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:
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.
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.
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.
***********************************
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.
Drew Peterson has been charged with attempting to arrange the murder of James Glasgow
Drew Peterson’s latest murder trial is slated to begin in less than a month, and the clock is ticking down on deciding who will testify at trial and what kind of evidence will be allowed.
On April 22, Peterson and attorneys for both sides were back in court to argue three motions.
The first motion seeks to limit the impeachment of a former cellmate of Drew Peterson’s, referred to as “Individual A” in court documents, and earlier identified as a man named Antonio Smith, who is rumored to have been released from prison and now living under an assumed identity.
Assistant Attorney General Bill Elward asked to have Smith’s testimony barred, as well as that of four other inmates, Albert Chavez, Jesus Padilla, Glenn Barrett and Shelly McGree, because Peterson’s attorney, Lucas Liefer, had yet to provide the prosecution with copies of the conversation between Peterson and the other men. “We’re trying this case in the dark because we don’t know what Individual A is going to testify at trial” he stated.
Elward asked where the reports and summaries of these conversations are and Liefer countered that he had a ton of discovery dumped on him at the beginning of April and was overwhelmed, complaining that he had yet to be paid for his representation of Peterson.
Brown gave Liefer until April 26, to come up with summaries of the conversations, but Elward stated that the prosecution wants not only that but also what these witnesses told investigators.
Two of the men are still incarcerated at Menard Correctional Center which houses Peterson, while the other two are now housed at Lawrence Correctional Center.
The second motion was in regards to the recordings of conversations between Peterson and other inmates in which he allegedly tried to solicit the murder of Illinois State’s attorney James Glasgow.
Liefer argued that some portions of the recordings are inaudible which makes them untrustworthy on the whole, while Elward pointed out that Liefer has had the recordings for over a year and that 96% of the recordings are fine.
Brown agreed to take a look at the transcripts and then decide.
S.A. James Glasgow
The last motion involved a clarification on an earlier decision regarding allowing James Glasgow to be used as a witness during the prosecution’s opening statements of the trial.
Elward argued that Glasgow will provide background to the jury on the history between Drew Peterson and himself. “He talks about Savio, he talks about Stacy, he talks about his son losing his job, which he blames Glasgow for” Elward said.
Brown agreed to allow the State’s Attorney to speak, but instructed the prosecution to provide Peterson’s defense with a summary of what he intends to say.
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First off, an episode of “Murder Made Me Famous” addresing the Drew Peterson cases premieres on Reelz this Saturday. You’ll see lots of familiar faces and even Cassandra Cales took part in this one. Check your local listings for times and channel.
Meanwhile, preparation for Peterson’s murder-for hire November trial is underway and deep in the motions phase.
On August 21, an order granting the State’s motion for buccal swab and fingerprints was filed. I’m not sure whose mouth and fingerprints are involved, but Judge Richard A. Brown will admit this physical evidence to trial, which is kind of exciting seeing as there was so much made about the lack of physical evidence at Drew Peterson’s last trial.
On Tuesday, the Peterson defense and Illinois State’s attorneys argued a number of motions that were filed last month. The courtroom was closed for about an hour while the states motion to admit prior bad acts was argued. Court was then opened while attorneys argued a defense motion to supress wire tap evidence.
Peterson’s motion argues that the wire tap evidence against him has a number of problems that should keep it from being heard at trial. For one thing, they say that the consent to record form was not filled out or signed properly. The form authorizes eavesdropping on conversations between Peterson and a man named Stephen Nardi, who has nothing to do with the case (the actual informant is alleged to be named Antonio Smith, a former convict now living under an assumed name in a different state). This is most likely a clerical error – but is it bad enough to keep out the wire taps?
The motion also argues that the investigation into the conspiracy charges was initiated by Jame Glasgow, which was a conflict of interest seeing as he was the intended victim of the crime, and further, that Will County Judge, Richard Schoenstedt, interviewed Smith before the consent was given for a wire tap, again creating a conflict of interest.
