Judge sets trial date for Petersen in parent killings

Posted on January 25, 2017

Brian Petersen will face a stipulated bench trial on Feb. 27. (pool photo)

By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – A McLean County judge has set a Feb. 27 stipulated bench trial for a Bloomington man who is accused of murdering his parents.

Judge Michael Freitag will determine whether Brian Petersen is guilty, not guilty or not guilty by reason of insanity. The judge will make his determination based on evidence which attorneys on both sides agree to.

In November, Freitag had ruled that Petersen met the legal standard of fitness and understands the nature of the charges based on a report from a Springfield psychiatrist.

Petersen faces first-degree murder charges for allegedly stabbing his parents Bruce and Nancy Petersen at their rural Bloomington home in July.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

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