Jurors Begin Day One of Deliberations in Drew Peterson Murder Trial in Death of Kathleen Savio

JUSTICE FOR KATHLEEN …

A day after the defense and prosecution presented their closing arguments in the Drew Peterson murder trial, the case was given to the jury for deliberations. Former Bolingbrook police sergeant Peterson was charged with murder in the death of his third wife Kathleen Savio. The accidental drowning death of Savio in 2004 was later changed to a homicide after the disappearance and presumed death of Peterson’s fourth wife, Stacy Peterson. The prosecution alleges that the 58 year old Peterson  murdered Savio and staged her death to look like an accident.

After hearing five weeks of evidence, the jury began deliberations at 10:37 a.m. ET Wednesday. Judge Edward Burmila read 15 minutes of instructions to the jurors, saying that they should start with the presumption that Peterson is innocent and only convict him if they find him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, The Associated Press reported.

“The defendant is not required to prove his innocence,” Burmila told jurors.

The jurors made several requests in the first few hours, NBCChicago.com reported. They requested Peterson’s phone records from the weekend Savio died and autopsy photos of Savio’s body. They also wanted a letter written by Savio that described her fear that Peterson would kill her, but the judge only allowed them access to a heavily-redacted version. The jurors’ request for a transcript of the testimony from Rev. Neil Schori and attorney Harry Smith was denied by the judge, and instead the transcript was read back to them by a court reporter.

Its now up to the seven-man, five-woman jury to decide Drew Peterson’s fate. The jury in the Drew Peterson murder trial deliberated for more than eight hours Wednesday before a judge sent them home for the night.

Judge Kenneth Lester Jr. Out, Florida Appeals Court Orders New Judge for Zimmerman Murder Trial of Trayvon Martin

Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester Jr., is out …

An interesting situation just occurred in the George Zimmerman murder trial. A Florida appeals court granted Zimmerman’s attorneys request and ordered that a new judge be seated to preside over the Zimmerman murder trial in the death of Trayvon Mrtin. The 5th District Court of Appeal determined that Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester Jr. could not be impartial due to past actions and statements with regards to defendant George Zimmerman. Judge Lester wrote a scathing decision with regards to Zimmerman’s second bond hearing where Lester made the prejudicial comment that Zimmerman, “manipulating the system for his own benefit.” Mark O’Mara, the defense attorney for George Zimmerman previously filed a 17 page motion disqualifying Judge Lester from this case. O’Mara asserted that the judge and court “departed from its role as an impartial, objective minister of justice” and should therefore be removed from the case. It would seem that the appeals court has agreed. Lester is out.

YOU’RE OUT

A Florida appeals court has granted George Zimmerman’s request for a new judge to oversee his trial for second-degree murder in the Feb. 26 shooting death of Trayvon Martin, the Orlando Sentinel is reporting.

A three-judge panel of the 5th District Court of Appeal found that Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester Jr. cast doubt on his impartiality when he wrote in his July 5 order setting $1 million bail that Zimmerman showed “blatant disregard for the judicial system” and that he was “manipulating the system for his own benefit.”

I have to admit this decision came as a surprise, although it was the correct one. The Zimmerman-Martin case has been more political than it has been judicial since the outset. However, made this will be the sign that the murder trial will now be based on evidence and the rule of law rather than emotions, misrepresentations, media bias and those with an agenda fanning the flames of racism.

The Dana Pretzer Show – Thursday, August 9, 2012 – With Special Guests Attorney Joel Brodsky and Former ADA Robin Sax Discussing the Drew Peterson Murder Case of Kathleen Savio

LISTEN TO THE DANA PRETZER SHOW ON SCARED MONKEYS RADIO

Dana welcomes special guests:

• Attorney Joel Brodsky discussing the Drew Peterson murder trial
• Former ADA and current Fox Legal Analyst, Robin Sax also discussing the Drew Peterson trial

The Dana Pretzer Show – Thursday, August 9, 2012 Download Podcast

Is Jared Loughner Going toto Plead Guilty in Tucson Massacre Shooting?

It is being reported at the LA Times that Jared Lee Loughner is going to plead guilty to the shooting deaths in the Tucson massacre. Loughner is charged in the January 8, 2011 Tucson, AZ massacre where six people were killed, including 9 year old Christina Greene. Loughner also injured 13 people, including US Rep. Gabby Giffords (AZ-D) who was shot in the head and has since retired from Congress. It is suspected that mental health officials will now state that Loughner is now competent to understand the charges against him and he is expected to present his plea in federal district court Tuesday.

Jared Lee Loughner is set to plead guilty Tuesday in the shooting attack that severely wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, according to knowledgeable sources, as mental health officials believe he is now competent to understand the charges against him in the assault, which killed six people and injured 13 at a gathering with the congresswoman’s constituents in Tucson.

At the hearing Tuesday morning in U.S. District Court in Tucson, psychiatric experts who have examined Loughner, 23, are scheduled to testify that they have concluded that despite wide swings in his mental capacity, at this time he comprehends what happened and acknowledges the gravity of the charges, according to two sources who spoke on condition of anonymity because the case was still unfolding.

Judge Edward Burmila Halts Trial Abruptly After Prosecution Elicits “Low Blow” Testimony … Will Judge Grant Mistrial in the Drew Peterson Murder Trial in the Death of Kathleen Savio?

Will the murder trial of Drew Peterson in the death of Kathleen Savio be over before it has barely started? We will find out today as court was halted abruptly yesterday by Judge Burmila after the prosecution attempted to enter questionable evidence into the case that they could not prove. The Judge called it a “low blow”. Could the judge call a mistrial or will the murder case against Peterson, the former Bollingbrook police officer go forward?

After angrily upbraiding prosecutors for improperly introducing evidence, the judge presiding over the Drew Peterson murder trial abruptly halted the proceedings, sent the jury home and said he will rule Thursday on how the case will move forward.

It was the second time in as many days that the judge appeared to consider granting the defense’s request for a mistrial. Despite the seemingly made-for-TV cliffhanger, prosecutors, defense attorneys, experts and even the judge indicated that stopping now was unlikely.

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