By Danya Hooker, dhooker@mysuburbanlife.com

Drew Peterson said Wednesday he was shocked to hear news that two formerly close friends and confidants reportedly acted as police spies and for seven months recorded private conversations they had with him.

Despite the betrayal, chronicled in Wednesday’s Chicago Sun-Times, Peterson remained jovial and joked with reporters Wednesday. He said Paula Stark and Len Wawczak were simply trying to make money off his notoriety by creating an exaggerated and possibly even false story.

“I think we got another Ric Mims,” Peterson said, referring to a former friend who turned his back on Peterson and sold his story to the National Enquirer. “They were desperate for money and I couldn’t borrow them any and now they’re doing this and they’re taking advantage of my family’s grief.”

Peterson referred to his attorney Joel Brodsky all questions regarding the couple’s allegations that they had recorded him making derogatory remarks about his wives and about state police.

Brodsky said the fact Wawczak and Stark gave their story to the Sun-Times proves they were not working with state police.

“There’s no way the Illinois State Police or the FBI is going to allow an extensive police investigation like [wiretapping] and then allow the informants…to disclose that investigation to a newspaper,” Brodsky said. “It’s not logical and it doesn’t make sense.”
Illinois State Police Sgt. Tom Burek declined to comment on the allegations.
Brodsky said Wawczak and Stark are in severe financial trouble and are looking to make easy money.

“They’ve probably seen several people make money off this,” Brodsky said, listing off people who have been paid by the National Enquirer and also a reporter who has written a book on the Peterson case. “I’m sure they’re thinking they can make money too.”

Although he has a feeling the alleged tape recordings do not exist, Brodsky said his client has nothing to worry about it even if they do.

“He doesn’t have to watch himself because he didn’t do anything,” Brodsky said.

But Stacy Peterson’s close friend and neighbor Sharon Bychowski said she is confident Wawczak and Stark are sincere in their words and their intentions. She said the couple contacted her more than a week ago to tell her they were informants for the police and that they were going public to show their support for Stacy Peterson. Bychowski also said the couple showed her police documents relating to the wiretapping equipment.

Although Wawczak and Stark were not at their Bolingbrook home Wednesday, Bychowski said she has been in contact when them and that they are staying at another, undisclosed location.

“They’re just not sure what to expect,” she said.

A friendship in disguise

The trio began their relationship about 16 years ago after meeting at a local bar, the Sun-Times reported. Over time, they talked about going into business together to flip houses.

But Peterson remembered things a little differently.

“I used to arrest Lenny on a regular basis for being drunk and disorderly,” Peterson said of how he first met the couple. “He used to have a drinking issue.”

The relationship did eventually progress, Peterson said, and he befriended Wawczak and Stark.

Peterson said they contemplated a house rehabbing business and that he came to rely on them in the months following his wife’s disappearance. The couple often watched Peterson’s four youngest children, and in March, Wawczak accompanied Peterson to Illinois State Police District 5 headquarters to help Peterson retrieve two vehicles seized by police.

“The problem is, I let them get next to my kids and my kids got close to them,” Peterson said. “Especially Lacy. She was very close to Paula.”

But the friendliness was all a ruse, the couple told the Sun-Times. Shortly after Stacy Peterson’s disappearance, Wawczak and Stark began to question their friend’s denials that he was involved in the fate of either wife. Wawczak told the newspaper that police approached him in mid-November for questioning then later about the possibility of helping in the investigation.

Wawczak and Stark agreed, and the operation continued through June, Wawczak told the Sun-Times. Then the couple decided to go public with their story.

“We got him,” Wawczak told the Sun-Times.

Chilling remarks

Peterson’s third wife Kathleen Savio was found drowned in a dry bathtub in March 2004. At the time, her death was ruled a homicide. Wawczak told the Sun-Times that Peterson had mocked the police investigating his wife’s death, saying “She was in a dry bathtub, what a bunch of [expletive] idiots.”

Four years later, Peterson’s fourth wife disappeared and authorities decided to take another look at Savio’s case. Her body was exhumed in November and two pathologists, one at the request of Savio’s family and one on behalf of the state, performed separate autopsies. Both recently ruled her death a homicide.

Around that time, the Sun-Times reported, Peterson told Wawczak, “I should have had that [expletive] cremated. It would have cost me less and I wouldn’t be going through this trouble.”

Peterson is the sole suspect in his wife’s disappearance, which police are calling a “potential homicide.” Police have not named a suspect in Savio’s death. Peterson has denied any involvement and has not been charged with a crime in either case.

Staff Reports

Two of Drew Peterson’s close friends wore wiretaps and recorded every detail of private conversations between them and the former Bolingbrook police sergeant who is the prime suspect the disappearance of his fourth wife, according to media reports.

Peterson reportedly told Paula Stark and Len Wawczak that he should have cremated the body of his third wife Kathleen Savio and that he would likely be tried and acquitted by the time police found the body of his missing fourth wife Stacy, according to statements the couple made to the Chicago Sun-Times.

In the months following Stacy Peterson’s disappearance, Stark and Wawczak appeared to remain close to Peterson. The couple often watched Peterson’s four youngest children, and in March, Wawczak accompanied Peterson to Illinois State Police District 5 headquarters to help Peterson retrieve two vehicles seized by police. The couple reportedly said they agreed to cooperate with Illinois State Police shortly after Stacy Peterson disappeared Oct. 28.

