Seems there’s a gang of fat collectors down in Peru. They harvest fat from dead humans and then sell it. Problem is they’re not harvesting it from cadavers – they’re murdering unfortunate fat folks. Sixty people are missing from two regions in Peru.
Police arrested four gang members and charged them with the murder of Abel Matos Aranda, after one of them was caught with a container of human fat. Police had found a small container at a bus depot and picked up a suspect after he removed three bottles of the fat, which they suspect belonged to Aranda.
Other suspects: Elmer Segundo Castillejos Aguero, Hilario Cudena Simon and Enedina Estela Claudio.
They confessed to trafficking the human fat and they might also face drug charges.
There is a really weird twist involving “brujos,” the Spanish word for witches. Evidently it’s part of an “Andean mountain culture that believes bodies can be used to ward off evil and prevent disasters”.
The fat was sold in Peru and Europe for “commercial purposes”.
Still not sure what the fat was used for – cosmetics? – but they were paid $15,000 per liter of fat.
How fat are people in Peru?
Think of the market they’d have in the US.
An enterprising plastic surgeon in California, Dr C. Alan Bittner, specialized in “green liposuction”. He was recycling the lipo’d fat from his patients to use as fuel for his vehicle.
PRESIDENT OBAMA: We come together filled with sorrow for the 13 Americans that we have lost; with gratitude for the lives that they led; and with a determination to honor them through the work we carry on.
This is a time of war. And yet these Americans did not die on a foreign field of battle. They were killed here, on American soil, in the heart of this great American community. It is this fact that makes the tragedy even more painful and even more incomprehensible.
For those families who have lost a loved one, no words can fill the void that has been left. We knew these men and women as soldiers and caregivers. You knew them as mothers and fathers; sons and daughters; sisters and brothers.
But here is what you must also know: your loved ones endure through the life of our nation. Their memory will be honored in the places they lived and by the people they touched. Their life’s work is our security, and the freedom that we too often take for granted. Every evening that the sun sets on a tranquil town; every dawn that a flag is unfurled; every moment that an American enjoys life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness — that is their legacy.
Neither this country — nor the values that we were founded upon — could exist without men and women like these thirteen Americans. And that is why we must pay tribute to their stories.
Chief Warrant Officer MICHEAL CAHILLhad served in the National Guard and worked as a physician’s assistant for decades. A husband and father of three, he was so committed to his patients that on the day he died, he was back at work just weeks after having a heart attack.
Major Libardo EDUARDO CARAVEOspoke little English when he came to America as a teenager. But he put himself through college, earned a PhD, and was helping combat units cope with the stress of deployment. He is survived by his wife, sons and step-daughters.
Staff Sergeant JUSTIN DECROWjoined the Army right after high school, married his high school sweetheart, and had served as a light-wheeled mechanic and Satellite Communications Operator. He was known as an optimist, a mentor, and a loving husband and father.
After retiring from the Army as a major,Captain JOHN GAFFANEYcared for society’s most vulnerable during two decades as a psychiatric nurse. He spent three years trying to return to active duty in this time of war, and he was preparing to deploy to Iraq as a captain. He leaves behind a wife and son.
Specialist FREDERICK GREENEwas a Tennessean who wanted to join the Army for a long time, and did so in 2008 with the support of his family. As a combat engineer he was a natural leader, and he is survived by his wife and two daughters.
Specialist JASON HUNT was also recently married, with three children to care for. He joined the Army after high school. He did a tour in Iraq, and it was there that he re-enlisted for six more years on his 21st birthday so that he could continue to serve.
Staff Sergeant AMY KRUEGERwas an athlete in high school, joined the Army shortly after 9/11, and had since returned home to speak to students about her experience. When her mother told her she couldn’t take on Osama bin Laden by herself, Amy replied: “Watch me.”
Private First Class AARON NEMELKAwas an Eagle Scout who just recently signed up to do one of the most dangerous jobs in the service — defuse bombs — so that he could help save lives. He was proudly carrying on a tradition of military service that runs deep within his family.
Private First Class MICHAEL PEARSONloved his family and loved his music, and his goal was to be a music teacher. He excelled at playing the guitar, and could create songs on the spot and show others how to play. He joined the military a year ago, and was preparing for his first deployment.
Captain RUSSELL SEAGERworked as a nurse for the VA, helping veterans with post-traumatic stress. He had great respect for the military, and signed up to serve so that he could help soldiers cope with the stress of combat and return to civilian life. He leaves behind a wife and son.
Private FRANCHESKA VELEZ, the daughter of a father from Colombia and a Puerto Rican mother, had recently served in Korea and in Iraq, and was pursuing a career in the Army. When she was killed, she was pregnant with her first child, and was excited about becoming a mother.
Lieutenant Colonel JUANITA WARMANwas the daughter and granddaughter of Army veterans. She was a single mother who put herself through college and graduate school, and served as a nurse practitioner while raising her two daughters. She also left behind a loving husband.
Private First Class KHAM XIONGcame to America from Thailand as a small child. He was a husband and father who followed his brother into the military because his family had a strong history of service. He was preparing for his first deployment to Afghanistan.
