Drew Peterson Trial Discussion

StacyStClair
#DrewPeterson atty Meczyk ends cross by asking Baden if he was a paid expert for OJ Simpson, accused Chicago torture cop John Burge. He was

I'd would of been like yeah i was paid by those defense teams. Interesting that I don't work for your side...

Alessandra, thanks for all the links. I too am causitiously optimistic at this point. It's hard to tell, the jury has been removed so many times, sometimes more than once a day, I can't even imagine what they think. imo, Baden has helped the State, that's good news! The constant distractions bother me, I hope the State does an outstanding closing argument and again, connecting the dots for the jury.

imo, the attitude, the smirking, the laughing of the wise guy defense team & DP is almost enough if I were on the jury for me to vote guilty. A mother of 2 is dead, circumstances are highly questionable & they act as if they are there to entertain each other. Absolutely no one benefited from the murder of Kathleen, not her family, her children, BUT DP benefited, imo, that's a hell of a strong motive for a scumbag cop.

These are the same A-HOLE wise guys that said in an interview, " Stacy who?" Then they all had a big laugh.

I hope the jury will give a lot of weight to the hearsay testimony, use logic, and convict Drew. I also hope the state can make it through closing arguments without making any mistakes that will cause them to be admonished by the judge.

Drew Peterson trial updates: Prosecution rests, closing arguments Tuesday

(Video) Drew Peterson trial Thursday recap
Thursday's end of day update by Chicago Tribune reporter Matthew Walberg.

By Steve Schmadeke, Matthew Walberg and
Stacy St. Clair
Tribune reporters
2:52 p.m. CDT, August 30, 2012

____________________________________________________________

2:40 p.m. Prosecution rests; closings on Tuesday

Prosecutors have rested their case and Judge Edward Burmila said closing arguments will be Tuesday, after the holiday weekend.

Attorneys on Friday will hammer out instructions for the jury before it deliberates.

____________________________________________________________

2 p.m. Prosecutors bring back pathologist

Prosecutors re-called forensic pathologist Dr. Mary Case, a specialist in neuropathology, to the stand. They are seeking to rebut a defense witness who testified Kathleen Savio could have suffered a diffuse brain injury that would have left no signs at autopsy.

Case testified that a diffuse axonal injury could not have happened in Savio's case.

"I disagree because we do not see diffuse axonal injury outside of very significant trauma — motor vehicle accidents, falls greater than 15 to 20 feet," she said.

Defense attorney Darryl Goldberg is questioning Case about her fees, which are more than $8,500. Case said she charges $350 an hour to review government cases and $650 an hour in other cases.

____________________________________________________________

Read more:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-drew-peterson-trial-updates-rebuttal-witnesses-to-be-called-20120830,0,6610708.story

Peterson trial: Prosecution rests and 'Girls Gone Wild'



http://www.wgntv.com/news/wgntv-rebuttal-case-opens-in-peterson-murder-trial-20120830,0,356437.story

Prosecution rests in Drew Peterson murder trial

BY DAN ROZEK AND JON SEIDEL Staff Reporters August 30, 2012 1:30PM

Testimony in Drew Peterson’s murder trial ended Thursday with his attorneys and Will County prosecutors both confident about the verdict jurors will reach in the notorious case.

“I don’t even know that the jurors are going to be able to agree the state proved a homicide beyond a reasonable doubt, let alone place Drew there,” defense attorney Joel Brodsky said outside the courtroom. “So, I’m feeling pretty good.”

Peterson’s attorneys have argued throughout the five-week trial that his third wife, Kathleen Savio, accidentally fell and drowned in her bathtub.

Closing arguments are scheduled for Tuesday, though defense attorneys said they will make a final, longshot request on Friday for Judge Edward Burmila to simply throw out Peterson’s murder charges because of a lack of evidence. Burmila rejected the same request earlier this week before defense attorneys presented their case.

Read more:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/14827152-418/celebrity-pathologist-drew-petersons-ex-wifes-injuries-not-from-fall.html

State rests in Drew Peterson murder trial

Updated at 05:33 PM today



Sarah Schulte

August 30, 2012 (JOLIET, Ill.) (WLS) -- Was Kathleen Savio assaulted? Or did she fall? Jurors in the Drew Peterson murder trial will have to decide which theory they believe.

On Thursday, the state rested its case against Peterson following the testimony of two forensic pathologists. Discussions about jury instructions between the judge and both sides are expected Friday, but closing arguments aren't expected until Tuesday because of the long, holiday weekend.

"It has been a grueling five weeks, and we're extremely satisfied with the place that we're at right now," Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow said.

Read more:

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=8792526

Drew Peterson Trial: Prosecution Rebuttals Begin With Pathologist's Testimony

By MICHAEL TARM 08/30/12 08:40 PM ET

~Snipped~

Attorneys are expected to deliver closing arguments Tuesday.

Defense attorney Joe Lopez told reporters that he will try to fill out the story of his client's innocence.

