http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-drewslaw_11jul11,0,5955816.storyStacy Peterson allies buoyed by bill on hearsay testimony
Bill to ease limits on hearsay testimony sent to Blagojevich
By Erika Slife | Chicago Tribune reporter
11:54 PM CDT, July 10, 2008
Friends and family of missing Bolingbrook woman Stacy Peterson rejoiced after state lawmakers Thursday sent to the governor's desk legislation that could affect the possible prosecution of the chief suspect in her disappearance, her husband, Drew.
"It's a good Stacy day today," said her close friend Sharon Bychowski. "Now Stacy's life has more meaning than it did."
Sen. A.J. Wilhelmi (D- Joliet) sponsored a measure—which was pushed by Will County State's Atty. James Glasgow—that would allow a judge to decide at a pretrial hearing whether hearsay testimony could be admitted into court.
The prosecution would have to prove to the judge that the witness who made the statements could not testify because the defendant murdered the witness.
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Drew Peterson news The Senate passed the legislation during a special session called by Gov. Rod Blagojevich. The measure awaits the governor's approval. A spokesman for his office said it is under review.
"We're hoping that it does get passed and does become law," said Pam Bosco, a spokeswoman for Stacy Peterson's family. "I think the past should be heard and listened to. Women in this position obviously need to have a voice."
Stacy Peterson was 23 when she vanished Oct. 28. Before she disappeared, she had reportedly told her loved ones she wanted a divorce and she felt threatened by her husband.
Her case led authorities to reinvestigate the 2004 death of Drew Peterson's 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.
Savio had also reportedly told others Peterson threatened her and she feared for her life.
Peterson, 54, a former Bolingbrook police sergeant, has not been charged in either case and has denied any wrongdoing.
Glasgow declined to say on Thursday if the legislation was directly related to the Peterson case. But he did say the measure would help authorities aggressively prosecute offenders in domestic violence cases.
Glasgow said he believes Blagojevich will support the measure.
Critics of the proposal argue that it runs counter to the 6th Amendment, which states, "In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right . . . to be confronted with the witnesses against him."
Last month, however, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that hearsay testimony could be admitted into trial if it is proven that the defendant's wrongdoing made the witness unavailable to testify.
Also on Thursday, Drew Peterson's son, Kristopher, 13, testified before the Will County grand jury investigating Stacy's disappearance and Savio's death.
eslife@tribune.com