These men and women came from all parts of the country. Some had long careers in the military. Some had signed up to serve in the shadow of 9/11. Some had known intense combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, and some cared for those did. Their lives speak to the strength, the dignity and the decency of those who serve, and that is how they will be remembered.
That same spirit is embodied in the community here at Fort Hood, and in the many wounded who are still recovering. In those terrible minutes during the attack, soldiers made makeshift tourniquets out of their clothes. They braved gunfire to reach the wounded, and ferried them to safety in the backs of cars and a pick-up truck.
One young soldier, Amber Bahr, was so intent on helping others that she did not realize for some time that she, herself, had been shot in the back. Two police officers — Mark Todd and Kim Munley — saved countless lives by risking their own. One medic — Francisco de la Serna — treated both Officer Munley and the gunman who shot her.
It may be hard to comprehend the twisted logic that led to this tragedy. But this much we do know — no faith justifies these murderous and craven acts; no just and loving God looks upon them with favor. And for what he has done, we know that the killer will be met with justice — in this world, and the next.
These are trying times for our country. In Afghanistan and Pakistan, the same extremists who killed nearly 3,000 Americans continue to endanger America, our allies and innocent Afghans and Pakistanis. In Iraq, we are working to bring a war to a successful end, as there are still those who would deny the Iraqi people the future that Americans and Iraqis have sacrificed so much for.
As we face these challenges, the stories of those at Fort Hood reaffirm the core values that we are fighting for, and the strength that we must draw upon. Theirs are tales of American men and women answering an extraordinary call — the call to serve their comrades, their communities, and their country. In an age of selfishness, they embody responsibility. In an era of division, they call upon us to come together. In a time of cynicism, they remind us of who we are as Americans.
We are a nation that endures because of the courage of those who defend it. We saw that valor in those who braved bullets here at Fort Hood, just as surely as we see it in those who signed up knowing that they would serve in harm’s way.
We are a nation of laws whose commitment to justice is so enduring that we would treat a gunman and give him due process, just as surely as we will see that he pays for his crimes.
We are a nation that guarantees the freedom to worship as one chooses. And instead of claiming God for our side, we remember Lincoln’s words, and always pray to be on the side of God.
We are a nation that is dedicated to the proposition that all men and women are created equal.
We live that truth within our military, and see it in the varied backgrounds of those we lay to rest today. We defend that truth at home and abroad, and we know that Americans will always be found on the side of liberty and equality. That is who we are as a people.
Tomorrow is Veterans Day. It is a chance to pause, and to pay tribute — for students to learn of the struggles that preceded them; for families to honor the service of parents and grandparents; for citizens to reflect upon the sacrifices that have been made in pursuit of a more perfect union.
For history is filled with heroes. You may remember the stories of a grandfather who marched across Europe; an uncle who fought in Vietnam; a sister who served in the Gulf. But as we honor the many generations who have served, I think all of us — every single American — must acknowledge that this generation has more than proved itself the equal of those who have come before.
We need not look to the past for greatness, because it is before our very eyes.
This generation of soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen have volunteered in a time of certain danger. They are part of the finest fighting force that the world has ever known.
They have served tour after tour of duty in distant, different and difficult places. They have stood watch in blinding deserts and on snowy mountains. They have extended the opportunity of self-government to peoples that have suffered tyranny and war. They are man and woman; white, black, and brown; of all faiths and stations — all Americans, serving together to protect our people, while giving others half a world away the chance to lead a better life.
In today’s wars, there is not always a simple ceremony that signals our troops’ success — no surrender papers to be signed, or capital to be claimed. But the measure of their impact is no less great — in a world of threats that no know borders, it will be marked in the safety of our cities and towns, and the security and opportunity that is extended abroad. And it will serve as testimony to the character of those who serve, and the example that you set for America and for the world.
Here, at Fort Hood, we pay tribute to 13 men and women who were not able to escape the horror of war, even in the comfort of home. Later today, at Fort Lewis, one community will gather to remember so many in one Stryker Brigade who have fallen in Afghanistan.
Long after they are laid to rest — when the fighting has finished, and our nation has endured; when today’s servicemen and women are veterans, and their children have grown — it will be said of this generation that they believed under the most trying of tests; that they persevered not just when it was easy, but when it was hard; and that they paid the price and bore the burden to secure this nation, and stood up for the values that live in the hearts of all free peoples.
So we say goodbye to those who now belong to eternity. We press ahead in pursuit of the peace that guided their service. May God bless the memory of those we lost. And may God bless the United States of America.
—-
Condolences to all the military and families of Fort Hood. Thank you for your selfless courage and ultimate sacrifice.
DC Sniper John Allen Mohammad is dead via lethal injection.
CNN: There were no complications; Mr. Mohammad was asked if he wished to make a last statement. He did not acknowledge this or make a last statement whatsoever.
The final act of selfishness.
Through the course of three weeks in October 2002, Muhammad, a member of the Nation of Islam, and accomplice Lee Boyd Malvo, then 17, murdered 10 people and wounded 3.
There were 27 witnesses to his execution.