Savio was found drowned in a dry bathtub in March 2004. At the time, her death was ruled a homicide. But the Oct. 28 disappearance of Peterson’s fourth wife led investigators to reopen the case. Savio’s body was exhumed in November and two pathologists, one at the request of Savio’s family and one on behalf of the state, performed separate autopsies. Both recently ruled her death a homicide.

Peterson is the sole suspect in his wife’s disappearance, which police are calling a “potential homicide.” Police have not named a suspect in Savio’s death.

Check back Wednesday for updates.

By Danya Hooker
dhooker@mysuburbanlife.com
Drew Peterson’s attorney Joel Brodsky withdrew a motion Wednesday to stay court proceedings on the reopening of Kathleen Savio’s estate.

The withdrawal paves the way for Savio’s family to move forward with their investigation into whether there is enough evidence to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against Peterson for Savio’s March 2004 drowning.

But Brodsky said he would welcome the lawsuit in the event his appeal of the decision to reopen the estate is denied. The lawsuit, he said, would give Peterson’s legal team the right to interview witnesses currently off-limits to them.

“It would actually be a gift rather than a burden,” Brodsky said. “We’d pretty much be able to have a private grand jury. We could depose pretty much every person that’s been before the grand jury. For example, Pastor (Neil) Schori, I think he’d probably be the first guy.”

Will County Judge Carmen Goodman ordered the estate reopened in April. Shortly after, Brodsky appealed the decision and asked the judge to postpone further estate hearings pending the outcome of the appeal.

Brodsky said the appellate court is likely to rule on the appeal within the next few months. That time frame, and the investigative benefits of a wrongful death lawsuit, led Brodsky to reconsider, and ultimately withdraw, his motion to postpone court proceedings.

Savio, Peterson’s third wife, was found drowned in a dry bathtub in March 2004. At the time, her death was ruled an accident but the Oct. 28 disappearance of Peterson’s fourth wife, Stacy, led investigators to re-examine Savio’s drowning.

Savio’s body was exhumed in November 2007 and two pathologists, one at the request of her family and one on behalf of Will County, performed separate autopsies. Each recently ruled the death a homicide. Brodsky said he would also have the power to subpoena the autopsy reports from both pathologists.

Peterson has been named a suspect in his wife’s disappearance, which police have a labeled a “potential homicide.” Police have not named a suspect in Savio’s homicide.

Peterson has denied any wrongdoing in either case and has not been charged with a crime.

Drew Peterson’s attorney Joel Brodsky has withdrawn his motion to stay court proceedings on the reopening of Kathleen Savio’s estate.

Brodsky had previously asked the judge to postpone all hearings pending the outcome of an appeal on a decision to reopen the estate.

Savio family attorney Martin Glink said Brodsky faxed him the withdrawal decision Wednesday night. On Thursday, Glink presented the fax to Judge Carmen Goodman, who was supposed to rule Thursday on whether to grant the motion to stay.

No other court dates were set for the case.

Drew Peterson speaks to reporters July 14 outside the Will County Courthouse after pleading not guilty to two felony weapons charges.

A Will County judge will decide July 30 whether to grant a motion to dismiss two felony weapons charges against Drew Peterson, the judge said Monday.

After more than an hour of hearing arguments from the defense and state’s attorney Monday, Judge Richard Schoenstedt said he wanted time to consider the case before making a ruling. Peterson, the sole suspect in his wife Stacy’s Oct. 28 disappearance, has been charged with two counts of unlawful use of a weapon. He pleaded not guilt to both charges.

“It’s certainly very interesting,” Schoenstedt said of the case. “And potentially very complex.”

Peterson’s attorney Joel Brodsky’s motion to dismiss argued that the Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act, enacted in 2004, provides immunity to all qualified law enforcement officers from state weapons laws.

(more…)

Will County Court judge said Monday that he will make a decision July 30 on a motion to dismiss a felony weapons charge against Drew Peterson.

Judge Richard Schoenstedt also granted the defense’s motion to alter Peterson’s bond to allow him to travel out of state for vacation purposes.

Peterson’s attorneys argue that federal statutes provide him with immunity from state firearms laws. The state argued that the federal law does not apply to weapons that are considered illegal
in a police officer’s home state.

By Danya Hooker
dhooker@mysuburbanlife.com

Drew Peterson and Kathleen Savio’s 13-year-old son Kristopher testified Thursday before the grand jury investigating the death of his mother and the disappearance of his step-mom.

Kris Peterson arrived at the Will County Court Annex building at about 11 a.m. in the passenger seat of a black sports utility vehicle. Authorities ushered him directly into the building.

More than five hours later, Drew Peterson stood outside his home waiting for his son’s return and said authorities were wasting their time interviewing the teen.

“Ninety-nine percent of the people they’ve called have been unnecessary,” Peterson said.

The boy’s testimony, his first appearance, came just two weeks after his older brother Thomas, 15, made the journey from Bolingbrook to the Will County Court Annex building in Joliet. Peterson said neither boy knows anything about the circumstances of their mother’s March 2004 drowning or the Oct. 28 disappearance of their step-mother Stacy Peterson.

Peterson said authorities questioned Thomas about his home life.

“We didn’t talk about it in any great detail,” Peterson said. “He went there and answered questions as best he could and said a couple of times he had them laughing.”

