I’d hoped I’d never see the day when cops would be recruited from the ranks of petty criminals. There is a double sin involved here, committing a crime and getting caught.
I’ve heard the horror stories of cops with criminal records. The small wealthy town of Paradise Valley, Arizona hired at least one criminal, Brian D. McFarland who actually got convicted for impersonating a police officer. He was arrested in a Milwaukee, WI tavern bathroom by an undercover cop. McFarland went on to be the most sued officer in Arizona law enforcement history racking up millions in legal fees and damage awards.
Now cities are scraping the bottom of the barrel intentionally hiring thieves, thugs and liars for the sacred position of trust.
I’ve been asked lately with it’s like to be around killers. Yes I’ve been around killers during the last four decades. Killers come from all walks of life and kill for necessity, thrills, sexual gratification, commerce, revenge and hatred. I’m sure I missed some here.
I’ve been on or in prison Death Rows, jails, court lock ups and all manner of transportation with killers.
Some of the killers I met were Congressional Medal of Honor winners, cops, ordinary citizens engaged in warfare and self-defense. I have met those who killed others by accident and even a medical care provider who administered the wrong drug.
Most killers involved in criminal homicide are dysfunctional people who were shortchanged when it came to intelligence, emotional health and simple patience. There are other factors that aggravate their shortcomings such as poverty and racism. Racism is a two way street. There are Caucasian people who are victimized by empowered minority group member who hate.
Many of my clients are people who killed in self-defense and found themselves facing bogus criminal charges including murder.
I have also met people who committed murder and were devastated by their own actions and remorseful. Then there are the true sociopaths that justify their actions based on the race or occupation of their victims.
Killers are all different. Some are wonderful people and some are the worst. There is no common denominator other than taking a life has changed theirs. Sometimes people are credited with killings they did not commit. Their lives change too
Chicago lawyer Joel Brodsky with Drew Peterson last week in Chicago after lunch. Here is the charging document in the Drew Peterson case. It looks like the defense will present a motion to reduce bail on May 18, 3009. This site will have all the latest information, stay tuned.
The brand new, so-called Forfeiture by Wrongdoing statute to allow hearsay evidence will be central to this prosecution. That law was passed by special request of the Will County State’s Attorney specifically for the Peterson case. The legal experts I’ve talked to say the law is unconstitutional and can’t possibly stand.
Lockport, IL—Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow backed up by Illinois State Police Captain Carl Dobrich held a guarded press conference to Chicago area at 8:30 PM tonight. They released details of a 2 count Grand Jury Indictment of retired police sergeant Drew Peterson in connection with the death of Peterson’s third wife, Kathleen Savio.
Peterson was arrested after a street stop by state police at Lily Cache Lane and Weber Road in Bolingbrook without incident at 5:35 PM Chicago time.
The state police were kind enough to invite the media for their big capture. They also managed to choreograph Peterson’s arrest while his lawyer Joel Brodsky was boarding a plane to New York.
The bond set on the warrant was an previously unheard $20 million. That will either get lowered by the trial court or Brodsky can be counted to take it to the Illinois Court of Appeals.
Peterson children were rounded up for supervision either by DCFS or Peterson’s oldest son. Police also executed yet another search warrant on Peterson’s home.
Glasgow admitted that they have an uphill battle with a new Illinois law drafted specifically to the Peterson case that allows the use of third party hearsay under certain conditions. This untested law may well be ruled patently unconstitutional. Only time and judicial review will provide answers to these questions.
Already the people that hate Drew Peterson are out celebrating the arrest. I suspect they will be disappointed when the bail is reduced, and due process takes its course.
In the mean time both Dobrich and Glasgow vowed to keep searching for Stacy Peterson.
The state police also managed to choreograph Peterson’s arrest while his lawyer Joel Brodsky was boarding a plane to New York.
I will have updates and will be on the Geoff Pinkus Show on WIND 560 tonight talking about these developments.
From the State's Attorney Press Release: "JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow and Illinois State Police Captain Carl Dobrich announce that Drew Walter Peterson was arrested today (Thursday, May 7, 2009) after a Special Grand Jury issued an indictment for first-degree murder alleging he killed Kathleen Savio five years ago.
