Drew Peterson trial updates: Son to take stand today



6:30 a.m. Peterson's son expected to testify
Thomas Peterson, the son of Drew Peterson and Kathleen Savio, is expected to be called to the stand today by the defense.

Thomas Peterson, valedictorian of his 2011 Bolingbrook High School class who is now studying at the University of Pennsylvania, was at his father's home the weekend Savio died. He has told the Tribune he believes her death was an accident.

"He'll be here to support his father and tell what he knows about his father's innocence," defense attorney Joel Brodsky said of the 19-year-old. "He has a lot of things to add to the story."

On Tuesday, the defense team offered jurors its theory of how Drew Peterson's third wife died, calling a pair of noted forensic pathologists Tuesday who testified that Kathleen Savio drowned in her bathtub after slipping and hitting her head.

...updates at link
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/loca ... 2187.story

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Drew Peterson trial updates:

9:30 a.m. Attorney can testify about talk with Stacy
Judge Edward Burmila ruled that defense attorneys can call Wheaton family attorney Harry Smith to testify that Stacy Peterson asked him about extorting money from Drew Peterson in her planned divorce by threatening to tell police what she knew about Kathleen Savio’s death.

But the judge said if the defense calls Smith his entire 8.5-minute coversation with Stacy Peterson is admissable. The defense hasn't yet said whether they will call Smith.

Updated at link
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/loca ... 2187.story

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Drew Peterson trial updates: No sign of struggle in Savio home, investigator testifies

10:30 a.m. No sign of struggle, investigator says
Former Illinois State Police Sgt. Patrick Collins is the first defense witness of the day.

Collins, who was one of the investigators who responded to Kathleen Savio's home after her death in 2004, testified weeks ago as a prosecution witness.

Defense attorney Steve Greenberg is leading him through a series of questions about the appearance of Savio's home the night her body was discovered.

Collins said he saw no signs of a disturbance, struggle or anything unusual in the home.

Collins, who retired in 2008, said he didn't recall seeing bags placed over Savio's hands, but said he asked the evidence technician, Sgt. Robert Deel, to cover her hands in case there was any evidence on them.

"I asked Sgt. Deel to take fingernail samplings, based on the chance that it there was some kind of struggle, she might have something on her hands," Collins said. "Going back to my earlier testimony, it was my first homicide, so it was a learning experience for me. I was assuming that was what they did."

updates at link....
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/loca ... 2187.story

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Drew Peterson trial updates: Defense challenges hostile witness

2:05 p.m. Defense challenges hostile witness
In a sidebar outside the jurors' presence, defense attorney Steve Greenberg accused Harry Smith of committing perjury, saying that in all his prior testimony he has said Stacy Peterson asked "if" they could get more money from Drew Peterson by threatening to tell police he killed Kathleen Savio.

"Now he gets up there and says, ‘He killed her.’ That's ridiculous, judge," Greenberg said.

The judge agreed and allowed defense attorney Joel Brodsky to treat Smith as a hostile witness.

The jury returned, and Brodsky immediately challenged Smith, asking why he never before had said Stacy said Drew Peterson killed Savio.

"I believe every time I've testified, I've said...'If we give this information that he did this, can we get more out of him,’" Smith replied.

In a contentious back and forth, Smith said Stacy asked him if she could use the information in the divorce proceedings to get more money, not to get her husband prosecuted for Savio's murder.

Updates at link...
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/loca ... 2187.story

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Drew Peterson trial updates: Harry Smith Testifies

2:55 p.m. 'It was concealment of a homicide'
On cross examination, Harry Smith said Stacy Peterson told him that Drew Peterson was upset with her because he thought she told his son, Tom, that he killed Kathleen Savio

Smith said she told him that she believed her husband was spying on her and Smith told her to be careful.

"She said she had too much ... on him for him to do anything to her," Smith testified.

During the conversation, Smith said he heard Drew Peterson in the background.

"He called to her, asked her what she was doing and who she was talking to," Smith said, adding that the defendant called out to her a second time "to rush her off the phone or get her in."

Smith said Drew Peterson’s voice sounded as though he was some distance away from Stacy while calling for her.

"She yelled to Drew that she would be in in a minute," Smith said.

"Did Stacy say something to you about a GPS during that conversation?" Assistant State's Attorney John Connor asked.

