State Supreme Court: Peterson Stays in Jail

By Chuck Sudo in News on Sep 20, 2011 3:20PM

Peterson's mugshot courtesy the Will County Sheriff's office, via NBC 5

The Illinois Supreme Court ruled yesterday that Drew Peterson must remain in Will County Jail while they weigh an appeal from prosecutors on allowing hearsay evidence in his upcoming trial.

Will County prosecutors have already lost appeals to allow hearsay evidence into evidence against Peterson. Peterson's trial was to have begun 14 months ago when Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow appealed a judge's decision to bar statements made by Peterson's third wife, Kathleen Savio, Glasgow believes are essential to their case. The judge's ruling has been held up at the appellate level and by the 3rd District Appellate Court in Ottawa.

The so-called "Drew Peterson Rule" allowing hearsay evidence into trial was passed by the Illinois State Legislature in 2008. Glasgow, one of the bill's authors, now finds himself in the ironic position of arguing against it.