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[Angel Who Cares]

Wives' alleged statements face test in Peterson hearing
January 19, 2010
<snipped>
Kathleen Savio's words could come back to haunt former husband Drew Peterson as Will County prosecutors provide the first detailed look at evidence they contend ties Peterson to the 2004 drowning death of his third wife.

Some of the information likely to be presented at a crucial pre-trial hearing could come from Savio -- through comments she purportedly made to family members and others about threats from Peterson as their stormy marriage ended.

Even statements allegedly made by Peterson's missing fourth wife, Stacy, could be presented during the hearing, which begins today in Joliet and could run for a month.

The hearing before Will County Judge Stephen White marks one of the first uses of the law, informally referred to by some legislators as "Drew's Law."

The law violates Peterson's basic right to confront his accuser, said DePaul law professor Leonard Cavise.

"This is very prejudicial evidence against him," Cavise said. "Statements like this take on an exaggerated importance."

Article:
http://www.suntimes.com/news/peterson/1998322,CST-NWS-drew19.article

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Witness: Drew threatened to kill wife
January 19, 2010
<snipped>
Former police officer Drew Peterson threw his wife to the floor one night, grabbed her throat and told her he "could kill her there and then," a one-time co-worker of the wife testified Tuesday at a hearing to determine what evidence can be admitted in Peterson's murder trial.

Another witness, Savio's boss, testified that a number of times a Bolingbrook squad car was parked in front of her Romeoville business while Savio was inside. Lisa Mordente said that on one occasion, Savio was returning from lunch and approached another vehicle parked outside and spoke to a man inside.

"She was very shaken up when she came back in, her hand was shaking, she had tears, she was a mess," Mordente said.

Mordente also testified that Savio told her it was Peterson outside and they were fighting over money.

Mordente said she didn't call police when she learned Savio died "because it wouldn't have helped."

"Kathleen had stated on several occasions she had called police," Mordente said.

Article:
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/1998355,011910drew.article

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Witness: Drew Peterson threatened to kill Savio
Judge hears secondhand testimony from woman who died six years ago
January 19, 2010
<snipped>
A new state law enacted in 2008 makes it easier for prosecutors to use statements from victims who allegedly were killed to prevent them from testifying against their attackers.

Trying to tie Peterson to Savio&#8217;s slaying, prosecutors plan to call dozens of witnesses to present statements from Savio and others that authorities contend show Peterson killed her.

If Judge Stephen White agrees, those witnesses could testify again when Peterson is tried for murder in Savio&#8217;s death.

During the hearing, prosecutors are expected to call other witnesses in an attempt to implicate Drew Peterson in Stacy Peterson&#8217;s still -nsolved disappearance, though he hasn&#8217;t been charged in that case.

Still, Stacy Peterson&#8217;s relatives said they are encouraged that the long-awaited hearing, which Drew Peterson&#8217;s lawyers fought unsuccessfully to close to the public and the news media, has started &#8212; and hope it could lead to new developments that help them learn her fate.

&#8220;We are relieved it&#8217;s at this point in time,&#8221; said Pam Bosco, a spokeswoman for Stacy Peterson&#8217;s family.

Article:
http://www.suntimes.com/news/peterson/1999151,drew-peterson-trial-hearsay-011910.article

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Drew Peterson Back In Court
January 19, 2010
<snipped>
No Savio family members in court so far this morning

Court broke for lunch recess. Court resumes at 130pm
PM Update:
Kathleen Savio's name was brought up for the first time by the state's third witness - Issam Karam- a former coworker of Savio's at Parkway Imaging in the fall of 2003- Jan 2004. Karam said he was friends with Savio.

During a meeting at her office, Savio told Karam about what happened at her house the night before.

Peterson said, "he could kill her and it would be for blood."

Savio's former boss, Lisa Mordente, (LM) testified that Drew Peterson sat outside Savio's office workplace on several occasions in his squad car and in an unmarked car. Savio said he was trying to intimidate her . She said Savio often came to work looking very upset, with hallowed eyes and looking distressed.

Savio's coworker, Issam Karam, also testified that Savio told him she was "scared and afraid" of Peterson. He said Savio went to Bolingbrook PD for help and police told her she was "exaggerating" and Drew "would not harm her."