Smith said Stacy told him she believed Peterson was tracking her via GPS through her cell phone, but that she had gotten a second phone.

"(She said) now I have a new one, and he doesn't know about it," Smith said.

On re-direct, defense attorney Joel Brodsky asked whether Smith warned Stacy to be careful because she could be charged with extortion.

"During that call, I did tell her to be careful, but it wasn't about extortion. It was concealment of a homicide," Smith replied.

"She said, 'Could we get more money out of Drew if we threatened to tell police about how he killed Kathy, and you to be careful because you could be arrested for extortion?" Brodsky said.

"No, that's not what I told her," Smith said.

The state had no further questions after Brodsky, and Smith was excused.

Updates at link
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/loca ... 2187.story

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Drew Peterson murder trial: Peterson's son on stand

August 29, 4:01 p.m.Drew Peterson's son Thomas told the jury that the weekend of his mother's death his father's demeanor wasn't anything out of the ordinary, except that he seemed a little concerned that they couldn't reach Kathy Savio. He said the next day after Kathy was found, Drew came home and took him and his brother upstairs and gave them the news. Thomas Peterson said his father was 'very shaken about it. I've never seen someone so sad in my life.' Peterson also said he came here voluntarily, 'I believe my father is innocent,' he said.

August 29, 3:47 p.m. Drew Peterson son Thomas has just taken the stand. Tom Peterson who is now a 19 year old college student looked at his dad and smiled as he took the stand. Drew Peterson is leaning over listening intently to his sons testimony.Joel Brodsky asked Thomas Peterson if at any time he ever told anyone that he suspected his dad killed his mom. Tom Peterson replied, 'I had not once suspected that.'; Peterson also described his father as 'a good guy.'

Updates at link....
http://www.wgntv.com/news/wgntv-drew-pe ... .htmlstory

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Drew Peterson murder trial: Peterson will not testify

August 29, 4:50 p.m.Drew Peterson will not testify. Judge Burmila asked Peterson if he planned to testify. “I will not testify.” "You will not" said Burmila. "Yes sir," Defense about to rest their case.

August 29, 4:45 p.m.Tom Peterson is off the witness stand. The defense does not have any more witnesses to call today. They are currently going over exhibits.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Smart move IMO

He has got this won... the only thing that could get him convicted now is his own big mouth..

Because I do think he did it, but the State did not present a strong enough case to prove it.

He is so arrogant it was a 50/50 call on whether he would testify... seems his team advised him well.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Drew Peterson murder trial: Defense rests

August 29, 5:01 p.m. Prosecutors will begin their rebuttal case tomorrow morning. They intend to recall Dr. Larry Blum and Dr. Mary Case. Also Dr. Michael Baden is expected to be called. Baden was hired by the Savio family to conduct a separate autopsy from the State.

August 29, 4:55 p.m. The defense has just rested their case in the trial of Drew Peterson.

...more at link
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/loca ... 2187.story

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Thanks so much for posting all the trial updates. Instead of looking for the news articles myself I just came here for the information!

Now, I'm really not surprised at all that Drew didn't testify and the defense only presented a short case. After all, it's their contention she drowned so what would Drew have testified about anyway? Get on the stand and be asked if he killed her? They did make a smart move in basically only contesting the testimony of Dr. Blum's theory of homicide. Dr. Baden on rebuttal for the prosecution should be interesting!!

Baden is NOT credible (IMO)
Obviously he was involved with the media frenzy that led up to the exhumation..... I know all pathologists are PAID by somebody.. but it seems more of an involvement for him to be paid by the family. His pronouncements even before the body had been exhumed means he went into the autopsy with a HUGE bias... of course he would say homicide.. he was convinced that Drew murdered Kathleen all along.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

That's exactly why I said he should be "interesting".

I'm really agreeing with you about not proving Drew killed her, even if the jury thinks it wasn't an accident.

Well... I'm was agreeing with you agreeing with me.

Yes.... "interesting" ...

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

TRIAL DAY 20 (8-30-12)

STATE OF IL. VS. DREW PETERSON


Trial Day Starts in Joliet Il. - Thursday, August 30, 2012 8:45 AM CT

Days will be ....MONDAY through Friday, every week until it goes to jury!!!

There will be no camera's in courtroom unfortunately so we will have to rely on twitter for information as to what is going on in courtroom & also Updates from several outlets.

