Drew Peterson convicted....finally

[cyberdude558]

JOLIET, Ill. (AP) — Drew Peterson, the former Illinois police officer who gained notoriety after his much-younger wife vanished in 2007, was convicted Thursday of murdering a previous wife in a case centered on secondhand hearsay statements from both women.

Peterson, 58, sat stoically looking straight ahead and did not react as the judge announced jurors had found him guilty of first-degree murder in the death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio. Her relatives gasped, then hugged each other as they cried quietly.

Illinois has no death penalty, and Peterson now faces a maximum 60-year prison term when sentenced Nov. 26.

The trial was the first of its kind in Illinois history, with prosecutors building their case largely on hearsay thanks to a new law, dubbed "Drew's Law," tailored to Peterson's case. That hearsay, prosecutors had said, would let his third and fourth wives "speak from their graves" through family and friends to convict Peterson.

Hearsay is any information reported by a witness that is not based on the witness' direct knowledge. Defense attorneys said its use at the trial would be central to their appeal.

Savio's family members were emotional as they left the courtroom. Her sister, Susan Doman, threw herself into the arms of her husband, Mitch Doman.

"Finally, finally, finally. ... We finally got that murdering bastard," Savio's brother-in-law, Mitch Doman, said.

Peterson's personality loomed over the trial, and bystanders gathered outside the courthouse began chanting, "Loser. Loser. Loser," as reporters interviewed his attorneys. Before his 2009 arrest, the glib, c0cky Peterson seemed to taunt authorities, joking on talk shows and even suggesting a "Win a Date With Drew" contest. His notoriety inspired a TV movie starring Rob Lowe.

"The whole world has been waiting for Drew Peterson to be convicted. They hate him. ... They passed a law to get this individual," said defense attorney Joe Lopez.

The verdict was a vindication for Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow and his team, who gambled by putting on a case they conceded was filled with holes.

Glasgow drew cheers from the crowd gathered outside the courthouse.

"He was a thug," Glasgow said of Peterson. "He would threaten people because he had a gun and a badge. Nobody would take him on, but we took him on and he lost."

http://news.yahoo.com/jury-convicts-drew-peterson-3rd-wifes-death-194658507.html

[dalbuc]

Not thrilled that someone crafted a law to convict one guy - especially one that admits hearsay to send a man away for 60 years. He might be a scumbag but in this case the cure is gonna be worse than the disease.

[Bayfisher]

Joliet isn't far from Chicago.

[Chief Joseph]

All of us lost rights, so that we could get one guy. Not a good trade.

[You Mad]

Glad i never had any intentions on moving to Illinois.

[Skull and Bones]

Not thrilled that someone crafted a law to convict one guy - especially one that admits hearsay to send a man away for 60 years. He might be a scumbag but in this case the cure is gonna be worse than the disease.

did o

[Skull and Bones]

Seems like there are good ground to win an appeal.