Mohammad wrote to his first wife, Carol Williams:
Carol, I miss my family for the past eight years. I don’t want to be missed the day that these devils murder my innocent black ass.
Here’s the first autopsy dated March 1, 2004 with the final conclusion (March 2o, 2004) by forensic pathologist Dr Bryan Mitchell:
In consideration of the circumstances surrounding her death, the available medical history, and autopsy findings, the death of theis 40-year-old, white female, Kathleen Savio, is ascribed to drowning.
Comment: The laceration on the posterior scalp may be related to a fall in which she struck her head.
The second I imagine they’re keeping quiet until court and the third I haven’t found a hard copy of – if there is one.
Follow link above for other Savio documents, including the wrongful death lawsuit/estate/will, her letters and family statements/videos.
The Peterson defense needs more time. Joel Brodsky was worried that if he couldn’t get Drew bail the trial would be expedited. And then there’s the massive amount of discovery he has to wade through: 9,470 investigative reports totaling more that 30K pages, as well as a computer, 127 pieces of physical evidence and hundreds of hours of audiotapes. Last time in court Brodsky asked the judge to make the prosecution give him some hints about when the murder took place and how it was committed.
In court today, Peterson waved his right to a speedy trial, meaning Brodsky could get his extension. The trial was to have started on August 24th – Judge Stephen White has not yet set a new one.
Will County Prosecutor John Connor didn’t object to the delay.
Prosecutors will give Peterson back the titles of his motorcyle and a lightweight aircraft so he can fund his defense.
Next court date: August 14th.
Peterson defense plans to ask for change of venue and plans to challenge the constitutionality of the so-called Drew Peterson Law that would allow Kathleen Savio’s own words to be used as evidence in the case.
No word in this report what Peterson looked like or who was in attendance as far as the Savio family.
See this post for background on NEDA AGHA-SOLTAN. Includes a video interview with the Iranian physician, Dr Arash Hejazi, who tried to save her life right there as she lay dying. He had his hands dierectly on her wound and said it was an entrance wound to the front of her chest right below the throat and that there was no exit wound. It's important because the Iranian ambassador to Mexico is claiming that the CIA shot her in the back and that the bullet removed from her brain was one the CIA uses. Dr Hejazi dismisses the notion an autopsy was even performed because she was "buried so fast afterwards".
It is comments like these that totally expose them for what they are: impotent cowards unable to manage their own mess. The more they insist the US was involved - when a credible eyewitness said it was a Basij who killed her - the more desperate they appear.
REZA SAYAH, CNN CORRESPONDENT had just left Tehran.
They are convinced that the international media, including CNN, are part of the conspiracy to incite violence and destabilize the government....They have one claim that CNN has instructed its viewers how to hack government Web sites. And, of course, you heard the audacious claim, far-fetched claim, when it comes to Neda, the 26-year-old who was killed. Keep in mind the timeline of Neda. She was shot and killed on Saturday, buried on Sunday under pressure from the government. And they want you to believe that during two or three days, they finished off the investigation and they're convinced that, as you heard, that the CIA is the culprit. Another theory is the MKO, the military organizations committed to toppling the government, that they're possibly the culprit.
BLITZER: Reza, tell our viewers what happened to you, because you were reporting excellently until all of a sudden, they told you can't leave the office, you can't report anything. And then you were called in, what, Tuesday for a meeting with an Iranian intelligence official?
REZA SAYAH:
Yes. That happened on Tuesday. We got the call earlier in the day, at 4:00 p.m. "You have a meeting." They wouldn't tell me who. We walked into the Ministry of Guidance there. Alone in a room, I met an intelligence official, and he proceeded to tell me that they had evidence that we had violated the ban on reportingsince it went into effect on Saturday.
He wouldn't substantiate it, but he said, "We have evidence," and then he proceeded to say that "We're willing to put that behind us as long as you do this." He pushed forward a piece of paper. He said, "I need you to write on this piece of paper that you are no longer going to report anything out of Iran unless it's a positive report. And unless you do this, you have 24 hours to leave, and if you decide to stay, we can't guarantee your safety and we can't guarantee you'll come back here and report again."
And it was a pretty easy decision. There was no way we were going to sign a statement declaring that, especially with a government that has a reputation of suppressing journalists. So, we made the decision to leave.
NY Times' ROGER COHEN:
I simply made the decision that I was going to go on reporting from the streets until somebody told me to stop...And I tried to do that for as long as I could. I did it until my visa expired. But the aim is intimidation. And let's not forget the "Newsweek" local reporter is in jail, a Greek reporter for "The Washington Times" has been accused of spying. He's disappeared. The BBC correspondent has been thrown out.
...I left with a very heavy heart. What is going on in Iran is intensely moving. It's heartbreaking. It's uplifting. And it's unresolved.
--------------
BLITZER'S INTERVIEW WITH IRANIAN AMBASSADOR TO MEXICO as per CNN translation.
This below is from the LA Times' ANDREW MALCOLM, which of course provides no link to the source, and has a slightly different translation than CNNs.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Well, we're anxious to hear your government's response to all of these developments which have been very dramatic over the past two weeks. A key question many people around the world are asking is, why did your security forces kill that 26-year-old beautiful student named Nada?