"Some of the things we were criticized for ... when you put it together in the final story, you'll say, `Now I see what they were doing,'" Lopez said. He didn't elaborate.

The lead prosecutor, Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow, sounded upbeat as he left the courthouse Thursday.

~Snipped~

Chris Koch, an assistant state's attorney, is expected to deliver the closing. Glasgow will have the last word to jurors in a rebuttal.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/30/drew-peterson-trial-prose_0_n_1843625.html

"Maniaci is the last person known to have spoken to Savio. She called him about midnight on the Saturday before she died, waking him, angry that he hadn't driven to her house.

"I know you're never going to marry me," Savio told him, then hung up, Maniaci said.

Judge Edward Burmila did not allow Maniaci to testify about his home being burglarized on March 1, 2004, the day Savio's body was found.

He did testify about confronting Peterson outside Savio's home after driving to her house the night her body was found."

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-08-10/news/ct-met-drew-peterson-trial-0811-20120811_1_savio-sister-susan-doman-anna-marie-doman

Was the prosecution allowed to bring into evidence the situation with DP' other spouses?

I have to wonder: How did DP treat his gfs? Any missing or dead? Any feel threatened?

Freckles wrote:Was the prosecution allowed to bring into evidence the situation with DP' other spouses?

I have to wonder: How did DP treat his gfs? Any missing or dead? Any feel threatened?

No, whatever happened between Peterson and his two ex-wives was not allowed in the trial, the judge ruled that it was irrelevat to the case.

CBS - Article:

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/08/30/closing-arguments-in-drew-peterson-trial-set-to-begin-tuesday/

________

Bolingbrook Patch - Peterson Defense Attorneys Talk About The Jury Process

2 Videos at link:

http://bolingbrook.patch.com/articles/last-drew-peterson-witness-called-closing-arguments-next-week

Alessandra_Deux wrote:

Freckles wrote:Was the prosecution allowed to bring into evidence the situation with DP' other spouses?

I have to wonder: How did DP treat his gfs? Any missing or dead? Any feel threatened?

No, whatever happened between Peterson and his two ex-wives was not allowed in the trial, the judge ruled that it was irrelevat to the case.

I thought it to be almost impossible for the Prosecution to tip toe around Stacy's disappearance but not much came into the case about her, imo, not enough. It's a nightmare to think Stacy might have threatened DP about the murder of Kathleen & what she had knowledge of, I have always feared that that scenario could have led to her probable murder & disposal, jmo.

Although this case is for the murder of Kathleen, the circumstances of Stacy's disappearance & her knowledge seem extremely relevant, imo, but not to the Judge. The juror's are aware that Stacy is missing, but it seems, imo, it is going to be hard for the jury to not consider her disappearance, her not being able to testify, the testimony about the "courtesy extended DP during the interview of Stacy to sit in" & DP basically manipulating her answers or trying to at least.

art tart wrote:

Alessandra_Deux wrote:

No, whatever happened between Peterson and his two ex-wives was not allowed in the trial, the judge ruled that it was irrelevat to the case.

I thought it to be almost impossible for the Prosecution to tip toe around Stacy's disappearance but not much came into the case about her, imo, not enough. It's a nightmare to think Stacy might have threatened DP about the murder of Kathleen & what she had knowledge of, I have always feared that that scenario could have led to her probable murder & disposal, jmo.

Although this case is for the murder of Kathleen, the circumstances of Stacy's disappearance & her knowledge seem extremely relevant, imo, but not to the Judge. The juror's are aware that Stacy is missing, but it seems, imo, it is going to be hard for the jury to not consider her disappearance, her not being able to testify, the testimony about the "courtesy extended DP during the interview of Stacy to sit in" & DP basically manipulating her answers or trying to at least.

art tart, it is impossible for the jurors not to be aware of Stacy's disappearance, as Judge White stated on HLN, "everyone in the area knows about this case, they know that Stacy's sudden disappearance prompted the investigation into Savio's death".

Stacy's family spokesperson has repeatedly said that the elephant in the courtroom is Stacy Peterson, Schori told the jurors what she had told him about the night before Kathleen's body was found and the divorce lawyer, Harry Smith, told them that Stacy had told him that Peterson killed Kathleen.

The prosecution was barred from mentioning that Stacy vanished without a trace, they were barred from implying that Peterson is the only suspect in her disappearance.

It is my hope that when the jurors get the case and go over Smith and Schori's testimonies, they will conclude that the reason why Stacy is missing is because she knew that Peterson killed Kathleen, and she met the same fate as Kathleen.

Peterson case speeds toward judgment day

WGN News

8:40 a.m. CDT, August 31, 2012

JOLIET, Ill.— All the testimony has been presented in Drew Peterson's murder trial.

And this morning the judge will prepare the attorneys for their closing arguments.

In their rebuttal case Thursday, prosecutors called a new witness, the renowned pathologist Michael Baden, the man who performed the third and final autopsy on victim Kathleen Savio.

