Lawyer Fight! Drew Peterson Attorney Draws Line in Sand
The fallout from the failed defense of convicted murderer Drew Peterson continued with one of the ex-cop's lawyers demanding an apology.
The "lead" attorney on Drew Peterson's defense team is an "obnoxious," "mumbling, fumbling and bumbling," "childish" liar who "blew the case" through "ignorance, obduracy and ineptitude," says Peterson co-counsel Steve Greenberg.
Greenberg not only blamed lead attorney Joel Brodsky for losing the Peterson case, he accused Brodsky of attacking his "family with vile and disgusting comments."
And now Greenberg wants an apology.
"I will allow you 24 hours from the time this letter is transmitted to make a full public retraction and to provide a full public apology," Greenberg wrote in a 15-page, footnoted letter sent today.
In the letter, Greenberg said Brodsky tried to make him the "fall guy" after Peterson was convicted of murder. The guilty verdict was essentially based on evidence presented by a witness Brodsky chose to call and question himself, according to the letter.
The move backfired, as the witness, Wheaton attorney Harry Smith, recalled the time Peterson's fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, told him how Peterson killed his third wife, Kathleen Savio. After the trial ended, jurors said the guilty verdict hinged on Smith's testimony.
"Not only is it evident that calling Harry Smith to the stand was suicidal to the defense, but also your horrific questioning made it worse," Greenberg wrote. "Take credit, for you single handedly may have put Drew away for the rest of his life."
Brodsky failed to return calls for comment on the letter and whether he plans to apologize to Greenberg.
Brodsky also failed to comment on whether he agreed with Greenberg that it was his fault for losing the case and, if so, whether he is going to apologize to Peterson for bungling the trial.
Peterson fired Greenberg from his legal team within days of the trial's conclusion. Simultaneous to his termination, Greenberg said he received a letter from Brodsky warning him not to speak publicly about the case.
The night Greenberg received the letter, Brodsky lashed out at him on Facebook in a rambling 404-word screed.
In his letter, Greenberg accused Brodsky of repeatedly lying about him in the Facebook post. Greenberg said he confronted Brodsky about the post and Brodsky sent him and "Drew's other attorneys the most outrageous email I have ever seen."
Greenberg said the email "attacked (his) family with vile and disgusting comments" and "followed your advising reporters, in front of my son, that his mother wanted to be the first one to sleep with Drew (you used the F word) when he got out. Utterly reprehensible."
Greenberg also criticized Brodsky for the damage done by his "pre-indictment media blitz" and his relationship with Sun-Times columnist and reported Peterson pal Michele "Michael" Sneed.
"Perhaps after reviewing this letter Ms. Sneed will post a retraction of her regurgitation of your comments about me, which are contradicted by her own paper’s coverage and were irresponsibly published," Greenberg wrote in a footnote to his letter.
Sneed has failed to return calls for comment about her relationship with Peterson.
If Greenberg doesn't get his apology, he says he's sending the letter on to his own lawyer "for appropriate action."
"I do not know why you have chosen to make me the fall guy when it was apparent to everyone and anyone who witnessed the proceedings that you were not in the same league as the other attorneys," Greenberg wrote. "Perhaps Drew has a burning desire to spend the rest of his life in the penitentiary. I am certain, having spent time with you, you can help him to fulfill that goal."
Rae
4:35 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
I don't believe this story one bit. In my opinion this is a scam on the attornys part to help Drew win his appeal. The first step in winning an appeal is proving your attorneys did not fight hard enough for you. These attorneys know this so they are going to do whatever it takes to win this appeal. It's all just a smoke screen!
Old One
9:52 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
I agree Rae... wouldn't it be fun to be the judge at the hearing for this motion.... rule against the motion (claiming inept defense) and then, as you leave the bench, be heard to mumble "nice try, you idiots"
bmail57
9:52 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
Wow, good catch. I didnt think of that. It just may be exactly what they are trying to do. Don't think it will work thow. D.P. never ever said once he thought his representation was not sufficient. As a matter of fact Greenberg was one of the best onthe team, and Brodski should have been fired if anyone, he was the lead on the entire thing. Myself, I think D.P. is right where he belongs
Rae
7:41 am on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
bmail57.... Drew may not have verbally announced it, but If you refer back to the Joliet Patch dated Sept. 11, when it was announced that Greenberg was fired, it states that Greenberg received a "signed notice from Drew Peterson". As soon as the guilty verdict was announced, Drew's legal team did nothing but yell "appeal" & just a few short days later they are firing one Greenberg! This is nothing but a game Drew & his attorneys are playing so they can win the appeal. Drew's defense team is just as slimy as Drew is!
Rosalinda
4:35 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
Gee, let me guess....Drew is going to say he didn't get fair representation. waaaaahhh-wahhhhh.... I think it was right on the money, a scum bag (brodsky) representing an even BIGGER scumbag!
joliet resident
9:52 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
I agree with all of the above! This has to be phony or Brodsky wouldn't be associated with it.
Sue W.
9:52 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
Time to man up and apologize Brodsky for your childish rant! The jury got it right and it was you that lost the case not Greenberg. Don't know what you were thinking defending this abusive murdering sociopath but you know what they say... You lie down with dogs, you get fleas and you are infested!
