Key Evidence in the Drew Peterson Murder Case Blocked by Judge
Judge Edward Burmilla ruled that several allegations, including one in which Peterson allegedly tried to hire a hit man to kill his third wife, cannot be brought up in the trial.
Prosecutors lost out on some key evidence they want to use in their bid to convict disgraced Bolingbrook cop Drew Peterson on charges he murdered his third wife, Kathleen Savio.
Judge Edward Burmila ruled Tuesday—the trial's first day—that Peterson's attorneys won't have to defend him against allegations he offered a co-worker $25,000 to find a hit man to kill Savio, that he broke into the house Savio was living in by cutting a hole in a wall, or that he threw her to the ground and held her face down in the grass until the police arrived during a dispute in 2002.
Prosecutors failed to notify Peterson's defense team that they planned to use the hit man story as evidence. Braidwood man Jeffrey Pachter, who worked at a cable installation company with Peterson, was expected to testify that Peterson offfered him $25,000 to find a hit man to kill Savio.
Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow nearly prompted Burmila to declare a mistrial when he brought up the hit man story during his opening arguments. Burmila decided against calling a mistrial despite arguments made by defense attorney Steve Greenberg that "You’ve got a jury in the box that heard the defendant offered money to somebody to kill his wife. What are you going to say—‘It was a big mistake?’”
Burmila also decided the jury should hear nothing about Peterson cutting a hole in a wall of Savio's home to gain entrance—which Peterson has admitted to doing—because he owned the home.
Peterson and Savio had lived together in the Bolingbrook house but he moved out after she found out about his love affair with teenaged Stacy Peterson and their marriage broke down. Prosecutors contend Savio feared Peterson would kill her around the time her estranged husband happened to cut the hole in the wall, and pointed out that she was so scared that she had a neighbor install a deadbolt on her bedroom door.
Someone cut a hole in the bedroom door as well, according to prosecutors, but Judge Burmila is letting the jury know about that hole.
Greenberg was dismissive of the hole in the wall.
"Is that like, 'There's a hole in the bucket, dear Liza dear Liza,'" he joked. "The hole has nothing to do with the case. You don't convict someone on dirt."
Prosecutors have also been deprived of telling the jury about the time Peterson hurled Savio down and held her there after she allegedly attacked Stacy, whose mysterious disappearance in October 2007 set the events in motion that led to Peterson's arrest on murder charges in May 2009.
Stacy remains missing. Peterson is the sole suspect in the Illinois State Police investigation of her disappearance. He has yet to be charged with harming her.
Savio was charged with battery, domestic battery, and visitation interference in connection with the May 2002 altercation. She was later found not guilty of all charges.
Burmila said it "doesn't matter if she was acquitted," and decided the jury shouldn't hear about it, even though defense attorney Joel Brodsky for some reason brought it up during his opening argument.
None of Peterson's friends or family attended the first day of his murder trial. Savio's father, Henry Savio, and stepmother, Marcia Savio, were in the gallery. So was Pam Bosco, the foster mother of Stacy's sister, Cassandra Cales.
After the hearing, Bosco said she found Burmila's decisions "very frustrating."
Only one witness took the stand Tuesday. Savio's next-door neighbor and close friend Mary Pontarelli testified about finding Savio drowned in her dry bathtub in March 2004 after Peterson asked her to go inside Savio's house and look for her.
During her testimony, Pontarelli gasped and let out a sob when she was shown a photo of Savio's naked body curled in her bloody bathtub. Drew Peterson stared up at the same photo when it was flashed onto a large courtroom screen. He showed no emotion.
Read More: Drew Peterson Coverage on Patch
screen_name
9:13 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Fran Cyst,
Where are you my Lil Princess!!
Francis M. Regan
9:35 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
screen_name sounds like a lonely man, go and eat at chick -fil-a with your pals. I still bet you didn't last a couple of years in Bolingbrook! Probably work on a small hick P.D. now. Girly boy.
screen_name
9:46 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
I'm lonely? girly boy? That's the best you got for a comeback? I could have stayed until retirement with Bolingbrook if I wanted to, I chose to leave. You still trying to bully people I see, you tried it when at Bolingbrook and you try it on this board. Neither worked! Will you be going to see Drew Peterson once he is convicted?
