awakening2lite
06-21-2008, 10:45 PM
Proposed law targeting Drew Peterson may get another chance
Measure would allow judge to consider hearsay testimony if a witness' disappearance is caused by illegal means
By Erika Slife | Tribune reporter
12:21 AM CDT, June 3, 2008
Legislation that could affect a possible prosecution of former Bolingbrook Police Sgt. Drew Peterson stalled in the Illinois Senate when lawmakers ran out of time before adjournment over the weekend.
"We have hit a snag," said the bill's chief sponsor, state Sen. A.J. Wilhelmi (D- Joliet).
The measure, backed by the Will County state's attorney's office, would allow a judge to decide whether hearsay testimony could be admitted into court if it is proved that the defendant contributed to the disappearance of a witness by illegal means. The bill was amended to apply only to first-degree murder cases.
Peterson, 54, is a suspect in the Oct. 28 disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy, who was 23 at the time. Authorities are also reinvestigating the 2004 mysterious death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio, 40, who was found drowned in an empty bathtub in her home. Her death, initially ruled an accident, was classified a homicide in February.
Both women had told family and friends that they were fearful of Peterson. Stacy Peterson also told her minister that Peterson allegedly confessed to her that he killed Savio, according to the minister.
Wilhelmi said he is confident that the bill—which initially passed the Senate 56-0 and cleared the House, with amendments, 110-1—could easily pass out of the Senate again later this month.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich is expected to call lawmakers back to Springfield to deal with lingering issues over the state's budget, and Wilhelmi said he will lobby to get the measure, which is now back in the Senate Rules Committee, before the Senate for a full vote.
The Senate must agree to the amended version the House voted on.
Will County State's Atty. James Glasgow said he is also confident that the bill, which would amend the state code of criminal procedure, will land on the governor's desk for consideration.
source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-peterson-law-both-03-jun03,0,7562180.story
Measure would allow judge to consider hearsay testimony if a witness' disappearance is caused by illegal means
By Erika Slife | Tribune reporter
12:21 AM CDT, June 3, 2008
Legislation that could affect a possible prosecution of former Bolingbrook Police Sgt. Drew Peterson stalled in the Illinois Senate when lawmakers ran out of time before adjournment over the weekend.
"We have hit a snag," said the bill's chief sponsor, state Sen. A.J. Wilhelmi (D- Joliet).
The measure, backed by the Will County state's attorney's office, would allow a judge to decide whether hearsay testimony could be admitted into court if it is proved that the defendant contributed to the disappearance of a witness by illegal means. The bill was amended to apply only to first-degree murder cases.
Peterson, 54, is a suspect in the Oct. 28 disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy, who was 23 at the time. Authorities are also reinvestigating the 2004 mysterious death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio, 40, who was found drowned in an empty bathtub in her home. Her death, initially ruled an accident, was classified a homicide in February.
Both women had told family and friends that they were fearful of Peterson. Stacy Peterson also told her minister that Peterson allegedly confessed to her that he killed Savio, according to the minister.
Wilhelmi said he is confident that the bill—which initially passed the Senate 56-0 and cleared the House, with amendments, 110-1—could easily pass out of the Senate again later this month.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich is expected to call lawmakers back to Springfield to deal with lingering issues over the state's budget, and Wilhelmi said he will lobby to get the measure, which is now back in the Senate Rules Committee, before the Senate for a full vote.
The Senate must agree to the amended version the House voted on.
Will County State's Atty. James Glasgow said he is also confident that the bill, which would amend the state code of criminal procedure, will land on the governor's desk for consideration.
source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-peterson-law-both-03-jun03,0,7562180.story