At the request of State’s Attorney Glasgow and Illinois State Police detectives, Circuit Judge Daniel Rozak issued a warrant for Peterson’s arrest Thursday afternoon. Judge Rozak set bail for Peterson at $20 million. He must post 10 percent or $2 million to secure his release while awaiting trial.
Illinois State Police arrested Peterson without incident late Thursday afternoon during a traffic stop at Weber Road and Lily Cache Lane in Bolingbrook.
The two-count Bill of Indictment alleges that Peterson, on or about Feb. 29, 2004, “without lawful justification and with the intent to kill Kathleen Savio, caused Kathleen Savio to inhale fluid, thereby causing the death of Kathleen Savio.”
Kathleen Savio, who was Peterson’s third wife, was found dead in her bathtub on March 1, 2004. Charges were not filed in the case five years ago by the prior state’s attorney who held office when Kathleen Savio was murdered.
Glasgow reopened the case and convened a Special Grand Jury to investigate her murder in November 2007. The Special Grand Jury also is investigating the disappearance of Drew Peterson’s fourth wife, Stacy Peterson.
Drew Peterson is scheduled to be arraigned at 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 8 in courtroom 405 at the Will County Courthouse, 14 W. Jefferson St., Joliet.
The Will County State's Attorney's Office reminds the public that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt."
Bolingbrook, IL—I knew time was running out for the Will County Grand Jury. They had to indict Drew Peterson or recess.
They voted a True Bill in connection with the death of Peterson's third wife, Kathleen Savio who was found dead in a bathtub in March, 2004. Illinois State Police made the arrest on the Indictment Warrant this afternoon.
The accidental death was reinvestigated complete with a second autopsy after police obtained a court order to exhume her body. Officials reclassified the death as a homicide.
We will have to wait and see just what evidence had led to the charge. I will post a copy of the actual indictment here as soon as I Can get it. I will have details such as bail and custory status with the actual charges as soon as I can get them.
I have to say a prosecutor can indict a ham sandwich. We will have to wait now for the wheels of justice to do its thing. Somehow I’m convinced there is a thinnest of cases here. This may be reduced to a battle of experts on the cause of death rather than other evidence. There will be a bail hearing for Peterson on Monday at the Will County Circuit Court in Joliet, IL.
I am also convinced that we will hear from people claiming to that Grand Jury that Peterson made incriminating statements or outright confessions so they can get their 15 minutes of fame off the back of a celebrity suspect.
Peterson's lawyer, Joel Brodsky is in route to New York as we speak and I have not yet talked with him.
I don’t expect a clear answer in 2009. These things take time to resolve.
Washington, DC—With his new Administration doing all they can from the Karl Marx playbook to destroy our entire economy. Their suggestions that wounded military veterans pay for their own medical costs while branding them as domestic terrorists was unforgivable. Taking over banks, businesses along with printing money into worthlessness guarantees Martial Law will visit us soon.
The frightening concept of the Barack Obama’s Administration plans of releasing the Gitmo prisoners onto our streets so they can go to heaven by killing Americans is not going to win the hearts and minds of Americans.
Every day this despot commits another act of treason. Obama and his minions are not smart enough to realize the police, military and even the Secret Service will never subscribe to this fascist’s ideals.
There are far too many Americans with the motive, means and opportunity to kill Obama. The days of a single dysfunctional gunman assassinating a President are over. Technology has brought suitable unconventional weapons into the hands of anyone that wants to manufacture them. I strongly suspect creative efforts will bring an end to this hope and change thing soon.
I doubt that Obama will survive another 100 days and finishing his term will be against all odds. Get ready for some breaking news and a a state funeral to follow with the expected ghetto riots.
The Left will make the greatest martyr since Gandhi out of Barack Obama.
UPDATE! 5/7/09 The Obama administration will not release Guantanamo detainees thought to be terrorists into the United States, Attorney General Eric Holder told Congress Thursday as he sought to reassure worried lawmakers.
I see they have recently read current federal law and found out their plans were in violation. Okay Obama, what do you do with these scumbags now that you've ordered Gitmo closed?