When asked why the coworker an her former boss never reported anything to the local police after Savio's death.

Savios former boss said, "Because it wouldn't have helped. Because Kathleen said it won't help." (ie; the police would cover up for Drew.)

Article:
http://liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/01/19/drew-peterson-back-in-court/?test=latestnews

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Peterson's defense team challenges 'Drew's law'
January 19, 2010 5:12 p.m. EST
<snipped>
Stacy Peterson had disturbing things to say about her husband, Drew Peterson.

She is still missing, but her statements about former Bolingbrook police Sgt. Drew Peterson, who is accused of murdering his previous wife, may start to come out in court at a crucial pretrial hearing that begins Tuesday.

Her statements, according to court documents, are likely to include her suspicions and fears of Peterson.

If prosecutors get their way, Stacy Peterson will haunt her husband's murder trial.

In 2004, the U.S. Supreme Court decided in the case Crawford v. Washington that hearsay evidence violates a defendant's Sixth Amendment right to confront the witnesses against him or her.

That case added hurdles for the use of hearsay evidence, according to legal analysts.

But courts have been establishing exceptions to the hearsay laws in cases in which witnesses are silenced. And the list of exceptions has grown over the years, especially if the hearsay can be used to show a witness or victim's state of mind. In those cases, jurors are warned not to automatically consider the statement as truthful.

Savio's family has been hopeful the new law will help prove Drew Peterson's involvement in their daughter's case.
*More info at link!

Article:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/01/19/illinois.drew.peterson.hearsay/

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Witness: Former Ill. Cop Threatened to Kill Wife
Witness testifies that ex-Ill. cop Drew Peterson threw wife to floor, threatened to kill her
JOLIET, Ill. January 19, 2010
<snipped>
Former police officer Drew Peterson threw his ex-wife to the floor one night, grabbed her throat and told her he "could kill her there and then," a one-time co-worker of the woman testified Tuesday at a hearing to determine what evidence can be admitted in Peterson's murder trial.

Another witness, Savio's boss, testified that a number of times a Bolingbrook squad car was parked in front of her Romeoville business while Savio was inside. Lisa Mordente said that on one occasion, Savio was returning from lunch and approached another vehicle parked outside and spoke to a man inside. Mordente testified that Savio told her it was Peterson outside and they were fighting over money.

"She was very shaken up when she came back in, her hand was shaking, she had tears, she was a mess," Mordente said.

Mordente's testimony highlighted what is sure to be a key part of the trial &#8212; the fact that Peterson was a police officer. His attorneys have raised questions about why witnesses didn't notify police if they believed Savio feared Peterson.

Stacy Peterson's uncle, Kyle Toutges, testified Tuesday that shortly after Savio's death some of Drew Peterson's friends were teasing him at a party, saying it looked suspicious that Savio died as the two were amid property settlements.

"(Peterson) said 'Let them prove it,'" Toutges said.

Related Links:
Peterson Fires Back Against Abuse Claims
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/drew-pete...ard-reveals-home-personality/story?id=8733359

WATCH: Drew Peterson's Stepdaughter Speaks
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=8752654

Peterson Allegedly Tried to Hire Hitman
http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=7656456

Stacy's Body? Could Take Weeks to ID Remains
http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=7642347

Peterson Prosecutors Want New Judge
http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=7608284

Can Drew Peterson Be Convicted?
http://abcnews.go.com/US/LawPolitics/story?id=7554507

Article:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=9598680

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Drew Peterson Threatened Wife With Knife, Say Witnesses
Ex-Cop Allegedly Threatened to Kill Third Wife, Kathleen Savio, in 2004
Jan. 19, 2010
<snipped>
Issam Karam told the court today that before her death in 2004, Savio told him about an incident in which Peterson allegedly put a knife to her neck and threatened to kill her. Karam and Savio worked together at a graphics company in Romeoville, Ill.

"[Peterson] said nothing that she could do would make her safe," Karam said. "She could not run or hide. He could kill her there and then."

Peterson, who attended today's hearing, is in jail awaiting trial.