He said Savio was clearly murdered.

~Snipped~

The judge, prosecutors and defense lawyers will talk about jury instructions this morning; closing arguments will be presented starting next Tuesday.

http://www.wgntv.com/news/wgntv-peterson-case-speeds-toward-judgment-day-20120831,0,727833.story

With his "team" of attorneys and a bynch of high paid experts I can't help but wonder - where did he get the money to afford what is easily a million dollar defense? Did he sell his house and bar business? I sincerely hope he has not been able to touch the life insurance money of Kathleens sons.

Thanks to all that posted info and articles.

Drew Peterson trial - Judge and attorneys hash out jury instructions



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcr3aCJ9xZA&feature=youtu.be

In Session ‏@InSession
#drewpeterson several instructions read w/o objection, re:DP pleading not guilty, presumption of innocence & DP’s right not to testify

In Session ‏@InSession
#drewpeterson Judge "case law in IL is completely clear...instructions should not be modified unless there’s a significant reason"

In Session ‏@InSession
#drewpeterson attys now discuss language on instruction to jury re: outside sources of information.

In Session @InSession
#drewpeterson Judge: “The version submitted by the State is a correct statement of the law. The defendant’s modified [version] is denied.”

In Session @InSession
#drewpeterson def. wants extra language telling jurors not to let sympathy or prejudice influence their deliberations.

In Session ‏@InSession
#drewpeterson Judge Burmila is on the bench & announces this is the jury instruction conference.

https://twitter.com/InSession

Lilith wrote:With his "team" of attorneys and a bynch of high paid experts I can't help but wonder - where did he get the money to afford what is easily a million dollar defense? Did he sell his house and bar business? I sincerely hope he has not been able to touch the life insurance money of Kathleens sons.

Thanks to all that posted info and articles.

Lilith, sadly, one thing that is abduntantly clear imo, is that some Criminal Defense Attorney's will work for free & the ability to have media access to spew their propaganda & promote themselves & their legal practices, especially in a high profile case. DP's retirement has to be supporting his minor children in the care of his 31 yr. old son I speculate, I have read it is $ 6,000.00 per month. It is possible that DP has promised to repay some of the attorney's IF FOUND NOT GUILTY by the Media Blitz for $$$ or negotiated interviews, possible future books he writes or is going to give them permission to write. It is appalling that we saw G/C Anthony make a rumored $ 600,000.00 from a Dr. Phil appearance.

Victim's stories, especially the injustices to many are big news to the public, they usually loathe the defendant/suspect, especially if a suspected murderer goes free. I pray that is not the case for DP, I hope the jury holds him responsible for the murder imo he committed. Sadly, that is all he has been charged with. If the scumbag should walk, he could be charged in the murder of Stacy, ONLY IF her remains were ever found.

In Session ‏@InSession
#drewpeterson Judge "I think it’s a correct statement of the law, and the defendant’s objections are overruled.”

In Session ‏@InSession
#drewpeterson Judge "jury has to determine if they believe DP even made those statements, and the circumstances under which they were made"

In Session ‏@InSession
#drewpeterson Judge "jury is advised that they can consider any of the statements they’ve heard that have been attributed to the defendant."

https://twitter.com/InSession

In Session @InSession
#drewpeterson def. wants fact modifier says 'intends 2 kill her by making her inhale fluid' Greenberg has no case law backing his argument.

In Session @InSession
#drewpeterson Judge “I’m not aware of any case that allows the issues instruction to include a factual modifier" Judge denies modification.

In Session ‏@InSession
#drewpeterson Judge Burmila denies def. request to define 'reasonable doubt' to the jury.

In Session ‏@InSession
#drewpeterson Judge takes lunch recess, will resume @ 2:15 ET

In Session ‏@InSession
#drewpeterson Judge addresses def. concern of the # of sidebars/delays throughout the trial.

In Session ‏@InSession
#drewpeterson Judge wants attys to work together for language in jury instruction addressing the number of delays in the case.

In Session ‏@InSession
#drewpeterson attys argue over language re: prior conviction of witnesses (Jeff Pachter),divorce bifurcation & DP as a beneficiary.

In Session ‏@InSession
#drewpeterson def. argues witness Harry Smith made misstatment re: concealing a homicidal death & wants instruction to indicate that.

In Session ‏@InSession
#drewpeterson Judge "there was no request for a sidebar, no request that the Court correct the information" Judge denies relief

In Session ‏@InSession
#drewpeterson Greenberg renews his motion for a directed verdict, Judge Burmila denies the motion.

In Session ‏@InSession
Judge “We’re done for today on the record. Everybody have a good weekend." Judge leaves bench & rest of the hrg is off the record.

https://twitter.com/InSession

Peterson lawyers, judge hammer out jury instructions



Kelly Barnicle and C. Hayes
WGN NEWS
6:15 p.m. CDT, August 31, 2012

JOLIET, Ill.—
For several hours on Friday, the judge and lawyers in the Drew Peterson murder trial have been hammering out the details of the jury instructions.