Los Angeles, CA—As I puke over the injustice of Phil Spector’s trial I can’t help but not forget was an incredible talent he is. Here he plays the piano as Joan sings one of Spector’s masterpieces. Enjoy a slice of Spector’s heyday.
Spector is langushing in the L.A. County jail as he waits for an appeal and a sentencing over a death and a bad jury's guess.
Chicago, IL—From now on four out of five TV stations will share video. For viewers that means the end of channel surfing during news broadcasts. WLS-ABC7 will continue to gather exclusive video and not participate in this scheme.
The perceived benefit is that the stations participating will save a bundle as they jettison photographers, vehicles and expenses off their payrolls. Pink slips continue to rain during the first ever depression for TV news in its entire history.
I don’t see this as a cure to stop the hemorrhaging of profits. On the contrary I expect a viewer revolt that will eventually bring on entertainment TV reruns instead of local news.
Nationwide, local TV news has resisted any change as they’ve religiously copycatted each other’s style and format to death. I ask, why not have just one TV news provider broadcast to every channel? There has been so little in the way of enterprising news stories outside of the ratings or sweeps periods. Why bother at all?
TV news has progressively spiraled down to the lamest of the lame anyway. In Chicago and other large cities they advocate for only Liberal political agendas and distort facts. This is most prevalent in stories involving gun control and violence.
They always love to display of murdered gang punk’s eighth grade graduation pictures depicting the now 17 through 21 year-olds who died flashing gang signs in drive by shootings. What they don't show you are the tattoos, needle tracks, rap sheets and the risky behavior that led to the shooting. Of course they never miss getting the tears of the welfare fueled, baby-making machines that spawned these young creeps.
This will only provide better opportunities for current and start up video news blogs founded by creative folks who will make their own formats and rules. The good thing is the days of a unified political slant are over. This will hasten the death of local TV news as we knew it and that may be a good thing.
Those laid off news workers can now band together and use those ideas they’ve been unsuccessfully pitching various news directors over their entire careers. The cost of equipment has dropped as the quality of it has skyrocketed. Frankly I can’t wait to see what the evolution will bring. One thing for sure I expect both creativity and an overall improvement of news products outside of TV.
Frankfurt, Germany—Instead of being sent to Viet Nam when I was drafted into the Army I served as a medical corpsman in Germany. I was in a Sachsenhausen club called Le Carousel in 1968-70. I was enjoying the company of some young beautiful women that year and here were a few songs they’d play for my enjoyment.
Washington, DC—Barack Obama’s latest wet dream is to release the Muslim enemy combatants onto American soil. I suspect that I’m not alone in my concerns for the safety of Americans if this insane policy is ever enacted. So far even the Democrats in Congress are smart enough to know that approving this policy would end their political careers.
Imagine if Obama told the public of his plans to do this during the campaign. He would be anywhere at all other than in the Whitehouse.
During conventional wars soldiers are usually conscripted and are normally peace loving productive people. Had we released Japanese and German POWs because they had nowhere to live it would have had minimal risk. They were after all somewhat civilized.
This case is very different, the Gitmo detainees are willing suicidal warriors fighting a religious war and view killing Americans as a sure way to Heaven. The danger of releasing these fanatical killers would be more menacing than letting out every inhabitant of every death row in every American prison. Even Charles Manson would in fact be far less dangerous to release on America's streets.
Personally I’d feel a duty to take prophylactic measures and simply assonate any Gitmo detainees released near me. To not take such extreme measures would all but guarantee a jihad fueled bloodbath against my fellow Americans.
Any American politicians involved in this deserve to be hanged for treason.
Los Angeles, CA-- Carmen Trutanich is running for the Los Angeles City Attorney. He is opposed by city councilman and career gun-rights hater Jack Weiss. Weiss is out of touch and does not want to see law-abiding people stopping murder, rape or armed robbery with lawfully possessed firearms. He’d rather see victimization.
Trutanich is a law and order kind og guy that wants to do whatever he can to insure public safety in this city. As the California Department of Corrections is set to release tens of thousands of convicted felons on our streets early because of budget problems the law abiding need all the help they can get.