TRIAL UPDATES: Chicago Tribune Breaking News
(Link to Daily Update Story)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/loca ... g&lpos=Sub

LIVESTREAMING FOR TRU TV
http://superusvox.com/index.php/specialty/trutv
or
http://livetvcafe.net/video/7Y78YR9H9DKB/Tru-TV

WGN TV - Drew Peterson trial (links to daily blogs)
http://www.wgntv.com/news/drewpeterson/

5 nbcchicago - Peterson Trial Live Blog
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/dr ... 60506.html

InSession on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/InSession




TWITTER LINKS:

IN SESSIONS.
http://twitter.com/InSession

Joseph Hosey (reporter)
Joseph Hosey@ShorewdILPatch
http://twitter.com/ShorewdILPatch

Tweets for Drew Peterson case
https://twitter.com/#!/search/drew%20...+peterson+case

Jon Seidel
Jon Seidel@SeidelContent
https://twitter.com/seidelcontent

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Drew Peterson trial updates: Rebuttal witnesses to be called

6:45 a.m. Rebuttal witnesses to be called

Prosecutors are expected to call rebuttal witnesses today, a day after the defense rested its case.

On Wednesday, in the latest bizarre twist in the trial, a defense attorney called a witness who testified that Peterson's fourth wife told him Peterson murdered Kathleen Savio.

The move, made hours before the defense team rested its case, overshadowed its much-anticipated final witness, Peterson's teenage son Thomas, who told jurors he never believed his father killed his mother.

Wednesday's stunning testimony came after Peterson attorney Joel Brodsky decided to call Savio's divorce attorney Harry Smith against the advice of other members of the defense team.

"It's a gift from God," State's Attorney James Glasgow was overheard saying outside the courtroom after Smith finished testifying.

...more at link
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/loca ... 0708.story

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

In Session
Judge Burmila has taken the bench. He notes that he has been provided by the defense with some case law. Attorney Greenberg addresses the Court, says the case law he’s just provided is more applicable to this trial than what the prosecution had previously cited. Prosecutor Koch disagrees, says the facts in the State’s case law is close to the Peterson case than what the defense has offered. This is all in relation to an argument about whether or not Kathleen Savio’s death certificate should be admitted into evidence.

Judge Burmila sides with the defense. “Over the State’s objection, [the death certificate] will be admitted.”

The prosecution informs the judge that it is no longer planning to call rebuttal witness Nicholas Pontarelli (which eliminates a discovery issue). Prosecutor Connor says that the State will call Dr. Michael Baden as its first witness this morning, and describes the limited scope of Baden’s testimony. With that, the judge sends for the jury.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Drew Peterson trial updates: Rebuttal begins with pathologist

9:45 a.m. Rebuttal begins with pathologist
Forensic pathologist Michael Baden is the first witness for the state's rebuttal case.

Baden performed a private autopsy for Kathleen Savio's family in November 2007 and concluded at that time that her death was a homicide.

Updated at link
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/loca ... 0708.story

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

In Session
The sidebar ends. The witness is qualified as an expert, without defense objection. Over his career, he’s performed more than 20,000 autopsies. “Do you have a contract with the FOX News Agency to provide services?” “Yes, I’ve had a contract with FOX News . . .” Objection/Sustained. “Did you have occasion to be contacted by members of Kathleen Savio’s family in 2007?” “Yes . . . I was contacted by members of the family, and asked . . .” Objection/Sustained. “Were you contacted by members of Kathleen Savio’s family in 2007?” “I was.” “As a result of that contact, did you perform an autopsy here in Will County in 2007?” “I did . . . the autopsy was performed at the Will County Morgue, with the approval of the coroner, Mr. O’Neil. And it was performed two days after a previous exhumation autopsy had been performed by Dr. Blum.” “How much were you paid for that autopsy?” “I was paid nothing. It was pro bono . . . the only payment I received in this matter was two years later, when I was asked by the Will County prosecutor to come to a hearing. I was paid $5,000.”

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

In Session
The sidebar ends. The jurors are excused from the courtroom. Attorney Meczyk objects to this testimony, claiming that this is not proper rebuttal evidence because it actually agrees with what Dr. DiMaio said. Judge: “That’s how I recollect his [DiMaio’s] testimony.” Prosecutor Connor asks for a moment.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light