Search On For Cop's Wife, Officials Probe Death Of His Previous Wife

I sure wish something would happen soon on this. I know they're simply crossing i's and dotting t's etc., but the suspenseful dragging on day-after-day is nerve racking.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-...

Lawyer for Drew Peterson seeks prosecution documents in gun case

Husband of missing Stacy Peterson allegedly possessed a modified assault rifle with a barrel of less than 16 inches

By Erika Slife and Ray Long | Tribune reporters
November 13, 2008

Authorities used "vindictive and selective" prosecution in their case against former Bolingbrook Police Sgt. Drew Peterson, his legal team argued in Will County Court on Wednesday.

Peterson, 54, is facing felony gun charges for allegedly possessing a modified assault rifle with a barrel of less than 16 inches. Authorities seized the rifle, along with other weapons, after search warrants were executed last November in the investigation into the Oct. 28, 2007, disappearance of Peterson's fourth wife, Stacy.

But Peterson's attorney Joel Brodsky questioned the timeline of how the gun case unfolded. In February, police revoked Peterson's firearm owner's identification card after a judge ruled that his firearms should be returned because Peterson had a valid FOID card. In May, Peterson was arrested for owning the rifle on the eve of learning from the judge whether the guns could be turned over to his son Stephen, an Oak Brook police officer.

Brodsky is requesting that prosecutors turn over documents from the time leading up to the charges against his client.

"This timeline proves with more than sufficient evidence that the reason to do this is to punish Mr. Drew Peterson for exercising his constitutional rights," Brodsky said.

Peterson, who is the suspect in his missing wife's disappearance, has said she ran off. Authorities are also conducting a murder investigation in the 2004 death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio. Peterson maintains his innocence and has said he used the rifle as a SWAT team member for the Bolingbrook Police Department.

Will County Assistant State's Atty. Dede Osterberger argued against giving the defense "privileged information."

"We strongly argue against this case, judge, because we think that the defense is engaging in a fishing expedition," she said.

Judge Richard Schoenstedt, who was battling a cold and losing his voice, said he would defer his ruling until the next scheduled hearing, on Nov. 20.

In Springfield, the state Senate voted 55-0 on a bill that could affect a potential prosecution against Peterson in the case of either one of his wives.

The bill, which is backed by the Will County state's attorney's office, would allow a judge to admit hearsay evidence into court for first-degree murder cases if the prosecution could prove that the defendant killed a witness to prevent testimony.

The Senate vote accepted a change proposed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich that would allow the legislation to become effective as soon as the House, scheduled to meet next week, votes to go along.

Peterson's wives had told family and friends that they were fearful of Peterson. Stacy Peterson also told her minister that her husband had allegedly confessed to her that he killed Savio, according to the minister.

eslife@tribune.com

rlong@tribune.com

Bob Evans wrote:

Joyce when are ya commin back down on the farm? I want ya to see how big my sausage has become. Do ya remeber when we we just younguns and ya used to show me yer biscut and I would put my smokey link and special sauce all over ya. I miss ya Sis.
Tounges and rubs,
Brother Bob

Bob, dear, brother, you're confusing me with our brother...you know, the one you had a love affair with. Maw never did get over that.

Is you use of the icons code? lol It shows nothing more than a terrible weakness...hiding behind the scenes rooting, cheering and booing through the use of computer icons. OoooKay, if that what trips your trigger and makes you feel like you're contributing something...

Freespirit8 wrote:

<quoted text>
No you di-in't, you got it right

LOL Free: Some things in life are
annoyingly virulent. Always around waiting to pounce. Hit the ignore and
barf button. sign me, Lucy Bowels roflmao@@@@@@@@@@ouch!

yes, i'm back, due in part that many of you remain in need of my unique perspective and clarity

DP looked very convincing and held his own on the Dr Phil this week, as he had done on all of the televised interviews

i was the only one way back when who called it as to DP not being charged in addition to his demanor and behavoir not falling within norms of guilt..he's not runing scard, hiding behind his attorney, nor going through all of the lame theater that guilty spouses practicaly always seem to perform before the cameras