Stacy Peterson’s sister: Stacy was found

“I am Cassandra Cales and on October 28th, 2007 my life changed forever when I couldn’t get a hold of my sister, Stacy Peterson, and my gut instinct told me that Drew had murdered her. She would never abandon her children or me. I have yet to stop searching. Through the years I have met a handful of great people and on the other hand I have met way too many shady glory-seekers wanting to gain something.”

“That being said, I have fought this fight for my sister alone as I trust very few. Law Enforcement has never worked with me or kept me apprised of their so-called “ongoing” investigation. I have to find out my information through a back channel of contacts and my own personal investigating. In all these years I have yet to have a vacation. I use my vacation and sick days from work to conduct searches. When those days run out, I still carry on my search at a financial hinderance. All monies I earn after each pay period I pay my bills and the rest goes to my search efforts. Any additional income, whether it be bonuses, tax returns, or selling my personal stuff, all goes to bringing my sister home. I will sell everything I own, if I have to, even my soul if I could, for my sister’s remains to be recovered. In all of my research and investigating and figuring out Drew’s timeline, travel, and whereabouts; I know the truth. It has come time for me to share with the world what I know, as I will no longer bite my tongue and wait.”

“Why am I coming forward with this now? What is the rush? It is because the Will County State’s Attorney and Illinois State Police are moving forward to charge Drew, in the near future and without her body, for the murder of my sister. That is not justice for me, not justice for her, and definitely not justice for her children. There are numerous people doing TV shows, documentaries, interviews, etc. and getting money, profiting off of my sister’s murder. It makes me sick and heartbroken that people would do this and it’s a story to everyone. It’s not a story to me; this is my life. So instead of all of these money-hungry people telling you, I feel like it should come from me as a victim, from my own heart and mouth.”

“Drew Peterson disposed of my sister’s body on the evening of October 28th, 2007, in the Sanitary and Shipping Canal, after having dropped off his step-brother. I have sonar images of her lifeless body on the bottom of the riverbed, which I will never release. That is not how I want the world to remember my beautiful sister. These images have already made it into the wrong hands of some of my past “searchers” back when I trusted people and thought they were trying to help. Law Enforcement messed up in 2007 and never sent divers down to recover her body.

They spent all of their time pulling cars out of the shipping channel (at night, so the media didn’t know) and didn’t care about doing the one thing they were supposed to be doing which was to get my sister out. I made the calls to see what they were doing, and they claimed that her body “could be wedged against one of the vehicles” even though the cars were in completely different areas than her body was at the time. If law enforcement would have done their job, I would have had my sisters body home, in the flesh, 22 days after Drew murdered her. I would not be where I am at today spending everything I have to retrieve her skeletal remains. I have pulled all of the money out of my 401k, maxed out all of my credit cards, and have hired the best of the best people and top notch sonar equipment to continue to track her remains down. Just last week I hired a dive team to go down to check some Sonar Targets for me, which personally cost me thousands.”

“When I go out, I go out and get things done. I do not need television people or camera crews following me. Just because you don’t see me out there or on the news doesn’t mean that I’m not out there still fighting to bring Stacy home. Believe me, I will not give up and I will never stop my search. I will continue my search alone and keep sonaring and hiring professional teams to come in.”

“Please share this post so that the world knows what happened and is still happening.”

Cassandra and Stacy

“I wish I could trade places with my sister. This was so unfair to her and her children. I lost my sister, who was a mother to me as I grew up, but also my best friend. I also lost her children, as I’m not allowed to see them. They continue to be kept away from me, for the stupidest reasons, and they continue to live in the murderer’s house with the murderer’s side of the family.”

“Stacy was the most amazing person anyone could have met. My love for my sister and my cherished memories of her are what keep me moving forward. She did not run off; she was murdered by her evil husband.”

“I already have future areas to dive on and the plans and permissions are in the works.”

“If you want to contact me personally, please email me at FindStacyPeterson@gmail.com or visit my website SearchingForStacyPeterson.com where you will also find a button to donate via paypal if you want to help.”

Illinois Supreme Court upholds Drew Peterson conviction for murder of Kathleen Savio

View this document on Scribd

Today the Illinois Supreme Court handed down their opinion on Drew Peterson’s appeal  of his 2012 murder conviction.