Illinois Senior Assistant Attorney General Bill Elward said during the hearing that there are “extensive mentions” of Glasgow in the recordings that contain “animosity” regarding why Peterson hates Glasgow and wants to have him killed.
“The defendant makes numerous statements that he wants Jim Glasgow killed,” (Assistant Attorney General Steve) Nate told Brown. “Those are his words. There’s no going around those words.”
The defense also argued that there was no written affidavit provided before the wire tap took place. “Informant A” alleges that he has a letter from Drew Peterson stating that he wants James Glasgow to be killed, but he is not able to provide it.
The state argued to admit evidence about Peterson’s prior attempt to solicit the murder of Kathleen Savio. Jeffrey Pachter testified at Peterson’s trial for the murder of Savio that in 2003 Drew had asked him to find someone who could kill his wife for $25,000.
“That may have happened in Will County, but they haven’t proven in this county that Drew Peterson hired someone to kill his third wife,” Peterson’s attorney, Lucas Liefer, said.
Brown asked both counsels to submit a “checklist” of issues, stating that he had made some notes during the nearly two-and-a-half hour hearing on what he has to rule on.
“I just want to make sure I cover each one of these trial issues,” he said. “I’ll read all of this and think about it and give a written order. If I miss something, let me know.”
Here’s a rundown of case updates for the month of August:
08/18/2015 Subpoena Duces Tecum issued. People’s Response to the Defendant’s Supplemental Motion for Discovery on file
08/18/2015 Motions argued.
08/21/2015 Order Granting State’s Motion for Buccal Swab and Fingerprints on file.
08/24/2015 Motion to Suppress on file. Motion to Suppress Evidence on file. Petition for Expert Fees on file. Notice of Hearing on file. (Hearing on petition for expert fees 9-29-15, 11am) Proof of Service on file,
08/24/2015 Order Granting Defense Request to File Exhibits Under Seal on file. Exhibits filed under seal. (Filed in locked exhibit cabinet 1A)
08/28/2015 Reply to Defendant’s Motion to Suppress Evidence on file.
08/31/2015 Reply to People’s Motion in Limine to Admit Evidence of Other Crimes on file. Reply to People’s Motion to Admit Relevant Evidence of Defendant’s Conduct and Other Acts Evidence on file.
09/01/2015 Order on file. (Rulings on motion for discovery filed 7-23-15)
09/02/2015 Sealed motion to admit relevant evidence was opened and copied for Judge Brown. Sealed exhibits were opened and exhibits d & e were copied for Judge Brown.
I sure would love to have access to exhibit cabinet 1A.
This morning Drew Peterson was taken on a six-hour drive to attend a hearing before Judge Edward Burmila.
The judge denied a motion to reduce Peterson’s 38-year prison sentence to 20 years. He still must serve out the remaining 34 years of the sentence (subtracting the four years he spent in detainment before trial).
Judge Burmila also denied a motion that would keep Peterson’s former attorney, Joel Brodsky, from talking publicly about the case and allegedly violating attorney-client privilege. However he did indicate that he felt Brodsky had decided poorly when making the media rounds after Peterson’s sentencing and asked the clerk to send a transcript of Tuesday’s hearing and the motion that prompted it to the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission. Judge Burmila told the court:
He was referring to this appearance that Joel Brodsky made on WGN news the morning of February 22 in which he explained his decision to put a controversial witness on the stand and defended his approach to publicity.
According to Joel Brodsky, the Illinois rules of professional conduct allow him to defend himself against allegations of misconduct, and that is what he was doing in that interview and others.
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Not 24 hours after Drew Peterson was sentenced to 38 years in prison for the killing of Kathleen Savio, Joel Brodsky was taking to the air waves to try to put some distance between himself and his one time partner-in-publicity.