Drew Peterson Has Pleaded Not Guilty to Murdering His Wife
Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow has said allowing Savio's acquaintances to testify as to why Peterson wanted to kill her.

"In essence, what you're basically allowing the victim of a violent crime to do is testify from the grave," Glasgow, who pushed for passage of the bill, told reporters in May.

Soon after Stacy Peterson, 24, disappeared on Oct. 28, 2007, Peterson, 55, became the focus of that investigation. His nonchalance about his wife's disappearance set off a media storm and led investigators to look back at Savio's death.

Related Links:
WATCH: The Case Against Drew Peterson
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=7554947

WATCH: Dead in the Bath
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=7545069

WATCH: Drew Peterson Arrested
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=7535850

WATCH: Drew Peterson Indicted
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=7534516

WATCH: What Happened to Stacy Peterson?
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=7083481

WATCH: Peterson's Broadcast Break-Up
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6776336

Article:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/drew-peterson-threatend-wife-knife-witnesses/story?id=9605026
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PDF: Prosecutors are also expected to enter into evidence a 2002 order of protection Savio obtained, in which she alleged a pattern of abuse and threats.
2002 Order Of Protection:
http://www.amw.com/pdf/peter001.PDF

 

[Angel Who Cares]

UPDATED: Analysis: Breaking Down Peterson's Public Hearing
Updated: Monday, 18 Jan 2010, 2:54 PM CST
Published : Friday, 08 Jan 2010, 9:06 PM CST
<snipped>
The hearing, which could last several weeks, will determine if hearsay statements from Peterson's alleged victim, Kathleen Savio, can be admitted into evidence at trial. The evidence consists largely of Savio's notes and remarks to friends and family.

Will County Judge Stephen White decided that the hearing should be open to the media, although he will closely examine some of the hearsay statements before deciding whether to publicizing them.

*Video Included In Article!

Article:
http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/special_report/analysis-drew-peterson-ruling
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Drew Peterson Hearing Set to Begin
Updated: Tuesday, 19 Jan 2010, 1:30 PM CST
Published : Monday, 18 Jan 2010, 9:34 PM CST
<snipped>
Did Drew Peterson murder his third wife Kathleen Savio to keep her quiet during their bitter divorce in 2004? Is he responsible for the disappearance of his fourth Stacy because of what she may have known about Savio's death?

Those who knew the two women will be called to testify, including Savio's sisters, Sue and Anna Marie Doman, who have previously told FOX Chicago that Kathleen had told them Drew threatened to kill her and make it look like an accident.

"She said she would never make the divorce, she would never live to see the end of the divorce," Anna Marie Doman said in November 2007.

Tom Morphey, Drew's step-brother is also expected to be a key witness. He claims he unwittingly helped dispose of Stacy's body in a blue barrel.

Lenny Wawzak and Paula Stark will also testify, after wearing a wire for State Police and recording hundreds of hours of conversation with Drew after Stacy's disappearance.

Brodsky said Peterson is doing good and that his spirits are high

*2-Videos Included In Article!

Article:
http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/metro/peterson-trial-beginning
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Evidence Could Make, Break Peterson Case
Updated: Tuesday, 19 Jan 2010, 1:53 PM CST
Published : Tuesday, 19 Jan 2010, 1:53 PM CST
<snipped>
A former co-worker of Savio&#8217;s was the state&#8217;s first major witness. Issam Karam testified that they worked together at Parkway Imaging in Romeoville.

He said after hearing news reports in November of 2007 about the second autopsy on Savio&#8217;s body he wrote a letter detailing what Savio had told him.

Dated November 21, 2007, it was a letter he intended to send to television stations, but never did, in part because he had heard that Savio&#8217;s death had been ruled an accident.

Later, Karam said he got a call from State Police and he turned the letter over to them.

Under cross examination, defense attorney Adrew Abood pointed out inconsistencies between what Karam wrote and what Savio herself had detailed in a handwritten statement about the incident regarding bruises that she described, but he never mentioned.

But Karam said he wrote the letter from memory and forgot about the bruises.

He also said he did not want to get someone innocent in trouble, and the last paragraph of the letter, which was highlighted on a big screen TV and could be read from the back of the courtroom, said the following: &#8220;All information that I couldn&#8217;t remember, such as names, dates and other events, I left out for I do not want to make the mistake of &#8216;inventing&#8217; information that could not be accurate because that could have negative consequences.&#8221;

*2-Videos Inlcuded In Article!