Peterson is in the courtroom for this meeting, but the jurors are not. The jury will return Tuesday for the start of closing statements.

The defense has requested several times to change wording or give instructions in addition to what the law already requires. They have been denied almost all requests.

Read more:

http://www.wgntv.com/news/wgntv-peterson-case-speeds-toward-judgment-day-20120831,0,727833.story

Judge denies another request to acquit Peterson

By Steve Schmadeke, Chicago Tribune
reporter
September 1, 2012

The judge presiding over Drew Peterson's murder trial again denied a defense motion for a directed verdict to acquit the former Bolingbrook police sergeant of killing his third wife, Kathleen Savio.

Defense attorneys and prosecutors spent about four hours Friday debating jury instructions before defense attorney Steve Greenberg argued for the directed verdict. He contended that prosecutors had failed to present enough evidence for jurors to find Peterson guilty.

"It's a scary day when someone can be on trial or be convicted or have it put in front of a jury when the state still cannot today articulate for you what happened," Greenberg said.

~Snipped~

Judge Edward Burmila had previously denied Greenberg's motion at the end of the prosecution's case. He reiterated Friday that there were sufficient facts for a reasonable person to find Peterson guilty of killing Savio.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-drew-peterson-trial-0901-20120901,0,5740648.story

I know I haven't posted in this thread but I do read it. BRAVO to you, Alessandra_Deux !!!! Thank you so very much !!!

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1208/31/ijvm.01.html

Shocking End to Drew Peterson Trial
Aired August 31, 2012

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A packed courtroom on pins and needles.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Long day. Long day.

LARRY KING, FORMER HOST, "LARRY KING LIVE": The third wife.

DREW PETERSON, ON TRIAL FOR MURDER: OK.

KING: What happened?

PETERSON: Don`t know. I don`t know.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Charged with murdering his third wife, Kathleen Savio.

PETERSON: We got information that she drowned in the bathtub.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He is morally certain that his dad had absolutely nothing to do with his mom`s demise.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Prosecutors say Peterson broke into Savio`s home and murdered her.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How it became a homicide, I don`t know. It`s a freaking accident.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We just took the one witness that they had, potentially, which was Stacy, and proved that she was just doing it to extort money.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: For Stacy Peterson, Drew Peterson`s fourth wife, went missing.

PETERSON: The news and the media had done their best to keep me sinister. Sinister sells better.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MORET: Welcome back. I`m Jim Moret from "Inside Edition" filling in today for Jane.

The Drew Peterson trial ended with a bang. The defense rests, the prosecution gives its rebuttal and rests. But the question everyone is asking: did the defense`s own witness do major damage to their case?

Divorce attorney Harry Smith testified for the defense and told jurors that Peterson`s missing fourth wife, Stacy, told him, quote, "Drew killed Kathleen" just days before Stacy vanished in 2004. You heard me right.

Drew is accused of killing his third wife, Kathleen Savio, in her bathtub. The defense says she died from an accidental fall. Now many are wondering why on earth Drew`s team of lawyers would put missing Stacy front and center and put a witness on the stand to potentially prove the prosecution`s own case.

After court, Drew`s attorneys defended their decision, claiming they made one strong point. That is that Stacy wanted more money out of Drew in their divorce. So they say she lied about Kathleen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Here`s what you found out today. You found out that Stacy was going to say anything to gain an advantage in the divorce she was going to file. We put it in there, because it`s not credible. Harry Smith was arrogant on the stand. And if the state believed it, they`d have put it in there, and they didn`t.

She had a motive to lie. She wanted the financial advantage in the divorce. And that`s why she did it. And the jury should know that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MORET: Wow. OK. Straight out to John Manuelian, criminal defense attorney. John, I`m an attorney, and I don`t even understand this legal argument. I can`t even understand just discussing it. We were talking before we went on the air.

MANUELIAN: Right.

MORET: Why in the world would you want to do anything that hurts your client in such a profound way?

MANUELIAN: You wouldn`t. It was a big blunder. And Greenberg was very emotional. And I`m sure Greenberg went ballistic in court. I read a statement where he said, "I filed 74 motions to keep all this stuff out, and you undid it." It`s not a good day for the defense. And I know Greenberg is irate and upset, and he has a right to be.

MORET: You`ve got members of the defense team that are not in agreement. You have one attorney going rogue in a sense, right?

MANUELIAN: Yes.

MORET: How devastating could something like this be?

MANUELIAN: Huge. I mean the jury -- that may be all that the jury needs to decide to tip the balance in the favor of the prosecution.

MORET: Are you shocked?

MANUELIAN: Yes, but I`ve seen shocking things done before.

MORET: But this is pretty big.

MANUELIAN: It`s pretty big, and it`s pretty bad.

MORET: Jon Leiberman, HLN contributor in New York -- what`s your reaction to this? This seems unbelievable to me?