Peterson said his younger son appeared to be holding up well before being taken to testify.

“I think he’s pissed off it’s ruining his day,” Peterson said. “When Kris is on his own time, he doesn’t want to be bothered.”

A few minutes later, the black SUV pulled in front of Peterson’s home and Kris exited the vehicle, looking decidedly not enthused.

“I have a headache,” Kris Peterson quietly told his father.

Father and son talked and joked briefly before the exhausted teen went inside to change out of his suit and tie.

“Kris is fine,” Peterson said. “Kris is tough but he’s 13, you know, come on.”

Police first interviewed both boys in November at the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center. Peterson said he had brokered a deal with the state to allow the interviews in return for a promise to keep them out of the grand jury process.

Shortly after the testimony, police subpoenaed both boys to testify before the grand jury and Peterson hired attorney Robert Novelle to represent them. Novelle then filed a motion to quash the subpoenas.

“Once again, state police went back on their word and re-subpoenaed them,” Peterson said. “It’s a shame I had to get them a lawyer just to protect them from the state police.”

Although the boys were not allowed to review their previous testimony from the advocacy center, Peterson said he believed both were given immunity in the event any of their statements appeared contradictory.
Peterson will make his own journey to Joliet Monday for a preliminary hearing on a felony weapons charge.

Police charged Peterson May 21 with felony unlawful use of the weapon. The charge alleges Peterson personally bought and owned the weapon, which has a barrel that is shorter than the minimum 16 inches required.

The gun was one of nearly a dozen police seized from his home in November while investigating his wife’s disappearance, which police are calling a potential homicide. Authorities recently reclassified Savio’s death as a homicide but have yet to name a suspect.

Peterson has maintained his innocence and has not been charged with a crime in either case.

“I still, to this day, don’t have a clue what they’re going to do to me,” Peterson said.

Drew Peterson’s 13-year-old son Kris appeared before the grand jury investigating the disappearance of his step-mom and the March 2004 death of his mother.

Kris Peterson arrived at the Will County Court Annex building at about 11 a.m. in the passenger seat of a black sports utility vehicle. Authorities ushered him directly into the building.

Check back for updates.

By Danya Hooker
dhooker@mysuburbanlife.com

When it comes to friends and enemies, Drew Peterson can count the Internet among the latter.

Two separate allegations in as many weeks against the former police sergeant have created a tsunami in the blogosphere, first with reports that Peterson exchanged flirtatious online chats and e-mails with an unknown woman and then with a true crime author alleging Peterson asked him to write a book pinning his third wife’s homicide on his missing fourth wife.

Peterson’s publicist Glenn Selig said his client did chat with a woman but flatly denied author M. William Phelps’ allegations.

“Absolutely not,” Selig said. “Drew never, and I was present on the phone, he never ever suggested that there be any sort of anything, book or otherwise, to pin [the homicide] on someone else.”

As for the chats — several of which the woman has posted on a new blog — Selig said the exchange was harmless flirtation and the two never met each other.

“[Peterson] hasn’t been in his house crying in the corner,” Selig said. “Drew has said from day one that Stacy left him for another man and he’s mad at her for having done what she did. He’s keeping busy.”

The blog, created June 26, contains a series of March and April exchanges between the woman and Peterson, a suspect in the Oct. 28 disappearance of his wife, Stacy. He has not been charged with a crime.

Peterson tells the woman he’s a romantic who spoiled his previous wives but still wound up unlucky in love. Although he admits to seeing women after his wife’s disappearance, he said he’s ready to settle down with just one woman and asked her “how much broken glass do I need to crawl through to get a date with you.”

Several other posts claim to prove Peterson’s membership at an adult Web site, even including an alleged receipt of his subscription.

Selig and Brodsky said those posts are forgeries and that the credit card shown on the receipt does not belong to their client.

The blog’s operator, who goes by the name Ashley, claims to be a 29-year-old Web site designer from southern Illinois. Attempts to reach her via e-mail were unsuccessful as of Tuesday.

Days after the blog went live, news of a radio interview with Phelps hit the Internet. In June interview, Phelps said he and his agent were on a conference call with Peterson, his attorney Joel Brodsky and Selig when Peterson seemed to allude the possible book should blame the March 2004 homicide of Kathleen Savio, Peterson’s third wife, on Stacy Peterson.

Brodsky and Selig said there were discussions about a possible book but that no one asked Phelps to blame anyone for Savio’s death.

Phelps did not return several e-mails seeking comment.

By Danya Hooker
dhooker@mysuburbanlife.com

Drew Peterson’s teenage son by Kathleen Savio testified before the grand jury Thursday.

Dressed in a suit and tie, Thomas Peterson, 15, left the Will County Court Annex building at about 4:15 p.m. in a red Mercedes driven by his attorney Robert Novelle.

Although the boy was not available to speak to reporters, his father lambasted authorities for putting a teen through the grand jury process.

“That’s grueling for an adult let alone a 15-year-old kid,” Drew Peterson said shortly after his son returned home from hours of testimony in front of the grand jury investigating his mom’s death and his step-mom’s disappearance.

Peterson said he hired Novelle to represent his two teen sons to “protect them from the state police.”

Police interviewed both boys in November at the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center. Peterson said he had brokered a deal with the state to allow the interviews in return for a promise to keep them out of the grand jury process.