On a local news show Brodsky claimed that he had never seen Peterson act or sound the way he did in court yesterday when he blurted out, “I did not kill Kathleen”, and then launched into a long self-pitying rant in his own defense.
“Maybe he’s right” Brodsky said about his one-time foe, States Attorney Jim Glasgow, who said that the outburst showed us “the real Drew Peterson”.
Brodsky also took to Facebook in an attempt to exonerate himself from claims that he had made a horrific blunder during Peterson’s trial by calling attorney Harry Smith to the witness stand. Even Judge Stephen Burmila had warned the defense that calling this witness could be risky to Peterson’s defense as he was liable to give testimony that put Drew Peterson at the scene of Kathleen’s death.
The decision to call Harry Smith was called out in Peterson’s motion for a new trial which was denied yesterday, shortly before his sentencing. Although Brodsky was took the stand to testify about his financial arrangements with Peterson, he was never questioned about the Harry Smith matter.
Brodsky wrote:
Joel A. Brodsky, Attorney at Law
2 hours ago
Here is the true story on why Harry Smith was called to testify:
Drew Peterson was convinced that we needed to impeach Stacy’s hearsay. He said that we either had to do it in by using Stacy’s alibi statement or by calling Harry Smith to testify that Stacy was trying to extort him. Drew said that if we didn’t do one or the other than he would insist on taking the stand himself. It was Drew’s right to take the stand if he wanted to, it was his decision, and we couldn’t stop him if he wanted to. We all knew that if Drew took the stand it would have been a disaster, 100% guaranteeing a conviction. Therefore if we were to have any chance of winning we had to either get Stacy’s alibi in, or call Smith, risky as calling Smith may be.
First Attorney Steve Greenberg was supposed get the alibi into evidence through one of the state police officers he was designated to call, Sgt. Collins. However, he failed to do it, and that left no choice but to call Harry Smith. I knew that Smith would be a difficult and risky witness , so instead of putting him off on some other lawyer on the team I felt that as lead lawyer I would be the one who called Smith because it was dangerous, and since I was lead it fell on me to take the risk (being a leader isn’t just a title, it means you take responsibility). Therefore, I was the attorney who called Harry Smith.
All of the attorneys on the team agreed that Harry Smith had to be called. I have both documentary and independent eye witness evidence that Steve Greenberg specifically agreed that Harry Smith should be called to testify.
I didn’t disclose this earlier because Drew’s post-trial motions were pending, and as much as I knew the argument being made was wrong, Drew was still my former client, and I didn’t want to take any action that would prejudice his chances for a new trial. Now that the motion for new trial is denied, I can let the truth about this subject be known.
What should make you mad is that Attorney Steve Greenberg knew all this and was still attempted to put the entire loss on me even though he agreed with the decision to call Harry Smith, made calling Harry Smith a certainty by failing to get the Stacy alibi into evidence, and understood that if we didn’t call him that Drew would take the stand. Greenberg’s intentional and knowing lies about me to the public and the court are reprehensible and he will be held to account for them.
Joel Brodsky has also been stating on camera that Peterson’s current defense team is abandoning his case to the State Appellate Defenders – something that Steve Greenberg denies although attorney Joe Lopez stated this morning on that same news show that he will not be a part of the appellate team (go to 03:35):
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Judge Burmila begins to hand down the sentence. He won’t consider Stacy Peterson disappearance (Peterson could still be charged with this). “This crime happened by stealth.” “It had to have been planned in advance.” Judge notes that Peterson showed no remorse and did not take responsibility for Savio’s death. Burmila on sentencing: “It’s not an exact science. The court is not Solomon.” “This sentence must be served in its entirety.” Burmila sentenced Drew Peterson to 38 years in prison. Judge says Drew Peterson will get credit for 4 years served but will serve 100% of his sentence.