Francis M. Regan
10:01 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
For you that's about right. There's a difference of only staying a few years and almost retirement. You say bully people , prove yourself. Sounds like cheap talk. Theres still nothing you can do about it. Is it a crime to visit Peterson?
screen_name
10:12 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Do you remember that bogus stop back in 1985 that you did in Bolingbrook? The one where the defendant did an appeal and won? Talk about shoddy Police work! You're no longer active. You should join the defense team in court then Drew Peterson could have 4 liars in there backing him.
Francis M. Regan
10:35 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Bogus traffic stop??
Francis M. Regan
10:05 am on Sunday, August 5, 2012
Bogus traffic stop! Wrong again! Educate yourself and see what the real out come was! You are such a joke.
Francis M. Regan
10:19 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Wrong on all accounts.
screen_name
10:22 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
I'm wrong because you say I'm wrong. It's okay. Do you bust out the polish to buff up that badge you no longer use? Go close your Facebook page stupid! Do you not know how to make certain things private? Geesh
Francis M. Regan
10:51 am on Sunday, August 5, 2012
SMC jerk!
Francis M. Regan
10:22 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Like I said with about your earlier ignorant comment, you could have cleaned my clock. Hey ding dong , you chickened out as you were no match.
screen_name
10:29 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
You have to comeback with better stuff otherwise I have to put you back up on the shelf to collect dust as you are starting to be no fun. My comment was ignorant? Too funny! I would say you are the ignorant one. You sit on a website thread spewing nothing but ignorant garbage about a very serious matter. I do not wonder how you made it so long with Bolingbrook as they chose to keep Drew Peterson as well.
Francis M. Regan
10:31 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
screen_name you sound mad about something. What's your point. You get upset over comments left on a thread , just like this one. If I worked were you think I did, how long did I out last you. Are you disappointed.
screen_name
10:32 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
It's sad how you used your badge to be the tough guy on the streets just as Drew Peterson did, the fact of the matter is this, you and him both would have got a good beat down numerous times if it were not for back up.
Francis M. Regan
10:37 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
screen_name back up??!!
screen_name
10:38 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
I'm not mad. Just pointing out the obvious with you. A retired police officer such as yourself, should not be ambushing a news thread about a serious situation. How hard is that for you to understand?
Francis M. Regan
10:40 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
screen_name is it really any of your business. You have no involvement in the case. But you should use your brains and don't make threats.
screen_name
10:45 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
What will you say when Drew Peterson is convicted? I wouldn't expect you to think he was guilty, your police skills were never up to par and that was the opinion of many people throughout the Bolingbrook Department.
I'm sure the composite sketches that you helped out on played a big factor in the bad guy never getting caught. We use to laugh and say that the kids in kindergarten could have done better. Geez Louise!
Francis M. Regan
10:49 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
If he's convicted , he's convicted! Still say you didn't last 20 years on BPD.
screen_name
10:51 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
I made no threats. Show me where I did that. Are you okay? Had a few too many tonight and your head is fuzzy? Eyes not like they use to be? Show me where I made a threat. Thanks Princess
Francis M. Regan
10:55 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Could have cleaned you clock!? Like I said you most likely never made it to a pension with BPD. Plus your above comment. Beat down if it weren't for back up? What?
screen_name
10:58 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Okay, here, follow me.. I meant when you were responding to certain calls? Things got wild at times and had it not been for other officers responding to help contain the situation you would have got a beat down. How did you not understand that? Stop drinking! There are better things to do with your time than sitting behind a computer screen playing keyboard commando while swooshing down booze.
Francis M. Regan
11:05 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Don't drink. Sorry you couldn't make it to a pension in Bolingbrook! Wow you didn't Peterson could handle himself.
screen_name
11:08 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Francis? Honey? No need to keep replying to my messages, just make your own in the " leave a comment box" and hit submit. I will refresh my page then do the same. You and I can now follow the conversation better and you wont have to keep scrolling. I know you have had a few tonight. I'm just trying to help you out.