Article:
http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/metro/evidence-could-make-break-drew-peterson-case
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPDATED: Ill. Judge Denies Motion to Close Drew Peterson Hearing
Updated: Monday, 18 Jan 2010, 2:54 PM CST
Published : Friday, 08 Jan 2010, 8:48 AM CST
<snipped>
Will County Judge Stephen White said he already warned more than 200 potential jurors to avoid media reports about the case and will send them a letter reminding them of the admonishment.

"We've done everything we can to protect the integrity of the proceedings," White said.

A Jan. 19 hearing is scheduled to determine what, if any, hearsay evidence will be allowed at trial. White left open the possibility he could close the hearing for specific evidence or specific witnesses.

An attorney for Peterson, Joel Brodsky, argued that it "will be impossible for jurors to avoid" media coverage of the hearing.

But Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow said case law was on the prosecution's side. And, he said, "Nobody can pull a fast one, because everybody is watching."

*2-Videos Inlcuded In Article!

Article:
http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/metro/peterson-attorneys-want-evidence-under-wraps
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPDATED: Peterson's Attorney Talks About Drew Wanting to Broadcast Trial
Updated: Monday, 18 Jan 2010, 2:55 PM CST
Published : Thursday, 12 Nov 2009, 12:47 PM CST
<snipped>
In Studio - Drew Peterson is reportedly considering some interesting options to help pay for his defense. He wants someone to broadcast at his home live during his murder trial. Peterson&#8217;s lawyer Walter Maksym visited Good Day Chicago Thursday morning and told us why.

*Video Included In Article!

Article:
http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/new...y-talks-about-drew-wanting-to-broadcast-trial

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Witness: Savio said Peterson had threatened her at knifepoint
January 19, 2010 7:09 PM UPDATED STORY
<snipped>
Karam worked with Savio at Parkway Imaging in Romeoville in the fall of 2003, just as her divorce from Peterson was finalized.

Savio told Karam that she was walking up a staircase in her home when Peterson tackled her and threatened her, Karam said. Savio showed Karam a bruise on her arm and said it was from the attack, he testified.

Stacy Peterson's uncle -- Kyle Toutges, 46, of Lansing -- testified in the afternoon that Peterson claimed Savio was insane. That made Peterson's family less inclined to suspect him of having a role in Savio's death, he said.

At a birthday party at Stacy Petersons' home in March of 2004, Toutges said he went out to the garage to smoke a cigarette and overheard some of Drew Peterson's friends tell Peterson that "it looked bad for him, how convenient it was for him for his wife to die at this time."

Peterson's response was, "Let them prove it," Toutges said.

But Peterson had told family members that Savio had been using drugs and needed to be institutionalized, so they not that suspicious about what Drew said in the garage.

"We were told Kathy was on drugs and needed to be in a home," Toutges said. "Our family gave Drew the benefit of the doubt."

Kathleen Savio's parents were expected to attend, but they were not in the courtroom for the morning session. Other relatives, including her sister, are on the witness list and are barred from the courtroom.
*Much more info at link!

Other Possible Witnesses Include:

-- Neil Schori, Stacy's pastor, who has said Stacy confided in him before she disappeared. He has said Stacy told him Drew admitted to her that he'd hit Kathleen in the back of the head, making her death look like an accident.

-- Cassandra Cales, Stacy's sister, who has said Stacy feared her husband. She said the night before her older sister vanished, Stacy told her that if she disappeared Drew killed her.

-- Susan Doman, Savio's older sister, who testified before a coroner's jury that Kathleen was terrified of Drew and that he threatened her. Doman told the jury in 2004 that Kathleen had warned if she died, it may look like an accident.

Kathleen Savio------------Drew Peterson

Drew Peterson's defense attorney Joel Brodsky talks with reporters outside the courthouse this morning.

