Retired Bolingbrook police officer, Drew Peterson, was going through a rough divorce with his third wife, Kathleen Savio. Peterson may have feared that a pending settlement would result in his financial ruin. On March 1, 2004, a neighbor found Savio’s lifeless, bloody body in the bathtub. Initially, police ruled Savio’s death an accident. However, after Peterson’s next wife, Stacy, vanished in 2007, officials exhumed Savio’s body and reclassified her death as a homicide. Authorities charged Peterson with Savio’s murder, but with little physical evidence and no eyewitnesses, the prosecution faced an uphill battle. However, with Illinois’ new hearsay law, the prosecution prevailed. Peterson was found guilty of murder.
The 2010 hearsay law, nicknamed “Drew’s Law,” allows witnesses to speak from beyond the grave. Hearsay is information reported by a witness that is not based on his or her direct knowledge. Generally, such testimony is inadmissible in court, but the new law allows hearsay evidence to be admitted if the defendant engaged in wrongdoing that procured the unavailability of the witness.
The Peterson trial was the first trial in Illinois’ history to use the new hearsay rule. The prosecution argued that Peterson intentionally caused Stacy’s absence to keep her from testifying, and therefore they were able to introduce statements made by Stacy to third parties. This included statements made to her pastor about the night of Savio’s death, letters she wrote to police, and conversations with family members.
While this evidence was the basis for Peterson’s conviction, it may also likely be the basis for his appeal. In 2004, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the case of Crawford v. Washington that hearsay evidence violates a defendant’s Sixth Amendment right to confront his or her accuser.
Peterson’s sentencing date is set for mid-February, and he faces up to 60 years in prison. He is also fighting for a new trial based on ineffective assistance of counsel.
Whether you need help with a criminal law or family matter, hiring an experienced attorney is a crucial step in making sure your rights are protected.
Born in Havana, Cuba, Paul Chatzky is fluent in Spanish and English, enabling him to effectively represent a wider range of individuals and families. He is AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®, and is listed among Illinois Super Lawyers, which is a reflection of his high ethical standards and exceptional legal knowledge. As a…
Prior to joining the firm as a paralegal, Debbie was employed by major banking institutions as a loan processor and as an executive secretary. Debbie was also employed as an administrative assistant for the Board of Jewish Education. Having majored in Sociology, Debbie graduated from the University of Florida in 1980. Debbie completed her studies…
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