MOHAMMAD HASSAN GHADIRI: I prefer to answer this in Persian.
BLITZER: Go ahead.
GHADIRI (through interpreter): This death of Ms. Nada is very suspicious. She was shot from behind. The location was where there was not much demonstration, there was no police presence and the gun that shot and killed her was a smuggled gun. It was not a government-issued gun.
BLITZER: There have been others, though, that have been killed, as well.
GHADIRI (through interpreter): In our view, this would be the work of those who wanted to put more fuel to the flame against the government....
My question is that how is that this Nada was shot from behind and several cameras take that. And this is done in an area where there was no important demonstration. If the CIA wants to kill some people and attribute that to the elements of the government, and then choosing a girl would be something good for them because it would have much higher impact.
Therefore, we believe and we are looking into this to find who the elements were who did this.
BLITZER: Are you seriously accusing the CIA of killing Neda?
GHADIRI (through interpreter): We say that the bullet that was found in her head was not a bullet that you could find in Iran.These are the bullets that the CIA and terrorist groups use. Of course they warned that there would be a bloodshed in these demonstrations and then they could attribute that to the Islamic Republic. This is part of a common act of CIA in various countries.
BLITZER: Do you really believe that, Mr. Ambassador? You're a distinguished diplomat representing Iran. This is a very serious accusation that you're making, that the CIA was responsible for killing this beautiful, young woman.
GHADIRI (through interpreter): I'm not saying that the CIA had done this. There are different groups. Could be intelligence services, could be CIA, could be the terrorists. However, these are the people who do these things.... Of course, you're not going to say that CIA is a sacred organization that hasn't done anything to other worlds.
It is possible to get shot in the chest and have the bullet wind up in another part of the body. It would have to enter a blood vessel and then travel while the heart is still pumping. It is a very rare occurrence.
Peterson defense team comments after the hearing in which Judge refused to lower the bail. So it stays at $30M and Drew stays in jail. And his lawyers actually walked in there thinking they could get the bail reduced to somewhere between $100-500K. Out of touch with reality. What Peterson did to his children is evil. Especially making his sons go on TV to say what a great dad he is.
JOEL BRODSKY:
So much of these “new facts” supposedly come to light in the last 6 months people seem to have an amazing memory that things they haven’t thought about for the last five years have all of a sudden come back, Amazing how people are suddenly starting to remember these things in the last six weeks.
Obviously, someone came forward and we’re going to find out who it is–but in these high-profile cases, they often bring people out of the woodwork making allegations.
With each one of these statements — what were gonna do today is gonna get a transcript of what the States Attorney laid out today and he set himself a bar. He laid out facts that he says he is going to be able to prove. And each time he fails to prove it, we’re going to be right there with another motion to reduce bond.
[Glasgow] said a lot of new things, which he can’t substantiate, and every time he fails to do it – when put to the test – we’re gonna be right back.
Was the judge fair?
[Notice how neither one of them are respectful enough to call Judge Carla Alessio-Policandriotes anything other than "she". or "this judge". It matters - especially to professional woman who hyphenates.]
ANDREW ABOOD:
She’s fine. She’s gonna be fine. This is gonna be a long process. This is a big case. It’s difficult to be thrown into this case given everything that’s transpired over that last 18 months. Everything that we’ve heard about her is that she is an excellent judge, that she’s got a great intellect that in the moment she”l be able to rise to the occasion and make sound decisions.
Will you consider changing judges?
ANDREW ABOOD:
We’ve got the whole weekend. We’re going to look at all of our options.
JOEL BRODSKY:
We’ve got 9 more days to file a motion for substitutions. I won’t totally foreclose it – but as I said we’ve looked at this judge and talked to people about her and investigated her . She is someone with a very sharp legal mind – very bright – and is not afraid to make unpopular rulings. So that’s exactly the type of judge we want for this case.
Looking at her and appearing before her are two different things.
JOEL BRODSKY:
As Mr Abood said, this is her first time in the courtroom, and it ’s gonna be a big and probably highly contentious case…and perhaps what she wanted to do is put in a firm hand at the get go. That she kinda make a statement that this is going to be – that there is going to be no nonsense.
What does Drew think of the decision?
I think he was [he looks like he was going to cry], I think, a little bit taken aback. He felt like a lot of people did – he’s not alone in this – that $20M is exceptionally high.
Drew’s main concern is always his children. As long as his children are taken care of he’s ready for what life throws at him.
Unfortunately case is going to proceed faster since he’s incarcerated.
Additional burden on us the State and the courts.
Very little they laid out that was a surprise – most of it was based on hearsay.
That the new hearsay law would be applied to say that it’s both Constitutional and applied retroactively is impossible to believe.
Without the hearsay they don’t have much of a case.
Are you saying the hitman was not a surprise?
JOEL BRODSKY:
We’ve heard something about that in the past but nothing substantive. Obviously they’ve had someone come forward and we;ll do an investigation.
There always folks who interject themselves. Could very well be that case.
ANTHONY ABOOD:
Glasgow’s statement focused on motive, which is not an element in an indictment.
