Witness testimony began today in the Jeff Pelo rape and stalking trial.

This morning, alleged stalking victim Janelle Penn-Galuska testified that Pelo followed her in August of 2005 on her way home from work.

She also said a few days later her husband spotted a man they could not identify lurking in their backyard.

The court also saw the video testimony of Scott Galuska, Janelle's husband, who said he ran outside naked armed with a bat to confront the man in the dark.

Galuska picked Pelo out of a photo lineup and said the two were standing six feet apart when they nearly came to blows.

Galuska testified the man in the jeans, grey t-shirt and dark gloves fled the scene before police arrived.

In 2006, Penn-Galuska said she would face her stalker again while home alone. She called police after someone attempted to enter her home late at night.

This incident led to the initial arrest of Jeff Pelo.

If convicted on all counts, the former police sergeant could go to prison for life.

The prosecutor in the long-awaited rape trial of a former central Illinois police officer has introduced jurors to a man who he says led a double life.

McLean County Assistant State's Attorney Mark Messman says Jeff Pelo was a veteran police officer on one hand and a calculating attacker on the other.

But the defense says that fingerprints, hair and other evidence gathered in the rape victims' homes does not definitively link Pelo to the attacks.

Forensic scientist Joy Halverson says a hair found on a mask at Pelo's home could have come from any of several cats owned by the victims.

Prosecutors closed today's testamonies with Detective David Zeimer of the Bloomington Police Department.

David Zeimer told the court, in April 2006 he was dispatched to a Bloomington home after midnight to respond to a call from a woman who said someone was outside her house.

Zeimer arrived to find Jeff Pelo in the shadows.

The detective says Pelo walked 10 to 15 feet away from him after he told him to stop.

The detective drew his firearm and when Pelo turned around - he recognized him as Sergeant Pelo.

Zeimer says when they spoke Pelo was stammering and speaking softly... which the detective described as uncharacteristic of the Sergeant he had known for years.

Zeimer let Pelo leave the scene on foot, but afterward notified his superior.

Prosecutor Mark Messman says the first of the victims expected to testify could take the stand as soon as Thursday.

The former police sergeant has pleaded not guilty to 35 charges. If convicted, he could go to prison for life.