UPDATE 03:01:
Drew Peterson shouts: “I DID NOT KILL KATHLEEN!” Peterson outburst shocks the courtroom. Peterson says “I’ve been forced to sit silent.” Judge throws out a Savio relative after she says yells back “Yes, you did!” Peterson says prosecutors and police officers falsified, lost evidence in one of the most expensive investigations in county history. Peterson complaining of false police reports, “rumors, gossip, outrageous lies and most importantly, unreliable hearsay.” Peterson said Schori promised him and Stacy “anything we talked about would remain personal and private and would never be repeated.” Peterson says the courts violated the clergy privilege by revealing info from counseling session. Judge ruled otherwise. Peterson : “Hearsay’s a scary thing.” “Nobody’s accountable for the truth.” Peterson’s voice is quivering as he speaks. He sounds angry. Peterson says evidence used to convict him were “all statements made by women who were trying to better position themselves.” In divorce, “everybody lies. And everybody lies basically under the instructions of their own attorneys.” Peterson choking back tears as he recalls his kids telling him that they lied to protect their mom in a court hearing a decade ago. Peterson calls both Kathleen and Stacy liars. Says that Stacy had a crush on Rev. Neil Schori. Peterson now criticizing prosecutors for using a “skinny-butt” spokesperson — a family friend of Stacy Peterson’s – as a mouthpiece. Peterson says all this went on “under the eyes and nose” of the court. Peterson is now going through autopsy results, reminding the judge that a coroner’s jury determined Savio’s was an accident. Peterson just asked for a glass of water. Peterson says he “may be redundant with a lot of things, but I need to say them.” Peterson says authorities took “an accident and staged a homicide.” Peterson on his time as a cop: “My conduct was exemplary.” Says he was probably one of the highest decorated officers. Peterson still talking in court, There’s no time limit for him so he’s going through all the trial arguments. Peterson says “I was viewed as a great guy and in moments the media turned me into a monster.” Peterson says that as soon as he’s able he’s getting a shoulder-to-shoulder tattoo that reads “no good deed goes unpunished.” Peterson says he loved Kathy Savio, she didn’t deserve to die. She was a good mom, kept a nice home. And then he starts trashing her. Peterson says Kathy Savio was emotionally unstable from a childhood filled with physical and sexual abuse. Peterson says Kathy cried on their wedding night because her dad didn’t show up to walk her down the aisle. Peterson say he paid for Kathy Savio’s funeral, prompting a family member to shout: “That’s a lie, right there!” Peterson on Dr. Baden: “He cut off the head of the mother of my children …” voice rising, rest inaudible. Peterson talks, three family members are listening in the overflow room after being tossed from courtroom. Peterson : “Mr. Glasgow, all aspects of my life have been destroyed and I tell you this to give you greater cause for celebration when you celebrate the fact that you perpetrated the largest railroad job that ever took place in this country.” “Anything you sentence me to, you’re sentencing me to the Department of Corrections to die.” Peterson says he “can’t believe he spent 32 years defending the constitution that allowed this to happen to me. “America should be outraged but nobody cares.” “I take full responsibility for my relationship with the media.” “I agreed to go on national TV to tell my side of the story.” “It’s pretty clear the state took part in that movie.” He calls Nancy Grace a “busy body”. “I am an obnoxious man by nature…and my defense mechanism is comedy.” Peterson in closing: “I don’t deserve this.” Peterson tells Glasgow to look him in they eye.