You can prove motive but it doesn’t establish a prima facie case.
What he didn’t say — because he doesn’t know or doesn’t want to say — is HOW DID STACY DIE.
[Mixed up or the truth?]
BRODSKY whispers “Kathy” and ABOOD corrects himself.
That is a problem of reasonable doubt
Prosecutor has to explain how the defendant took a life
If the jury is going to find him guilty he has to prove it and explain how it was done
JOEL BRODSKY:
No sign of forced entry
No sign of struggle
He’s arguing for the defense
These are major major holes in his theory and a major problem with his case.
Jury has to find that somebody got into that house, committed homicide without leaving one forensic trace and then exited the house without being seen. And was able to…
[Then he falters - mentioning the fact that "the murderer" aka Drew got away by fooling the prosecutors. Should never have said that because it presumes guilt and cover up after the fact. He caught himself but went on anyway. Keep this guy talking - he's just as bad as Drew. An innocent man's lawyer would never have taken the argument that far.]
And was able to convince investigators from the State’s attorney’s office and from the police that he was somewhere [almost says else and catches himself] that he had nothing to do with it and nowhere near the scene during the time periodof the death
Major problem in his thumbnail
Prosecutor said he should be treated differently with bail because he’s a police officer.
Should be treated the same
But sentencing for policemen is sometimes worse because they breached a public trust
But the guilt or innocence phase of the trial should be treated the same
If he testified he should not be held to a higher standard
I really don’t know where these posts end up. Almost two weeks went by without a disappearing posts…or so I thought. The posts about Monday’s arraignment are missing so I’ll have to see what happened. Found this. Clearly their attempts didn’t work. If you’re looking for something in particular let me know. I’ve bsteen a little busy on other matters as well.
Prosecutors in the Drew Peterson case asked for a change of judge during Monday’s arraignment. Evidently they don’t have to mention why. Peterson’s defense team is not pleased and referred to it as gamesmanship. The Judge is mum.
Here’s the press release on their strategy. Will be decided on tomorrow at 1:30 hearing. Emphasis added.
Drew Peterson’s defense team is challanging the Will County State’s Attorney who wants to remove Judge Richard Schoenstedt from presiding over Peterson’s murder case.
On Monday, following Peterson’s arraignment where he pleaded not guilty in the death of his third wife Kathleen Savio, Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow filed a motion, pursuant to 725 ILCS 5/114-5(c), to replace Judge Richard Schoenstedt.
Glasgow alleged that the trial judge was prejudiced against the State.
“Although the motion does not specifically state the basis for the prejudice, many in the press and public have speculated that the State believes that Judge Richard Schoenstedt’s previous rulings showed a favoritism of bias towards Drew,” says Andrew Abood, one of Peterson’s defense attorneys. “Some members of the press have even gone so far as to suggest that the reason for the motion was that Judge Schoenstedt had a prior relationship with Peterson himself.”
But Abood, and lead defense attorney Joel Brodsky, say that neither is true.
“Judge Schoenstedt has been very fair and even handed,” says Brodsky. “By all accounts, he has conducted himself according to the highest standards of ethics and integrity. On many occasions Judge Schoenstedt has made rulings which favored the State and were against Mr. Peterson’s interests.”
Judge Schoenstedt has not commented on the move by the State’s Attorney. Abood says there are several criteria required in order to satisfy the substitution motion filed by the State’s Attorney. He says case law suggests that the mere assertion of prejudice against the State is all that is required and then the burden shifts to the Defendant opposing the Motion to establish that the Motion was made for some improper purpose.
“The State’s Attorney will not be able to show, or establish, actual prejudice on the part of Judge Schoenstedt, or that there was a previous relationship between Drew Peterson and the Judge. Both claims are wholly without merit,” says Abood.
The defense team continues to review case law regarding the motion, and will challenge it, Abood says.
The autopsy performed on the skeletal remains found yesterday along the Des Plaines River near Channahon did not reveal much in the way of identification even as far as race or sex. Only a partial skeleton was recovered, excluding the skull. Death estimated to be several months or more. Also found were “shreds of blue jeans” and some cash. DNA testing pending. Something tells me it will take less than two weeks.
The Office of Will County Coroner Patrick K. O’Neil is reporting the forensic examination results of partial skeletal remains that were discovered on Wednesday, May 20, 2009. The preliminary forensic examination performed today, May 21, 2009, did not reveal any significant information in reference to the identity, race or sex of the skeletal remains. The partial skeletal remains consisted of a rib cage, spinal column and partial left and right femur bones. Thehead, arms and below the knee extremities were disarticulated.The search continues for the missing remains. A forensic investigation continues as to whether the disarticulation is a result of a postmortem (after death) artifact or antemortem injury.
O’Neil said, “Positive identification may hinge on forensic DNA analysis which is being expedited through the Illinois State Police Forensic Crime Laboratory. “
The Will County Coroner’s Office was given a conservative time frame in receiving forensic DNA and forensic anthropology results of approximately two (2) weeks.
A preliminary estimation of how long the unidentified person has been deceased is approximately several months or more.
