Plaque and tree honoring Stacy Peterson

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

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

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

Flowers and a candle remain at the site of the theft

The plaque’s inscription was a simple one:

Stacy Peterson
Mom Sister
Friend

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Upcoming Air Dates:
Tuesday, October 27 at 10pm | 9c
Tuesday, November 3 at 11pm | 10c
Tuesday, November 10 at 4pm | 3c
Tuesday, November 24 at 8pm | 7c
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Stacy Peterson, missing since October 28, 2007

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Peterson civil case can proceed

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

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

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

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

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

Read the story at ABC7/WLS, Chicago

Thanks TAI, for posting the news.
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Author, Michelle LeFort

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(NoWay –hello, Darlin)

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

For women and children who have suffered domestic violence, the intrinsic fear they face is so deep that they rarely overcome it and move on without fearing their abuser.

Understand that Vicki and Lisa have undertaken the commitment to tell their story in a safe environment, a court of law first and then to detail that in books they are writing so that they don’t have to worry about Peterson/Brodsky (the incredible duo) trying to contaminate their lives. Facing this after years of trying to heal, they are still terrified that threats they received can be delivered. Their lives have been riddled by the murder of Kathleen Savio and the disappearance of Stacy Peterson in so many ways. Can you imagine if you had been married to Drew Peterson, what would it be like of a day? People calling you repeatedly wanting to know what he’s like. Being called to testify before the Grand Jury not once, but multiple times. The media hounding you for interviews, the spotlight shining on your life? Justice is their only concern. They have no monetary gain at this point and if a book deal is signed, they have it in place to donate a portion of the proceeds to the Domestic Violence Association of Illinois in the name of Stacy Peterson and Kathleen Savio. I have never witnessed two women who want nothing but justice and have a RIGHT to tell their story-like Vicki and Lisa, whom I have grown to love and respect. Feeling safe enough for them to do so will include a conviction in court and then their stories will be available. Please know that they must keep their families in mind when they make decisions regarding this case. As well, they have to testify at the trial and will not make their testimony a public affair until they have given that testimony to the appropriate source: THE JURY!

Not one cease and desist order was filed or letter seen, delivered or served at this point. My legal team has not received anything, including this so-called letter and Brodsky knows who they are and where to find them. As of Thursday, before the airing of Inside Edition, nothing had been delivered and I’m not interested in his ‘letter writing’ ability publicized by press releases sent out by Glenn Selig. When a judge tells me to cease and desist, I will comply. However, that will never happen, there would have had to have been something to base that order on and Brodsky has nothing. I am not legally bound to Brodsky OR Peterson, never have been, never will be. I was the first author that Glenn Selig approached to write Peterson’s story … I’ve seen what they have done to the other authors approached and I faced a similar situation, but did not want to make it public, because my intention to tell the story I found with decency and humanity is my only concern. There IS a story, one that will curl your toes, make you angry and fall in line to everything you have heard in this case. Testimony for the prosecution is what I want to hear … Don’t you? Vicki will not be heard before her testimony, because she is possibly the key witness for the prosecution. Vicki’s story is what you WILL want to hear, trust me on that.

The trial will start soon and we can all rest that justice will prevail and Kathleen Savio (severely abused by Drew Peterson according to her family and friends) and Stacy Peterson (who had been to Kathleen’s divorce attorney days before disappearing) will finally see that justice. Their family and friends, loved ones who have suffered maximum amounts of pain publicly, will finally rest at ease that justice was served and may begin to heal from the travesty they have faced. It’s been a long journey in this case, one we will never forget, but the outcome is just around the corner and I believe that justice will be served. I want to hear the gavel slam …

I have followed your blog the duration and am familiar with what most of you have said. There were days I wished I could tell you what was going on, how things were moving forward, but it wasn’t the right time. We have kept a lid on things, because it was the right thing to do. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Lisa chose to tell some of her story now, in reference to DVAM, in order to have women that face this situation possibly hear that getting out is possible and that you can heal. In time, all is possible. Please understand that this trial has cost everyone involved but Drew Peterson grave emotional tension, horrendous stress and fear.

