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Trial Halted After Bolingbrook Juror Realizes He Knows a Witness

A Braidwood man who said Peterson allegedly gave him $25,000 to find a hitman to kill Kathleen Savio and Illinois State Police Sgt. Bryan Falat have testified Wednesday.

 

Updated 4:44 p.m. 

One of the jurors just realized he knows a witness that was called to testify.

The juror alerted a bailiff to this right after Nick Pontarelli, a next-door neighbor of Kathleen Savio, took the witness stand.

Pontarelli was 14 when Savio died in March 2004. His mother and sister have already testified but the juror, a college student who lives in Bolingbrook, apparently does not know them.

The juror, the judge and all the attorneys are now in a conference room trying to figure out what to do.

Updated 12:22 p.m. 

Illinois State Police Sgt. Bryan Falat followed Pachter to the witness stand and told of Sgt. Patrick Collins's curious decision to allow Drew Peterson to sit alongside his young fourth wife Stacy when she was questioned about Kathleen Savio's death.

"I told Sgt. Collins that I didn't thik it was a good idea," said Falat, who at the time of Savio's March 2004 death was a state trooper temporarily assigned the the investigations division.

Falat also said, "We never interview two people in the same room."
Collins also allowed Peterson, a Bolingbrook cop, to be questioned in the lunchroom of the Bolingbrook Police Department.

Falat said he was only sent to the Savio death scene to assist Collins. He said that he alerted state police crime scene technician Robert Deel to a used condom in a bathroom waste basket, but that Deel didn't bother collecting it to be processed.

Falat also said he looked for blood or hair on the sides or edges of the tub but found none.

Defense attorney Joseph "Shark" Lopez asked Falat if he found "anything out of the ordinary" while looking through Savio's house.

"You mean besides Ms. Savio deceased in the tub with no water?" Falat shot back.

Updated 10:41 a.m. 

Jeffrey Pachter told the jury how Drew Peterson took him for a ride in his Bolingbrook squad car and offered him $25,000 to find someone to kill his third wife Kathleen Savio.

If he could find someone to kill Savio for less than $25,000, Pachter said, he could keep the difference.

Pachter said Peterson told him Savio had something on him and was going to go to the police. Pachter also said Peterson told him Savio had a drug problem.

Pachter was a registered sex offender for 10 years, owed $1,000 to his bookie at the time of Peterson's alleged overture, and at one point owed $35,000 in back taxes.

During his cross-examination, defense attorney Joseph "Shark" Lopez pointed out that Pachter has never actually killed anyone before and has no experience in murder-for-hire.

"Are you a member if the Chicago outfit employed as a hitman?" Lopez asked. 

Pachter told him he was not.

Pachter also testified that Peterson wanted to know when Savio's murder would be carried out so he would have an alibi. Pachter said Peterson planned to either be out of the country when Savio was killed or at Great America amusement park.

If he chose to be at Great America, Pachter said, Peterson told him he was going to get in a fight so there would be a record of his presece at the park.

Original story 

First on the stand Wednesday the Braidwood man Drew Peterson allegedly offered $25,000 to find him a hitman can testify.

Judge Edward Burmila ruled Tuesday that the Braidwood man could take the stand. Whether he would be able to testify was unclear before. 

Jeffrey Pachter, of Braidwood, said Peterson asked him to find someone to kill his third wife, Kathleen Savio.

Soon after, Savio was found dead in her bathtub.

READ MORE ON PATCH: 

Related Topics: Drew Peterson, Kathleen Savio, and Murder Trial

Francis M. Regan

11:02 am on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Patcher appears to be a dirt bag himself and how do you believe this guy. On In Session it says he can't recall what he told the grand jury , refused to look at a document and has previous arrest. He has credibility lissues.

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tom

2:33 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

In Session also said that it was evident that Drew changed his demeanor when Pachter came in. In the past, he was smiling and making eye contact with a lot of the women in the court room but he was much more serious and look straight forward today.

Maybe he's finally realized that having one dead wife and another one missing isn't so funny after all?

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Francis M. Regan

4:31 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Still no proof Drew solicited Pachter for hire and he never notified the Police? Pachter credibility sucks.

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Watchful Eye

7:39 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

HE has credibility issues? So does Drewpy, Frankie boy. He sold out a narcotics cop at one time. There's your first clue he's scum.