Additional information: Some other items that were discovered include shreds of blue jeans that contained a small amount of U. S. currency.
The Illinois State Police is investigating the incident.
The cause and manner of death remain under investigation.
Lauer asks if he was surprised by arrest? Listen to his lame excuse for trying to flee.
I wasn't really that surprised. The news crews were outside and all of a sudden the news crews moved to the side of the street, which indicated to me that they were getting ready for something. So I was trying to get to the bank to make a deposit so my family would have some money in the bank account. And all of a sudden I was swooped down on.
Investigation going on for 18 months - why arrested now?
I believe that was the last day of the grand jury and I believe they had to do something. The state's attorney, I believe, was under a lot of pressure from both tje media the and the Savio family to do something.
LAUER: Do you have idea what the state's evidence is against you?
No idea. And the grand jury system seriously needs to be revised. I truly believe that if they wanted to they could have indicted you for this incident.
LAUER: Why do you say that?
What you have is a bunch of lay people that are in there and they've been sitting there for 18 months, and they are uneducated on the points of law, rules of evidence, and things like that.
LAUER: Do you have any evidence that you and your attorney can offer that can prove your innocence?
There's all kinds of evidence available. We'll get discovery and we'll basically piece-by-piece take apart their case.
LAUER: What is the strongest piece of evidence that you have to prove that you're not guilty in this crime?
Oh, that's something you'll have to get from Mr Brodsky. [He doesn't have anything.] I'm not at liberty to say.
LAUER: This kind of sense of humor of yours is the way you react to stress, but do you understand how it can tend to make you a very unsympathetic character in the eyes of the public?
Well, again, there’s no book written on the way I’m supposed to act. Would it be better if I hid my head down and tried to hide my face, and hunched over and have tears in my eyes? No, that’s just not me. Like i said before, I deal with stressful situations with humor. It's worked for me in the past.
Recall that he originally covered up his face with a bandana.
Reminds Peterson that everything he does - stress relieving or not - is viewed by prospective jurors.
LAUER: What message do you think you are sending them?
I'm not trying to send anybody any type of message. It's basically just what's coming out.
Lauer asks him about the "Drew Peterson Law" that allows for hearsay type testimony of the deceased to be entered into evidence. Like Kathleen Savio's letters and comments to her family - Stacy Peterson's admission to her Pastor that she knew Drew killed Kathleen and that she had given him an alibi.
Peterson says the legislators are re-thinking the law - which was just used successfully. Have to post that.
That Lauer brings up the mixed polygraph results of a polygraph he took for Derek Armstrong's book. Peterson passed the questions relevant to Katheen Savio but was deceptive on 3/6 questions about Stacy.
All of the questions about Kathleen I passed with no question.
Peterson says the deceptive questions were about 'did I know where she was' and 'where she is now' and did I remove her er....and then there's a pause. He says he's says he's not sure what they were but that he passed the questions about did he remove her from the house or hurt her in any way with the answer that he did not.
LAUER: You did not really participate in any search for her – why?
Well, they were searching in weeds and bushes and I don’t believe she’s in weeds and bushes. I believe she’s out there somewhere living her life away probably from the State of Illinois.
What is life like in prison?
I'm being treated pretty exceptional. This is a brand new facility — the Will County Jail in Joliet....The staff's very courteous and professional. And the facility is very new.
LAUER: What kind of cell are you in?
I'm in a cell where I'm pretty much isolated from everybody. Kind of tsolation. The only contact I have with people are the guards and the people who bring me my food.
LAUER: You've had no visitors?
I've had one visitor (his fiancee). I get two visitors a week and there's no contact--it's over a video machine.
Who's taking care of his children? Savio children boys 16 & 14. Stacy's children 5 & 4.
My older son is taking care of them and I have phone contact with them daily, and they're doing very well.
LAUER: How have you explained this to them?
Well, the older two, they know what's going on. They're aware of what's happening. And the younger two — I'm just, uh, with the police right now, helping them.
LAUER: You told them you're actually out helping the police trying to find their mom?
I didn't say I was trying to find her, but I just said I was helping the police. And I believe that is what my son has told them.
Any chance he can come up with $2M to get out on bond?
No. But they're working on a bond reduction hearing, which I believe is scheduled for Monday the 18th.
LAUER: Have you given consideration, Drew, to the possibility that you may never be free again? That you may be held until trial and found guilty at trial?
Right. I'm also thinking I may be released on bond and you know probably be found innocent.
No one is ever found innocent - just guilty or not guilty.
Is there anything he want's to say to potential jurors?
He almost made it the whole way without letting his arrogance take over. But insults the potential jury pool instead. It seems no one in Illinois is qualified to judge him because they are all just uneducated lay people.He thinks there should be legislation passed to educate jurors on the rules of evidence before they are seated. Thing is he already has a law named after him..
Lauer brings up the fact that Drew had always expected he would be arrested in regards to Stacy but what about Kathleen Savio?
No I never really expected to be arrested in either case. I'd hoped that it hadn't happened. Now that it's happened, we'll have to move forward and defend it.
