7am News, Sports and Obits
Latest WGIL news
Click to play or
Right click and "Save Target As" to download
Click for Galesburg, Illinois Forecast
Home - Cancellations - Community Events - Contact Us - Mornings - News - Obituaries - Pictures - Programs - Special Events Audio - Sports - Weather
Some "Hearsay" Testimony Now Permissable
Testimony from witnesses who are now dead can be considered at Illinois murder trials, under a new law that's now in place, with both houses of the General Assembly having accepted the governor's minor amendatory veto. The parameters of this law, an exception to hearsay rules, fit the specifics of the investigation into Drew Peterson. The former Bolingbrook police officer has been questioned in the disappearance of his wife, Stacy, more than a year ago. Authorities are also looking into the death of one of Peterson's ex-wives.

The House sponsor, State Rep. Careen Gordon (D-Coal City), says as a former prosecutor, the law is a big step for victims' rights -- and it's a law other states have adopted as well. She would not say whether the law is inspired by the headlines, not even mentioning Drew Peterson's name.

State Rep. Jack Franks (D-Woodstock) noted it's interesting Gov. Rod Blagojevich changed the law so it's effective immediately -- rather than Jan. 1, about six weeks from now. State Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago) also had some misgivings about a law that looks like it's motivated by one case that's in the news. Fritchey cast a "present" vote.

The governor's change to S.B. 2718 passed the House on Wednesday 109-0. The Senate accepted the amendatory veto lst week, 55-0.

(Illinois Radio Network)
11 20 08 by Newsroom
News management powered by Xpression News

Click here for the WGIL News Archive

Click here for national news

The following provision applies to all visitors (which shall include persons and representatives of legal entities, whether such representatives are persons or digital engines of a kind that crawls, indexes, scrapes, copies, stores or transmits digital content). By accessing this Web site or digital service, you specifically acknowledge and agree that: (i) Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium; (ii) No Associated Press materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and non-commercial use; (iii) The Associated Press will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing; (iv) The Associated Press is an intended third party beneficiary of these terms and conditions and it may exercise all rights and remedies available to it; and (v) The Associated Press reserves the right to audit possible unauthorized commercial use of AP materials or any portion thereof at any time.