The court found his allegations of errors of evidence admitted to trial, ineffective counsel, conflicts of interest, and breeches of clergy privilege to be without legal merit.

States Attorney James Glasgow, himself a target of an attempt at murder-for-hire on the part Peterson, released this statement in response to the court’s decision:

Today’s ruling by the Illinois Supreme Court unanimously affirming the conviction of Drew Peterson for the murder of his third wife, Kathleen Savio, is the ultimate vindication of my decision to pursue a prosecution that had been criticized initially by many legal professionals and those in the media.
Today’s ruling completely affirms my lawful use of relevant and probative hearsay statements against Drew Peterson at his murder trial. Peterson thought the statements and threats he made had died with Kathleen Savio and had vanished with his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson. He never anticipated that I would utilize the constitutionally sound concept of forfeiture by wrongdoing to allow Kathleen to testify from the grave against her murderer, and enable Stacy to bolster her testimony. This legal principle allows prosecutors to use relevant and probative hearsay statements at trial against defendants who kill witnesses to keep them from testifying.
The Illinois Supreme Court today not only affirmed the use of this principle as applied in the Peterson case, but it identified additional avenues that had already been laid out by the U.S. Supreme Court for prosecutors to use in future cases.
Today’s ruling is a victory for the families of Kathleen Savio and Stacy Peterson against a notorious murderer who always felt he could act outside and above the law. It also is a watershed moment for police and prosecutors battling criminals who would twist the law to serve their nefarious purposes by killing the very witnesses who would help bring them to justice.

Norma Peterson to be honored by women’s organization

Norma Peterson

Every year SHARE Fox Valley (Supporting Hope And Respecting Everyone) honors one woman who is doing amazing things in the community.

This year they are proud to honor Norma Peterson (Drew Peterson’s sister-in-law) as the 2017 Woman of Power during their 9th annual Women’s Power Lunch.

Opening Remarks will be presented by State Representative Stephanie Kifowit and the 2017 Keynote Speaker is Patti Vasquez.

When: Thursday, September 21st, 2017, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway, Aurora, IL 60505

Norma volunteers with the Roosevelt American Legion Post 84, recently re-established the Auxiliary, is a member of the Aurora Fourth of July parade committee and a proud member of the SHARE Fox Valley, which benefits Mutual Ground.

Norma also advocates to raise awareness to the existence of the EAA (Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit) which is a viable tool for victims of domestic violence, law enforcement and the judicial system.

Register for the event.
Become a Sponsor.
Get more details.

Drew Peterson transferred to federal facility in Indiana

Drew Peterson, AKA No. 07018-748

UPDATE 3/10/17: The Chicago Tribune has unearthed the official reason for Peterson’s transfer. “Offender Peterson is a threat to safety and security of the department and therefore an Interstate Corrections Compact Agreement transfer is being initiated by IDOC,” the agency’s acting manager, Doug Stephens, wrote in a letter to the agency’s director.
****************************************

On Tuesday, and with no public explanation, Drew Peterson was transferred from the Menard Correctional Center in Chester to the Terre Haute Federal Correctional Institution in Indiana.

His attorney, Steve Greenberg, stated that he has been given no explanation for why Peterson was transferred but pointed out that the facility would most likely be more comfortable and safer for Peterson.

He is still technically in IDOC custody.

Yesterday, the case file for Peterson’s latest murder-for-hire conviction was updated with a full history:

2015CF26  D-1  PETERSON, DREW M35067
 

*The following changes were made to the case history:

Case History

Changed	Date	Entry	Judge

Entered Under:
 modification 	 02/25/2016 	    Transcript Invoice Voucher on file. Order Granting Defense Request to File Orders Under Seal on file. Order on file.	  RAB  
 addition 	 02/25/2016 	    Petition for Expert Fees on file. Proof of Service on file. Notice of Hearing on file.	  UNASSIGNED  
 addition 	 02/29/2016 	    Defendant appears from DOC. Case mgt conf set for 04/01/2016 at 9:00 in courtroom 2. Possible Motion to be made. Order on file.	  RAB  
 addition 	 02/29/2016 	    Petition for Rule to Show Cause on fiele.	  UNASSIGNED  
 modification 	 03/08/2016 	    Order on file. Transcript Invoice Voucher	  RAB  
 modification 	 03/30/2016 	    Summons returned showing service. (Sangamon County Sheriff)	  UNASSIGNED  
 addition 	 03/30/2016 	    Order on file. (fee to be paid to Stutchman Forensic Lab)	  RAB  
 modification 	 04/01/2016 	    People's Discovery Answer on file.	  UNASSIGNED  
 modification 	 04/01/2016 	    Defendant appears from jail; April 22, 2016 motion hearing contingent on April 18, 2016 trial status. Order on file. (motion hearings set April 22, 2016)	  RAB  
 addition 	 04/04/2016 	    Summons returned showing service. (Sangamon County Sheriff)	  UNASSIGNED  
 addition 	 04/14/2016 	    Petition for Expert Fees on file. Order Granting Defense Request to File Orders Under Seal on file. Petition to Approve Retention and Funding on file. Notice of Hearing on file. (5-2-16, 2pm) Proof of Service on file.	  RAB  
 addition 	 04/18/2016 	    Order on file. (Grants motion to approve retention and funding) Order on file. Transcript Invoice Voucher on file.	  RAB  
 addition 	 04/19/2016 	    Subpoena issued. (Kevin Sehlke)	  UNASSIGNED  
 addition 	 04/22/2016 	    Reply to People's Motion to Clarify the Court's October 23, 2015 Orders Regarding Relevant Evidence on file. Motion to Suppress on file. People's Motion in Limine to Preclude Certain Character Evidence on file. People's Motion to Clarify the Court's October 23, 2015 Orders Regarding Relevant Evidence and to Compel All Statements the Defense Seeks to Introduce at Trail on file.	  UNASSIGNED  
 addition 	 04/22/2016 	    Defendant appears with Attorney Lucas Liefer; motion hearing held; State is entitled to any summary statements on all oral conversations of who will testify; Attorney Liefer is ordered to give more information as to what will be testified; Order on file.	  RAB  
 addition 	 04/29/2016 	    Case mgt conf set for 05/13/2016 at 9:00 in courtroom 2. Jury trial reset to 05/23/2016 at 9:00 in courtroom 2.	  UNASSIGNED  
 modification 	 05/02/2016 	    Order on file. Transcript Invoice Voucher on file.	  RAB  
 modification 	 05/02/2016 	    Subpoena issued. (James Glascow) Subpoena issued. (Kevin McCarthy) Subpoena issued. (Brian Clark) Subpoena issued. (Ron Bratcher) Subpoena issued. (Major Dunn) Subpoena issued. (Kim Butler) Subpoena issued. (Kevin Reichert) Subpoena issued. (C/O Dillingham, MCC) Subpoena issued. (Kevin Verble) Subpoena issued. (Barb Marcinkowski) Subpoena issued. (C/O Anthony, MCC) Subpoena issued. (C/O Spiller, MCC) Subpoena issued. (Karen Moser)	  UNASSIGNED  
 addition 	 05/03/2016 	    Order on file. Order on file. Transcript Invoice Voucher on file.	  RAB  
 addition 	 05/05/2016 	    Subpoena issued. (Dawn Marcinkowski)	  UNASSIGNED  
 addition 	 05/11/2016 	    Petition for Fees on file.	  UNASSIGNED  
 modification 	 05/12/2016 	    Motion to Compel on file. Subpoena issued. (Louis Silich) Subpoena returned showing service. (C/O Dillingham, MCC) Subpoena issued. (Hugh Williamson) Subpoena issued. (James Glasgow)	  UNASSIGNED  
 addition 	 05/13/2016 	    Defendant present with Attorney Lucas Liefer; Defendant's motion to compel is granted in so far as State's Attorney try to obtain that information from the Penal Institution; continued to 5-19-16, 10am. Order on file. Subpoena issued. (Chris Burke)	  RAB  
 addition 	 05/16/2016 	    Writ of Habeas Corpus Ad Prosequendum issued. Writ of Habeas Corpus Ad Prosequendum issued. Writ of Habeas Corpus Ad Prosequendum issued. Writ of Habeas Corpus Ad Prosequendum issued.	  GG  