“Well, they lied,” Peterson said.

Shortly after the testimony, police subpoenaed both boys to testify before the grand jury. Novelle then filed a motion to quash the subpoenas served to Thomas Peterson and his brother Kristopher, 13.

Drew Peterson said he’s sure Kristopher will also have to testify but said he did not know when.

This was the first appearance either boy made in front of the grand jury investigating the March 2004 drowning of their mother Kathleen Savio and the Oct. 28 disappearance of their father’s fourth wife, Stacy Peterson.

Drew Peterson has been named a suspect in the disappearance, which police are calling a potential homicide. Authorities recently reclassified Savio’s death as a homicide but have yet to name a suspect.
Peterson has maintained his innocence and has not been charged with a crime in either case.

Drew Peterson’s eldest son by Kathleen Savio testified before the grand jury Thursday.

Thomas Peterson left the Will County Court Annex building about 4:15 p.m. in a red Mercedes driven by his attorney.

Drew Peterson said his younger teenage son, Kristopher, will also testify but declined to say when.

Suburban Life Staff Reports

Harry Smith, the Wheaton divorce attorney who represented Kathleen Savio in her divorce with Drew Peterson, was seen Thursday entering the Joliet Court House Annex in which a grand jury convenes to investigate the death of Savio, Peterson’s third wife, and the disappearance of Peterson’s fourth wife, Stacy.

Smith entered the annex at 1:15 p.m. but did not re-appear after several groups of people left the building at 4 p.m.

The Will County state’s attorney’s office did not return phone calls seeking comment.

In early March, Smith told WLS-FM radio show host Roe Conn that Stacy Peterson contacted him days before she disappeared. Smith said he spoke with Stacy on Oct. 24 and Oct. 26 about filing for divorce from Drew.

Smith represented Savio during her divorce with Peterson four years ago.

Savio died in March 2004, and her death, initially ruled an accidental drowning by a six-person coroner’s jury, has been re-opened. Following a second autopsy earlier this year, Savio’s death was ruled a homicide.

Peterson has been named a suspect in the Oct. 28 disappearance of Stacy, although he has not been named a suspect in Savio’s death.

In March, Smith stated publicly Savio told him before her death she felt Drew Peterson would harm her.

Smith also stated publicly Stacy Peterson contacted him within a week of disappearing seeking information on dissolution of marriage.

Drew Peterson has denied any involvement in Stacy Peterson’s disappearance and Savio’s death.

Here’s Thursday’s thread. We’ll let you all know what happens with the grand jury today as soon as we know something.

~By posting on this blog you agree to be bound by the rules of this blog and by our Terms of Use. If you spot a rule violation, send an e-mail to reportabuse@mysuburbanlife.com.

The grand jury did not hear testimony Thursday regarding either the disappearance of Stacy Peterson or the death of Kathleen Savio, according to the state’s attorney’s office.

A six-month court battle over guns seized from Drew Peterson’s home in November officially came to an end Wednesday when Illinois State Police relinquished the weapons to Peterson’s son.

State police spokesman Sgt. Thomas Burek confirmed eight of 11 seized guns were handed over to Peterson’s son Stephen, an Oak Brook police officer, on Wednesday.

Two of the remaining weapons did not actually belong to Peterson. The third, an AR-15 assault rifle, will stay with police as evidence in a felony weapons charge against Peterson.

A hearing on the charge is set for June 30.

A “Today Show” cap signed by Drew Peterson is back on eBay but the auction is having even less success then the first attempt to sell the item.

The cap originally went on the auction block May 14 but was taken down several days later. At the time, one person had bid the minimum $1,000.

A description of the cap says it came from Peterson’s appearance on the “Today Show” earlier this year to discuss the Oct. 28 disappearance of his fourth wife Stacy and the March 2004 drowning of his third wife Kathleen Savio.

Peterson is a suspect in his wife’s disappearance. Authorities recently reclassified Savio’s death as a homicide but have not named a suspect. Peterson has denied any involvement in the mysterious fates of his wives and has not been charged with a crime in either case.
Peterson has said he signed the cap for a friend who later gave it to her mother, who apparently is behind the auction. The listed seller goes by “arkhyn” and is the same eBay member who put the cap up for sale originally.

The seller did not immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment Monday night.

The latest auction went live on Friday, again with a starting bid of $1,000. As of Monday night, no one had placed a bid.

News of the May posting created a stir as national television pundits derided the listing.

The latest entry contains this disclaimer: “This auction in NO way seeks to promote or glorify hatred or violence. This item is sold ONLY as a piece of TV memorabilia as this particular signature was made at a historical TV appearance event for those who are interested in such memorabilia. Again, I do not condone acts of violence and wish to remind everyone that Drew Peterson is still innocent until proven guilty by the American Legal System and assumptions of guilt of any non-proven crime are not my fault. Stacy Peterson’s disappearance has not been confirmed to be involuntary at this time and so she cannot be labeled a victim of “human tragedy” at this time, despite the fact that this auction has nothing to do with her other than her disappearance was the topic of discussion on Drew Peterson’s Today Show appearance. eBay listing policies have been carefully reviewed to make certain that this listing is not in violation of the prohibited items policy.”

To see the listing CLICK HERE

The bathtub where Drew Peterson’s third wife, Kathleen Savio, was found dead is now in the hands of the Illinois State Police.