JON LEIBERMAN, HLN CONTRIBUTOR: Well, I`ll tell you, Jim, the shocking thing is that this is what the jury is left with in terms of defense witnesses. I mean the defense actually was riding a wave of momentum. They have Drew`s son saying that he doesn`t believe that Drew killed his mom, Drew`s ex-wife, Kathleen Savio. So they had that.

There were a number of missteps by the prosecution where mistrials were almost declared three different times. So then to do this, a guy that the other guest just pointed out, this is a witness that the defense fought to keep out of court. And then to put him up there and he essentially says that, look, Stacy told him that, yes, you know, Drew killed Kathleen. I mean, it is a huge blunder.

And, Jim, I remember being with the Savio family in Chicago when they came back with the Dr. Baden autopsy which showed that in his opinion, she was murdered. And I`ll never forget that moment standing with that family who is now keeping their fingers crossed for justice in this case. In their eyes the defense might have just done just that for them.

MORET: It`s a complicated case. I want to bring people back up to date. So let`s do a recap now.

Drew, you may recall, is a former cop. He`s accused of killing his third wife, Kathleen Savio. Her body was found in her bathtub in 2004. Now, coroners first ruled that her death was an accidental drowning.

Then he remarried wife number four. That was Stacy. She disappeared in 2007. After she vanished, police re-opened the investigation into wife number three -- that`s Kathleen`s death. Her body was exhumed. Medical examiners then came to a different conclusion. They called it homicide.

Yesterday one of the prosecution`s most notable rebuttal witnesses, world-renowned forensic pathologist Michael Baden testified that all of Kathleen`s injuries are not indicative of a fall. There are too many, there are too many locations; that means there would have had to have been multiple falls.

So John Manuelian, criminal defense attorney, does the fact that this was initially ruled an accident then later ruled a homicide then you have this new testimony, all of that adds up. It`s the last thing the jurors hear, right?

MANUELIAN: It`s the last thing the jurors hear. And again, this is a completely circumstantial evidence. There`s no physical evidence connecting any of the murders to Drew Peterson. And now you get this huge blunder in court. And that`s what they`re left with.

MORET: And, Jon Leiberman, look, we talk about circumstantial evidence. We`ve covered a lot of cases where there`s only circumstantial evidence. It`s very rare, necessarily you can have an eyewitness and sometimes I`ve even covered a case where there`s no body and there`s been a conviction of first-degree murder.

You even said it a moment ago. The last thing the jurors hear is the idea that Drew admitted that he killed the wife. That may be all you need.

LEIBERMAN: Well, it`s a strong message. And, look, Jim, it`s going to come down to this. Is this a CSI jury that has to have physical evidence, DNA and fingerprints? Or is this a jury that likes to put together a puzzle and use common sense and put two and two together and get four? That`s what this is going to come down to.

MORET: But, John, when you`re talking about -- you hear about a CSI jury. You know, jurors every day have to put things together. And we expect things to be wrapped up in 60 minutes. That`s just not how it works.

But when you don`t have any evidence other than statements that are brought in like here and it`s circumstantial evidence, how powerful can it be in swaying a jury where they say, you know what, I think you`ve got proof beyond a reasonable doubt?

MANUELIAN: It could be powerful. But what makes this powerful for the prosecution is that you have a confession. There`s a confession that they`re going to think about during jury deliberations. So in my view you don`t need a CSI jury. With a confession you throw your hands up and say, well, he confessed.

And the lawyer said so -- his own lawyer admitted that his client confessed. So you have two lawyers assisting in the part of the conviction for the prosecution.

MORET: Jon Leiberman, are you surprised at all? It`s very rare you see a defendant take the stand in their own defense. Are you surprised that Drew Peterson decided he would not testify?

MANUELIAN: You know, I am surprised, Jim, just because of knowing Drew Peterson both publicly -- and I was one of the first that interviewed him back in 2007. I bet behind closed doors he really wanted to testify. And his attorneys said, look, it`s our advice, don`t testify. We`ve put on a good case. We don`t need to put you up there and get torn to shreds.

So I believe in my heart that he wanted to testify, but his attorneys said, "Please, Drew, don`t". And he heeded their advice.

MORET: Drew`s son, Thomas, told jurors -- he did take the stand -- he told jurors he believed his father was innocent. So, John, as a lawyer you put a man`s son on, he says I believe my father`s innocent. That`s great if that`s all you hear. But we didn`t just hear that.

We heard, oh, another witness said Drew said he killed her.

MANUELIAN: More of a reason to put Drew on the stand to undo that mistake that the other lawyer did. I mean Drew Peterson is the only one that could say look, I never said that to my lawyer. That`s incorrect and deny it.

And he goes on Larry King and he goes other shows, why isn`t he taking a stand now and fighting for his life?

