By Michael Tarm
Associated Press
JOLIET, Ill. — The final juror to agree to convict Drew Peterson of murder in the death of his ex-wife says he “barely slept” one night during the proceedings.
Ron Supalo says the same nagging questions kept popping into his head. Ultimately the U.S. Postal Service mail carrier joined other members of the panel and found the ex-suburban Chicago police officer guilty of Kathleen Savio’s murder.
However, Supalo says he’s still troubled by the prosecution’s reliance on hearsay, statements not based on a witness’ direct knowledge.
It was the first case in Illinois history to permit the use of hearsay evidence, based on a 2008 state law tailored to Peterson’s case.
Supalo says he’s not sure it’s constitutional. Still he says his job was to assess the evidence, not judge the laws.