Article:
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/01/peterson-hearsay-evidence-hearing-opens-today.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Witness: Peterson Threatened To Kill Savio
Savio's Statements Heard At Drew Peterson Pre-Trial Hearing
Jan 19, 2010 6:33 pm US/Central
<snipped>
The hearing is expected to provide the first detailed look at evidence prosecutors contend ties Peterson to Savio's death. It stems from a state law that allows a judge to admit hearsay evidence -- testimony from witnesses who recount what they heard from others -- in first-degree murder cases if prosecutors can prove a defendant killed a witness to prevent him or her from testifying.

Drew Peterson was whisked into the Will County courthouse for a landmark hearing on hearsay testimony well-hidden behind sheriff's department vehicles.

But his lawyer was talking about why he believes hearsay should be barred from the courtroom.

"I still think that it should have been a closed hearing," said Peterson defense attorney Joel Brodsky. "That is still a big concern of ours, yes. We have that problem."

CBS 2's Mike Puccinelli reported that before Karam, two other witnesses testified. Two were Starbucks Coffee workers, trying to establish that Peterson was at Starbucks between the hours of 6 and 10 p.m. on the night of Oct. 28, 2007, when Stacy Peterson disappeared.

The spokeswoman for Stacy Peterson's family, Pamela Bosco, said they're relieved to see finally Peterson in court. Bosco said Stacy's sister, Cassandra Cales, is ready to testify and honor her missing sister's memory.

"She's been, from the very start, wanting to be heard about what she knew of Stacy," Bosco said.

Testimony will resume Thursday morning.

Video: New Hearsay Law Gets Test Run In Peterson Case 1/19/10
http://cbs2chicago.com/video/?id=66667@wbbm.dayport.com

Video: Savio To Speak From The Grave 1/19/10
http://cbs2chicago.com/video/?id=66659@wbbm.dayport.com

Article:
http://cbs2chicago.com/local/drew.peterson.hearing.2.1434546.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Witness: Drew Threatened to Kill Wife
First of as many as 60 witnesses testify in hearsay hearing
Updated 6:30 PM CST, Tue, Jan 19, 2010
<snipped>
Karam testified that he included that information in a letter to the media that he never sent. Peterson's attorneys accused him of fabricating the entire story.

"I think he sounded very sincere. I thought he sounded very reliable," said Pam Bosco, the spokeswoman for Stacy Peterson's family. "So far, I think all the witnesses we've seen to date sounded very sincere and like they want to tell the truth."

Among the last to testify was Kyle Toutges, Stacy Peterson's uncle.

He said he overhead a Drew Peterson say, "Let them prove it" during a conversation about Savio's untimely death.

"Chills go down your neck," Toutges said outside the courthouse following his testimony. "It's not right. I mean, that was somebody you lived with and somebody you loved. And they're gone now, and that's your response to it? It was just like she was an old car."

Peterson's attorneys have made it clear that they will attack the credibility of at least some of the witnesses.

"All it is, is rumor, innuendo and gossip," defense attorney Joel Brodsky said after a recent hearing concerning information contained in the 15 statements. "People had ulterior motives for saying what they said or are out-and-out unreliable people."


Article:
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local-beat/drew-peterson-hearsay-hearing-82079912.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Graphic: What's involved in the hearsay hearing
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-100119-drew-peterson-html,0,3402395.htmlpage

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Video: Drew Peterson pre-trial hearing begins 1/19/10 3:17
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/video?id=7227938

Fox News Mobile Video: Victim Speaks 'From the Grave' 1/19/10-2:33
Latest on Drew Peterson case
http://video.foxnews.com/v/3972360

NEW YORK POST Video: Drew Peterson Trial Set to Begin 16 hour 1/19/10-2:19
http://www.nypost.com/video/?vxSite...95_011810-drew-peterson-preview&vxBitrate=300

WFLD FOX 32 Video: Evidence Could Make, Break Peterson Case Jan. 19, 2010. 02:53 PM EST-2:03
Kathleen Savio is getting her day in court, nearly six years after her death. Tuesday morning prosecutors in the Drew Peterson murder trial began laying out their hearsay evidence in a pre-trial hearing that could make or break the case.
http://www.clipsyndicate.com/video/play/1264171

*A Must Watch Video!
FOX News Geraldo At Large Video: Drew Peterson Murder Trial Draws Near 1/11/10-3:47
Judge sifts through mountain of evidence in case against disgraced former cop (*Dr Micheal Baden is a guest!)
http://video.foxnews.com/v/3965248

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Ex-Savio co-workers tell of Drew Peterson threats
Ex-Bolingbrook police sergeant somberly listens to testimony in hearsay hearing
January 19, 2010
<snipped>
The day's most chilling testimony came from two former co-workers who recounted statements Kathleen Savio allegedly made about Peterson's sadistic behavior months before her March 2004 death.