Joe Lopez now arguing for Drew Peterson. No matter what sentence Drew Peterson gets, it won’t deter spouses from fighting and killing each other. “These things have been going on since the birth of man.” He points to Chicago’s murder rate as proof. “Even the minimum sentence puts him at the end of the spectrum of his life.” Drew Peterson sentence won’t deter others from domestic violence: “There’s commandments about it as old as Moses.” Drew has no prior criminal history as a child. Drew has led a law-abiding life until the moment he was convicted. Peterson has done some good things in life. He worked for Burger King as a teen, worked at a shoe store. Joined the Army. Lopez points out letters of recommendation, including one from 1994 by Glasgow’s office commending Drew Peterson and others for police work. Lopez tells judge that Drew put his life on the line as a cop. “That has to count for something,” he says. Regarding fight between Drew Peterson and Savio witnessed by Drew’s son Eric, “It takes two to tango.” “Drew loved his children more than he hated any of the women he was with.” Peterson has maintained “since Day One” that Savio’s death was an accident. Still no physical evidence. there is nothing in the record that would indicate “this” would happen again. An excessive sentence would be a hardship to Drew Peterson ‘s children. The court must punish Drew, but asks the judge not punish his children even more than they have been. Drew has twice been treated for skin cancer since his May 2009 arrest. Our lives have changed because of the media coverage. … People in the other room are tweeting about what I’m saying.” In Drew’s “private life things weren’t that good.” But in his public life “he did do good things.” Peterson might not have been the best husband in the world. Lopez asks for sentence closer to 20 years.
UPDATE 01:52:
Glasgow about to make his recommendation for Drew Peterson sentencing. He asks judge to take into consideration the fact that another judge found Drew likely killed Stacy Peterson too. Glasgow tells judge “the unconditional love that the children need from their parents has been ripped from them.” Glasgow says Drew’s actions denied four children of their mothers — and now their father, too. Reminds judge that Drew’s second wife testified at an earlier hearing about suffering abuse during their marriage. Glasgow also mentions testimony from Drew Peterson’s son, Eric, about how Peterson attacked Savio. He asks the judge to recall Drew Peterson soliciting a potential hit man to kill Savio. Drew Peterson received financial gain after Savio’s death. “The compensation was enormous.” Peterson is pathological and could kill again if he was set free. Drew Peterson orchestrated the finding of Savio’s body, and was interviewed “on friendly terms” by police. Police officer is the most noble profession in society. “But Drew Peterson violated it at the highest level.” This sentence needs to send a very strong message, that this will not be tolerated. Defense will argue for leniency because of his police service. Prosecutors say it should be harsher because society trusted Drew. Glasgow asks for sentence in “higher range” of 20-60 years.
Drew Peterson’s ex-brother-in-law Henry Savio Jr. is now reading his statement. “Drew Peterson murdered my sister, Kathleen. He took away a mother, a sister and a friend. My sister always wanted children. She always wanted to be a mother. The relationship with her kids, Tom and Kris, was destroyed because Drew Peterson did not allow us to be in their lives. Drew Peterson broke into her house. He terrorized her. He brutalized her. And then he drowned her. It makes me sick to know that he was the last person she ever saw”
Henry Savio says he will mend his relationship with Kathleen’s boys while Drew Peterson is “rotting away in jail.”
“I pray that during the last minutes of his life, he is able to clearly see her and she is watching his dissension into hell. He took Kathleen’s future and now she has taken his. She was afraid of Drew Peterson, but I know in her last hours she stood up to him.”
UPDATE 01:38:
Kathleen Savio’s sister, Susan Doman, now reading her victim impact statement. “I can hardly stand the pain at times. The thought of the last night of her life will always be with me. My sister Kathleen was my rock through my life. I always looked up to her even though she was younger than me. She told me we were family, and no one could take that away.” Doman is in tears on the stand.
“She had a big heart for her family. She did not deserve to be brutally murdered. During the divorce she lived in fear, and I knew the defendant would kill her one day. She only wanted to live in peace and go on with her life. The defendant took that away…He shows no remorse. Drew took everything away from Kathleen when he decided to take her life. This was a big joke to him, and he loved all the attention.”
Susan Doman asks Judge Burmila to give her sister justice “once and for all.”
UPDATE 01:33:
Kathleen Savio’s sister, Anna Marie Doman, now on the stand to deliver her victim impact statement. “Kathleen Savio was my baby sister. She will never see…her own boys have families of their own. Our family is forever broken. I still can’t believe I will never hug her or hear her voice again. I still talk to her. I sure hope she can hear me.”