Francis M. Regan
11:11 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Never drank, never smoked.
screen_name
11:12 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Drew Peterson could handle himself? I'm glad you think so. He'll need all the street skills he can get once in prison. They are going to crack him open like a coconut. Hey? I know, Maybe you can give him a refresher course on how to be a tough guy.
Francis M. Regan
11:15 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Do you think you could have handled Drew? I would say no. You would have been no match for him. I'm sorry you have no pension.
screen_name
11:17 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Can you please start using periods and commas? All your babble is running together like a stream. Here is a link for you. Let me know if I can help you out further.
https://orders.hookedonphonics.com/hop-ltr-1495-2.aspx?vc=WPG1&pc=SWPGAA&gclid=CN_87ePIxbECFQ8CQAodM3cASg
Francis M. Regan
11:20 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
No need for it or you. Start collecting Social Security yet?
screen_name
11:24 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Handle Drew Peterson? He likes beating on strictly females. Without the badge, he would have been just like you, a sissy.
You hid behind your badge for all them years being a bully and now you hide behind your computer screen being a bully. Such a shame. You're a sad man.
screen_name
11:25 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
I wish I was ready for Social Security. I welcome that day. Lord do I.
Francis M. Regan
11:27 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Still not better than a Police pension.
screen_name
11:27 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
I just sent Mr Hosey an email asking if he can send the Patch street sweeper through this thread to clean up your mess. Hideous! Start acting right Fran Cyst.
Francis M. Regan
11:30 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Any relation or friend of Ex-hillbilly Chief J.W.
screen_name
11:32 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
I agree with you there. Police pensions are great for both the bad and good cops.. Look at Drew Peterson. Goes around killing his wives and being crooked then gets over 6 grand a month. I'll be enjoying mine and I never wronged the public or abused my badge to get it. All them people that put their trust in him and look how he turned out. Horrible
Francis M. Regan
11:37 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Sounds like you will not be collecting as much as Peterson.
Francis M. Regan
10:53 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Wilson a good guy? Not! Do you care for me to share stories about him and you would think differently about him. Check him out as dumb Chief in Town Of Beliot ,WI.
screen_name
11:38 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Na. No relation to Chief Wilson. Good guy though.
Francis M. Regan
11:39 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Yea right he was. There's stories about him.
Dude McDudeson
11:41 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Ha ha ha, screen_name! I have been reading these threads for awhile. At first I thought Francis was a comedy bit, something like South Park! Not so sure now. No one who ever lived in Bolingbrook ever came across a cop who used his badge to do anything other than protect and serve! Francine, that was sarcasm. I have been stopped as a 17 year old riding my bike to work because I was "riding erratically". That was funny because I stayed on the sidewalk, as going off of it would have probably made me road pizza on Boughton. I even stopped before crossing streets! What was really funny was that it took two squad cars to do it! Another time, I had an officer put a gun in my face and tell me I was going to die if I did not get down on the ground. Does that constitute as a death threat if said by some one without a badge? This was when a bunch of High Schoolers crashed their truck. A few were injured and I was running back to my house to call 911. I have also been stopped for "matching a description" several times. I am a honky, but apparently look Latino on moonless nights. I knew Joe Christians. I didn't like him, but that was one fishy shooting. I could list a few more, but that may give me away. I've helped the BPD before, but stopped after being hassled by so many of them. I have cops in my family, but too many times the BPD has shown that too many of them disgrace the very notion of a police officer. How many times has Claar not gotten a well deserved DUI?
screen_name
11:53 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
I'm sorry to hear that you had bad run ins with some of Bolingbrook Police. There were and are good guys on the force there but Drew Peterson and Fran Cyst were not one of them.
Claar is partly to blame for Drew Peterson being out of control. I guess if it dont involve a golf course or booze, Claar doesn't want to talk about it.
