Defense requests special prosecutor in Pelo case
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<p align="center">Reach Journal Star reporter Fitzgerald M. Doubet at (309) 686-3041 or state@pjstar.com.
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<p align="justify">The defense attorney for former police Sgt. Jeff Pelo, charged with raping four women and stalking another, has asked for dismissal of stalking charges and appointment of a special prosecutor to handle the case.
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<p align="justify">The requests were among several pretrial motions defense attorney Michael Rosenblat filed last week. Rosenblat is also asking that a jury not be allowed to hear evidence related to a photo-lineup police showed to the victims.
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<p align="justify">Rosenblat argues a special prosecutor is needed to avoid a conflict of interest because of Pelo's 18 years of service with the Bloomington Police Department and his working relationship with McLean County state's attorneys.
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<p align="justify">Pelo, 43, resigned from the department last week. He had been on paid administrative leave for more than a year, collecting his $81,000 salary while behind bars on $1 million bond.
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<p align="justify">Pelo was charged in June 2006 with stalking and attempted residential burglary after he was stopped by a Bloomington police officer outside a woman's home. He was charged in July 2006 with sexually assaulting four women between December 2002 and January 2005.
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<p align="justify">Rosenblat said in the motion the grand jury that indicted Pelo on stalking and burglary charges was misled by false testimony from Bloomington Detective Larry Shepherd.
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<p align="justify">During grand jury proceedings, Shepherd said the stalking victim identified Pelo as the man who was watching her from a vehicle in a parking lot on April 7, 2006. Rosenblat said that incident actually occurred April 7, 2005.
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<p align="justify">The stalking victim was asked to look at a photo lineup and point out anyone who looked familiar from any circumstance. She said many of the men looked familiar but Pelo looked the most familiar.
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<p align="justify">Rosenblat said that is not enough to positively identify his client as a stalker.
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<p align="justify">Rosenblat said a jury should not be allowed to view photo identification evidence because police were suggestive in presenting lineups to victims.
<p align="justify">Prosecutors intend to file a response to Rosenblat's motions. A judge will hear pretrial motions Nov. 19 and 20. Pelo's trial is scheduled to begin Jan. 14.