 addition 	 05/16/2016 	    Transcript Invoice Voucher on file.	  RAB  
 addition 	 05/17/2016 	    Transcript Invoice Voucher on file. Order on file.	  RAB  
 modification 	 05/17/2016 	    Petition for Fees on file.	  UNASSIGNED  
 addition 	 05/19/2016 	    Subpoena issued. (Bryan Kruder) Order on file. Order on file.	  UNASSIGNED  
 addition 	 05/20/2016 	    Writ of Habeas Corpus Ad Prosequendum issued. Writ of Habeas Corpus Ad Prosequendum issued. Writ of Habeas Corpus Ad Prosequendum issued. Atty Walker, Atty Nate, Atty Elward appears for State; Def appears with Atty Liefer; jury selection commences; jury picked at 3:50 p.m. ordered to report for trial 5-23-16, at 9 a.m.	  RAB  
 addition 	 05/23/2016 	    Court resumes with jury trial; Atty Walker; Atty Nate; Atty Elward appears for State; Def appears with Atty Liefer; jury trial held; court recessed 4:30 p.m. IPI Criminal 4th No. 3.20 read to jury by Judge Brown.	  RAB  
 addition 	 05/24/2016 	    Court resumes with jury trial; Atty Walker; Atty Nate, Atty Elward present for State; Def appears with Atty Liefer; jury trial resumes; Court recesses until 4-25-16. Order on file. Transcript Invoice Voucher on file.	  RAB  
 addition 	 05/25/2016 	    Court resumes with jury trial; Atty Walker; Atty Nate; Atty Elward present for State; Def appears with Atty Liefer; jury trial resumes; Court resecess until 5-26-16.	  RAB  
 addition 	 05/25/2016 	    Writ of Habeas Corpus Ad Prosequendum issued. Writ of Habeas Corpus Ad Prosequendum issued. Writ of Habeas Corpus Ad Prosequendum issued.	  GG  
 addition 	 05/26/2016 	    Court resumes; Atty Walker; Atty Nate; Atty Elward appears for State; Def appears with Atty Liefer; jury trial resumes; State's oral motion to bar inmate Shelly McCree granted; Stipulation on file (group Ex 14); Stipultation on file (Pl Ex #'s 20,24,31,33 & top of 34); Court recesses until 5-27-16. Court resumes; Atty Walker; Atty Nate; Atty Elward for State; Def present with Atty Liefer; jury trial resumes; State's oral Motion for Direceted Verdict denied; Def made an offer of proof of what inmate Shelly McCree would say; Def oral motion to bar Warden Butler's testimony on rebuttal granted; State rested; parties stipulate that ppl group ex 14 will be published to the jury; Def rests.	  RAB  
 addition 	 05/27/2016 	    Stipulation on file. Stipulation on file.	  RAB  
 modification 	 05/31/2016 	    Jury Trial resumes; Atty Walker, Atty Nate; Atty Elward present for State; Def present with Atty Liefer; case given to jury at 11:45 a.m.; jury returns a guilty verdict at 12:58 p.m.; sentencing set 7-26-16 at 1 p.m. Count II will merge with Count I.	  RAB  
 addition 	 05/31/2016 	    Jury Instructions on file. Guilty verdict forms on file for each charge. List of Exhibits on file.	  UNASSIGNED  
 addition 	 06/02/2016 	    Docket Minutes on file.	  UNASSIGNED  
 addition 	 06/03/2016 	    Order on file. (sentencing)	  RAB  
 modification 	 06/09/2016 	    Petition for Fees on file.	  UNASSIGNED  
 modification 	 06/30/2016 	    Motion for Judgment Notwithstanding Verdict or, Alternatively, for a New Trial on file.	  UNASSIGNED  
 modification 	 07/14/2016 	    Notice of Presentment of Motion for Leave to Withdraw on file. Motion to Withdraw on file.	  UNASSIGNED  
 modification 	 07/18/2016 	    Order on file. (writ for 7-29-16)	  RAB  
 addition 	 07/19/2016 	    Presentence Investigation on file.	  UNASSIGNED  
 modification 	 07/21/2016 	    Petition for Fees on file. Notice of Hearing on file. (8-25-16, 2pm)	  UNASSIGNED  
 modification 	 07/22/2016 	    Proof of Service on file.	  UNASSIGNED  
 addition 	 07/25/2016 	    Letter from the Defendant on file. Judge reviewed the letter.	  UNASSIGNED  
 modification 	 07/26/2016 	    Writ of Habeas Corpus Ad Prosequendum issued.	  RAB  