Peterson, 56, gave no visible reaction to the testimony, though he often jotted notes on a yellow legal pad and conferred with attorneys. Wearing an ill-fitting red polo shirt, khaki pants and glasses, he occasionally looked into the gallery and gave small smirks to reporters. He has gained about 20 pounds in segregation at the Will County Jail, his attorneys said.

At his arraignment in May, Peterson joked and hammed it up for the news media. On Tuesday, a grayer and more subdued Peterson sat at the defense table with his back to his gallery for the majority of the proceeding.

He largely ignored the media and spectators, offering only a quick laugh to one reporter's observation that his shirt barely covered his abdomen.

His attorney Joel Brodsky, however, continued his irreverent approach to the murder case as he handed out pens with his name emblazoned on them to some media members.

"If anybody else is good to me, then they get a pen," he said as he dangled a large bag of Brodsky ballpoints before the courtroom gallery. :furious:

"And while we're going to get a good look at what the state's case is, you're not going to see all of the defense's case because we don't have to," Brodsky said on his way into the courthouse. "I don't want to show them all our hand, but they have to show me a good deal of theirs."

Other testimony focused on a cup of coffee bought at a Bolingbrook Starbucks at 8:44 p.m. Oct. 28, 2007, the day Stacy Peterson disappeared. Prosecutors intend to use videotapes and cash register data from the purchase to bolster Drew Peterson's stepbrother's allegation that the two men were together on the night she disappeared.

Prosecutors also quizzed a cell phone company representative over records detailing cell phone calls made on the day she vanished. And a police lieutenant testified that Peterson punched him in the head after a round of locker room horseplay at the Police Department.
*Much more info at link! (2pg article)

Article:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/...rew-peterson-hearing-20100119,0,1105938.story
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Video: Witness: Drew Peterson Threatened to Kill Wife
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N4-yKtzKG4[/ame]

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Video: Hearsay in Drew Peterson case 4:33
http://www.cnn.com/video/?utm_sourc...2010/01/19/karas.drew.peterson.case.insession

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Peterson lawyers argue case over weapons charges
January 20, 2010 5:20 PM
<snipped>
Appellate court justices were skeptical today of arguments put forward by Drew Peterson's attorneys in the legal case over weapons charges that were brought, and then dropped, against Peterson in 2008.

A lengthy hearing in the Peterson murder case was put on hold Wednesday so two lawyers from his defense team could argue the case before the 3rd District appellate court in Ottawa, Ill. John Connor, a top prosecutor on the Peterson case, observed.

Prosecutors appealed.

Gary Gnidovec, an attorney with the state appellate prosecutor's office, told the justices that Schoenstedt was wrong to order discovery because Peterson's attorneys failed to demonstrate that prosecutors had an "animus" against Peterson and that, without it, no charges would have been filed.

Peterson attorney Andrew Abood argued that the circumstances of the case were too narrow to open a "Pandora's box." He said Peterson's attorneys should have had the chance to present evidence that prosecutors had "selectively" charged their client.

Joel Brodsky argued that federal law shielded Peterson from even being charged with the weapons offense.

The appellate court typically doesn't issue its ruling for several months after oral arguments.

Article:
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/01/peterson-lawyers-argue-case-over-weapons-charges.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Prosecutors want Drew recharged with gun crime
January 21, 2010
<snipped>
Drew Peterson's lawyers on Wednesday went before the Illinois Appellate Court to try to stop a felony gun charge from coming back against their client.

Attorneys Joel Brodsky and Andrew Abood argued that Will County Circuit Court Judge Richard Schoenstedt was right to dismiss a felony weapon charge against Peterson in November 2008.