UPDATE 01:08:
Restaurateur Jeff Ruby has arrived in his steakhouse bus. He is in the hallway of the courthouse but sheriffs are not sure he can be allowed inside after the contempt of court charge he received for mouthing words at Drew Peterson during the trial. “I didn’t drive all the way out here to not be allowed in,” he says.
Court is in session.
Judge Burmilla says he has read all submitted documents. He says that conversation between Rev. Schori and Stacy was not covered by clergy privilege. Says that Drew Peterson sought publicity on his own. Not unreasonable for Peterson and Brodsky to seek media attention pre-indictment. Drew Peterson clearly shares part of the blame for Brodsky entering into media contract.
Burmila says it was clear to him from the very beginning that Brodsky was not capable of defending Drew Peterson on his own. But that does not mean Drew Peterson did not get the vigorous defense he was entitled to from his entire legal team.
The judge rules no new trial for Drew Peterson.
UPDATE 09:55:
Press Release from the State’s Attorney’s office:
Update: Drew Peterson Sentencing Thursday, February 21
Judge Edward Burmila will rule on the defense post-trial motion for a new trial in People V. Peterson at 1 p.m. on Thursday, February 21. If he denies the motion, the case will proceed to sentencing. After Judge Burmila announces a sentence:
• The press is asked to go to Joliet City Hall for a post-sentencing news conference. We will begin the conference roughly 30-45 minutes after a sentence is announced.
• State’s Attorney Glasgow and his trial team will be available to make a statement, discuss the case and answer media questions.
• Kathleen Savio’s and Stacy Peterson’s family members will be available for comments as well as possibly other witnesses from the trial.
Joliet City Hall is located at 150 W. Jefferson Street
One block west of the Will County Courthouse
State’s Attorney Glasgow once again would like to thank Mayor Tom Giarrante and City Manager Tom Thanas for allowing us to bring this news conference indoors to the newly remodeled City Council Chambers.
…………………………………………….
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Judge asks prosecutor, “Are you saying Stacy was an accomplice in Savio’s death?” Prosecutor suggests she misunderstood, then “No, I’m not saying that.”
Groans erupt in the overflow courtroom when the judge asks the defense if they want to make another comment.
Judge taking the arguments under advisement. Court adjourns until 1 p.m. Thursday.
Drew Peterson's attorneys pushing their contention outside court that their client had "ineffective counsel" at trial pic.twitter.com/M1dg6EbZky
Sentencing likely not going to happen until Thursday.
Court is back in session, Attorney Peilet is rehashing Rev. Schori’s testimony. Neil Schori is in the courtroom.
Defense going through entire trial point by point, trying to show that state failed to prove case.
Arguments moving on to issue of state suggesting initial investigation of Savio’s death could have been more thorough.
Court in recess. Judge says they will finish today but sentencing tomorrow. (Indicates that he will not grant motion?)
Greenberg says Stacy’s conversation with Harry Smith was privileged, and nobody should have been able to call him as a witness. Brodsky’s decision to call Harry Smith allowed in the “most incriminating”. “that strategy alone should mean Peterson gets a new trial” evidence presented at trial.
Judge Burmila aks, “Do you believe lawyers should have brought mistake to court’s attention once Smith was called?”
Joel Brodsky is in press room listening to Greenberg and loudly sighing, putting his hand over his eyes.
Greenberg says lawyers were bullied by Brodsky during trial. “It was a dictatorship”.
Judge Burmila says if lawyers disagreed with Brodsky calling Harry Smith, they could have told him or asked to quit case.
The state says it’s not surprising that, with six lawyers on a case, there was some dissension. Drew Peterson ultimately chose the strategy. Also that Reem Odeh once argued the media frenzy wasn’t Drew Peterson’s fault, that he needed to “explain the rumors.” (white noise). Also that Drew Peterson knew about the publicity contract so he should have mentioned the conflict of interest to the court if there was one.
