BLOOMINGTON - For months, the women who Jeffrey Pelo is accused of raping have waited eagerly for the case to go to trial so they can get on with their lives.

The women and their families have attended court hearings. The stress of hearing details of the evidence and listening to defense attorneys question Pelo's role in the attacks was evident on the faces of relatives as they left the courtroom. They remained in close contact with prosecutors and followed developments in the long process of bringing Pelo to trial.

For the women and their families, the trial date seems long overdue.

They are not alone.

Members of Pelo's family also want their day in court.

For them, the trial comes after months of financial hardship that started with Pelo being placed on paid administrative leave from his $81,000-a-year city job and ending with his resignation in October. A large portion of the family's money has gone for legal expenses, according to Shayla Pelo, one of three children of Rickielee and Jeff Pelo.

Pelo currently is on his third law firm since charges were filed. His second defense team of Jay Elmore and Michael Costello withdrew after Pelo could not pay them. Elmore estimated fees could reach six figures.

Members of the Pelo family regularly attend court proceedings. At the April 24 final pre-trial hearing, Pelo mouthed, "I love you" to Shayla as he left the courtroom.

Pelo's daughter said the family is anxious for the trial to get under way.

"Right now it's all been one-sided. We have faith that he's going to be OK," she said.

Rickielee Pelo also has stood by her husband throughout the two years leading up to the jury trial. "My dad is her rock," Shayla said of her parents.