Six months later, Schoenstedt ordered Will County prosecutors to surrender internal documents to Peterson's defense team so they could prepare to argue that he was the victim of a vindictive prosecution.

Assistant State's Attorney John Connor refused to comply with the order, and Schoenstedt dropped the charges against Peterson, which resulted in prosecutors appealing that decision.

On Wednesday, Gary Gnidovec, a lawyer with the appellate prosecutor's office, argued before the three-judge appellate panel that the weapons charge should be reinstated because Peterson's attorneys had shown no evidence of vindictive prosecution.

Appellate Judge Daniel L. Schmidt said allowing defendants access to prosecutors' files without such evidence might put a strain on the legal system.

Article:
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/2003260,012110drewgun.article

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Former Police Sgt. Drew Peterson's Pre-Murder Trial Hearing Continues
January 21, 2010 10:17 a.m. EST
<snipped>
Savio was found dead in her bathtub on March 1, 2004. Her body was exhumed November 2007 by a special grand jury also probing the disappearance of Stacy Peterson. Prosecutors say Peterson drowned Savio the day before her body was found.

Bolingbrook police Lt. James Coughlin also told the court that Peterson had told him two weeks before the death of Savio that his life would be easier if she were dead.

Peterson was indicted on two counts of first degree murder in May last year in the death of Savio, the mother of two of his six children. Savio's death was first ruled an accident, but the disappearance of Peterson's fourth wife, Stacy, prompted investigators to look into her death.

Peterson has not been charged with the disappearance of Stacy, but police have classified the case as a potential homicide. She was last heard from on the morning of October 28, 2007, when she called a friend she was meeting that day. She was last seen in Bolingbrook wearing a red jogging suit.

Article:
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7017586474

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Testimony: Do You Love Me Enough to Kill for Me?
Morphey always assumed that Peterson killed Savio, he said.
Updated 12:30 PM CST, Thu, Jan 21, 2010
<snipped>
Prosecutors in the Drew Peterson pre-trial hearsay hearing called today on Peterson's step brother to testify about the former Bolingbrook cop's murderous nature.

Thomas Morphey told the court that Drew asked him to kill his fourth wife Stacy Peterson, but that he declined.

"How much do you love me?," Morphey said Drew asked. " ... enough to kill for me?"

Morphey has gone on record before saying that helped Peterson carry a blue barrel from Petersons bedroom that contained the body of Stacy Peterson about a week after Drew asked Morphey to murder her. He admitted that he suffers from manic depression, and says he was so shaken by the incident, he tried to kill himself with a bottle of anti-depressant pills.

Morphey also listened as States Attorney Jim Glasgow played a wiretap of a phone conversation he had with Drew Peterson during which Peterson tells him not to talk to anybody.

"If the police want to talk to you," Peterson said on the tape. "tell them you want a lawyer."

Morphey has been granted immunity by state's attorneys.

Article:
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/loca...law-testifies-in-hearsay-hearing82266037.html

 

[Angel Who Cares]

Drew Peterson's Son Testifies Against His Dad
Drew Peterson Has Pleaded Not Guilty to Killing Kathleen Savio
Jan. 21, 2010
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A son from Drew Peterson's first marriage testified against his own father today. Eric Peterson described witnessing a 1993 incident in which his father dragged his third wife, Kathleen Savio, into the house, according to reports from the courthouse.

"She was screaming for help," Eric Peterson, said according to The Associated Press. Peterson also said Savio had been drunk at the time. "He was pulling her down the stairs."

Peterson's stepbrother also testified today, saying he had "always assumed" Peterson was guilty of killing Savio, and believes he may have helped dispose of Stacy Peterson's body.

Morphey said that while he always believed Peterson had murdered Savio, Peterson always denied it to him.

He testified that Peterson had asked Morphey around the time Stacy disappeared if he loved him enough to kill for him, Morphey. He said that he told Peterson that he wouldn't be able to live with himself if he murdered someone.

Morphey also testified about the disappearance of Stacy Peterson three years later, saying he helped Peterson move a large blue barrel that was warm to the touch the day after Peterson confided in him that he thought about killing Stacy because she was considering a divorce.

Article:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/drew-petersons-stepbrother-testifies/story?id=9625025