 addition 	 07/29/2016 	    Defendant appears from DOC with counsel Lucas Liefer. Defendant makes a Motion for a new Attorney and that is Denied. Attorney Liefer makes a Motion to Withrawl and that is Denied. Attorney Liefer makes a Motion for New Trial and that is Denied and all rulings will stand. New Judgment Motion is Denied. PSI is admitted for Sentencing Hearing. Mr. Glasgow makes a Victim Impact Statement. Defendant is sentenced to DOC for 40 years, 3 years of Supervision upon his release and Court Costs are waived; Count II is merged with Count I. Attorney Liefer requests that the Circuit Clerks Office file a Notice of Appeal with the Appellate Court and the Appellate Defender be appointed. Judgment-Sentence to IL DOC on file. Amended Judgment-Sentence to IL DOC on file.	  RAB  
 addition 	 08/01/2016 	    Statement of Facts on file.	  UNASSIGNED  
 addition 	 08/25/2016 	    Attorney Liefer present; 2 representatives from the Chief Legal Counsel present; motion for payment of fees heard; motion granted. Order on file.(payment granted to Kevin McClain Investigations) Order on file.(payment granted to Attorney Liefer)	  RAB  
 addition 	 08/26/2016 	    Motion to Reconsider Sentence on file.	  UNASSIGNED  
 addition 	 09/15/2016 	    Report of Proceedings on file. (August 25, 2016)	  UNASSIGNED  
 modification 	 09/26/2016 	    Motion to Vacate on file.	  UNASSIGNED  
 modification 	 09/27/2016 	    Amended Motion to Vacate on file.	  UNASSIGNED  
 modification 	 10/03/2016 	    Order on file.	  RAB  
 modification 	 11/10/2016 	    Petition for Expert Fees on file. Petition for Rule to Show Cause on file.	  UNASSIGNED  
 modification 	 12/13/2016 	    Judge review set for 04/18/2017 at 9:00 in courtroom 2.	  UNASSIGNED  
 addition 	 12/15/2016 	    Order on file. (notice of appeal and appointment of counsel to be prepared)	  RAB  
 modification 	 12/16/2016 	    Transcript Invoice Voucher on file. Transcript Invoice Voucher on file.	  RAB  
 modification 	 12/16/2016 	    Report of Proceedings on file. (2-9-15) Report of Proceedings on file. (3-3-15) Report of Proceedings on file. (3-3-15) (closed proceedings) Report of Proceedings on file. (7-7-15) Report of Proceedings on file. (8-18-15) Report of Proceedings on file. (9-1-15) Report of Proceedings on file. (9-1-15) (closed proceedings) Report of Proceedings on file. (9-29-15) Report of Proceedings on file. (1-19-16) Report of Proceedings on file. (2-8-16) Report of Proceedings on file. (2-29-16) Report of Proceedings on file. (4-1-16) Report of Proceedings on file. (4-22-16) Report of Proceedings on file. (5-13-16) Report of Proceedings on file. (5-19-16) Report of Proceedings on file. (5-22-15)	  UNASSIGNED  
 addition 	 12/19/2016 	    Order on file. Transcript Invoice Voucher on file. Order on file. Transcript Invoice Voucher on file	  RAB  
 modification 	 12/19/2016 	    Report of Proceedings on file. (4-14-15) Report of Proceedings on file. (5-19-16) Report of Proceedings on file. (5-19-16) Report of Proceedings on file. (5-19-16) Report of Proceedings on file. (5-19-16) Report of Proceedings on file. (7-29-16)	  UNASSIGNED  
 addition 	 12/20/2016 	    Notice of Appeal on file. Notice of Filing Notice of Appeal on file. Certificate of Mailing on file. Certificate of Mailing on file.	  UNASSIGNED  
 addition 	 12/20/2016 	    Appointment of Counsel on Appeal on file.	  RAB  
 addition 	 12/23/2016 	    Letter from Appellate Court on file. (appellate ct. #5-16-0541) Certified mail receipt returned. Certified mail receipt returned.	  UNASSIGNED  
 addition 	 01/03/2017 	    Letter from Appellate Defender on file. Amended Notice of Appeal on file.	  UNASSIGNED  
 modification 	 01/04/2017 	    Certificate of Mailing on file.	  UNASSIGNED  
 addition 	 01/05/2017 	    Letter from Appellate Defender on file.	  UNASSIGNED  
 modification 	 01/09/2017 	    Certified mail receipt returned.	  UNASSIGNED  
 modification 	 01/18/2017 	    Report of Proceedings on file. (5-20-16) Report of Proceedings on file. (5-23-16) Report of Proceedings on file. (5-24-16) Report of Proceedings on file. (5-25-16) Report of Proceedings on file. (5-26-16) Report of Proceedings on file. (5-27-16) Report of Proceedings on file. (5-31-16) Report of Proceedings on file. (8-25-16)	  UNASSIGNED  
 addition 	 01/19/2017 	    Transcript Invoice Voucher on file.	  RAB  