MORET: Fascinating case.

art tart wrote:Alessandra, thanks for all the links. I too am causitiously optimistic at this point. It's hard to tell, the jury has been removed so many times, sometimes more than once a day, I can't even imagine what they think. imo, Baden has helped the State, that's good news! The constant distractions bother me, I hope the State does an outstanding closing argument and again, connecting the dots for the jury.

imo, the attitude, the smirking, the laughing of the wise guy defense team & DP is almost enough if I were on the jury for me to vote guilty. A mother of 2 is dead, circumstances are highly questionable & they act as if they are there to entertain each other. Absolutely no one benefited from the murder of Kathleen, not her family, her children, BUT DP benefited, imo, that's a hell of a strong motive for a scumbag cop.

These are the same A-HOLE wise guys that said in an interview, " Stacy who?" Then they all had a big laugh.

This defence team couldn't be more distasteful if they tried. An as for the sunglasses - they seem more suited for an episode of Ally McBeal than a real trial involving real-life victims.

And another thing ... I get that defence lawyers do what they have to do to promote their client's innocence, but it irks me no end when they start insulting our intelligence. No one of Stacy's means just vanishes without a trace. While a drug addict or someone living on the streets can get by unnoticed due to not leaving a paper trail, Stacy was not a down-and-out street dweller and from what I've read, she certainly didn't have the know-how or financial means to obtain a new identity and step out of her old life into a new one. I very much doubt that anyone in her position would be living their life in some unknown destination while their family and friends are desperately searching for her.

Decision time for the dress-alike jurors

September 2, 2012

Pity the poor Drew Peterson jurors. After listening to nearly five weeks of stop-and-start testimony, it will be up to them after Tuesday's closing arguments to figure out whether Peterson should be sent to prison for murder or unleashed on the dating public.

We hope they took good notes. How else could they remember all the things they're supposed to forget?

Jurors are required to set aside whatever inferences they might have drawn from the publicity surrounding the death of Peterson's third wife, Kathleen Savio — the one he's accused of killing — and the disappearance of his fourth, Stacy Peterson.

Read more:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-drew-20120902,0,188644.story

In Session's special coverage of closing arguments in the Drew Peterson murder trial begins at 9 a.m. ET on truTV.

http://www.hlntv.com/clusters/drew-peterson

Final pitches readied for Peterson jurors

Stakes couldn't be higher as closing arguments loom

By Steve Schmadeke and
Stacy St. Clair, Chicago Tribune reporters
September 2, 2012

After five weeks of testimony, head-scratching moves and blustering before TV cameras, the Drew Peterson trial comes to an end Tuesday with closing arguments that carry extremely high stakes for both sides.

Without any physical evidence linking the former Bolingbrook police sergeant to the death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio, the final soliloquies provide the only chance for attorneys to show jurors how several pieces of circumstantial evidence come together to either prove or refute Peterson's guilt.

Read more:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-drew-peterson-closing-0902-20120902,0,6989298.story

The judge hasn't ruled yet on whether the jury will be sequestered during deliberations.

Judge Jeannine Pirro sums up the Peterson Trial!

will Justice be served?

http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/justice-jeanine/index.html#/v/1819007204001/judge-jeanine-sums-up-the-drew-peterson-trial/?playlist_id=163706


I wish Judge Pirro could give the State's closing arguments, she lays it out in the order it happened & connected the dots. I hope the STATE doesn't screw this up, they have got to convince the jury that DP murdered Kathleen, it's their last chance.

Alessandra_Deux wrote:The judge hasn't ruled yet on whether the jury will be sequestered during deliberations.
.,

I have always believed a jury in a capital murder case should be sequestered. This one worries me, with the 3 day weekend. There are a lot of influences. Just wondering out loud, do jurors watch the trial shows at night ? or go online or listen to friends ? I was impressed with Judge White's statement (paraphrase) that juror's have to work hard in circumstantial cases. Someone said, that was Jeff Ashton's feeling,( I believe Beth Karas) re: the casey anthony jurors. They just didn't work hard. I haven't heard ONE person say that dp is not guilty but I wonder if he will be convicted . I think he is the second person in America people love to hate ! I just pray that justice is served for Kathleen, a good daughter, sister, mother and friend to so many.

nanshin wrote:

Alessandra_Deux wrote:The judge hasn't ruled yet on whether the jury will be sequestered during deliberations.

I have always believed a jury in a capital murder case should be sequestered. This one worries me, with the 3 day weekend. There are a lot of influences. Just wondering out loud, do jurors watch the trial shows at night ? or go online or listen to friends ? I was impressed with Judge White's statement (paraphrase) that juror's have to work hard in circumstantial cases. Someone said, that was Jeff Ashton's feeling,( I believe Beth Karas) re: the casey anthony jurors. They just didn't work hard. I haven't heard ONE person say that dp is not guilty but I wonder if he will be convicted . I think he is the second person in America people love to hate ! I just pray that justice is served for Kathleen, a good daughter, sister, mother and friend to so many.

nanshin - I feel your pain, I too feel anxious about this case, the outside influences are huge, surely everyone there is talking about the case, even more so than the national news that's available. I agree, I too have NOT heard a single person except the wise guy defense team & DP's son voice they think DP is innocent.

