And it’s Thursday.

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Media vans are once again lining the streets of Pheasant Chase Court in Bolingbrook. Drew Peterson’s neighbor, Sharon Bychowski, said Lenny Wawczak and Paula Stark contacted her prior to going public about the secret wiretapping. They told her “their heart was in the right place” and asked for Find Stacy Peterson T-shirts and yard signs. The couple is staying at another location to ensure their safety, Bychowski said.

Just received this e-mail from Drew Peterson’s publicist Glenn Selig.

ThePublicityAgency.com July 23, 2008
The following is a statement from Joel A. Brodsky, criminal defense attorney for Drew Peterson, on this morning’s published report in the Chicago Sun-Times that former friends of Peterson wore a wiretap and secretly recorded conversations with Peterson for authorities.

“The obvious questions are: Why would Paula Stark and Len Wawczak be sharing their story with the media? And if they were acting on behalf of authorities would the police allow these supposed undercover agents to reveal anything Drew said which would incriminate him?”

“To answer the second question first, if Drew had made any incriminating statement to Wawczak and Stark when they were supposedly undercover agents, today’s news would include their arrest for obstruction of justice. The police would never allow the disclosure of any such information in an ongoing investigation. The fact is that Drew never made any of the statements Wawczak and Stark attribute to him, period”.

“Secondly, the reason Wawczak and Stark and talking now can be attributed to the fact that they are about to be evicted from their home, and they are in a dire economic situation. A month ago they tried to borrow money from Drew and he refused. It seems obvious that they want to sell their story and they used a reporter to get the word out.”

“If there truly are tapes Wawczak and Stark secretly recorded for authorities as they claim, Drew hopes the tapes are released soon because he knows that they will prove he is innocent.”

View the full press release here

And another one. Why so quiet lately?

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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.

Here it is. You all know what to do

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Sorry it’s late folks. Here’s Monday’s thread.

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And Saturday’s thread.

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Here’s Friday’s thread. Have a great weekend everyone!

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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.

Hey everyone. Here’s Thursday’s thread. Be sure to check the Front Page regularly as we’ll post updates on the day’s court/grand jury proceedings.

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Here’s Wednesday’s thread everyone.

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And Tuesday’s thread.

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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.

Here’s Monday’s thread. We’ll give you an update on the preliminary hearing asap.

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Here’s Sunday’s thread…and it’s even on time today!

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Ooops! Sorry folks. Thought this thread was set to go up at midnight but the wrong date got put in. Sorry!

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Here’s Friday’s thread everyone. Enjoy your weekends!

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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.

Here’s Thursday’s thread everyone. We’ll keep ya’ll updated on the grand jury proceedings.

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And Wednesday’s thread.

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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.

And here’s Tuesday’s thread.

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Here’s a new one to help speed things up.

Here’s Monday’s thread folks.

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Here’s Sunday’s thread folks. Hope ya’ll had a chance to relax over the weekend!

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Happy 4th of July everyone! And remember, be careful with those fireworks!

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And here’s Thursday’s thread folks…another day at the grand jury. We’ll let you know as soon as we hear or see anything.

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Here’s Wednesday’s. Have at it.

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As requested, here’s another thread for today. Tomorrow’s will be automatically generated at one minute past midnight.

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Here’s Tuesday’s thread everyone and thanks for all the great discussion. You all rock!

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Here’s Monday’s thread folks.

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Here’s Sunday’s thread

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Hi folks. Here’s Saturday’s thread.

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Hey folks. We’re posting Friday’s thread a bit early since Thursday’s seems to be loading a bit slow. Have a great weekend!

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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.

Here’s Thursday’s thread everyone. As always, we’ll let you know what happens with the grand jury proceedings as soon as we know something.

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Here’s Wednesday’s thread.

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Here’s a new thread everyone.

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Here’s Friday’s thread folks. Have a great weekend.

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Here’s Thursday’s thread. Thanks for the fantastic questions folks. We’ll get working on them today after the grand jury and have the first one up next week. As usual, we’ll let you know about grand jury proceedings as soon as we know something.

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Hey folks,

Here’s Wednesday’s thread. Also, now that developments in the Peterson case are no longer daily front page news, we’d like to try jumpstarting the Question and Answer section we started a while back.

The idea is to give you all, our readers, a chance to let us know what questions you’d like answers to. As questions come in, we’ll take them and find the appropriate family members, experts and authorities. Then, we’ll post the question and the answer on the blog.

So, if something in this case has you puzzled, perplexed or just plain baffled, send it to Danya Hooker, at dhooker@mysuburbanlife.com. Be sure to include if and how you’d like to be identified when we post the question and its answer. Keep in mind that there are aspects of this case that we will not be able find information on because of the ongoing investigation. But we’ll do our best to track down answers to as many questions as we can.

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And Tuesday’s thread

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Hello everyone. Here’s Monday’s thread.

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And Sunday’s thread.

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Here’s Saturday’s thread folks.

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