Joliet Police Detective Goes On Trial Thursday, Waives His Right To Jury Trial

JOLIET, IL — Back on Oct. 2, 2024, Joliet Patch broke the news surrounding the arrest of Joliet Police Department detective Peter Ranstead, after fellow Joliet police were called to his home in the Kendall County portion of Joliet that previous weekend. Ranstead was arrested and charged in Kendall County with two counts of domestic battery and one count of interfering with the reporting of domestic violence.

The incident happened on Sept. 28, 2024.

Now, 18 months later, Ranstead will return to the Kendall County Courthouse n Yorkville. On Thursday morning, Ranstead will stand trial. According to the court calendar, Ranstead's domestic battery case is being handled by Judge Lisa Accardi in Courtroom 114.

This week, Ranstead's lawyers from the Tomczak Law Group notified the judge that they are waiving their client's right to have a jury of composed of Kendall County residents determine his guilt or innocence. Instead, they asked for a bench trial in front of Judge Lisa Accardi.

Back in September, Joliet Patch interviewed Joliet criminal defense attorney Anna Rose Bertani, daughter of Illinois Third District Court of Appeals Judge Matthew Bertani. At downtown Joliet's Tomczak Law Group, she is the lead counsel for the Joliet police detective's criminal case.

As for her client, "we are maintaining his innocence and look forward to a vigorous defense in his trial and a successful result," Bertani proclaimed.

Last fall, Patch asked if Bertani would seek a bench trial in front of the judge or opt for a jury of 12 registered voters from Kendall County. "At this point, I'm leaning jury, but obviously, things could change, and it's just up to my client. Obviously, I don't think he should have been charged based on everything I know that has come out," Bertani informed Joliet Patch last fall.

Back in November, Joliet Patch reported that after being on paid administrative leave from the Joliet Police Department for the past 13 months, Ranstead was notified he was being recommended for termination by Police Chief Bill Evans and the command staff.

“Today, Detective Peter Ranstead was formally notified of his termination from the Joliet Police Department following an extensive internal investigation into an alleged domestic battery incident that occurred in September of 2024," Joliet Police Chief Bill Evans announced in November. "The Joliet Police Department is built on accountability and ethical conduct, both on and off duty. As Chief, I will continue leading a department that upholds those principles and earns the trust of our community through integrity and service. The citizens of Joliet deserve nothing less.”

At 12:12 a.m. Sept. 28, 2024, Joliet's police officers responded to the off-duty detective's house on Woodiris Drive for a domestic disturbance. Officers learned that a confrontation happened at the home involving Ranstead and a woman.

"It is alleged that during an argument, Ranstead grabbed the victim by her shoulders and forced her toward the doorway of a second story bedroom. It is believed Ranstead then pushed the victim out of the room, causing her to strike her head on an adjacent door frame," Joliet's arrest report stated.

The victim forced her way back into the bedroom and tried to call 911, at which time police said Ranstead took the phone from her, the arrest reports reflect. Three days later, Joliet police obtained an arrest warrant for their fellow detective, and Ranstead turned himself in shortly after 6 a.m. the following day at the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office in Yorkville.

Then, last May 19, Ranstead's victim filed a written order of protection in connection with the criminal case at the Kendall County Courthouse in Yorkville.

"Peter's violent behavior began on Easter Sunday approximately two years ago when he punched a hole in our bedroom wall at our previous residence. He did so during an argument. Peter has a significant history of emotional abuse as well as manipulation," she wrote. "From the beginning of our relationship, Peter demonstrated deeply rooted insecurities about me in regards to social expectations, job expectations and friends that I had. He tried to dictate how I lived my life. In June of 2024, Peter struck me in the face with a metal pizza pan. I had a large bruise on my jaw leading into my neck the days following. He denied ever hitting me and never took accountability and never apologized."