Anonymous letter sent to Kathleen Savio about Drew’s adultery. Savio was terrorized in every way possible and the sad apart is Stacy took part in it. Drew is beyond evil.
This is really poor quality – even if you use your browser to enlarge the print. I don’t know why these documents haven’t been uploaded to Scribd or Justia.
It’s an anonymous letter to inform Kathleen Savio what a pig Drew Peterson is. He was having an affair with an underaged (17 y/o) employee of the Village – Stacy Peterson – in view of everyone – an “ongoing joke within the police department”. Also included were allegations that Peterson planted cocaine for a drug bust and allowed an arrestee to be beaten while handcuffed and defenseless. The writer also warns Savio about who she talks to. “BEWARE whom you talk to within the Village administration and the police department.”
Why hasn’t the Savio family filed suit against the village of Bolingbrook and/or the Bolingbrook PD?
Here’s a better copy of Kathleen Savio’s chilling letter to Elizabeth Fragale, Assistant State’s Attorney for Will County dated November 14, 2002. There is also a police report made on 7-18-2002 from an incident on July 5, 2002 when Drew Peterson broke in, scared the hell out of her, threatened her, held her down with a knife against her throat terrorizing her and telling her what a bad person she was and that she should just die. He was angry that the judge had awarded her child support. Note that there were 7 previous requests for police assistance.
Police report: He asked her if she was afraid and she told him yes. She finally said go, or do what you came for, kill me. He said, ok, where do you want it. She told him in the head. He took out his knofe but then said he couldn’t hurt her.
Two years later he had no such qualms.
Some of Kathleen Savio’s words:
I haven’t received help from the Police here in Bolingbrook, and asking for your help now. Before it’s to late. I really hope by filing this charge it might stop him from trying to hurt us.
At the present time my children have been in a program at school called rainbows, in efforts to repair some of the damage Drew and his girlfriend has created.
My son’s phyc is working with him but states “she can’t fix what continue to happen on a on going basis.”
And now?
It reminds me of Drew’s son’s words on The Early Show. Drew made both of his sons appear but only the older one spoke. The younger one stared into the camera as if he had something to say and was just waiting for someone to ask without his dad around.
16 y/o: It’s been crazy, like, with the news media in front of my house all the time. And like, there really hasn’t been much of an impact ever since my mom died, because nothing could be worse than that. But it’s just made my childhood much harder.
And Drew sat there not even tryong to console the son speaking and he did the entire interview with his back to the younger son. Their own father has ruined theor lives forever. It was Drew who caused the media to hang around and make his own childrens’ lives “much harder”.
Here are the letters from Kathleen Savio to Assistant Will County State”s Attorney Elizabeth Fragale and FOX News anchor Walter Jacobsen in November 2002, documenting Drew Peterson’s abuse. There were 19 disturbance calls to her home over the 2 years prior to her death – answered by Drew Peterson’s own police station – Bolingbrook. She took out an order of protection against him and had numerous trips to the ER.She told her family he was going to kill her prior to the divorce settlement. She was right.
In 2002, her sons were 8 & 9. They cried because Daddy’s girlfriend said she was going to marry Daddy whole Mommy was still married to him.
The “girlfriend” is Stacy Peterson. Much the same as he had Christina Raines waiting in the wings. He’s known Christina for as long as he knew Stacy.
SAVIO: When I found out Mr. Peterson was having an affair with a minor at the police department, he began to get very violent. By striking me in the hand and chasing me around the house with a police stick.
He knows how to manipulate the system and his next step is to take my children away. Or kill me instead or kill.
After the judge awarded her child support, Peterson snuck into her house and jumped out wearing his SWAT uniform ad scared the hell out of her. He pinned her down and then held a knife to her neck.
SAVIO: He kept me in that position for a very long length of time, while trying to convince me how horrible I am and I need to die.
I thought I’d never see my boys again.
I didn’t tell the police because I know they can’t protect me from him.
I really feel Drew is a loose cannon.
He is out on the streets of Bolingbrook patrolling and just taking the law into his own hands. I haven’t received help from the police here in Bolingbrook, and I’m asking for your help now before its to late.
I’m really hoping by filing this charge it will stop him from trying to hurt me.
This is haunting. You can tell by the letters how frightened she was – just from their hurried tone as well as the words.
page 3
In this particular case, lack of filing of police records due to the fact that Officer Peterson is our friend is going to destroy my sons and my life. At the present time I am a nursing student struglliung to finish my goal, but because of the Officer’s false allegations he and his girlfriend are charging me with Battery.
This isn’t your typical domestic.
She was terrorized, as were her children, for years before she was murdered. He is even more evil than I already imagine. They should put him in the general population and let natural selection take its course. Let the predator get a taste of being the prey.
Isn’t it curious that Brodskey just happened to be on his way to New York when Peterson was arrested? And that he hasn’t talked with his client and yet he has done the morning media blitz?