The gavel slamming is the key …

Thank you, Michelle for your thoughtful and detailed response!

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Lisa Ward

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

After 10 years of marriage her mom and Peterson divorced. The next time Lisa saw Peterson was on the news.

“He thinks all women are targets,” says writer Michelle Lefort, who is currently working with Lisa on a book about her life with Peterson.

Drew Peterson’s attorney said Peterson strongly denies beating Lisa or sexually abusing her. He also said, “When people want to sell books they make allegations of sexual misconduct, especially against people who cannot respond.”

As for the murder charge against Peterson, Lisa has reached her own verdict: “Knowing the man, growing up with the man, I think he’s guilty.”

Drew Peterson is currently being held on $20 million bail. He’s due back in court at the end of October.

Read the Story at Inside Edition Website

Joel Brodsky Responds:

INSIDE EDITION Warned Claims Were False Before Broadcasting Report
Drew Peterson stepdaughter lying about abuse allegations to sell her story, attorney says.

brodskyodeh.com – October 09, 2009

(PRNewsChannel) / Chicago, Ill. / Drew Peterson’s attorney says he warned the nationally syndicated program INSIDE EDITION that Peterson’s step-daughter Lisa Ward was lying about being abused by Peterson. He says he even gave the program a motive: money. But he says the program broadcast her false allegations anyway in a report that airs today.

“She is trying to sell her story. She is in fact writing a book,” says Brodsky. “She’s got every reason to lie. Drew categorically denies this allegation and to say he abused her in any way is patently false. This is not about journalism and getting to the truth. This is about telling a story to get ratings. Besides Drew and his family, the truth is the victim here.”

Brodsky also points out that the author Ward has found to tell her story backed out of a signed deal to write a book from his perspective. Brodsky says he sent Michelle LeFort and her attorney a Cease and Desist letter earlier this week after Ward appeared on the ABC program GOOD MORNING AMERICA. GMA did not contact Brodsky or anyone from the defense team for comment prior to the story airing.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

– Steven D. Schmadeke

Read the story at the Chicago Tribune

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Susan Doman

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

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

EXCERPT:

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

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

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

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(Click to see full size)

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 28: That was fast. The blog that is the subject of this post is no longer there.
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I just noticed that a site which formerly contained links to Drew Peterson’s defense documents (and is still entitled: Drew Peterson Documents) has now morphed into a blog with updates about the Peterson case.

Members of the Peterson’s defense team already send out frequent press releases, update the Abood Law and Brodsky & Odeh web sites with news and legal briefs, and Joel Brodsky continues to grant radio interviews even though Judge Stephen White has asked to preapprove all media appearances by all attorneys involved in the case.

The judge issued specific guidelines to Peterson’s attorneys on pre-trial publicity and media interviews, asking that the lawyers inform the judge of any pre-arranged media interviews and supply him with copies of any press releases sent out on the case.

Why does the defense continue to court the public even after filing a motion for a change of venue which complains that “media overexposure” has made it impossible for their client to obtain a fair trial of his peers?

Should we be expecting a return of the Drew Peterson Defense Fund website, where “For the cost of a few cups of your morning coffee, you (could) help to ensure that Drew can afford to support his ongoing legal defense” and “find his missing wife”?
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Peterson defense expands team
September 17, 2009 5:27 PM

To help get a handle on some 40,000 pages of discovery documents in the Drew Peterson murder trial, the former Bolingbrook police sergeant’s attorneys have brought on a team of recent law-school graduates and third-year law students.

A court order allowing daily face-to-face visits with Peterson’s legal team was recently expanded to include Michael L. Raff, Anthony Nehme and Kendall Hartsfield.

Joel Brodsky, one of Peterson’s attorneys, said a third-year student named Melissa Anderson also is assisting.

“It’s the crème-de-la-crème,” Brodsky said of the Chicago-area law-school products, declining to say whether they are getting paid.

The team, with help from another group associated with Peterson’s Michigan attorney Andrew Abood, are about 80 percent of the way through the mountain of paperwork, Brodsky said…

–Steve Schmadeke

Read the story at Chicago Tribune Breaking News
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