"Drew Peterson Law" OK'd By State Senate

By Hunter Clauss in News on Nov 13, 2008 9:40PM

The Illinois State Senate yesterday unanimously approved legislation that would allow the dead to testify (in addition to voting) from beyond the grave. This piece of legislation appears to help Will County prosecutors in their case against Drew Peterson, who is suspected of killing two of his wives, by admitting hearsay statements as evidence in murder trials. That means if I tell you, “I saw Chicagoist Editor-in-Chief Marcus Gilmer kill Anderson Cooper,” and I turn up dead the next day, my statement to you can be used as evidence against Marcus for the death of Cooper and myself. [Ed's note - I would never dream of ruffling a hair on Anderson's head. Hunter, on the other hand, took the last donut in the Chicagoist breakroom this morning. - M.G.]

So, how does this affect the Peterson case? Well, a minister says Stacy told him Drew killed his previous wife, Kathleen. If the House passes this legislation next week, the minister’s statement can be used against Drew. Although, how it will be used in the Peterson case is unclear. Hearsay statements can only be accepted if the source is deemed credible, and convictions cannot be made solely on these statements. So yes, we did learn something from the Salem Witch Hunts.

Although, this latest move by the senate begs the question, which is scarier: Drew Peterson or our state government trying to pass a law that’s arguably aimed at one person?

AP Photo/Richard Drew