Background. Video of arrest. Smirking mugshot. Maggie Rodriguez speaks with Brodsky in studio (2:00). Lisa Bloom (Gloria Allred’s daughter) at (4:45)
Drew will plead innocent
Doesn’t have to prove his innocence
Being indicted in not evidence of anything
Never considered it a homicide
Forensics will be the key
“Inhale a fluid” – fancy way of saying he drowned her
Prosecutor under tremendous pressure to bring the charges
The way he handles crises is comedy – who he is
Confident in his legal team – they’ve won everything so far
Drew Peterson appeared in court but his lawyers did not. Joel Brodsky is in New York getting his TV time and his partner couldn’t be there either. Never heard of a partner until yesterday.
Peterson got his media fix during his 30-second shackle walk from the locked cage he arrived to the back of the court house door. Dressed in brick red prison scrubs, white socks and slippers with his hands and feet shackled and officer at each elbow, Peterson looked up at the reporters who were yelling at him.
Drew, how do you intend to meet this murder rap?
Drew, looking forward to your day in court?
To which Peterson responded:
Look at this spiffy outfit, my God! Look at the bling! [shackles]
And again:
Three squares a day and this spiffy new outfit, how could I complain? Look at all this bling!
Inside court he was his same arrogant, gum-chewing self. He said he had no objection to the delay. He knew his lawyers were out of town.
Judge Richard Schoenstedt set May 18th as the new hearing date.
And unless Peterson can come up with the $2M – he will be in jail at least until then.
It is shocking to believe this day has finally come.
And it’s sad to imagine what Stacy’s children are asking and what Drew’s teenage sons are going to have to go through till the end of the school year. Especially since people know what they look like after Drew made them go on TV to say what a great dad he is.
And what about Raines’ kids, who haven’t had a steady home to live in? Is she expecting to have a jail wedding?
Nobody wins. It’s all tragic. The beast is in jail but the evil he has wrought and destruction he has caused lives on.
Peterson lawyer, Joel Brodsky just happened to be on his way to NY when Drew was arrested. Here is his official statement per Peterson publicist, Glenn Selig. Emphasis added.
(PRNewsChannel) / New York, N.Y. and Chicago, Ill. / The defense team representing Drew Peterson, the former Bolingbrook police sergeant arrested today for the murder of his third wife Kathleen Savio, says he will be vindicated in court.
“There is no evidence that links Drew Peterson to the death of Kathleen Savio or anyone else for that matter,” says Joel Brodsky, lead criminal defense attorney for what promises to become the newest ‘trial of the century.’ “Drew did not harm Kathleen, he has said so from day one. We’re obviously disappointed a grand jury indicted him. But an indictment does not mean guilt.”
Brodsky’s co-counsel includes his law partner Rheem Odeh and Andrew Abood from the Abood Law Firm of East Lansing, Michigan. They say they will ask the court for a speedy trial and are confident that prosecutors will fall far short of proving a homicide was committed–let alone that Drew did it.
Savio’s remains were exhumed just days after Peterson’s current wife, Stacy, disappeared and police reopened the investigation into her death. Savio was found dead in a bathtub in 2004, just days before her divorce from Drew was finalized.
Results from an independent pathologist ruled the death a homicide. Stacy is still missing. Peterson says he believes she ran off with another man and this week sought counsel from a prominent Chicago divorce attorney.
Peterson has denied any involvement in either case and has done several extensive, high-profile interviews: NBC’s ‘Today’ show, CBS’s ‘The Early Show,’ and ‘Larry King Live.’
Brodsky expressed outrage over the $20 million bond set for Peterson.
“I will work to get that reduced,” says Brodsky. “That is incredibly excessive.”
As for the formal charges against Peterson, Brodsky points out that an indictment is not evidence of guilt, and that every defendant who has ever been found not guilty was initially indicted. “Every juror in Illinois is reminded by the court that an indictment is simply a document that constitutes a formal method of charging a defendant,” says Brodsky. “In this case, as in every case, the judge will make it clear to the jury that an indictment is ‘not evidence that a crime was committed by the defendant.’” “Prosecutors will need to prove Drew Peterson is guilty in court, and they can’t because he didn’t do it.
Joel Brodsky Drew Peterson’s lawyer will be making the rounds. From Glenn Selig:
Joel A. Brodsky, criminal defense attorney for Drew Peterson, who was indicted and arrested Thursday for the death of Kathleen Savio, will appear on all three network morning news programs Friday morning in New York. He will also do interviews with WGN TV in Chicago, MSNBC, WLS Radio and WFLD (Fox) Chicago.
The defense team representing Peterson, the former Bolingbrook police sergeant arrested today for the murder of his third wife Kathleen Savio, says he will be vindicated in court.
“There is no evidence that links Drew Peterson to the death of Kathleen Savio or anyone else for that matter,” says Joel Brodsky, lead criminal defense attorney for what promises to become the newest ‘trial of the century.’ “Drew did not harm Kathleen, he has said so from day one. We’re obviously disappointed a grand jury indicted him. But an indictment does not mean guilt.”
“Prosecutors will need to prove Drew Peterson is guilty in court, and they can’t because he didn’t do it.”
Drew Peterson, 55, is presently being held in the Will County Adult Detention Facility in Joliet. He will have a 1;30 hearing tomorrow at the Will County Court House. Bail set at $20M.
Not sure how long I am going to leave this up. Too much evil to look at.
