Stacy Peterson added to Drew Peterson trial defense witness list

Stacy Peterson has been missing since 2007 and is presumed dead.

In a completed unexpected, but potentially brilliant move by Drew Peterson’s defense team, they added Stacy Peterson to their list of witnesses that could potentially appear during his trial which starts on July 23rd.

Stacy Peterson has been missing since 2007, and many assume that the former Bolingbrook police officer is responsible for her disappearance.

Peterson is on trial for the murder of his third wife, Kathleen Savio, whose mysterious drowning death was originally ruled an accident, but after Stacy’s disappearance the case was re-opened and her death ruled a homicide.

Drew Peterson pre-trial hearing today, ruling could delay start of trial

Judge Edward Burmila’s ruling today may delay the trial.

In a pre-trial hearing today, Judge Edward Burmila ruled that hearsay statements critical to the prosecution’s case could possibly be barred from the Drew Peterson trial, which is scheduled to start on Monday.

Drew Peterson has been charged with the murder of his third wife, Kathleen Savio and he is also the primary suspect in the disappearance of his fourth wife Stacy Peterson.

Earlier this year an appellate court ruled that statements made by Savio to her divorce attorney could be admissible at the trial. The statements clearly suggest that Peterson was a danger and that if anything should happen to her, that he would be the one responsible. In total there are 14 incriminating statements, and Burmila will rule on Monday which will be allowed into evidence.

Depending on the number of statements that the judge bars from the trial, the prosecution could appeal the ruling and that could delay the trial even further, however he may also choose not to rule on the statements until after the trial begins which will allow the jury to be chosen and seated.

Opening statements in the Drew Peterson trial are expected to start on July 31st.

Drew Peterson defense team launches new website

The Drew Peterson defense team launched this website today.

The defense team for Drew Peterson has launched a new website today that will contain PR and media information and related content to the trial, they are referring to it as a public “public war room for the Drew Peterson defense team,” and no doubt will act as a pro-Peterson propaganda machine for the trial. The website is www.petersondefense.com.

No word yet from the prosecution if they will set up a website of their own for the trial.

Jury selection in the trial for the former Bolingbrook, Illinois police officer starts one week from today.

TV cameras not likely in Drew Peterson trial

Unlikely there will be wall to wall TV coverage for the Drew Peterson trial.

To the great disappointment of Drew Peterson trial junkies, TV cameras likely won’t be allowed during the trial which is expected to start July 23rd.

Earlier this year the Illinois Supreme Court paved the way to allow TV coverage of trials in their court system but the problem is strictly logistics. Will County’s top Judge has said that he doesn’t expect that July will be enough time to get the court room’s wired for TV cameras.

Judge Edward Burmila, the presiding judge over the case, is still mulling over whether or not he will allow still photographers into the court room.

Jury selection for Drew Peterson’s trial is expected July 23rd and the trial is to start on July 30th.

Drew Peterson update – new judge assigned, trial expected to start this summer

A new trial judge has been assigned to oversee Drew Peterson’s murder trial.

Former Will County prosecutor and Associate Judge, Edward Burmila was assigned to the case on Friday during a hearing attended by Drew Peterson.

With the new judge assigned, many expect the trial to move ahead quicker, and start as early as this summer.

Peterson has been in jail since 2009 but lawyers have argued over statements made by Peterson’s ex-wives about him, and whether or not they should admissible in court. The defense lost that battle, the statements will be allowed to used in trial. Kathleen Savio, Peterson’s third wife, was murdered according to the Prosecutors, although originally it was ruled an accidental drowning. Suspicions turned to Savio’s drowning after Peterson’s fourth wife, Stacy Peterson disappeared in 2007. While she has never been found, Peterson is also the main suspect in her disappearance.

For a complete timeline in the Drew Peterson case click here http://www.crimeticker.com/2012/02/17/the-drew-peterson-timeline-so-far/#more-103