Of course he has a checked past. Why would Dopey look for someone that came out of Mass on a Sunday morning? You obviously are living a sheltered life. But, not to worry -- it's not YOU that has to believe this guy, it's the jury.

Don't go telling us what your spin doctors said on InSession. The ones I listened to, that were in the court room, said he held up just fine and was a problem for the defense.

Got all that, Frankie boy?

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Francis M. Regan

8:11 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

No proof Drew sold out anyone. That's one reason he was never convicted of anything of fired for good. I wonder why 20-30 people showed up at his Police and Fire Commission hearing and the union backed Drew when the ex -Chief tried to have him fired.

Reality Bytes!

11:22 am on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Seems like it took Drewfus a little time to work up the balls to do the job himself, typical coward!!!! I think Drewfus actually thought he was a made man, threatening people, trying to hire out a hit, making people disapear. Sounds like a mafia wanna-be... Francis, I see you still haven't given up hope of being something special to Drewfus in case he gets out... absolutely pathetic!

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10

1:22 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Yes, poor Drew, has so many people that make up stories about him....so much hearsay which they all have the same story because they were close to the two wives that are dead. How could this sweet guy.....choke... that "is a control freak, thinks he's gods gift to women, organized two murders and planned on getting away with it. Real winner Drew, GUILTY!!!
it because he was a smart cop.

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10

1:25 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

people need to read the public depositions then you will know that Drew Peterson is a wife killer. No speculation just a guilty murderer!

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Francis M. Regan

3:54 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Falat screwed up too and is trying to cover his a??.

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Watchful Eye

8:01 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

No, Frankie, I disagree whole-heartedly with you. Drewpy screwed up and HE'S trying to cover his a?? .

Any cop that would sell out another one by exposing him to harm is a POS, and anyone who would defend garbage like that must not think too highly of himself.

Isn't that right, Frankie boy?

lala

4:39 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

"Jeffrey Pachter told the jury how Drew Peterson took him for a ride in his Bolingbrook squad car and offered him $25,000 to find someone to kill his third wife Kathleen Savio." Would this meeting have been recorded via cameras in squad cars?

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Francis M. Regan

4:45 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

lala the squad cameras are only activated during a traffic stop when the emergency lights are activated and Supervisors squad cars don't usually have one anyway.

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lala

5:14 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Okay! Thanks for the info.

mray

4:58 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

This whole show is starting to resemble the Keystone Cops, but it's not funny. There's just so much ineptitude on everyone's part.

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john bruno

5:42 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

SA Jim Glasgow has never tried a murder case to a jury in his prosecution career.

Maybe that is why so many screwups?

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Watchful Eye

7:47 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Well, John Bruno, neither has Brodsky tried a murder case to a jury, and we already know what a screw up he is. As to Glasgow, I don't doubt what you say, but I have not seen that information one way or another. Do you have the data to post here? I'd appreciate seeing that.

Don't you think it's kind of ironic that Ralph Meczyk didn't cross-examine Pachter today, especially bringing up Pachter's past problems with the IRS? Maybe that's because he was found guilty of under-reporting his firm's, and his individual, income, was sentenced, had to do many, many hours of community service time, and was on probation for 4 years, I believe.

Now, I'd say that scheme team is a work in progress, what with all of the skeletons in their own closets.

Joe Lopez got kicked off of Calabrese's defense by a Federal judge because he kept missing timelines and the judge said he left the client in a lurch.

Brodsky got suspended for 3 months for forging a dead person's name to a check.

Lisa Lopez committed a felony crime.

And, all you have on Glasgow is that he never tried a murder case? I'm not impressed, John Bruno.

john bruno

5:46 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Vinnie on InSession needs to get "real" guests instead of the artist who talked about the Louisiana State Policeman who testified today while he was really an Illinois State Policeman; and, not give credibility to that restaurant owner in Cincinnatti, who has his own agenda against Judge Burmila and his claim to fame is he's divorced; owns some restaurants and owns a large bus.....what does any of that have to do with the murder trial in Will County......NOTHING! Go home, you dolt!