Dude McDudeson
12:03 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
I know there are some good folks over there. Been friends with a few officers, their kids, and a few folks on dispatch. It is a shame because the bad are always more visible than the good. Again, I've been a pretty stand up citizen (most of the time), but some things just frustrate a persons sense of justice. I lived in the Brook for about 14 years. I actually went out of my way to shop in other towns because I did not want yet another bad cop story. It was once suggested that I drop names when I would get pulled over, but that always seemed slimey to me.
screen_name
11:45 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
*** NEWS FLASH *** Where Drew Peterson is going, he wont need any of that pension. They supply you with everything a killer needs. 3 hots and a cot! I am all for his 2 little kids getting it though. Tom and Kris will not need any as Drew killed their mom and they both are well taken care of due to the life insurance policy.
Francis M. Regan
11:50 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
J.W. was Petersons buddy too. What did he know about Drews problems with Kathy?
screen_name
11:59 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Wilson was not Drew Peterson's buddy. That's a false statement.. If they were so close then why didn't Chief Wilson see to it that Drew Peterson made Sgt before he left the Department? Drew Peterson had been a cop for how long and still not a Sgt by the time Wilson left? Stop it Fran Cyst. Let's keep it real. I dont mean to lash out at you baby girl but sometimes you get out of control and I have to get firm with you.
Francis M. Regan
12:00 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Screen_name you say you were at BPD , but I feel you failed too do 20 years. I guarantee if anyone that still knows you there probably knew about Drew and kept their mouths shut too, including ex-Chiefs
Francis M. Regan
12:03 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Screen_name care to bet J.W. was Chief and helped Drew to get his stripes. That shows you failed to do 20 years at BPD.
Dude McDudeson
12:05 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Fighting is tearing this family apart! Sob, sob, sob...
screen_name
12:16 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
:-)
screen_name
12:09 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Pffffffff. Maybe Calcagno knew and never cared to do squat. I mean, Kathleen Savio did cry out to him but once again, it fell on deaf ears! Chief McGury was going to deal with Peterson but he took an early pension to avoid an Internal investigation.
screen_name
12:11 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Why do you lie Fran Cyst? Drew was not Sgt when Chief Wilson left the department. You must be finishing off that bottle over there, Huh?
screen_name
12:14 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
This news thread now looks like a train wreck because of you Fran Cyst. That's it Mister! I should delete all of my post then everyone will come here to read and really think you're goofy when they only see a one sided conversation. Too funny.
Francis M. Regan
12:20 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
McGury was the best Chief BPD had prior to the current Chief.
screen_name
12:24 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
I would agree. see, we can agree on a few things.
Concerned
1:51 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Why hasn't anyone tied Drew to the missing girl, Rachel yet...? Maybe because she disappeared like Stacy? He was always a creep who had a thing for young girls and wasn't ashamed to show it. Anyone who lived in the 'brook could testify with regard to that.
Francis M. Regan
9:36 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Concerned not Drew, think of another one that liked young?
Mayhem
8:28 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Francis Regan, I get that you and the screen guy both have strong opinions, but why do you always bring up the fact that screen_name isnt getting a police pension? What difference does that make to the points you are trying to make? Please, please stop sounding like a scorned child and defend your opinions with facts rather than childish banter.
Francis M. Regan
9:49 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Screen_name maybe it would be wise for you to delete your comments as you said you may. As this isn't the place for it.
Aaron
10:00 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
This entire comment thread so aptly perpetuates the sad, slimeball and pathetic nature of this entire story. A tragedy on so many levels.
Francis M. Regan
10:05 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Aaron I agree! I'll remove my comments,as long as screen_name mans up and does the same! The only comments I'll leave are the ones pertaining to the story.
Stormin Norman
1:29 pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
I watched the movie "My Cousin Vinny" years ago and Marisa Tomei's character informed Joe Pesci's character that both sides need to disclose all witnesses, evidence, etc. to each other...there can be no "surprises." I guess anyone who watched the movie "My Cousin Vinny" could prosecute this case better than these prosecutors! I have a feeling that these mistakes are going to set the scumbag free.
Francis M. Regan
4:10 pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Screen_name heres something interesting.
Wilson a good guy? Not! Do you care for me to share stories about him and you would think differently about him. Check him out as dumb Chief in Town Of Beliot ,WI.