Weiss has been running countless ads smearing Trutanich with blatantly false allegations suggesting he’s soft on crime for defending gun owners as a defense attorney.
There is a lot more to being a prosecutor than making prosecutorial war on middle-aged gun owners for having gun collections. The US Supreme court and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has made it clear in recent times that owning firearms is a valid individual, Constitutional right. Jack Weiss hates the Constitution and wants to violate those rights as City Attorney.
Weiss can be counted to rack up millions in legal bills and damage awards after wrongfully charged gun owners sue the city over his unlawful gun crusade against them.
Vote early and often for Carmen Trutanich as your City Prosecutor.
Chicago, IL—This week I took Chicago lawyer Joel Brodsky up on his offer for a lunch. We went to the swank GAGE restaurant on Michigan Avenue. Also there was retired Bolingbrook police sergeant and so called murder suspect Drew Peterson.
Prosecutors and Illinois State Police investigating the death of one of Peterson’s former wives and the strange disappearance of another have called Peterson a suspect. I take exception to that moniker that’s usually reserved only for people who are arrested and prosecuted. Peterson has not been charged or even arrested.
Unfortunately there are so many people who believe that Peterson is a double murderer without the presence of so much as minimal evidence required to bring that matter to a criminal court.
Is Peterson a killer? If anyone really knows they’re not telling and I’m not clairvoyant. What’s wrong with giving Peterson the presumption of innocence any accused American deserves? In this case Peterson has not even been accused by authorities.
I found that Peterson himself has charm and is very personable. He’s bright and just does not strike me as the type of person that would murder anyone.
Peterson’s life right now is a really bad movie. Strangers recognize him, approach and introduce themselves to him like they do with Hollywood celebrities. That while acquaintances try and make money through Peterson’s new found celebrity.
The investigation of Peterson has been ongoing and relentless. I have no problem with that at all. When the evidence is not there Peterson and his children deserve the right to move on without people pointing fingers at them.
Some people have accused me for being on Drew Peterson’s side. They’re dead wrong; I’m on the side of Due Process. How soon we forget how many American soldiers gave their lives to insure we have a Bill of Rights that protects all of us.
Let me not forget to say the food and service at the Gage was first rate.
Chicago, IL—Geoff Pinkus is a Chicago radio personality with two talk shows. One is on Sunday, Livin’ Large With Geoff Pinkus and the other is Overnight With Geoff Pinkus. He's on 560 WIND.
The Pinker as his pals call him is Conservatism with fun. He’s much more than politics as he celebrates women, cigars, sports, cars, gun rights, human rights and more importantly the right to have fun is what his shows are all about. This may seem like a show geared for men but his audience demographics and callers prove otherwise.
The Pinker’s shows are guest driven and he’s got no shortage of entertaining guests. TV news reporter turned radio personality, Amy Jacobson connected Pinkus to me and this blog and I’ve been a Pinker guest a few times by telephone.
This week I was invited to do the Overnight show and was in studio doing the fun eye to eye. I learned that Pinkus is afraid of no callers except for the rare boring ones. He’ll take the conversation in almost any direction that moves examination of the show’s themes.
Chicago, IL—I went to my home town to assist a good cop in need of my help to clear his name. This effort required a trip to 26th and California where I spent so much time working in my younger days.
The Southwest corner of this intersection is home to the Criminal Court Buildings and what they today call the Cook County Department of Corrections. Over the years I’ve witnessed a lot of history being made inside those buildings
The old Criminal Court building, Cook County Jail, Chicago House of Correction and Cermak Memorial Hospital sit here with a lot of newly added buildings. This was and is the epicenter of where Chicago’s most infamous criminals were incarcerated, tried, convicted and in many cases executed in the electric chair.
Mob boss, Al Capone, killers Richard Speck, John Wayne Gacy, Nathan Leopold, Jr., Richard Loeb along with Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa, and former Chicago Mayor Harold Washington had all spent time in the notorious old Cook County Jail.
When the feature film I’m making, Come Friday get’s financed, I fully intend to film portions of it in the historic locations here where a lot of that remarkable story actually unfolded.