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Watchful Eye

7:50 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

John Bruno, Jeff Ruby uses his money for good things. He's already hunted down two killers of people he knows. He speaks out on behalf of victims and their families. He threw out OJ Simpson from one of his restaurants because he couldn't stand the thought of having that slime ball in his place of business.

He's not bothering you, so why does he have to get out of Will County? Because you said so? That's not being very Will County friendly, is it? Is that how Will County folks treat outsiders?

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Watchful Eye

7:52 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

John Bruno - Vinnie needs to get "real" guests?

You sure do spout out a lot of orders and demands. Why are you such a bully? Can't stand the fact that Peterson is despised, regardless of whether he's guilty of the crime he's accused of or not? Can't blame anyone but him and Brodsky for that. They're the ones that danced on the grave of Kathleen Savio, and joked about Stacy's disappearance, so take your message to them, why don't you? You're not in a very large group of admirers when it comes to those idiots.

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tom

7:09 am on Thursday, August 23, 2012

It was quickly corrected that she meant to say IL State Police.

Jeff Ruby has nothing against the judge. His point is that if the victims don't have money, their murders are not investigated. His brother in law was murdered and the murder got off serving a short period of time. One of his employes was murdered and if it wasn't for him offering a reward, the murderer would never have been caught.

Francis M. Regan

8:03 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Interesting! O.J. was found innocent by his peers and Ruby throws him out of his restaurant ! O.J. should have played the race card for discrimination. Ruby sucks and should go back to Ohio and choke on a t-bone. Business must be hurting for him to come here for publicity.

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Watchful Eye

8:06 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Oh, so now you're defending OJ, huh Frankie? Boy, you sure are getting desperate.

Hey everyone, Frankie is calling for justice for OJ by saying he should play the "race card."

Good going Frankie. You da man.

Watchful Eye

8:07 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

If you'd sit in a restaurant next to OJ Simpson, as well as Drew Peterson, it just goes to show you how little value you place on your self-esteem.

Poor Frankie.

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Watchful Eye

8:15 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Is your keyboard stuck on stupid, Frankie. No proof, no proof, no proof. That's all you can say. You can't even admit he DID get fired from his job. What's with you and him? Did you sell your soul to that devil? Sure sounds like it. You deserve each other.

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Francis M. Regan

8:22 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

By the way watchful eye if O.J. was in a restaurant next to me, would I feel uncomfortable? Yes, but he's an innocent and free man and he shouldn't be treated any different. Should he wear the Scarlett letter.

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Watchful Eye

8:30 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Hahaha. Sorry, Frankie, OJ won't be sitting next to you in a restaurant. He's not a free man. He's rotting in jail right now.

Now I know you really don't have a clue as to what you're talking about.

Thanks for the laugh, though. Hahahahahahahahahaha!!!

Watchful Eye

8:22 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

After listening to Jeff Ruby today, it became obvious that although he is flamboyant, he sure is a legitimate advocate for victims of horrific crimes. He stands his ground, and he comes down on the side of truth and justice. He has every right to use his money and his voice for matters that he believes in. At least he puts his money where his mouth is.

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Watchful Eye

8:33 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Here, Frankie. Here's your homework for tonight.

"A weary and beaten-looking O.J. Simpson was put away Friday for at least nine years — and perhaps the rest of his life — for an armed robbery in a hotel room, bringing a measure of satisfaction to those who believed the football star got away with murder more than a decade ago.

The 61-year-old Hall of Famer listened stone-faced, his wrists in shackles, as Judge Jackie Glass pronounced the sentence — 33 years behind bars with eligibility for parole after less than a third of that. "

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28067187/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/t/oj-simpson-sentenced-long-prison-term/#.UDWIE6A7WmM

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Watchful Eye

8:43 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Can't delete that one.

Oh, and here's a little more homework for you to research, for your no proof, no proof, no proof theory. Maybe YOU can pretend it never happened, but I guess you believe everything and anything that monster tells you, huh Frankie?
___________

"Retired State Police Lt. Col. Ronald Janota hasn't spoken to Drew Peterson in more than a decade, but Peterson is a man he hasn't forgotten and will never forgive. In 1985, Janota was Peterson's boss at the Metropolitan Area Narcotics Squad -- working out of a "clandestine" office near Joliet, Janota told the Chicago Sun-Times this week.""Peterson, for reasons Janota said he has never been able to explain, allegedly sabotaged one of the squad's drug stings and gave the identity of an undercover narcotics agent to a convicted killer under investigation for dealing drugs, Janota said. "We found out from different sources that the identity of an Illinois State Police officer was revealed to the [killer], by Mr. Peterson," Janota said. " . . . We immediately notified the undercover officer that his life was in jeopardy." Added Janota, "Putting a fellow officer's life in jeopardy is unforgivable as far as I'm concerned."

