Appeals Court Rules Gliniewicz Texts Admissable At Trial

LAKE COUNTY, IL — The Second District Appellate Court ruled that prosecutors can use incriminating text messages between Melodie Gliniewicz and Joe Gliniewicz in future court proceedings, the Daily Herald is reporting. In an unanimous decision, the court ruled Melodie waived her right to marital privilege when she allowed investigators to search her phone and also discussed conversation she had with disgraced Fox Lake Police Lt. Joe Gliniewicz following his suicide.

The decision reverses a prior ruling by a Lake County judge that marital privilege barred messages pulled from Joe Gliniewicz's phone, according to the Daily Herald.

Gliniewicz is charged with conspiracy, money laundering and unlawful use of charitable funds and is expected to head to Lake County for further proceedings. Authorities allege the Gliniewicz's stole thousands from the Fox Lake Police Department's Explorer program to pay for restaurant bills, movie tickets, a trip to Hawaii and other personal expenses.

Joe Gliniewicz was found shot dead on Sept. 1 in a secluded area of Fox Lake. Initially, it appeared Gliniewicz had been gunned down but it was later revealed he killed himself as he feared he'd be linked to the embezzlement scheme.

More via the Daily Herald