In KC's case, imo, the 12 juror's ACCEPTED Baez's ridiculous version of what happened, he in essence testified for KC, even accusing GA of sexual abuse, something that was never proven in the trial nor, imo, was there one shread of evidence of Baez's version of events. imo, we expect those that are serving on a jury to use sound judgment, to at least expect the Defense to deliver what they told the jury in Opening Statements, to comprehend the meaning of "reasonable doubt," KC's jury didn't ''do the hard work" we trusted they would do.

This case is a nightmare for any jury, so much to remember not to consider, I am mostly concerned about the youngest juror, it seems it takes a lot of maturity to rationally consider all the evidence, I hope he has the maturity.

art tart wrote:Judge Jeannine Pirro sums up the Peterson Trial!

will Justice be served?

http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/justice-jeanine/index.html#/v/1819007204001/judge-jeanine-sums-up-the-drew-peterson-trial/?playlist_id=163706


I wish Judge Pirro could give the State's closing arguments, she lays it out in the order it happened & connected the dots. I hope the STATE doesn't screw this up, they have got to convince the jury that DP murdered Kathleen, it's their last chance.

I have listened to this several times now and shared it with others.
She is awesome! I wish I had seen this presence when she had her TV show.

Peterson Defense Team ‘Anxious’ As Closing Arguments Approach

September 3, 2012 5:38 PM
Reporting Mike Puccinelli

JOLIET, Ill. (CBS) – Anxious — that’s how one of Drew Peterson’s defense attorney’s described himself the day before closing arguments in Peterson’s murder trial.

~Snipped~

CBS 2’s Mike Puccinelli reports defense attorney Joel Brodsky said his client is emotionally ready for whatever happens.

Brodsky said he spoke to Peterson on Sunday and planned to speak with him again on Monday. He said the former Bolingbrook cop is okay, and is prepared to deal with the verdict, whatever the outcome.

As soon as Tuesday afternoon, a jury of seven men and five women could begin deliberating the former police sergeant’s fate.

Read more:

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/09/03/peterson-defense-team-anxious-as-closing-arguments-approach/

Drew Peterson trial: Closingarguments set for Tuesday

Defense attorneys promise dramatic speech will be 'one for the books'

By Steve Schmadeke and Stacy St. Clair,
Chicago Tribune reporters
10:38 p.m. CDT, September 3, 2012

~Snipped~

Defense attorney Joseph Lopez will give Peterson's closing argument, a speech he said he had put more than 50 hours of preparation into crafting, sometimes over dinner with his wife, Lisa, who is also on the defense team.

"All I know is this — I'm going to do the best I can," he said. "It's not going to be like any lawyer you've seen before. I break every rule in the book."

Prosecutors haven't yet explicitly presented their theory of the case — that Peterson put Savio in a police chokehold until she passed out and then drowned her in her bathtub. Will County Judge Edward Burmila repeatedly prevented the jury from hearing some testimony supporting that claim, ruling that the prosecution had not introduced any evidence proving Peterson was at the death scene.

The state indicated last week that it would make those same inferences during closing arguments, despite assured objections from Peterson's attorneys.

Read more:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-drew-peterson-trial-0904-20120904,0,7903342.story

Joe and Lisa Lopez finally arrived at the courthouse ! I am hoping that the jurors find enough circumstanstial evidence to convict dp. Hoping he looses his pension after all.

Has it gone to the jury yet, or they still doing closing arguments?

snowbird wrote:Has it gone to the jury yet, or they still doing closing arguments?

Closing has not started yet. Lawyers going over a power point presentation which defense wants to show during closing. Prosecution is permitted to review and vice versa if prosecution had something to be shown. Normal course for closings.

Thanks nanshin, I hope the jury comes back with a guilty verdict.

Drew Peterson trial blog: Savio family members "nervous"

Kelly Barnicle
WGN News
10:25 a.m. CDT, September 4, 2012

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 4, 10:21 a.m. Assistant State's Attorney Chris Koch has told the jury that there is no dispute that Kathleen Savio died from drowning. Pleading with the jury to use their common sense when they deliberate, he then walked through Forensic Pathologists Dr. Blum's testimony explaining that the head laceration and bruising couldn't be caused by a fall. Koch said her toes were "jammed" in the tub and not one single thing around the tub was out of place which one would suspect if she fell.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 4, 10:13 a.m. "I'm going to kill you" were the opening words prosecutor Chris Koch told the jury when he began his closing statements. Pointing to Drew Peterson, "It is clear that this man murdered Kathleen Savio."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 4, 10:10 a.m. On a courtroom break, Kathleen Savio’s family members told WGN TV that they are nervous. Also, Jurors dressed like regular jurors today; regular clothing.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 4, 10:03 a.m. Several members of the public camped out overnight to reserve a seat in the courtroom. 21 seats were given to the public which upset family members who have been placed in the overflow with the media. One family member complained that the judge made the wrong decision by letting so many of the public in. The Savio family has 5 courtroom seats.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 4, 9:58 a.m. The defense has requested that the judge inform the gallery not to react to any statements given during closings. Joel Brodsky told Judge Edward Burmila that it was a problem during the trial and people should not be showing their "approval or disapproval." Judge Burmila said he sure everyone is aware.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.wgntv.com/news/wgntv-drew-peterson-trial-blog-closing-arguments-in-peterson-trial-20120904,0,94900.htmlstory