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Francis M. Regan

8:55 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Interesting. If that was so true, why wasn't Drew arrested and convicted of a crime and fired permanently from his job? Because Bindy Rock was a scum bag and would say anything to save his a??.

Watchful Eye

8:44 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Patch, time to hit the delete button, as Frankie is using vulgar, improper name calling.

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Watchful Eye

9:01 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Aww, Frankie, you disappoint me. That scum bucket could pee in your face, and you'd probably tell him, "thank you sir, may I have another."

I think anyone that reads your nonsense can see you went over the edge a long time ago.

I'd better leave you alone. I can see that you are severely damaged already.

No proof, didn't happen. No proof, no proof. Show me. Then why, then why. No proof.

Night, Frankie.

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Francis M. Regan

9:11 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Watchful eye how old are we! You talk like trailer trash. Also watchful eye why can't you explain why Drew was never arrested and convicted for him leaking info. Bindy Rock is a scum bag drug dealer and was responsible for a Joliet Detectives death.

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Watchful Eye

9:32 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Yeah, I can explain it. Don't tell me I can't, as a response to you refusing to hear or listen to anyone that cuts down your boy. If you spent the time to go back over and read your nonsense, maybe even you can figure out you make no sense.

Then again, maybe not.

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Reality Bytes!

11:33 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

He wasn't responsible for any police officer dying, he didn't pull the trigger... He had laready frld the scene, which is why his conviction was overturned you Dolt!!!! How many times are you going to prove you have no clue? Drew gave Bindy the name of a state police investigator who was trailing him under cover, that makes him a RAT!!! You are probly a RAT too Francis!!! An ex-cop RAT!

Francis M. Regan

9:45 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Please feel free to explain and I'll disprove your theory.

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Francis M. Regan

10:35 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Here's a bone watchful eye. Ed Petka was the SA in 1985 so why didn't his office file charges against Drew? Because there's was nothing to charge Drew with and Bindy Rock was a scum bag liar.

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Watchful Eye

11:25 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Oh, bone this John.

Maybe you are lovesick over Drew, but there's plenty of cops that can't stand the sight of him.

Drew was fired from his job. He was known as a fink, a cop who sold out another cop. Are you calling Janota a liar now too? Janota is the one that is quoted as saying Peterson is a fink, not Bindy, not anyone else.

Everyone is a liar, according to you, and a bad guy. Only Peterson and you are the good guys. Is that how it goes John? Why did Peterson have to retire so suddenly, when he was about to be investigated for improper acts? Is it because HE is the scum bag, who's now on trial for the murder of his ex-wife?

You can defend a rat that sells out another cop and pretend that the world is wrong and only Peterson and you are right?

John, John, John. You are somethin' else.

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Reality Bytes!

11:35 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Who the hell is moderating this forum??? Do your job and start eliminating the abusive comments and the abusers leaving them!!!!

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Francis M. Regan

8:59 am on Thursday, August 23, 2012

By the way watchful eye why did Bolingbrook promote Drew too Sgt., if he was so tainted and his questionable background.

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Francis M. Regan

9:07 am on Thursday, August 23, 2012

Watchful eye why did 20-30 workers and the union back Drew at his firing then. Also why didn't Petka file criminal charges. Wih that watchful eye, like I said stop complaining.

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Francis M. Regan

12:57 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012

Watchful eye as you know I'm not a fan of hearsay. Never said Drew is either guilty or innocent .Did the State Police locate Drews ASP and test it for blood, hair or tissue? Take it apart by removing the threaded butt cap and examine the hell out of it! Does he still have it, it's Dept. issued!
Did the pathologist test the water in Kathy's lungs and nasal cavity for micro organisms to see if the water came from the toilet or the bath tub faucet?
Humm why am I saying that Watchful eye?

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