'Help' For Drew Peterson: 4 Will Co. Officials Appointed To Case

JOLIET, IL —Last week, Joliet Patch broke the story that convicted killer Drew Peterson will be returning to the Will County Courthouse in January in hopes of overturning his 2012 murder conviction for the death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio, of Bolingbrook.

Will County Judge Ed Burmila has appointed four members of the Will County Public Defender's Office to provide legal assistance to the former Bolingbrook Police Department sergeant.

Now 67 years old, Peterson is at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City. From inside his maximum security prison, Peterson mailed a six-page, handwritten letter to the Will County Clerk of Circuit Court in October outlining several reasons why he believes that his Will County murder trial was rigged against him.

After reviewing Peterson's letter and subsequently reviewing motions filed by the Will County State's Attorney's Office of Jim Glasgow, Judge Ed Burmila chose to grant Peterson a post-conviction hearing in his Courtroom 801 at the new Will County Courthouse.

Peterson's hearing in front of Burmila was originally set for Jan. 7. However, Judge Burmila has since moved the status hearing to Jan. 21.

The four employees at the Will County Public Defender's Office now being assigned to assist Peterson in his efforts to overturn his murder conviction are:

• Investigator Owen Beasley
• Investigator Michelle Palaro
• Public defender Julie Primozic
• Public defender Jason Strzelecki

Last week, Joliet Patch obtained a copy of Drew Peterson's pro se, post-conviction filing that ends with the following declaration from Peterson: "PLEASE HELP ME!"

Peterson is also suspected, but has never been charged, in the October 2007 disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy, whose body was never found.

Here are some of the key arguments Peterson made in his October letter in hopes of overturning his murder conviction in Savio's death:

• "Joel Brodsky was my lead counsel. He lied to me about his experience defending homicide cases. In fact, he had none."
• "He put me out to the press and put me on national television. He stated if you have nothing to hide go on television and say so. In fact, Brodsky put me in harms way not to help me but to increase his fame and increase his practice in law."
• "I wanted to testify on my own behalf. Brodsky said no and threaten (sic) to quit if I did."
• "The problem with hearsay is that anyone can say that anyone has said anything and lie without consequences. Who is held liable for a lie?"
• "The issue of privileged conversations is a part of the Illinois revised statutes. I don't recall this fact being brought up in this case prior."
• "During the hearsay hearing two witnesses were called amongst others. One was Dr. Blum was called to assist in performing autopsy on Kathleen's body which was floating in water due to a leaky casket."
• "After Blum's testimony was complete, SA James Glasgow took Blum into the hallway of the courtroom for a very short period. When Blum followed Glasgow back into the courtroom he was all redfaced and clearly distraught. It was clear Glasgow scolded Blum for his testimony. A clear case of witness intimidation."
• "After the hearsay hearing the prosecution filed a interlocutory appeal. After Judge Whtie threw out most of the prosecution's case. This appeal froze the speedy trial demand and I was denied a speedy trial and sat in jail for three years. This gave the prosecution more time to prepare and add to their case."
• "A movie exist about petitioner and this case. The movie was played continuously during my trial which portrayed petitioner in a very negative light."
• "Petitioner requested a change of venue due to his infamy, however was denied."
• "Trial audience had a clear impact on the jury. Their comments, 'cheers and boos' interrupted the process and did not allow defense lawyer to complete their line of questioning. The audience was sanctioned by Judge Burmila however this had little impact on their behavior."
• "The pathologist in this case, all prominent medical professionals, were paid for their opinions. Dr. Mitchell was the only pathologist who was not paid for his opinion. His opinion was pure and free of any influence. He reported Kathleen's death was an accident."