Saturday, May 23, 2009

Drew Peterson arraignment (5-18)


May 22, 2009 by mattie14

This is another post that disappeared that is being reposted. Not as complete as the original. Not worth redoing. Defense team’s remarks post-arraignment are in the next post.

Updated: Drew Peterson posts (5-22)

May 18, 2009

Drew Peterson pled not guilty at his arraignment as expected. His defense team was then hoping to get him a reasonable bail and maybe even get him sprung. The prosecutors however had something else in mind. They entered a substitution-of-judge request. Something not unusual for the defense but not for the prosecution, especially when it’s the presiding felony judge. They requested Judge Richard Schoenstedt be replaced on “the grounds of prejudice against the state”. They didn’t have to state why. Conjecture revolves around the gun charges dismissed by Schoenstedt in November when the prosecution refused to turn over internal memos regarding the Peterson investigation to his attorney.

Peterson was reportedly on his “best behavior”. What does that cover in a sociopath? He arrived in navy blue jailhouse scrubs and ignored the media on his way in and out.

His lawyer, JOEL BROSDKY:

In court, he was appropriate. He was respectful in front of the judge. He wasn’t making any wisecracks….wasn’t making any jokes in court. In back he was a lot little lighter, a little bit of levity.

As for the prosecution’s move?

It was nothing but gamesmanship. It shows the state doesn’t want to try this case on the merits. They want to try it on technicalities. It indicates to us the weakness of [the prosecution's case].

Sources: FOX

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