Pantagraph.com | News | Judge agrees to delay Pelo trial over scheduling

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

MO MONEY........ wrote on Oct 19, 2006 4:17 PM:

" I wondered at first why he would choose to sit in jail vs. having a speedy trial but please remember as long as he is sitting in jail he is earning over 6,000 per month. I think his annual salary was in the 80,000 range "

You Are All Right!!! wrote on Oct 19, 2006 3:11 PM:

" Pelo's job affords him the right to compensation, period. Our concern should be for the victims in this case. How are they doing? They're lives are on hold, too. All we can do is pray the system works, to whatever conclusion. "

Disenchanted with the system wrote on Oct 19, 2006 2:55 PM:

" Is there only one attorney in Bloomington? If he's guilty it certainly isn't fair to the victims to wait around for resolution. If he's innocent, why isn't he wanting a trial now to get out of jail? Postponing because ONE attorney is too busy is a lack of professionalism on the attorneys part, and a lack of compassion on the courts part. "

to MONEY wrote on Oct 19, 2006 2:44 PM:

" Does Mrs. Pelo have a job to support her family with. I know for a fact that if my spouse was "accused" that I could support my family without his paycheck!!!!! "

Money wrote on Oct 19, 2006 10:59 AM:

" Most comments on here are about the paid administrative leave that Pelo is receiving and how if found guilty he should have to pay that back. My guess is that his family receives this money to help pay their bills, get groceries, etc. A lot of people would agree that Pelo makes "too much" money, but he is innocent until proven guilty, and while he is awaiting trial for a jury to determine if he is guilty or innocent, don't you think his wife and children deserve to continue living their lives. Lets say you have a spouse that brings home a nice paycheck and he/she is accused of something, should you lose your living because they have been ACCUSED? "

to "lucky" wrote on Oct 19, 2006 10:05 AM:

" You have a weird definition of lucky! He will be sitting in jail for 8 MONTHS waiting for this trial to begin. In solitude, shackeled every time he leaves his cell, yeah that sounds real "lucky" to me. Idiot. " I just hope I am lucky to get my trial in this town so I can get such great treatment.Way to go Pelo" "

tax payer wrote on Oct 19, 2006 9:58 AM:

" I am not commenting on his innocence or guilt, but would like to comment on the pay issue. Everyone is so concerned that he is still recieving pay even though it has been thouroughly explained about the rules and procedures regarding necessary hearings with the Police and Fire Commission, prior to dismissal, and how that would affect the upcoming criminal procedure. Not to mention putting the victims thru additional emotional stress. He is in Jail, his family is receiving the money. There are a lot of persons in jail receiving public aid. Do we cut off the free housing, medical and other benifits to their families at that time. I don't think so. And be reminded that is also tax payer money. Let justice run it's course. "

geo wrote on Oct 19, 2006 8:15 AM:

" Will the tax payers get stiffed for this as usual? "

To Pantagraph Reader wrote on Oct 19, 2006 8:06 AM:

" Let him out so he can stretch his legs, are you nuts? "

schmucoo wrote on Oct 19, 2006 12:50 AM:

" For some reason in this town your guilty and you have to prove your innocence and then your sentenced. who are the publick defenders defending? "

Something to think about wrote on Oct 19, 2006 12:47 AM:

" I sure am tired of hearing about poor Pelo (sorry for his family), but what about the victims. It seems as though everyone is more interested in paychecks and gossip than the wellbeing of the FOUR victims. "

to just a thought wrote on Oct 19, 2006 12:15 AM:

" I guess you have forgotten about the constitution of the United States of America...same one that lets you post here. "

Pelo's wife and family wrote on Oct 18, 2006 9:32 PM:

" have done nothing wrong...how would paying anyone back help anything? Punish the innocent? That makes alot of sense! How would you like to be arrested, accused and tried before your trial and your family be left to fend for themselves? Pelo could very well be innocent and you all haven't got the right to judge anything until the facts come out! "

pantagraph reader wrote on Oct 18, 2006 7:43 PM:

" I just hope I am lucky to get my trial in this town so I can get such great treatment.Way to go Pelo "

pantagraph Reader wrote on Oct 18, 2006 7:38 PM:

" Well if there is going to be a delay maybe they can let that poor man out to stretch his legs. "

CANDY wrote on Oct 18, 2006 7:32 PM:

" As long as they keep him in jail they can put off the trial forever if they want to. To just a thought---thats a good question how is his pay check handle, I think a trust fund would be great so if he did do it the city gets all of his money back. If his wife is now getting his check and should they prove he done it, then she should have to pay ever cent back to the city. "

The right discretionary ruling wrote on Oct 18, 2006 6:47 PM:

" Judge Dozier made the right discretionary ruling because the accused has a right to a fundamentally fair trial which includes the right to the assistance of well-prepared counsel. This man is accused of a very serious offense that, upon conviction, could result in his being sent to prison for the rest of his life. This is not a traffic ticket. Everybody is on trial here...the defendant, the judge, the jury, the prosecution, the defense attorneys, and the entire criminal justice system. We need to make sure that the right decision is reached in this case. Therefore, we certainly do not need a rush to judgment. "

Pelo wrote on Oct 18, 2006 6:45 PM:

" is innocent until proven guilty...also he has a family to feed..if he is found innocent don't you think his family had the right to eat? "

What then wrote on Oct 18, 2006 5:52 PM:

" If they have to give him the money, even if he is guilty, where will they get the money to pay the "enforcers" of the smoking ban that there is no money for? I love America........ "

Has anyone... wrote on Oct 18, 2006 3:17 PM:

" ...asked or does anyone know how long this paid administrative leave is legally allowed to continue? I mean, is it like sick-leave where he'll get so many days or is this just going to go on indefinitely? I would think that they would have to set some sort of limit on how long he can get paid leave? Maybe if we knew what those limits are, and whether or not he has to pay it back if he's found guilty... it seems like the public has a lot of questions about THAT and not so many about what Skelton had to say today. Maybe the Pantagraph could do an article about the City of Bloomingon's police officer policy on paid administrative leave and show us how Pelo falls into such grace with this policy they've got? Does anyone know how this is determined or who decides how long it goes on for...or is there just someone in there who figured "what the heck, poor guy" and decided that they'd keep paying him 'cause they felt sorry for him? I've got lots of questions about all of that. "

To "On the bright side" wrote on Oct 18, 2006 3:03 PM:

" Apparently you have a very limited view of Dozier's career. Do some research besides the few cases you remember because you didn't agree with the verdict and you may have a very different opinion of Dozier. I am not biased either way, but I have paid close attention to the cases with all judges and I feel he is the most fair of all judges. Another case of someone making a judgement call based on very little information:( "

RE: on the bright side wrote on Oct 18, 2006 2:58 PM:

" I completly agree with you "

I can see.. wrote on Oct 18, 2006 12:25 PM:

" holding off on the case b/c his atty is handling another case at this time. If Pelo is found guilty, he should have to pay back every CENT he has recieved from the time he was arrested until the time his pay ends... "

There just wrote on Oct 18, 2006 11:53 AM:

" out the money "

What the... wrote on Oct 18, 2006 11:12 AM:

" C'mon people, get real. His atty. is working another case, get over it. This will come to trial when that one is over. Most cases take forever to go to trial anyway. Welcome to the justice system...hope you're not in a hurry! "

Just A Thought wrote on Oct 18, 2006 10:41 AM:

" Is his pay being held in a trust, so that IF he is found guilty, he forfeits it, or does his spouse get his pay, so that IF he is found guilty, the town is just out the money? "

On the bright side wrote on Oct 18, 2006 10:39 AM:

" The good news is that Dozier won't be the judge for this trial. "

Jordan wrote on Oct 18, 2006 10:24 AM:

" Ridiculous. What a fiasco. "

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