Peterson case could go to jury by end of day



WGN News
8:57 a.m. CDT, September 4, 2012

JOLIET, Ill.— The case against Drew Peterson could go to the jury by the end of the day; closing arguments begin this morning.

Will County prosecutors say Peterson murdered his third wife Kathleen Savio in 2004; she was found with multiple cuts and bruises, and drowned in her bathtub.

Defense attorneys say there is no physical evidence to implicate Peterson in Savio's death; so the prosecution's case relied heavily on second-hand testimony from people who say Savio told them Drew wanted to kill her.

Read more:

http://www.wgntv.com/news/wgntv-peterson-case-could-go-to-jury-by-end-of-day-20120904,0,6270643.story

In Session ‏@InSession
Koch: "With the State's experts, we've shown you that she died at the hands of another person. And that person is the defendant."

In Session ‏@InSession
Koch: "Dr. Baden said these injuries were consistent with a struggle, and not with a single fall." #DrewPeterson

In Session ‏@InSession
Koch: "Both Drs. Blum and Case had the opinion that this was a homicide." #DrewPeterson

In Session ‏@InSession
Koch: "Dr. Larry Blum came in here... one of the first things he wanted to rule out were the three D's: drugs, drink, and disease."

In Session ‏@InSession
Koch: "What was the cause of the death of Kathleen Savio? That's not really in dispute...the cause was drowning."

In Session ‏@InSession
Koch: "'I'm going to kill you'...that is the statement the defendant told Kathleen Savio just weeks before her death." #DrewPeterson

In Session ‏@InSession
The jury is now in the courtroom and Chris Koch is presenting the State's closing argument. #DrewPeterson

In Session ‏@InSession
Judge Burmila and the attorneys have finalized the jury instructions and what the State can say in its closing arguments. #DrewPeterson

https://twitter.com/InSession

StacyStClair
#DrewPeterson prosecutor Koch now talking about police interview of Stacy Peterson, in which DP was present.

StacyStClair
#DrewPeterson prosecutor Koch says DP stood to inherit entire value of Savio's Bolingbrook home once she died. It was worth $300,000.

StacyStClair
#DrewPeterson prosecutor Koch says, "Murderers sometimes go back to scene to make sure they got it right."

StacyStClair
Koch says #DrewPeterson entered Savio home when he heard neighbor scream. "Why doesn't he have his gun out? Because he knows. He killed her"

StacyStClair
#DrewPeterson prosecutor Koch recalling how DP stayed on porch while neighbors, friends go into house to look for Savio.

StacyStClair
#DrewPeterson prosecutor Koch says DP acted strange that weekend, returning kids Sunday, not trying to reach anyone when Savio wasn' t home.

StacyStClair
#DrewPeterson prosecutor Koch now explaining to jury why state thinks its circumstantial evidence is reliable.

StacyStClair
#DrewPeterson prosecutor Koch says "if you use your common sense and everyday life experience, their (bathtub fall) theory fails."

StacyStClair
#DrewPeterson defense has twice objected, saying Koch mistated expert testimony. Judge overrules, says jury will recall evidence on its own.

StacyStClair
#DrewPeterson prosecutor Koch says defense pathology expert's "theory fails."

StacyStClair
#DrewPeterson prosecutor Koch reminds jury a defense expert testified the chances of a healthy adult drowning in tub is one in a million.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-drew-peterson-twitter-20120731,0,5381027.htmlstory

StacyStClair
#DrewPeterson prosecutor Koch tells jury that an upset Savio told a friend that DP "could kill her and make it look like an accident.

"StacyStClair
#DrewPeterson prosecutor Koch implores the jury to consider how many witnesses - at least 3 - said that Savio feared Peterson killing her.

StacyStClair1 day ago#DrewPeterson prosecutor Koch now talking about police interview of Stacy Peterson, in which DP was present.

StacyStClair
#DrewPeterson prosecutor Koch says "too bad (the officers) didn't know that Drew had coached her for hours and hours."

StacyStClair
#DrewPeterson prosecutor Koch says "he went into that house and held her down until she drown."

StacyStClair
#DrewPeterson prosecutor Koch asks if it was an accident, why did Drew tell people he would be a suspect if police decided it was a murder.

StacyStClair
#DrewPeterson prosecutor Koch says all the hearsay statements prove that DP went into the house and drowned Savio.