A person who now lives in the Bolingbrook home that was shared by Peterson and Savio told the Chicago Tribune that state police removed the tub recently. A spokesman for the Will County state’s attorney’s office confirmed that the tub had been removed and is in storage, the report said.

Savio’s death was first ruled an accidental drowning before being re-classified as a homicide during the investigation of Stacy Peterson’s disappearance.

Drew Peterson made his first court appearance Friday on the felony weapons charge that briefly landed in him the Will County jail last week.

Peterson’s attorney Joel Brodsky filed a motion to dismiss the charge, arguing that his client’s former status as a police officer exempts him from state gun laws. Brodsky also asked that the terms of Peterson’s bond be modified to allow his client to leave the state for summer vacations with his four young children.

Will County Judge Sarah Jones gave the state two weeks to respond to the motions and set a preliminary hearing on the case for May 30.

(more…)

Drew Peterson is scheduled to appear in court today at 1:30 p.m. for the first hearing on a felony weapons charge. We’ll give you an update as soon as we know something.

In the meantime, here’s a new thread for discussion.

~By posting on this blog you agree to be bound by the rules of this blog and by our Terms of Use. If you spot a rule violation, send an e-mail to reportabuse@mysuburbanlife.com.

By Danya Hooker
dhooker@mysuburbanlife.com
After more than three hours of testifying before the grand jury, Stacy Peterson’s aunt Candace Aikin emerged Thursday from the Will County Court Annex building dabbing tears away.

“At the end they asked me what kind of a mother [Stacy] is, what kind of a person she is and would she ever leave her family. That was really hard,” Aikin said, still visibly shaken from her testimony. “I’m glad I was able to talk to the jurors and tell them my love for Stacy and what a great person she is, and to be able to help the case in any way that I can.

(more…)

Stacy Peterson’s aunt, Candace Aikin, testified Thursday before a Will County grand jury investigating her niece’s disappearance.

Aikin declined to comment on specifics of her testimony but said she was asked about Stacy’s personality, parenting and her relationship with her husband Drew Peterson, who is a suspect in her disappearance.

About a half hour after Aikin concluded her testimony, the 22-year-old tanning salon employee and female friend of Drew Peterson rushed out of the Will County Court Annex building after her grand jury appearance.

Kim Matuska, of Darien, declined to comment on her appearance saying only, “I’m trying to get out of this.”

Drew Peterson was issued a written warning for speeding earlier this month while he was in route to pick up Matuska after the driver of a car she was in was arrested for DUI.

Matuska denied having a physical relationship with Peterson, saying “I’m not seeing Drew.”

By Danya Hooker, dhooker@mysuburbanlife.com

Drew Peterson legally possessed the assault rifle for which is facing felony charges, and has a photo to prove it, according to Peterson’s attorney and public relations firm.

Peterson released the undated photo Wednesday night. In it, Peterson is in full police uniform standing next to another officer while they wait for actor John Travolta to sign an autograph. The officers had been assigned to provide security for the actor while he was in town promoting his movie “Battlefield Earth,” released in 2000.

In a press release issued by Peterson’s publicity agency, his attorney Joel Brodsky said the photo proves Peterson used the AR-15 rifle as a duty weapon and that the charges against his client should be dropped.

“This photo should convince the state police that they’ve made a mistake with these charges,” Brodsky said in the release. “If not we might need to subpoena Mr. Travolta when this case goes to court.”

Peterson was charged May 21 with felony unlawful use of the weapon. The charge alleges Peterson personally bought and owned the weapon, which has a barrel that is three-eighths of an inch shorter than the minimum 16 inches.

Peterson turned himself into authorities May 21 after learning that a warrant had been issued for his arrest. He was released a few hours later after posting the required $7,500 bond.

After the arrest, Brodsky said his client had purchased the gun himself but that Peterson used the rifle as his SWAT team duty weapon, which are exempt from state law, Brodsky said.

The Bolingbrook Police Department has said it has no record of the weapon. Brodsky has asked to subpoena the department for all records that might show Peterson qualified with the weapon. The department has said those records do not exist.

A hearing on the felony charge, which carries a maximum five-year prison sentence, is scheduled for May 30.

The full press release is available at http://www.prnewschannel.com/absolutenm/templates/?a=567&z=4.

By Danya Hooker, dhooker@mysuburbanlife.com

For the seven months Stacy Peterson has been missing, friends and family of the missing Bolingbrook mom have searched tirelessly for clues to her whereabouts.

The scenery always changes, but whether they are fielding tips, scouring fields, or trolling in waterways, the goal of those close to the missing woman remains the same; to find their loved one and find closure.

(more…)

By Danya Hooker, dhooker@mysuburbanlife.com

Drew Peterson’s son will soon receive eight of 11 guns seized from his father’s home Nov. 1.

Will County Judge Richard Schoenstedt Thursday ordered police to relinquish the weapons, ending a six-month court battle over who should have possession of the firearms.

(more…)

Drew Peterson’s son will receive eight of 11 guns seized from his father’s house Nov. 1.

A Will County judge ordered Thursday for State Police to return the weapons seized as part of the investigation into the disappearance of Peterson’s fourth wife and the death of his third wife.

