Peterson defense, Reem Odeh re: unidentified remains

Updated: Drew Peterson posts (5-28)

May 27, 2009

Peterson publicist Glenn Selig:

The following is a statement from Reem Odeh, a member of Drew Peterson’s legal team, in response to authorities identifying the body found in the Des Plaines River as being a man:

There was a lot of speculation that the body was that of Stacy Peterson, and Stacy’s family was notified about the discovery. This isn’t the first time the media has jumped to conclusions and tried to solve a case based on incomplete information.

We can take no joy or relief in the fact that it isn’t her because some family somewhere will be grieving. But we hope this invigorates a global search for Stacy and brings attention to the fact that she is still missing. Her family misses her and wants her to come home.

And her still married engaged husband?

Brodsky: lower bail, Peterson not flight risk

Updated: Drew Peterson posts (5-18)

May 18, 2009

Drew Peterson attorneys Joel Brodsky and Andrew Abood discuss Drew’s $20M bail.

Brodsky thinks it should be between $100-500K.

As far as Peterson being a flight risk?

Brodsky says he didn’t take off when he had the chance.

Problem being he wasn’t indicted before and getting out on bail would provide him the chance.

barry delegate, Reem Odeh, Drew Peterson lawyer

Updated: Drew Peterson posts (5-18)

May 18, 2009

Drew Peterson’s law team was unveiled yesterday: Joel Brodsky, Reem Odeh, Andrew Abood and John Paul Carroll.

Here’s info on Ms Odeh from Peterson’s publicist.

If Brodsky was smart he would allow her to speak only. His face/voice is synonymous to Drew’s and Abood’s voice is off-putting.

Reem Odeh, one of Drew Peterson’s Chicago attorneys and a partner in the law firm of Brodsky & Odeh, will be installed Monday evening as a member of the Board of Directors of the Arab American Bar Association at a dinner in Chicago.

Ms. Odeh, who was born in Virginia to a Palestinian-American family, has been an interagal part of Drew Peterson’s defense team.

Ms. Odeh, who has been sometimes publicly critical of her law firm’s most famous client’s outragous antics, is a leader in the Arab-American community.

In addition to being on the board of the Arab American Bar Assoc., Ms. Odeh is also involved in politics as a member of the Arab American Democratic Club and an Obama delegate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

Before being sworn in, Ms. Odeh will spend the day meeting with her partner Joel Brodsky and attorney Andrew Abood planning strategy for Drew Peterson’s defense.

The AADC is basically the dot that connects Arab American money and the Daley Machine.

The Early Show: Peterson attorneys

Updated: Drew Peterson posts (5-18)

SOURCE: Early Show news anchor Russ Mitchell

• Peterson attorneys Joel Brodsky and Reem Odeh
• Not guilty
• Reduce bail
• Jury to focus on the facts and the lack of evidence in the case
• Peterson treated well
• Protective custody
• Image biggest problem

JOEL BRODSKY QUOTES:

It's a little bit boring, but it's much better than normal jail circumstances.

In a tight, uncomfortable situation, you're gonna get humor and wisecracks

What this trial is going to show -- if we even get to trial -- will be that there is absolutely no evidence that Drew did anything wrong, anything at all regarding Kathleen Savio's death.

Drew Peterson Defense Team

Updated: Drew Peterson posts (5-18)

May 18, 2009

Introducing Drew Peterson's defense team. [emphasis added]

Drew Peterson entered a plea of 'not guilty' at his arraignment hearing this morning at the Will County Courthouse. A hearing for a new judge and the amount of Drew's bond is scheduled for Thursday.

Lead defense counsel, Joel Brodsky of Brodsky & Odeh, says, "We are confident that when a jury examines the evidence, or should I say, lack of evidence, it will confirm what Drew Peterson has been saying all along - that he is not guilty."