Has Stephen Peterson come to accept that his father is a murderer?

Yesterday the Lifetime Movie Network aired the season 2 premiere of their show, Monster in My Family, with Drew Peterson as the subject.

The somewhat exploitative show features the family members of convicted murderers telling of the struggles they face due to the nefarious actions of their loved ones and meeting with the families of victims to ask for forgiveness.

Kathleen Savio’s sister, Sue Doman (Savio), appeared in this episode as did Drew Peterson’s adult son Stephen Peterson.

It was surprising to see Stephen Peterson taking part in the show since he has eschewed interviews during the nine years or so since Stacy Peterson disappeared and his father became a household name.

It was more surprising, yet, that LMN promoted the show by saying that Stephen has now accepted that his father is a killer and that he had sat down with Kathleen’s sister in an attempt at reconciliation between the two estranged families.

Surprising, because Stephen has been taking care of Drew Peterson’s children since his father was arrested for murder in 2009, and lost his job on the Oak Brook police force when it was determined that he had interfered with an investigation when accepting guns and money from Drew in the days after Stacy’s disappearance.

Although Stephen has shied away from the publicity that his father eagerly courted and never publicly stated his stance, it has long been assumed that he supported Drew and was at best ignorant of his father’s crimes – at worst aided and abbetted them.

For years Stacy’s sister, Cassandra Cales, has stated publicly that she is not allowed to visit with her young niece and nephew because Drew has told Stephen not to allow it.

I watched the show with some interest but came away with more questions than answers about Stephen Peterson and his relationship to his father, and to the Savio and Cales families.

The show’s host, Melissa Moore, daughter of Keith Hunter Jesperson, known in the media as the “Happy Face Killer”, first interviewed Stephen asking, “Do you think your dad killed Kathleen?”

“I’d probably say so…That’s probably the first time I ever said out loud that I think he probably did it.” He replied. He expressed disappointment in his father that he says grew over time. “I don’t think he realizes what he’s done to Stacy’s family, Kathy’s family, our friends the kids – everybody.”

He said he didn’t agree with Stacy adopting Tom and Kris after Kathleen’s death because it erased Kathy from her sons’ birth certificates, but Drew did it anyway. Stephen thought it was done as a ploy to keep Stacy from leaving.

As for agreeing to meet with Sue Doman in a sort of Catfish type of set up, Stephen said he was willing to do it so that she and everyone else would see that he is not his father. “I would love some sort of closure for her or the kids but you know it won’t come from him (Drew).”

At the meeting Sue told Stephen that she hated Drew and had hated Stephen as well, believing him to possibly have been involved in her sister’s death. He told her that he was not and that he had thought Drew was innocent at the time of the murder.

There was discussion about the rift between the two families and the fact that the Savios had been cut out of the lives of Kathleen’s sons. Stephen said he hoped that would change.

This part of the discussion struck me as odd since Thomas and Kris are now adults and living independently. They are free to now see whoever they wish and I know that Sue and Tom have been in contact on Facebook, so this isn’t really an issue that Stephen has any control over.

On the other hand Stacy’s children are still minors and living with Stephen at Drew’s home, yet there was no mention of attempting to reconcile with the Cales family or grant Cassandra the visitation that she has long been asking for.