The two guns not being returned include Peterson’s Bolingbrook Police Department service weapon — already in the hands of Bolingbrook police officials — and a rifle that Peterson faces weapons charges on. That gun will be retained by State Police in the ongoing investigation of whether Peterson possessed an illegal firearm.

A preliminary court hearing on the felony weapons charge is scheduled for May 30.

Will County States Attorney’s spokesman Charles Pelkie said they are disappointed in the judge’s decision.

“We’re disappointed in the ruling,” said Charles Pelkie. “(Judge Richards Schoenstedt) is a very thoughtful and deliberate judge and we’ll comply with his order.”

Schoenstedt ordered police to make the weapons available within 14 days.

A Will County judge Thursday morning granted a continuance requested by a Savio family attorney seeking more time to respond to Joel Brodsky’s motion to stay court proceedings on Kathleen Savio’s estate pending the outcome of an appeal that would close the estate

The next court hearing has been set for 10 a.m. July 17 in Will County.

Peterson’s attorney, Joel Brodsky, also announced Thursday that he will be seeking to subpoena the Bolingbrook Police Department for records relating to the registration of a gun owned by Peterson found to be illegal — the source of Peterson’s arrest Wednesday.

Brodsky has contended that Peterson owned the gun for more than ten years and used it as a SWAT team duty weapon. Brodsky further claims that the Bolingbrook Police Department had approved the weapon and therefore Peterson broke no law in possessing it.

A Will County judge is expected to decide Thursday afternoon whether Peterson can transfer eight guns seized from his home to his son Stephen Peterson.

Drew Peterson has officially been charged with a crime, but it has little to do with the investigations into his fourth wife’s disappearance and the death of his third wife.

Shortly after noon Wednesday, Peterson turned himself in to state police after a warrant was issued for his arrest. The charge, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, alleges that Peterson “knowingly possessed a rifle, namely a Colt model Sporter Lightweight…with a barrel less than 16 inches in length,” in violation of state law.

(more…)

Drew Peterson was officially charged with unlawful use of a weapon on Wednesday, a Class 3 felony which carries a sentence of up to five years in prison if convicted.

Drew’s son, Stephen, wrote a check for $7,500 for bail money and Drew’s lawyer, Joel Brodsky, posted the bail.

“I really believe that for some reason that I can’t comprehend the Illinois State Police seem to have an obsession with these guns and with getting them.,” Brodsky said. “They’re willing to go to any lengths to prevent that.”

The next scheduled court date in the guns’ case is scheduled for Thursday. Brodsky said he expects Stephen Peterson will get his father’s guns during the court case.

Brodsky believes this is a tactic by the Illinois State Police to harass his client.

“Any inconvience (the Illinois State Police) can cause (Peterson) the better,” Brodsky said. “They may believe it’s a tactic to shake him up, but it’s certaintly not going to work.”

For the latest coverage, go to mysuburbanlife.com/bolingbrook/peterson

Drew Peterson, who turned himself in to police Wednesday afternoon, is scheduled to be released from the Will County Jail at 2:45 p.m.

Drew’s son, Stephen, wrote a check for the $7,500 and his lawyer, Joel Brodsky, posted the bail money Wednesday.

“I really believe that for some reason that I can’t comprehend the Illinois State Police seem to have an obsession with these guns and with getting them. They’re willing to go to any lengths to prevent that.

The next scheduled court date in the guns’ case is scheduled for Thursday. Brodsky said he expects Stephen Peterson will get his father’s guns during the court case.

Brodsky believes this is a tactic by the Illinois State Police to harass his client.

“Any inconvience (the Illinois State Police) can cause (Peterson) the better,” Brodsky said. “They may believe it’s a tactic to shake him up, but it’s certaintly not going to work.”

For latest coverage of this breaking story, go to mysuburbanlife.com/bolingbrook/peterson

A Web forum set up by friends and family of Stacy Peterson was shut down last week.

The Find Stacy Peterson forum was set up shortly after the young Bolingbrook mother disappeared Oct. 28 and served as a gathering place for thousands of people across the world to discuss the case and offer support to Peterson’s family.

A message announcing the forum’s closure Thursday states the site will be reconstructed to become an information-only site.

The forum’s parent site, www.FindStacyPeterson.com, will remain intact and continue to provide information on upcoming searches and events.

On Tuesday, Drew Peterson’s public relations firm released a statement saying Peterson had filed two complaints, one with the FBI and one with local authorities, against the site for intruding on his personal life. The full press release is available at www.prnewschannel.com.

Drew Peterson is the sole suspect in his wife Stacy’s disappearance. He has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with a crime.

By Danya Hooker, dhooker@mysuburbanlife.com

A sister of Drew Peterson’s deceased third wife testified Thursday before the grand jury investigating Kathleen Savio’s death and the disappearance of Peterson’s fourth wife, Stacy.

Savio’s sister Anna Doman confirmed she had testified but declined to comment any further as she left the Will County Court Annex building Thursday.

Bolingbrook police officer Rich Berg also testified Thursday and declined comment.

Doman is the second family member called to testify before the grand jury. Last week, her sister Susan Doman testified, as well as Steve Maniaci, Savio’s boyfriend at the time of her death.

Savio was found drowned in a bathtub in March 2004, shortly before she and Drew Peterson were to finalize the financial terms of their divorce. Although the death was ruled accidental at the time, investigators reopened the case in November after Stacy Peterson disappeared Oct. 28.

