still appealing his dismissal. His next court date is scheduled for May 9.
One year ago: 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 and appealed his dismissal.  Thomas Peterson 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.
Three years ago: Drew’s four youngest children were left in the care of their step-brother, Oak Brook Police Officer, Stephen Peterson.

Drew’s Love Life

Today: Gossip columnist Michael Sneed reports that Peterson has over 20 pen pals (male and female), at least four of whom contribute to his funds at the commissary so that he can enjoy snacks while he awaits trial.
One year ago: 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 2011, 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: 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”
Three 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.

Stunts

Today: Besides frequent mundane snippets in the gossip columns about Peterson’s life in prison, all has been quiet.
One year ago: While Drew’s bids for attention have been mostly curtailed due to his detention, his lawyer and PR people continued 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. Kathleen’s oldest son, Tom, was the subject of news stories and wrote his own letters to the press in support of his father.
Two years 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.
Three years ago: At the time 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.

Stacy Peterson

Today: Airings of the movie, “Drew Peterson: Untouchable” brought about some new tips and offers of assistance in regards to the search for Stacy Peterson. She is still missing.
One year ago: In August 2010, based on a tip, searches for Stacy’s remains took place near Peoria. No evidence was found.
Two years ago: Still missing with no sightings or communication from her.
Three years ago: Missing. No communication from her since October 28, 2007. Searches were ongoing.

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Strapped for news, media resorts to writing Drew Peterson letters in jail

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?

Two years since Drew Peterson’s arrest for murder. What has changed?

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.

Illegal weapons charge

Today: After numerous appeals from both prosecution and the defense, weapons charges against Drew Peterson were dismissed in October 2010.

Stunts

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.

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Stacy Peterson Search Continues; Witnesses Testify in Drew Peterson’s Illegal Weapons Case

Stacy Peterson search returns to Knox County

Chris Minor
Reporter

August 23, 2010

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.”

Read Story at WQAD

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.

Full Story at CBS Local News

Great on-the-scene updates from Joseph Hosey’s Twitter Feed

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Drew Peterson back in court today. Searches resume in Peoria for Stacy Peterson.

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.

Joe Hosey’s Twitter Feed.

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Pastor Schori’s testimony will be heard at Drew Peterson’s trial

Drew Peterson‘s trial for the murder of his ex-wife Kathleen Savio is scheduled to begin in a little less than two weeks. As the days count down, motions continue to be filed and Judge White continues to issue his decisions on them and on the admission of testimony and evidence.

Yesterday’s court date was a mixture of open and closed sessions, but these are the rulings as we’ve been able to gather from various news sources (despite some rulings being sealed):

HEARSAY TESTIMONY

• Pastor Neil Schori can testify about Stacy Peterson telling him during a public counseling session that Drew Peterson coaxed her into providing a false alibi for his whereabouts on the weekend when Kathleen Savio was killed. He can also testify to Stacy’s statements to him about waking up and noticing Drew was gone from the bed and his subsequent return to the house when she observed he was dressed in black and loading a bag of women’s clothing into the washing machine.
• Schori is banned from testifying that Stacy told him Drew had confessed to murdering Kathleen.
• Stacy’s statements to Scott Rossetto about the night Kathleen died have also been banned.
• Some statements about the incident in which Drew broke into Kathleen Savio’s home, cornered and threatened her will not be heard in court, including a taped account from Savio herself made for an insurance company. At least seven witnesses gave testimony about the incident during the hearsay hearings.

MOTIONS

• A motion to delay the start of the trial past July 8th was denied. The defense had argued that they needed more time to read and review forensics evidence.

PENDING

• Judge White is reviewing ISP reports regarding the search for Stacy Peterson and will determine whether the information is relevant to the case and if it should be surrendered to the defense.
• The defense still has not received from Fox News a videotape made during Dr. Baden’s autopsy of Kathleen’s remains. The judge may bar his testimony if the video is not produced. The recording was made by Steph Watts who says the video is less than 5 minutes long and that the camera was aimed at Dr. Baden solely.

Sources:
Chicago Breaking News
Suburban Chicago News
Chicago Tribune
Sun Times

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Peterson lawyers want answers about Peoria dig

UPDATE JUNE 24: Court in session today. Today is the deadline for the ISP to hand over their reports from the Peoria dig. Judge White will review and decide what information will be shared with Peterson’s defense team and possibly rule on some motions regarding hearsay statements.

White is scheduled to rule on the Peoria reports next Tuesday.

Check out the comments thread and Joe Hosey’s Twitter feed for the latest updates.

Peterson lawyers want answers about dig
June 23, 2010
By JOE HOSEY

JOLIET — The state police are trying to keep a lid on why they were poking around Peoria for the body of Stacy Peterson, but the lawyers for the missing mother’s husband want to pry that information free.

“We want to know why they’re digging in Peoria,” said Joel Brodsky, the lead attorney for Stacy’s husband — disgraced former cop Drew Peterson.

“We’re curious,” Brodsky said. “For a lot of reasons, we’re curious.”

Peterson is due to stand trial for murder next month — but not for the death of Stacy. He is charged with killing his previous wife, Kathleen Savio, in March 2004.

Savio was found drowned in a dry bathtub while she and Peterson were in the midst of a contentious divorce. Despite the suspicious circumstances surrounding Savio’s death, the state police insisted she was the victim of a freak bathtub accident until Stacy Peterson — Drew Peterson’s fourth wife — vanished in October 2007.

The state police believe Stacy may also have been slain. Shortly after she disappeared, the state police named Peterson the sole suspect in their investigation, but have yet to charge him with harming her.

Acting on a tip earlier this month, the state police headed to a wooded field outside Peoria and started digging for Stacy’s body. After excavating for 12 hours, the state police gave up and have yet to return. The only remains the state police unearthed were the skeletons of a pair of opossums.

Brodsky, who has taken potshots at the state police since they launched the Peoria search operation, did so again this week.

“The state police finally have it right,” he said. “Stacy is playing possum.”