Chicago-Retired Special Agent In Charge of the Philadelphia FBI office, JP "Jody" Weis is Daley’s choice for the new Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Although Weis has solid investigative credentials he was never a street cop and does not know the job. He will fly by the seat of his pants while he collects $300,000.00 a year as a South Michigan Avenue desk pilot. Weis is a civilian and an outsider as was the late, great Orlando W. Wilson who had experience as a street cop in his youth. Under Wilson police salaries tripled within two years. The police communications hardware was reinvented. Other changes included new blue and white color schemes for the beat cars, the trademark blue overhead light/s and that great mechanical siren with the baffle in it that made a really unique and identifiable sound. Most Chicago cops today have never heard that siren wail. Wilson brought us that trademark checkerboard field hat that instantly made cops identifiable from ...

Thankfully our courts forbid most kinds of hearsay evidence. We don’t convict people basis of he said, she said. Now we have sensational double hearsay that will never be repeated in any courtroom. There are some exceptions to the hearsay rule but they don't apply here. You can add this to the growing list of non-evidence against retired Bollingbrook, IL police sergeant Drew Peterson. Micheal Sneed of the Chicago Sun Times reported that an unnamed source claimed that an unnamed clergyman alleged that the missing woman, Stacy Peterson in an August 2007 conversation said her husband, Drew Peterson bragged to her and unspecified others that he killed former wife Kathleen Savio and made it look like an accident. If this assertion was really true why weren’t authorities contacted in August? It sounds like someone needs attention as a national newsmaker perhaps for promotion of a possible book deal. As this case progresses don’t be surprised to hear from a variety of freaks and flak...

I really hate it when these murder mysteries are turned into entertainment for the dopes watching Greta Van Susteren or that really caustic harpy, Nancy Grace. The public has nothing to offer these stories but deception and confusion. Of course the credibility of these kinds of “news investigations” are hardly enhanced when media organizations use disgraced, former LAPD cop and felon, Mark Fuhrman as their “expert”. Drew Peterson and his missing wife, 23 year-old, Stacy Peterson are the focus of an intense and media driven possible homicide investigation. Peterson is no more or no less a suspect in this disappearance than any other spouse in a similar situation. This investigation has not even brought forth the bare minimal evidence to establish probable cause for Drew Peterson’s arrest. Unfortunately, that does not prevent or slow the public’s seething hatred; presumption of guilt that surrounds this career policeman like a cheap suit. As always happens in these high-profile cases...

Here you see a pretty woman, no less than that hot, A-list celebrity who starred in a movie by that title. Manning this aircraft Mini-Gun is Vanessa Dobbs, a member of the 66th Rescue Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. Dobbs is a gunner for the HH-60 Pave Hawk. That’s a serious and deadly business that she is both strong enough and smart enough to handle. She is the first such woman to fill this role ever. Vanessa Dobbs is a pioneer for sure. Call me a sexist dinosaur or anything you want, I just don’t care. I’m the first to say women don’t belong on routine police patrols or military combat. As a man I view my role as a protector of the weaker sex. I hold doors for women and surrender my seat on public transportation so they are more comfortable. I don’t for a second ever think special treatment for women is not deserved. Our women have many legitimate roles in both the military and police forces, just not in patrol or combat. Women in such auxiliary roles as nurses a...

Poor Little Tom (seen here in this photo). Tom just did not have any fun since he was unable to receive a Presidential Pardon. Poor Little Tom's appeals ran out and he was executed without so much as having a Padre standing by to help him in his ride to the hereafter. Soon Poor Little Tom was in Paul’s oven and is now part of the reason Paul needs to shed some Thanksgiving pounds (or was that really because of all the potatoes, pie and ice cream?). We all know Tom and millions of his cousins had a really tough time, but we hope our friends and Crimefile's readers had a great Thanksgiving. Note: PETA members are invited to send generous cash donations for Tom's Memorial Service to Crimefile.