An independent pathologist for Will County recently ruled the death a homicide. Police have not named a suspect.

Drew Peterson is a suspect in his wife’s disappearance, which police are calling a potential homicide. He has denied any wrongdoing in either case and has not been charged with a crime.

It’s Thursday so you all know what that means…grand jury day. We’ll give be out covering the grand jury proceedings and give you all an update as soon as we know something. In the meantime, here’s a new thread.

By Danya Hooker, dhooker@mysuburbanlife.com

A Will County judge will wait until May 22 to decide the fate of 11 guns seized from Drew Peterson’s home, the judge said Tuesday.

After hearing arguments from Peterson’s lawyers and state prosecutors, Judge Richard Schoenstedt said he needed more time to reach a decision but said he agreed with Peterson’s attorneys on at least one argument.

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By Danya Hooker, dhooker@mysuburbanlife.com

The sister of Drew Peterson’s deceased third wife testified Thursday before the grand jury investigating that death and the disappearance of Peterson’s fourth wife Stacy.

Susan Doman, sister of Kathleen Savio, declined to comment on the details of her testimony but said her family is still reeling from her sister’s death four years ago.

“Our family hasn’t been the same since,” Doman said. “She was the one that kept the family together.”

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The sister of Kathleen Savio is expected to testify Thursday afternoon in front of the grand jury investigating the disappearance of Bolingbrook resident Stacy Peterson and the March 2004 drowning of Savio.

Susan Doman is the first of Savio’s family to testify before the grand jury. She showed up at the Will County Court Annex building in Joliet with her daughter, and made a brief statement.

“We miss my sister very much,” she said. “This has been a horrible situation and we just want justice to be served.”

Doman is one of five family members who petitioned the court to reopen Savio’s estate in preparation for a possible wrongful death lawsuit against Drew Peterson. Peterson is considered a suspect in the October 2007 disappearance of his wife, Stacy. Peterson was also married to Savio, who was found dead in the couple’s bathroom tub.

By Danya Hooker, dhooker@mysuburbanlife.com

Drew Peterson was pulled over by Naperville police Saturday as he sped to help a friend in need, Peterson said Tuesday.

“I was being a Good Samaritan,” Peterson said.

A woman called Peterson after the driver of a car she was riding in was arrested for drunken driving, Peterson said.

Naperville police pulled him over at about 2:30 a.m. going north near the 800 block of South Washington Street, Naperville police said.

“She’s a friend of a friend. I went to pick her up and I was going a little fast,” Peterson said.

Naperville police spokesman Dave Hoffman said Peterson was issued a written warning for speeding. Peterson said he was going between 6 mph and 8 mph over the speed limit.

Peterson’s fourth wife Stacy disappeared Oct. 28 at the age of 23. Peterson is a suspect in the disappearance, which police are calling a “potential homicide.”

Police are also re-examining the March 2004 drowning of Peterson’s third wife Kathleen Savio. Her death was recently ruled a homicide but police have not named a suspect.

Peterson has denied any wrongdoing in either case and has not been charged with a crime.

Stacy Peterson’s father testified Thursday before the grand jury investigating his daughter’s disappearance, saying investigators asked him general questions about his daughter’s marriage to former Bolingbrook police sergeant Drew Peterson.

Anthony Cales, 53, of Downers Grove, said the grand jury also asked about his daughter’s interactions with her family.

“They asked general questions about ‘Did Stacy ever go anywhere without the kids?’ She never left the kids, they were always with her,” Cales said. “They asked did I know about any marital problems or upcoming divorce, which I didn’t.”

Stacy Peterson, the fourth wife of Drew Peterson, 54, disappeared Oct. 28 at age 23. Police have labeled the disappearance a “potential homicide” and named Drew Peterson a suspect in the case. Investigators also re-opened the investigation into the March 2004 drowning of Peterson’s third wife Kathleen Savio. An independent pathologist for Will County ruled her death a homicide in February.

A special grand jury investigating both cases has been meeting each Thursday since November and is scheduled to continue through April. In a Jan. 24 statement from the Will County State’s Attorney’s office, authorities said the grand jury could be extended another six months, if necessary.

Peterson has denied any involvement in either case and has not been charged with a crime.

Cales said he and Peterson used to get along but the two have not spoken since Stacy Peterson went missing.

“We actually got along really well,” Cales said. “We tried to do a lot of things together, family things.”

But Peterson’s recent behavior, including offering a $25,000 reward for Stacy Peterson’s “safe return,” have incensed Cales.

“I see him on TV and some of the things he says just burns me,” Cales said.

Monday marked the six-month anniversary of Stacy Peterson’s disappearance. While police, friends and family have spent that time chasing tips and searching for her, Cales said he has taken six months off work to look for his daughter.

“(We take it) day by day,” Cales said. “Some days are better than others.”

Here’s the text of the press release we received.

Drew Peterson Offers $25,000 Reward for Information Leading to Stacy’s Return
Peterson says he had hoped that by this time Stacy would’ve contacted him or their four children. He says he hopes that this reward will bring her home.
BrodskyOdeh.com <http://www.brodskyodeh.com/>  - April 30, 2008

(PRNewsChannel <http://www.prnewschannel.com/> ) /

Bolingbrook, Ill. – Insisting that his wife left him for another man, Drew Peterson today offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to her safe return.