Ballseck Malone
9:52 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
Well, both sides seem to be guilty of making this trial and our judicial system a circus. We, as public taxpaying citizens, cannot fire Drew's lawers. However, we can fire Will County D.A. Glasgow on November 6th at the voting booth!!! So, that's a good thing.
charles
9:52 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
Only an idiot would use the same lawyers for their appeal that got you locked up in the first place. Oh wait....we're talking about Drew. Legal expertise is low on the list of qualifications that Drew looks for in hiring his legal defense, obviously. An incredibly small number of jury convictions are overturned. He needs to just pay Brodsky and shut up forever. Greenberg, run fast and run far from this circus! Cut your professional losses and never lower yourself to Brodsky's standards again.
Rae
7:41 am on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Charles, unless I am mistaken, Drew can not have his legal team represent him in his appeal, however, Drew & his defense team can it "look" like Drew's defense didn't fight hard enough for him. That's why the firing of Greenberg happened just days after the trial. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Brodsky already has a new defense team put together for the appeal.
bmail57
7:41 am on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Charles, I totally agree
bmail57
9:52 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
Greenberg, Not to worry, I never thought you were the bumbling idiot. I know Brodski is thow. He is just as much of a media whore as Peterson was. Even thow I believe Peterson is exactly where he should be. Brodski should have stepped down from the case It was way out of his league.. Thats why he brough you guys into it. But then didnt want to listen to your advice. He is an idiot. Acutally he reminded me of D.P. in many ways.
Jeff ruby
9:52 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
Read my tweets the day Brodsky called smith as a witness. Enough said.
Watchful Eye
10:59 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
What was Greenberg thinking when he did this? Was he thinking the public would see the "real truth?" Just like Brodsky claims the jury was going to see the "real truth" about Stacy Peterson when he put Harry Smith on the stand?
Everything he puts in his 15 page letter is indisputable, but this public war of words is insane. IMO, Greenberg appeared more diplomatic, professional and above the fray. He was winning the public relations battle. Now, he's stooped to Brodsky's level. He's made public that the defense team was in chaos all along. Before this rambling letter, the public would have had no idea of the stress and cracks within the ranks. Well, they do now, and Greenberg isn't looking so good anymore no matter how hard he tries to dirty up Brodsky. Greenberg should have fought as hard to keep his ranting letter in his desk drawer as he did to keep Harry Smith off the stand.
joliet resident
7:41 am on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
I think Glasgow has a very easy win ahead of him. Though, I have never voted for
him before I plan to this election.
barb
11:21 am on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Ok Rodalinda, I would agree with you IF and only IF I had not spent 17 days at the hearsay hearing held in front of Hon. Judge Steven White 2 years ago. After that hearing and Joel Brodsky's action and lack of action ( HE FELL ASLEEP DURING COURT ONE DAY AND JOE HOSEY EVEN REPORTED ON IT) . Anyway after that, Joel or Drew or BOTH either fired the rest of the TEAM or the TEAM could not get along with Joel, that Joel was the sole attorney for DREW left standing. JOEL BRODSKY'S WIFE IS AS EVIL AND CRAZY AS JOEL and Joel LOST HIS BUSINESS partner REEM ODEH which is a VERY TALENTED AND INTELLIGENT ATTORNEY and Brodsky and Odeh became BRODSKY ONLY. I am VERY HAPPY TO REPORT THAT REEM OHEH moved on to her OWN PRACTICE and is doing well. Joel and his wife Elizabeth made sure REEM was NEVER around for a press conference, interview or anything else. JOEL HAS TO BE IN CONTROL AT ALL TIMES. HE HAS MAJOR ISSUES ALONG WITH HIS WIFE. If you dont believe what I am saying then try searching for a news article from Dec 8, 2007 (Sun times / Herald News regarding Joel Brodsky. It talks about Joel stating he was going to blow his brains out and had a shotgun. Back to the original issue, No one can work for Joel, he is an idiot and has issues with power control. . .
barb
12:40 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
And NOT ONE attorney was paid a penny. . . Drew can NOT get rid of Brodsky, he can NOT get another team to represent him FOR FREE. THAT IS WHY THE MOTION FOR A MISTRIAL WAS WITHDRAWN because DREW realized he needed to keep this team intact. Steve foughtHIS AZZ OFF TO DEFEND DREW. I BELIEVE DREW IS WHERR HE BELONGS BECAUSE I BELIEVE HE IS GUILTY BUT 5 OUT OF 6 ATTORNYS FOUGHT TO GET S NOT GUILTY. I DO NOT THINK THERE IS ANYTHING TO GET THIS CASE OVERTURNED
Watchful Eye
12:40 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
@Barb - I don't disagree with anything you are saying one bit, but the truth is, Greenberg was doing very well as far as the public relations part of this goes, and he looked like the stronger, smarter, more professional attorney. This 15 page public letter, detailing inside defense counsel issues, is neither healthy nor dignified. It stinks. Greenberg just let Brodsky get under his skin and took it to the same level Brodsky takes everything.
Sorry if you disagree with me, but I believe that's the way it is. Greenberg should have let Brodsky self-destruct. Now, it's a race to see which one will implode first.
Festus McMoron
8:15 am on Thursday, October 11, 2012
....all these attorney's looked like the keytone cops when on tv. i hope they all lose their licenses.