Washington, D.C. -- The high court said it will take up a case against the District of Columbia’s Draconian handgun ban. Yes folks, this is the first time case has come to this court in 70 years. A portion of the 1934 National Firearms Act was upheld in that deeply flawed 1939, Miller case where there was no attorney representing anyone but the government that sought to infringe on Miller’s rights to keep and bear arms. There are two heavy factors that weigh in favor of ending the gun ban. One is that the law is abundantly clear on this issue and the other is that all but a handful of places in America don’t support such bans. The Second Amendment is in our Bill of Rights and most Americans are comfortable keeping that right. The high court also knows full well that these bans have only disarmed the law-abiding and have facilitated Armed Robbery, Rape and Murder everywhere they exist. The gun-rights haters claim that the 2nd Amendment only gives state governments the right to bea...

The murder of Bob Crane occurred on a hot June night in Scottsdale, Arizona. Crane was bludgeoned to death as he slept The year was 1978 and Crane’s career was on the decent after scandal and two failed marriages. There is a rule in homicide, you only hurt the one you love. The spouses and love interests of a murder victim are always the usual suspects. Crane’s murder is no different. I have my own ideas after conducting an investigation before the trial of Bob Crane’s friend, John Carpenter who was arrested and tried for the murder two decades later. I had several extensive conversations with both Carpenter and his lovely wife before he went to trial. When Carpenter posted bail in Phoenix, I drove him to the airport so he could go home to California and prepare for the fight for his life. Carpenter had no money left to pay for lawyers or investigators and his case was handled by the Maricopa County Public Defender’s Office. The investigation by Scottsdale Police had l...

The excuse that various Chicago politicians use to demand Chicago police officers live inside the city limits is that they should vote and pay taxes where they work. Is that a real or bogus need for cops to live in the city? I say it's all bogus and may well be for a much more nefarious reason. As part of my work as a private investigator I have to find witnesses, suspects and deadbeats that don’t want to be found. Local news reporters use similar tools as private eyes to find newsmakers or people to interview about newsmakers. These are also many of the same techniques police investigators use to do their job. Thugs and hit-men also know how to locate their victims. It’s not enough to just not want to be found, you must also know how to hide. Finding people is not nearly as difficult as you may think. Government and utility records makes finding people a breeze. That includes cops who work undercover or those who have put many criminals in prison. The requirement for Chicago...

We all know there’s never a cop around when you need one. We also know that criminals exploit every law enforcement weakness they can. Most burglaries are never solved and valuable property is rarely recovered. Burglary is a horrible violation of our personal and private space. The invasion of our homes by criminals is both frightening and leaves us with symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. Burglary too often leads to Armed Robbery, Rape, Kidnapping and Homicide as the perpetrators find that victims are present in the homes under attack. The ivory tower politicians that make our laws live in the safest neighborhoods with the best locks and security systems. They are the least likely people to become crime victims. Decades of criminal coddling and massive efforts to disarm law-abiding Americans have made America a far safer place for violent criminals than hard working and God fearing taxpayers. That pendulum is now swinging the other way with Right To Carry (firearms) and s...

Urban Outfitters is that trendy, offbeat clothing and gift store in many major cities. Last year in Philadelphia a bunch of Liberals that hate guns and gun rights held angry demonstrations in front of this establishment. Why you ask? Because UO had Christmas tree ornaments made to resemble revolvers. The ornaments quickly left the shelves because the free publicity had caused a run on these products by happy gun owners. This year the revolver ornaments are back but if you think UO found a more politically correct ornament you’re dead wrong! Take a look at this picture and you will see regulation size World War II style golden hand grenades! They are enough to make a gun-hating candyass cry. I can’t wait for some brain dead TSA weenie see one of these in possession of an airline traveler and evacuate an entire airport of holiday travelers! Here is a picture and video from last year’s UO debacle.