Brodsky said that Drew, dressed in a blue jumpsuit this morning, was serious in his court appearance and that he understands the delays of the court process because of his own background as a law enforcement officer.
Peterson's defense team has more than 70 years of combined legal experience and his team says it will be employing top forensic experts and criminologists during the trial. One of the members of the team also has experience as a former Chicago police officer in the homicide unit and as a former prosecutor in Cook County.

The following is a list of Peterson's legal team members:

Joel Brodsky of Brodsky & Odeh – Lead Defense Counsel:
Joel A. Brodsky has more than 25 years of legal experience. He is admitted to practice in the State of Illinois, the Federal Courts for the Northern District of Illinois, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Brodsky is also a member of the Federal Trial Bar. He has been given a 'Very High' rating in the areas of reliability, diligence, ethics, conduct, and other areas relating to professional responsibility by the nationally recognized Martindale-Hubble lawyers rating service.

Reem Odeh of Brodsky & Odeh:
Reem Odeh is a graduate of Chicago's John Marshall Law School, where she was awarded a Juris Doctor degree in 2003. She also holds a B.A. in psychology and mass communications from St. Xavier University. She served as an intern on the murder task force of the Cook County Public Defender's Office in 2002. Odeh is fluent in spoken and written Arabic and is a member of the Arab-American Bar Association, American Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association. Odeh's family has roots in Elbireh, Palestine.

Andrew Abood of the Abood Law Firm:
Andrew Abood is a graduate of Michigan State University and the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He has been a law clerk to the Honorable Michael F. Cavanaugh of the Michigan Supreme Court

Also part of the legal team but not present in Joliet today is John Paul Carroll of the John Paul Carroll Law Firm:

John Paul Carroll received his Juris Doctor degree from the John Marshall Law School in Chicago while working as a detective in the Chicago Police Department in the elite homicide/sex crimes unit. He has also worked in the Cook County Assistant State's Attorney's Office. Carroll holds a private detective license in Illinois (#115-000883) and is a member of the Bar in Illinois and Connecticut. He has both U.S. and Irish citizenship, and is conversant in Spanish.

Peterson arraignment tomorrow, TV before, press conference after

Updated: Drew Peterson posts (5-16)

May 17, 2009

Peterson will be in court tomorrow for his arraignment. Brodsky wants to see if he can get his bond reduced. I they’re going to let him out then the stipulation should be absolutely no press. If his bail is never lowered it’s conceivable he could never see daylight again.

From Peterson’s publicist Glenn Selig:

The following is a media advisory from The Publicity Agency, the PR firm representing Drew Peterson and his legal team:

Immediately following Drew Peterson’s arraignment at the Will County Courthouse on Monday, May 18th, his legal team led by Joel Brodsky will hold a news conference outside the front entrance to the building. Per request of the Chief Judge’s office, please set-up in courtyard away from sidewalks leading into the building.

The hearing is currently scheduled for 9:00 AM local time in Courtroom 405.

Peterson attys Brodsky & Odeh, Monday morning media blitz

Updated: Drew Peterson posts (5-16)

May 17, 2009

It’s funny how the press says they aren’t going to deal with Peterson and then line right up to compete. Joel Brodksy and his associate, Reem Odeh, will be interviewed by NBC, CBS, ABC prior to Peterson’s arraignment.

Drew Peterson’s Legal Counsel to Appear on Major Network Morning Shows

Joel Brodsky, lead defense counsel, and Reem Odeh will be interviewed in advance of Drew Peterson’s arraignment Monday morning.

The following is a media advisory from The Publicity Agency, the public relations firm representing Drew Peterson and his legal team:

Joel Brodsky and Reem Odeh will be interviewed by all three network morning shows from the Will County Courthouse in Joliet, Ill. prior to the arraignment hearing for their client, Drew Peterson.

They will appear on NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America and CBS’ The Early Show.

A news conference is planned outside the front entrance to the courthouse immediately following the arraignment of Drew Peterson. Per request of the Chief Judge’s office, please set-up in courtyard away from sidewalks leading into the building.