JOLIET, ill. — One expects coordinated outfits from cheerleaders, fast-food workers, military units — clowns even. But color-coordinated jurors? And at a murder trial, no less?
For a month, the jurors at the sensational murder trial of former suburban Chicago police officer Drew Peterson have been filing into court wearing matching clothes — all yellow one day; other days black, blue or green. They’ve even walked in wearing alternating red, white and blue.
And the coordinated attire hasn’t been just about color. Once, it was business suits. Another day they all wore jerseys from sports teams — mostly Chicago Bears and White Sox.
The oddity has left courtroom observers scratching their heads. It has led to jokes and banter among the judge and attorneys. But it has also raised questions about propriety and precedent during a trial in which evidence against Peterson has included descriptions of his violent threats and grisly photos of his dead wife, Kathleen Savio, who was found dead in her bathtub in 2004.
It’s unclear what — if any — message jurors might be sending because no one can speak to them. But one thing is clear about the 12 panelists expected to begin deliberations after closing arguments this week: At least they are unanimous about what to wear.
“If they came in wearing T-shirts saying ‘Drew’s Guilty,’ it’d be different,” said Lisa Lopez, one of Peterson’s attorneys. “I think it means they are unified about coming to a decision.”