I’d love to gather photos both inside and out of the sprawling complex. I’d want to capture photographs and document the history before it’s too late. Creating one of those large coffee table picture books of this place and providing the salacious details of its rich history would be so cool.
San Quentin, CA—Death row inmate, Scott Peterson got bad news today. His dead wife’s parents Sharon and Dennis Rocha dropped their lawsuit against him.
Normally for a defendant that would be a good thing. But in this case Scott Peterson could use the litigation to bring to light new evidence needed to destroy the conviction that got him condemned to die. Peterson was free to examine witnesses, test, re-test and review all the additional evidence he wanted as long as the civil case was ongoing.
I predicted that this lawsuit could do just that on this blog when it was filed long ago.
Peterson’s conviction was a result of disgraceful excuse or a trial. Not a shred of evidence was presented as to how Laci Peterson and her unborn child died. Peterson was a world class cad, womanizer and jerk. There was never a case or murder without the corpus delecti.
I was hoping the greed of the Rochas was going to be their undoing but they finally figured out Peterson would greatly benefit from the lawsuit and dismissed it.
I suspect that the last entries in the civil court file are clues that would tell us just what Scott Peterson’s lawyer was uncovering that led to the Rochas backing out of the civil action.
Now, Peterson will have to wait for his appeal to slowly grind through the system and rely on other tools to force disclosure of new evidence.
Chicago, IL—Tonight at midnight (Chicago time) I will be live in Studio at WIND 560 radio with Goeff Pinkus talking about the life of Chicago policewoman Ann Leybourne Erwin Biebel.
As many of my readers know I’m working on making a feature film on this great lady’s early career and amazing brush with death. The Film is called, Come Friday and you can learn more about it here.
Westwood Village, Los Angeles, CA—Unfortunately, this event has a small but rather goofy dark side. Some people want to push their own political agendas down the throats of others. I have no problem with political discussion provided it’s germane to the place, time and targeted people.
I met one author who came in with his lovely wife to sell his books and set up a booth to do just that. The author, Neville W. Cramer wrote, Immigration Chaos. Cramer is a retired INS special agent. His premise is a simple one, American politicians will support any immigration enforcement efforts as long as they don’t work.
Okay, opinions are divided between those that do and don’t want laws regulating immigration. Apparently free speech is only welcome by some if they agree with the message. At least one fist fight broke out at the booth stared by an open border supporter.
Next I attended a discussion panel called, “Memoir: The KaBoom Generation” . That title was a little spin on baby boomers.
This panel was moderated by writer and TV producer, Sara Davidson and the other panelist were long time music writer, Danny Goldberg and writer, producer and actor Mike Farrell. Farrell is also an anti-death penalty and human rights activist. The discussion was about book writing, entertainment and the trials and tribulations of the panelist while writing their books.
This was an enjoyable panel discussion until the audience was invited to ask questions. The panel was hijacked by five total morons fighting both sides of Mideast political matters. When this began audience members by the scores began racing for the exits. Finally order was restored. If these clowns are so passionate about this matter they should go there and detonate suicide bombs on each other and leave the rest of us alone.
I have to say the panelist handled the troublemakers with absolute grace.
Westwood Village, Los Angeles, CA—There are few thing to do that are as much fun as meeting lots of celebrity authors. Nearly every publishing company around sends their writers to this two-day event.
The price for this adventure is right, it’s free! However at $3.00 per bottle they will charge you here it’s best to bring your own water!
There are loads of booths and exhibits for the children. I guess we all want to keep the brats away from TV and those nasty video video games these days.
Westwood Village, Los Angeles, CA—Today was the first of the two day Festival of Books sponsored by the L.A. Times and many other organizations. Every author around of any significance is here. They're there pressing the flesh as they sell and sign their books.
I have lots of video and will edit and post it later but wanted to give you a little treat from singer/actress Kristen Chenoweth. She starred in the Broadway smash, Wicked and had a starring role in the West Wing. I’m hoping to figure a way for her to tuck me into bed every night and sing for me! Somehow I don’t think that will happen except in my dreams.
I’d hoped I’d never see the day when cops would be recruited from the ranks of petty criminals. There is a double sin involved here, committing a crime and getting caught. 