Prosecutor Marie Czech says calling Smith was strategic decision by defense, “they needed to do something” because their case was in trouble. Says Peterson had six attorneys, with more than 100 yrs of experience. If there was a disagreement, Peterson chose to go with Brodsky.
Court back in session. Attorney Greenberg calls State’s Attorney James Glasgow. Lawyers now argue about whether he can testify. Glasgow objects to being called as well. The judge wants to know why the “Gift from God” statement made by Glasgow outside of the court room is important to this issue. Defense says Glasgow statement undercuts his argument that calling Harry Smith was just trial strategy. Judge still listening. Judge rules that Glasgow doesn’t have to testify. “I don’t see the relevance,” Judge Edward Burmila says. And that’s the end of the defense witnesses and prosecution has no witnesses.
Prosecution now asking judge to strike parts of the defense motion for a new trial before judge hears closing arguments.
Retrial hearing winding up now as defense runs down the unfolding of the trial; alleges lack of evidence, inadequate counsel, etc. Defense says that the Savio case only gained attention when Stacy Peterson missing person case became “national fodder”.
John Heiderscheidt now arguing that state did not prove its case against Drew Peterson – there was not sufficient evidence to convict.
Prosecution now speaks. They say that Drew Peterson made multiple statements about how he could kill Savio and make it look like an accident. The jury heard evidence that Savio’s death was a homicide, that Drew Peterson threatened to kill her and that Stacy provided an alibi.
Defense attorney Greenberg now arguing 2010 hearsay hearing violated Drew Peterson’s fifth amendment rights.
The State counters, saying that Drew Peterson’s rights were “scrupulously represented” at the hearsay hearing.
Lawyers continue to argue over evidence presented in trial. Defense tactic includes saying attorneys at hearsay hearing didn’t know the law.
UPDATE 10:54:
Greenberg calls retired Judge Daniel Locallo to the stand to explain how the Peterson murder case was lost by the defense. He describes his years of experience. Attorneys are arguing over whether Locallo can testify as an expert. Judge Burmila decides that he can testify. Locallo testifies that someone should have told Burmila about Brodsky/Peterson’s publicity contract and that calling Harry Smith to the stand was not a “reasonable” trial strategy. Locallo says that before Brodsky called Harry Smith, the jury had not heard evidence that Drew Peterson killed Kathleen Savio, dooming Peterson. Recess before cross-examination.
Cross-examination of Locallo begins. Prosecutor: Attorney Lopez had said during the closing statements that they did not “hide” Harry Smith from the jury. Locallo says he’s never seen other members of a legal team object on the record to a fellow team member’s strategy. Prosecutor points out that Greenberg objected on the record to Brodsky’s strategy, saying there was “about to be a mutiny”
Court in recess until 1:15 p.m.
UPDATE 10:43:
Court is session. Attorney Greenberg wants to address his motion to strike the state’s exhibits. Prosecution made allegations about things he and Lopez said in news articles, and it shouldn’t be part of the record. The State argues that Greenberg referred to news articles and broadcasts in his court filings.
Burmila denies the motion to strike.
UPDATE 09:45:
Press Release from the State’s Attorney’s office:
Drew Peterson Sentencing Wednesday, February 20
The hearing on post-trial motions in People V. Peterson is expected to conclude Wednesday, February 20. The case could proceed to sentencing later today. If that is the case:
After Judge Burmila announces a sentence, the press is asked to go to Joliet City Hall for a post-sentencing news conference. We will begin the conference roughly 30-45 minutes after a sentence is announced.
State’s Attorney Glasgow and his trial team will be available to make a statement, discuss the case and answer media questions.
Kathleen Savio’s and Stacy Peterson’s family members will be available for comments as well as possibly other witnesses from the trial.