The standard of proof in a preliminary hearing is barely minimal to bring about a criminal trial. This was nothing more than a defendant’s discovery tool to learn what he must overcome to keep his freedom Judge Joe Bonaventure was very tolerant and fair in allowing defense questions that challenged every witness called by the prosecution. At trial you can expect the prosecution to put on many additional witness but at least the defense has an idea just what to expect at trial. The wild card is how many of these clowns will be will have created new versions of their stories or get in to new mischief before this case goes to trial. Simpson’s lawyers and investigators will have a lot to work with in their efforts to discredit and destroy the purveyors of stolen property who claim to be victims. As for Simpson’s reprehensible, turncoat friends who became prosecution snitches to get deals will find they would have been better to hang together than to be hanged separately. I would not be su...

In a really lame act of political correct insanity many overly sensitive media organizations refuse to publish the race of suspects wanted for violent crimes. They provide all of the information except the race of the fugitive being sought. The police need help from the public in order to get dangerous killers and such off of our streets but too many in the media filter the information and obstruct the effort. There is no race on earth that does not have criminals. This silliness can’t possibly be about racism or discrimination? By including the race entire segments of our population can be either eliminated or included for those people willing to look out for these suspects. If a media organization does not want to publish the race of suspects why bother to give any description at all? I thought the purpose of the media was to keep the public informed.

The U.S. Supreme Court will publish its decision whether or not they will hear the Parker now renamed Heller case on Tuesday morning. If they’ve agreed to hear this case arguments will be presented but don’t look for an opinion until February 2008. Let freedom ring loud accross America! To read all the filings on Parker/Heller visit this link . An Update! The court passed on their determination to hear the case until November 26.

May this Veteran’s Day brig us closer to the day when we have none of our boys and girls in harms way. Thank you for your service.

Wow! That says a lot while police still lack Probable Cause to arrest him or anyone for anything. Our all-powerful government can indict a ham sandwich. Once that sandwich is indicted he will have to post bail or sit in the Will County Jail until trial. It will take serious evidence and a jury to establish the corpus delicti, and proof beyond a reasonable doubt before anyone can be punished. Peterson’s fourth wife Stacy is missing but there is a police presumption that she met with foul play and is now somewhere such as in one of those vast Illinois cornfields rapidly decomposing. The reality is that she is still only missing. Peterson’s third wife, Kathleen Savio is getting her second autopsy after being found injured and drowned in a bathtub in 2004. It really is more than a little late to now go after Peterson as a viable suspect in this suspicious and already investigated death. Calling Drew Peterson a suspect is nothing more than an effort by authorities to apply psycholog...

Justice of The Peace Joe Bonaventure has only been a lawyer for three years. With the kind of luck you can only get in Las Vegas, Bonaventure is serving his first term on the Clark County Nevada Bench. Bonaventure also has the publicity driven O.J. Simpson case on his judicial plate. I have been in hundreds of courtrooms and before hundreds of judges as a cop, private investigator and TV news producer. The high profile cases always seem to cause the judges to play to the publicity. Judges like Lance Ito, Larry Paul Fiddler are at their worst when in the limelight. Here we have this lad in a black robe who shows no agenda, does not talk to simply hear his voice or look to crack jokes from the bench. He seems, attentive, fair and has a demeanor far beyond his years. Perhaps this young fellow has learned form the successes and mistakes of his father who is a long time District Court Judge. The citizens of Clark County are lucky to have this young jurist. O.J. Simpson is lucky to ha...

Malls are really soft targets begging for terrorist attacks. Many malls are designated GUN FREE ZONES where only violent criminals, deranged gunmen or terrorists can be found with weapons. Our shopping malls are policed by poorly paid, trained and unarmed security guards. An unarmed security guard is nothing more than another hostage or victim. Citizens with real firearm training, and where allowed, concealed weapon permits are threatened with arrest should they shop while carrying a firearm for protection. The only real protection malls have is use of the 911 systems and in Los Angeles getting a call through 911 is a time consuming challenge. Once a caller gets through the problematic 911 systems the wait for police response begins. That is compounded by serious tactical issues of police making entry to the mall that’s under attack. Brain dead mall managers are never ready for the unthinkable and rely on simple luck as they hide from the dangerous terrorist invitations their Gun ...

