Peterson requests to delay trial
<span>CHESTER -- Drew Peterson's defense counsel has hit the "pause" button on the former Bolingbrook Police sergeant's court proceedings.</span>
<span>Back in Randolph County court on Friday for a motion hearing in his murder-for-hire case, Peterson's request to delay his trial was granted by Judge Richard A. Brown for the reason his court-appointed attorney, Lucas Liefer, needs more time to prepare.</span>
<span>"It is my understanding this is by mutual agreement," Peterson said, when questioned about the decision by Brown.</span>
<span>"That is true," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker, who is co-prosecuting the case with the Illinois Attorney General's Office.</span>
<span>Peterson's trial had been scheduled for a July 6 start date, but now the motions hearing will continue on July 7 at 9:30 a.m. A new trial date of Monday, Aug. 31, was set, with jury selection to begin on Friday, Aug. 28, at 9 a.m.</span>
<span>"As long as we can pick a jury in a day, which I think we will be able to accomplish," Walker said to local media after the hearing.</span>
<span>Brown seemed to be annoyed by the decision, stating that he had made arrangements for the July 6 trial to meet the defense's request for a speedy trial demand - which means a case must be tried within 160 days of the demand for trial.</span>
<span>"I was getting ready to go and now your attorney says 'We're not ready to go to trial,'" Brown said to Peterson.</span>
<span>Brown added that notices had already been sent to potential jurors and he had received some questionnaires back on Friday.</span>
<span>"I understand that if the attorneys need extra time, then I would like them to get extra time," Peterson said.</span>
<span>Walker told the Herald Tribune after the hearing that the speedy trial demand has not been withdrawn, just tolled.</span>
<span>"(Tolled) is just a fancy word for hitting the 'pause' button," Walker said. "It isn't that it goes away, (the clock) just stops where we're at right now.</span>
<span>"If, for some reason, it comes to August and the state doesn't want a continuance, but the defense does, that's when the clock starts."</span>
<span>Walker said an August trial date was better "for all parties involved" and said there was a possibility of more motions being filed. There are currently three motions to be considered by Brown:</span>
<span>• To permit impeachment (challenging the truthfulness of an individual testifying at trial) of Peterson about his prior first-degree murder conviction if he chooses to testify in this case. </span>
<span>• To admit trial evidence that Peterson previously offered a person $25,000 in 2003 to "take care of" his ex-wife, Kathleen Savio, whom he was convicted in 2012 of killing.</span>
<span>• Limit impeachment and prevent cross-examination of the prosecution's witness regarding the facts or circumstances of the crime he was convicted of.</span>
<span>"I don't think there will be any more motions the State would file, but there is a possibility the defense may file," Walker said. "I cannot expand on them until they've been filed."</span>
<span>Friday's hearing, originally scheduled for 9 a.m., didn't start until almost 10. The hearing was also attended by Peterson's sister-in-law, Cassandra Cales, who has been a consistent presence during Peterson's case proceedings.</span>