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Peterson guilty on both counts

Posted May 30, 2016 11:00 pm

By Pete Spitler Staff Writer

After five days of testimony, and half a day of closing arguments, the jury in the Drew Peterson murder-for-hire case only needed an hour on Tuesday to decide the fate of the former Bolingbrook police sergeant.

Peterson, 62, was found guilty on both counts - solicitation of murder and solicitation of murder for hire - in that he solicited an inmate to find someone to kill Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow.

Sentencing has been set for July 26 at 1 p.m. During the post-proceedings news conference, Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker said he would seek at or near the maximum of 60 years.

The sentence will be added on to Peterson's current 38-year sentence from his 2012 conviction for killing third wife Kathleen Savio. When approached, several jurors declined comment on their verdict.

"The evidence in this case was clear that the defendant plotted from jail to solicit the murder of State's Attorney Jim Glasgow," said Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan in a released statement. "I thank the members of the jury for their service, and I commend the prosecutors for their hard work and relentless commitment to bringing this case to a successful conclusion."

Prior to beginning deliberations, the eight-man, four-woman jury (with two female alternates) heard Assistant Attorney General Steve Nate, defense attorney Lucas Liefer and Walker present their reasons for why the jury should sway one way or the other in its verdict.

"Why did the defense spend so much time talking about Antonio Smith and attacking his reputation and character?" Nate asked the jury, referring to the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate-turned-informant, who wore a wire at Menard Correctional Center during the investigation. "Because they can't get around the recordings. "They can't get around (Peterson's) own words on the recordings."

Liefer argued that the recorded conversations between Smith and Peterson are "nonsensical" and "prove absolutely nothing."

"What are we left with?" Liefer asked. "The recordings of a snitch. A career snitch who wanted to be an informant with the FBI."

Liefer pointed out that the state had to prove guilt without a reasonable doubt.

"How has the state met their burden of proof on solicitation of murder when the key words of 'murder' and 'kill' are not spoken by the defendant?" he asked.

Nate played portions of the recorded conversations, which were at the heart of the state's case, for the jury.

"This was real, this wasn't just prison talk," Nate said. "(Peterson) wanted Glasgow dead and because of that, he's going to limit who he's going to talk to."

Liefer urged the jurors to remember a specific quote from Smith.

"'I lied to them b-----s,'" Liefer said, quoting Smith. "That's what he said, he was referring to the Will County State's Attorney's office and the recorded evidence.

"And they expect you to believe that evidence."

Liefer also argued that the whole murder-for-hire plot was a scam Smith orchestrated to try and get out of Pontiac Correctional Center.

"He had to reach out and he had to reach out to Will County because he had to get out of Pontiac," Liefer said. "And this was the way to do it. He was a rat in a trap."

Liefer also used some of Peterson's comments in regard to Walker, substituting Walker's name in place of Glasgow.

"It would have been nice to be the prosecutor in this case," Liefer said. "If it wasn't for Jeremy Walker, I would be the state's attorney in this case.

"I want Jeremy Walker gone."

Liefer then asked the jury if that would be enough to convict him of attempting to kill Walker. That appeared to fire Walker up during his rebuttal.

Walker stated that Liefer isn't in prison for murder and doesn't have another murder charge pending against him.

"For him to accuse me that I would charge him (with murder), accuse me of being under-the-table, but that's what defense attorneys do," Walker said.

Walker stated that he and Liefer are still friends and would likely have a drink together Tuesday night after the case had been decided.

"As mad as I am, I would still go out and have a drink with him," he said.

During the news conference, Walker stated that he knew Liefer was joking.

"The implication was it was just a joke," Walker said. "I know Lucas was joking and we really, truly are friends.

"Honestly, I was having lunch with him and we got the call (to come back) when we were coming across the river."

Walker was also asked what happens to Smith.

"He's in the Federal Bureau of Prisons," Walker said. "I honestly don't know where he is and I'm not just saying that.

"I really truly don't know where he is. Certainly, we're not allowed to talk about that because we're trying to keep him as safe as possible."

The jury indicated it was done with deliberations at 12:35 p.m., with Circuit Court Judge Richard A. Brown and the attorneys still at lunch.

All parties hustled back to the Randolph County Courthouse and the jury read its verdict at 1:05 p.m.

"I think Jeremy's last statement in his rebuttal said it all," said Glasgow, who attended Tuesday's proceedings. "I think a prosecutor has a right to go home, sleep soundly and not worry about getting a bullet in his head after he's done his job."

Glasgow noted that the strength of the prosecution's case got stronger as the case went along.

"Always in the back of my mind that if this guy gets away, I could be in danger," Glasgow said. "My family could be in danger, but I don't have the luxury of stopping.

"If I know somebody killed somebody, I've got to go forward and that's what we did in this case."

Also attending the proceedings was Cassandra Cales, sister of Peterson's still-missing fourth wife, Stacy Peterson.

"This just put another nail in (Peterson's) coffin," Cales said during the news conference. "Now, I honestly hope he sees that he's never getting out of jail."

Cales fought back tears as the verdict was read and smiled as Peterson was ushered out of the courtroom by Illinois Department of Corrections officials.

Peterson appeared to say something toward Cales before exiting. Cales said she didn't hear it at first, but the person seated in front of her in the audience informed her.

"I know what he said, but I'm not going to repeat it," she said during the news conference.

Cales said she is still searching for her sister, who disappeared in 2007.

"As far as I know, I can't share anything," she said. "I still do my active searches during the summer when the weather's good.

"If I get little tips, I can still go out and search. As far as the state police thing, they can't tell me much, but they still actively do their thing."

In a later phone interview with the Herald Tribune, Liefer gave his opinion of the verdict.

"I thought we had a good shot," he said. "I really did and I was surprised it really didn't take (the jury) longer.

"I was thinking it would take longer. There was so much discovery."

Liefer also said he was glad the trial is over after a year and a half of proceedings.

"I don't like to lose, but it was out of our hands and the jury did what they did," Liefer said. "I'm sure they'll be an appeal."

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