In the Fall of 1993 I went to the Secret Service’s James J Rowley Training Center in Maryland and spent an entire week. This facility was beyond beautiful in its 550 acres that contain the best firing ranges and driving courses on earth. It was an unforgettable week spent with veteran agents there for in service training. This was also during the first year of the new Clinton Administration. During breaks from various training exercises I was in the midst of many agents assigned to Clinton protective duties. Everyday I had breakfast and lunch with rotating groups of agents at picnic tables. The most frequent topic of conversation was the Clintons, their behavior and proclivities. The agents all said they liked George Bush, Sr. but loved Ronald Regan. When it came for the Clintons the agent's dislike was an understatement. Some of the often repeated remarks by the agents. 1. The Clintons were always looking for ways to bring their girlfriends in and out of the Whitehouse witho...

Tomorrow Simpson and his lawyer will be in court as the prosecution lays out much of their case for Armed Robbery Kidnapping and the rest of the charges related to that little get together at the Palace Station Hotel and Casino. The prosecution’s burden is an easy one. They will put on just enough evidence to get this mess bound over for trial. There may be some limited cross-examination of suspects turned snitches and the victims. Hearsay evidence is admissible in this legal arena. It’s a given that there will be a finding that there is Probable Cause to allow this case to go forward to a full-blown criminal trial that won’t happen anytime soon. I just don’t expect this thug against thug mess to amount to much. The dark side of this case is that Simpson may get convicted not because of any other reason that people think he got away with a double murder over a decade in the past. The truth here is that if the Juice was not involved this trashy case would have been dumped out with t...

The answer is maybe. This morning veteran San Francisco criminal lawyer, Doron Weinberg was in court with the legendary record producer before Judge Larry Paul Fidler. Spector and Weinberg are in serious negotiations for representation in the upcoming replay of that murder trial. The appearance of Weinberg who traveled down from the Bay Area to the downtown L.A. court was a testament to that reality. Prosecutors Alan Jackson and Pat Dixon were also in court. Notably absent was Donna Clarkson who seems never to miss a second inside Fidler’s court for every proceeding. Clarkson’s civil lawyer was there on her behalf. It’s no secret that Jackson and Dixon are bracing themselves for loads of new impeachment material and under-explored legal issues coming from the defense to destroy their already razor thin case. They can’t be looking forward to part-two and neither is Judge Fidler. I think they all know that this case will never end in a conviction. The defense has no choice but...

Bollingbrook, IL. —Stacy Peterson married a local police sergeant old enough to be her father and is now missing. This is marriage number four for Drew Peterson whose third young wife was found drowned in her bathtub. Neighbor's jaws are furiously flapping about that death in light of current developments. Even though there exists no evidence of a murder society will ignore the real fact that this woman is no more than just another missing person. When you have a case like this where foul play is possible you have to remember the number one rule about murder is that you only hurt the one you love. As the husband of the missing woman, Drew Peterson is automatically put under the microscope. The odds are great he is somehow involved in this disappearance. Of course now we hear of any and all real or perceived troubles this marriage may have had. If Sergeant Peterson is involved and if this case is a homicide I fully expect the case to remain unsolved forever. The presumed pe...

Santa Ana, CA—47 year-old hotel manager, Christine Wariner was sexually assaulted and then beaten to death in her apartment located on hotel property. Members of the Santa Ana Police Cold Case Squad were able to implicate 67 year-old Charles Edward Faith, Jr. through modern forensic examination methods not available in 1964. Police arrested Faith at his home on an arrest warrant. Faith would have been just 24 years old at the time of Wariner’s murder.