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Joel Brodsky is called to the stand. He initially refuses to enter the courtroom and states that he won’t voluntarily testify. Judge Burmila orders him to the stand and says as a subpoenaed witness he has no choice.
Under Greenbergs’s questioning about his financial arrangement with Glenn Selig’s PR Agency, Brodsky appears very nervous. He is slumped, rolling his eyes. Short delay while the prosecution reads the financial records. Brodsky back on the stand, confirms he and Drew Peterson opened a web site that earned 11 cents toward Peterson’s defense fund. Brodsky testifies to a total payment of $10,000 from ABC television for photos and video. Screaming Flea Productions (Bio channel) also paid $15,000 for licensing rights to video, film and still photos. Brodsky says that publisher, Derek Armstrong, paid $5901.18 to write a book with Drew Peterson in March 2008.
Reem Odeh posing with Derek Armstrong’s book about the Peterson case
UPDATE 02:24:
Peterson lawyers want to call retired Cook County Judge Daniel Locallo to the stand, but he is not at the courthouse. State objects to plan to call Locallo, saying Burmila wouldn’t need another judge’s opinion to make a ruling.
UPDATE 01:40:
Under cross-examination, Scott-Rudnick says he isn’t sure if Brodsky’s publicity agreement crossed the line.
Trial observer, Jennifer Spohn, is called to the stand. Spohn is questioned about a courtroom hallway conversation between Brodsky and Greenberg. She says she heard Greenberg tell Brodsky not to put Savio divorce attorney, Harry Smith, on the stand. She says that Brodsky said, “I’m doing it.” Now reports that Joel Brodsky is in the press overflow room asking what Spohn just testified to.
UPDATE 01:00:
Meanwhile someone who appears to be Joel Brodsky’s wife, Elizabeth, goes to Brodsky’s defense in the comments thread at the WGN trial page to say that Reem Odeh is:
…lying through her teeth. She attacked joel, there was a witness who was present at this time. Joel couldn’t do enough to facilitate her departure. He even moved her stuff out because she was causing such a scene in front of clients that joel couldn’t take her being in that office alone one more day. He was afraid she would steel files and cause damage to records which she threatened to do. This was only when she found out that joel signed a 10 year lease at the existing location after she spend a month prior shopping for offices to move to and was in now way interested in paying the rent which was unaffordable to her based on her type of clients (low income immigration). she didn’t handle anything else other than filling forms and appearing on immigration cases. even the more difficult ones she would refer out cause she couldn’t handle them. she has no knowledge of law. Had to be schooled on how to write a motion or any other similar type of documents on behalf of her clients going thru divorce which she started to accept only if it was a straight divorce no kids and uncontested. couldn’t even do those right.
UPDATE 12:14:
Lunch break until 1:15.
UPDATE 12:02:
Objection by the State is overruled and defense continues to detail alleged ethics violations by Joel Brodsky.
UPDATE 11:45:
Judge Burmila announces a break in proceedings so that Judge Michael Powers can hear Joel Brodsky’s motion to withdraw from the representing Drew Peterson in the Savio family’s civil case against him. Judge Powers granted Brodsky’s motion to withdraw from the civil suit. Attorney John Heiderscheidt will replace Brodsky.
UPDATE 11:37:
Drew Peterson is in court this morning in a prison jumpsuit instead of the suit he sported at the murder trial. He has shaved his beard.
Joel Brodsky’s former law partner, Reem Odeh, told the court that Joel Brodsky threatened her as she entered the court-house this morning and then testified about conversations with Joel Brodsky about opportunities to make money from the publicity of the case as well as to an incident during which Joel Brodsky attacked her when she tried to leave their offices with a copy of the PR contract.
Law professor Clifford Scott-Rudnick from the John MarshallL Law School was also called to testify. Scott-Rudnick says that Brodsky’s publicity contract appears to be “over the line” of attorney ethics.
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Justice Café 
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