If Stephen has truly had a change of heart and wants to do right by his father’s victims, why on earth wasn’t this addressed during the show?

I try not to be cynical but I am fearful that Stephen Peterson isn’t sincere about the change to his attitude and beliefs.

I find it interesting that the turnabout has come only after another 40-year sentence has been tacked on to Drew’s prison time, essentially convicting him for life, and after Drew finally lost his pension – the pension that Stephen was receiving to help raise Stacy’s two children.

Somehow, I can’t help but believe that this late game change of heart has come about either at the behest of or with the blessings of Drew Peterson, in hopes that public opinion of Stephen Peterson will be swayed and with it, the return of Drew’s pension.

I do think it’s wrong to punish the child for the crimes of the father but I’ll have an easier time believing in Stephen Peterson when his transformation is complete and publicly includes both the Savio and the Cales families.

Video: Oral arguments in appeal of Drew Peterson Murder conviction

Today attorneys for Drew Peterson and the State of Illinois presented their oral arguments to the Supreme Court of the state.

Law professor Harold Krent and long-time Peterson attorney Steve Greenberg argued for Peterson, while assistant attorney general Leah Bendik argued for the state.

Attorneys are hoping for an answer from the court by Spring. Here are the arguments in their entirety.

Tuesday: Illinois Supreme Court to hear arguments in Drew Peterson’s appeal of murder conviction

Oral arguments in Drew Peterson’s appeal of his 2012 conviction for the murder of Kathleen Savio are scheduled to be heard tomorrow, November 15, at 9:30 in Springfield.

I expect Steve Greenberg (and possibly law professor Harold Krent) will be arguing for Peterson, while assistant attorneys general Michael Glick and Leah Bendik will most likely be arguing for the state.

If you’ve been following this case since it was first appealed, a lot of it is going to be familiar ground; with hearsay, conflict of interest, ineffective counsel, and attorney-client privileges being some of the points of contention.

If you want to get up to speed on the appeal in advance of tomorrow’s proceedings, then fire up those reading glasses, pop a Tylenol and power through the legal briefs filed by both the appellant and appellee teams:

View this document on Scribd

View this document on Scribd

View this document on Scribd

BTW, Stacy Peterson has now been missing for nine years. Her sister, Cassandra Cales, recently went to Facebook to state that if Stacy’s remains are found she will sue for them. She says she is still denied access to her niece and nephew who are in the custody of their half-brother, Stephen Peterson. Peterson was fired from his position as a law enforcement officer in Oak Park, after it was determined that he accepted guns and money from his father during the investigation of Stacy’s disappearance in 2007.

Read: Drew Peterson’s petition to get his pension returned

On August 2, Drew Peterson’s attorney, Steve Greenberg, filed a petition for an administrative review of the revocation of his police pension which was revoked in June, after his conviction for the solicitation of the murder of States Attorney James Glasgow.

The petition claims that Peterson’s annual $79k was unlawfully revoked because his 2012 murder conviction was not related to and did not arise out of his “service as a police officer”.

In November 2007, after the disappearance of Peterson’s fourth wife Stacy Peterson, the Bolingbrook Chief of Police wanted to fire him but Mayor Claar overruled the decision and let Peterson retire with full pension, which has been being used to raise Stacy Peterson’s two children, Anthony and Lacy.

Recently released covert tapes of Peterson’s conversations with a prison snitch revealed Peterson stating that Bolingbrook Mayor, Roger Claar, “Saved my pension.”

The matter of Peterson’s pension has been under review by the Bolingbrook Police Police Pension Fund board since his 2012 conviction for the murder of his third wife, Kathleen Savio. I find it interesting that only after the tapes and transcripts were made public was Peterson’s pension finally revoked.

Exhibit “A” to the petition is the board’s decision and order to strip Peterson of his pension and it outlines the legal reasons and arguments for doing so.

View this document on Scribd

Drew Peterson sentenced to 40 years for arranging hit on prosecutor

UPDATE 2:36: Drew Peterson was sentenced to 40 years.