Stacy Peterson vanished six months ago.  Peterson says the night Stacy left him she told him on the phone that she was leaving.  He denies any involvement, but police maintain he is the prime suspect in her disappearance.

Peterson says he had hoped that by this time Stacy would’ve contacted him or their four children.  But she hasn’t.  He says he too can’t fathom why.

He says he hopes that this reward will bring her home.

“Her mom left her and it’s clear that history has repeated itself and that Stacy does not want to be found either,” says Peterson.  “I don’t know whom she left with or where they are.  Maybe the money will prompt someone to come forward with a lead.  Her children miss her and people believe I had something to do with her disappearance.”

Peterson acknowledges that as long as Stacy’s missing people will think he had something to do with it.

Police have offered no evidence supporting that theory.  Police and family and friends have searched area lakes and brush searching for her.

Peterson recognizes the criticism he’s received for not taking part in the searches.  But he says “I haven’t because I believe she’s alive.  She told me she was leaving.  She obviously doesn’t want to be found.”

The $25,000 reward is for information that leads to the safe return of Stacy, says Joel A. Brodsky, Peterson’s criminal defense attorney.  Brodsky says the reward money will be paid in addition to any other reward now being offered.

Information and tips should be sent to stacytips@yahoo.com <mailto:stacytips@yahoo.com> .  Brodsky says the tips will be opened and read by a team of investigators hired by Peterson, not by Peterson himself or his attorneys.  He says all legitimate leads will be forwarded to law enforcement authorities.

Peterson, a former police sergeant, has been the target of death threats even as he tries to raise his children on his own.

“All emails that contain harassing, obscene, or threatening messages are warned that such communications are illegal, and all such e-mails will be forwarded to law enforcement for prosecution,” says Brodsky.

By Danya Hooker, dhooker@mysuburbanlife.com

Drew Peterson’s attorney, Joel Brodsky, filed an appeal Tuesday against a Will County judge’s decision to reopen the estate of Peterson’s third wife, Kathleen Savio, Brodsky confirmed Wednesday.

Judge Carmen Goodman granted a petition by Savio’s family and ordered the estate reopened April 17. The decision opened the door for Savio’s family to investigate whether there is enough evidence to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against Peterson.

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Danya Hooker, dhooker@mysuburbanlife.com

Drew Peterson’s attorney, Joel Brodsky, filed an appeal Tuesday against a Will County judge’s decision to reopen the estate of Peterson’s third wife.

The appeal, filed on behalf of James Carroll, Peterson’s uncle and the current executor of Kathleen Savio’s estate, asks the appellate court to reverse an April 17 decision that reopened the estate and removed Carroll as executor.

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Drew Peterson’s right to have control of his property doesn’t outweigh the state’s right to retain possible evidence, a Will County judge said Thursday when he denied Peterson’s request to let his son Stephen hold onto 11 guns seized from Peterson’s home.

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By Danya Hooker, dhooker@mysuburbanlife.com

A Will County judge ordered Kathleen Savio’s estate reopened Thursday, paving the way for Savio’s family to investigate whether there is sufficient evidence to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

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By Danya Hooker, dhooker@mysuburbanlife.com

A Will County judge will decide Thursday whether 11 firearms seized from Drew Peterson’s home in November will stay in the hands of Illinois State Police or be returned to the family.

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Stacy Peterson’s friends and family were back on the offensive Saturday morning as they met to denounce claims her husband made on CNN’s ‘Larry King Live’ show Friday night.

Less than 12 hours after Drew Peterson told King that his wife Stacy had left him for another man and that his neighbor “has been acting emotionally disturbed,” those close to the missing Bolingbrook mother shot back.

“It’s all the same lies,” Stacy Peterson’s sister Cassandra Cales said. “Drew’s out there trying to make everyone believe that my sister was medicated and [blaming] her menstrual cycle, and that she just up and left her two kids. That’s just not true.”

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By Danya Hooker, dhooker@mysuburbanlife.com

Drew Peterson’s erratic behavior in the days following the disappearance of his 23-year-old wife Stacy was a trained response to stress, the former Bolingbrook sergeant said Friday on ‘Larry King Live.’

“I was being barraged by [media]…I was being questioned by police. I was scared to death,” Peterson said. “And policemen - any policeman will tell you that police deal with stress and despair with humor. They laugh, they make jokes. They’re trained not to show emotions.”

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By Danya Hooker, dhooker@mysuburbanlife.com

A friend of Drew Peterson’s step-brother appeared Thursday before a special grand jury investigating the disappearance of Peterson’s fourth wife and the death of his third wife.

Although Walter Martineck Jr. of Bolingbrook declined to discuss his grand jury appearance Thursday, his story made headlines in late November when he told media outlets about a bizarre encounter with his friend and neighbor Tom Morphey, Drew Peterson’s step-brother.

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By Petras Barcas, pbarcas@mysuburbanlife.com

Stephen Peterson, son of Drew Peterson and a two-and-a-half year veteran of the Oak Brook Police Department, received an eight-day unpaid suspension Wednesday after an Oak Brook Board of Fire and Police Commissioners disciplinary meeting found him guilty for testifying before a grand jury in Will County in uniform and driving a marked Oak Brook squad car there.

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By Danya Hooker, dhooker@mysuburbanlife.com

Drew Peterson and his attorney Joel Brodsky