Per the Chicago Sun-Times:

In a 20-minute address to the judge, Peterson continued his complaints against his attorney. Peterson contended he never truly intended to carry out a plot to kill Glasgow but rather was setting up a scam so his fellow inmate could rat out Peterson and get a reduced sentence. Peterson contended that his attorney failed to call up to 16 fellow inmates at trial who could have testified about the scam.

Peterson also said during his statement to the court that he has been suicidal while behind bars.

On Friday, closing his remarks, Peterson looked over toward Glasgow in the courtroom and said, “I never did try to have you killed. You can think what you want.”

Outside the courtroom, Glasgow said he was not persuaded by the words of a man he called “a patronizing con man.”
“He’s deluded,” Glasgow said.

According to the Chicago Tribune:

On Friday, Peterson said he knew he was being recorded the whole time and his words were all part of a scam to help Smith bring the evidence to authorities to get Smith a reduced sentence.

Clad in a ruffled white button-down shirt, black pants and white Nike basketball shoes, Peterson claimed several other inmates were aware of the plan as well. Peterson said at the time of the recordings, over several weeks during November 2014, he was suicidal and didn’t believe he would live to see the scam come to fruition.

Also,

Peterson showed no reaction as Brown handed down the sentence. As he left the courtroom, Peterson said something quietly to Cassandra Cales, the sister of Peterson’s missing fourth wife, Stacy.

Cales, who was seated in the gallery, responded to Peterson: “You killed Stacy.”

Reporter Andy Grimm heard the comment a little differently:

“Give up my sister then kill yourself.”

Judge Brown denied a motion for Peterson to get a new attorney, and also denied a motion for a new trial.

State’s Attorney Glasgow Statement on Drew Peterson Sentence

Drew Peterson was convicted in Randolph County earlier this year of the solicitation for hire of my murder. The sentence handed down today by Judge Richard Brown sends a clear message that convicted criminals will be punished severely if they attempt to take revenge on the prosecutors who have placed them behind bars for their crimes.

While I was the target in this case, it is important to note that this crime is not about me. It is about every State’s Attorney and every Assistant State’s Attorney who takes on the important role of prosecuting criminals and protecting our citizens. This was not merely a threat to one prosecutor. It was an attack on our entire criminal justice system by a notorious murderer who always felt he could act outside and above the law. Prosecutors across our state must have assurances that they are safe once these criminal enterprises are uncovered.

Once again I extend my heartfelt thanks to Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan for accepting this case for prosecution and to Assistant Attorneys General Steve Nate and Bill Elward who worked alongside Randolph County State’s Attorney Jeremy Walker to secure a guilty verdict and significant sentence. The Illinois Department of Corrections was critical to the execution of the overhears, and the FBI provided the cutting-edge technology that made these recordings possible. Thank you all for protecting the integrity of our criminal justice system.

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At 1:00 today Drew Peterson will be in court to be sentenced for his solicitation of murder conviction.

His intended target, State’s Attorney James Glasgow, will make a victim’s impact statement and Peterson may also speak.

Peterson is already serving a 38 year sentence for the murder of his third wife, Kathleen Savio, which would have kept him behind bars until the age of 92.

The new sentence could add at least 35 years to his earlier sentence which he has been serving at Menard Correctional Facility in Chester, Illinois.

Peterson recently wrote a letter to Judge Richard Brown, complaining about this representation by his court-appointed defender, Lucas Liefer.

Last week a motion for leave to withdraw was filed for Peterson’s case so it remains to see who will be sitting next to Peterson in court today.

I will update this post later today with news as I hear it. Randolph county does not allow cameras, lap tops or phones in the courtroom and today there is no overflow room available to reporters, so live tweets will not be available. Please check the comment thread for current updates.

In the meantime, Drew can look forward to a continued lifetime of writing letters to women from behind bars, offering signed photos of himself (but not of his kids or wives) and begging for bikini pics of them and their (female) friends.

Listen: secretly recorded Drew Peterson prison conversations

Yesterday the secretly recorded conversations between Drew Peterson and prison snitch Antonio Smith were made public.

The hours of recordings were played in court last month during Peterson’s trial for solicitation of murder and helped the jurors decide to convict Peterson of attempting to put out a hit on State’s Attorney James Glasgow.

Glasgow was the lead prosecutor in Drew Peterson’s 2012 trial for the murder of Peterson’s third wife, Kathleen Savio.

Here are some clips.