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Ex-Cop Pleads Not Guilty to Killing Wife

By DON BABWIN

posted: 4 HOURS 22 MINUTES AGO

comments: 434

filed under: Crime News, National News

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CHICAGO (May 18) - Former police officer Drew Peterson pleaded not guilty Monday to killing his third wife, whose death was reclassified as a homicide after the suburban officer's fourth wife disappeared. Peterson, who has been jailed since May 7, was formally arraigned on first-degree murder charges in the 2004 slaying of Kathleen Savio.

A prosecution bid to change the judge in the proceeding stalled a defense plan to seek reduced bail for Peterson.

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Peterson is accused of drowning Savio, who was found dead in a dry bathtub with a gash on the back of her head. Her death initially was ruled an accident. But after Peterson's fourth wife, Stacy, disappeared in 2007, Savio's body was exhumed and authorities reclassified her death as a homicide after an autopsy.

Peterson, 55, has denied any involvement in Savio's death or Stacy Peterson's disappearance.

After his plea, prosecutors asked that Judge Richard Schoenstedt be removed from Peterson's case, citing "grounds of prejudice against the state."

In November, Schoenstedt dismissed felony gun charges against Peterson after Will County prosecutors refused to give the defense communications between Illinois State Police and the state's attorney's office. Those documents had led to Peterson's arrest on the gun charges.

Defense attorney Joel Brodsky is challenging the motion to remove Schoenstedt, calling it "nothing but gamesmanship."

"It shows the state does not want to try this case on the merits," he said.

A hearing on the issue was set for Thursday before another judge.

The prosecution move derailed Brodsky's plan to ask that bail be cut from $20 million to less than $500,000.

"Drew has proven he is not a flight risk or danger to the community. Bonds are not supposed to be punitive, but to ensure someone's presence in court," Brodsky said on NBC's "Today."

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Outside court after the arraignment, Savio's family said they did not want Peterson released on reduced bail. Savio's father, Henry, said his one wish is "to have this done."

Savio family members said they think money, specifically Peterson's pension, was a motive in the killing.

Peterson's numerous media appearances, where he has gained a reputation for making smart-aleck remarks, could play a big role as prosecutors try to lock him up.

Peterson, of suburban Bolingbrook, has never shied from the media, seeming to relish the spotlight and often joking to reporters. As he was led to his first court appearance this month, he referred to his prison-issued jumpsuit as a "spiffy outfit."

And that, attorneys say, could be one of Peterson's biggest problems.

"If one wife goes missing and (another) wife is dead, those aren't usually the subject of jokes," said Roy Black, a defense attorney whose clients have included Rush Limbaugh and William Kennedy Smith. "People are going to think this is a very bizarre person, who's more likely to have committed murder than someone who is in mourning."

Brodsky has said that joking around is how Peterson deals with stress.

His personality is "unique, but he's honest," the lawyer said Monday.

"He doesn't try to act or change the way he is in order to come across and I think that that will resonate with the jury to show his honesty if, in fact, he does choose to testify," Brodsky said on ABC's "Good Morning America."

Peterson has said he wouldn't behave any other way.

"Would it be better if I hid my head down and tried to hide my face and hunched and had tears in my eyes?" he asked NBC's Matt Lauer during a telephone interview aired Friday on "Today." ''I mean, no, that's just not me."

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Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

2009-05-18 12:13:33

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Rogrzk

08:53 PMMay 19 2009

he`s like most cops, in there minds above the law, they get a gun and a badge and become the judge and jury. and always cover up for each other, always, which is horse crap, and if by some chance one does get caught breaking the law the judge lets them off, so it will likely not ever stop. and if one gets hurt while doing what hes paid to do everyone is suppose to start sending him money and feeling sorry for him. I hope they fry the piece of garbage. the smirk is because hes a ex cop and thinks hes going to walk, i can`t stand to look at the PIG

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User18119

08:52 PMMay 19 2009

Yammy1932, White people didnt make sure of that, The moron O.J made sure of that. ROFLMAO

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userh4929

08:47 PMMay 19 2009

I hope peterson gets the wet burrito in the bum hole in prison.....

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Yammy1932

08:45 PMMay 19 2009

User18119 OJ got his at the end white people made sure of that.

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User18119

08:43 PMMay 19 2009

Yammy1932, Just like that pig O.J

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Yammy1932

08:32 PMMay 19 2009

Yea this white man is guilty, like most of em but they get off because their white.

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CMountainDave

08:31 PMMay 19 2009

His new cell mate Bubba just LOVES a comedian. Gonna be mighty lonely dude when the spotlight is gone and the medias no longer gives a crap. And YOU get to share your living space with some guy who will watch while you take a crap for the rest of your life! Have a nice day smart guy

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Ajallenky

08:18 PMMay 19 2009

Has NOTHING to do with hating women, etc. - just let the case be tried and let the fabled Illinois judicial system do it's wonderworks !!!! More than likely Peterson will be annointed with a judgeship and spend his time making lewd remarks to female court reporters - by the way, what ever happened to Blago - AH HA - the Illinois judicial system at it's finest - you will NEVER hear of his trial because he has the goods on the REAL PRESIDENT of the U.S. - Rahm Emmanuel, Obummer's voice on his hand held Blackberry !!!!!

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LakRipper

08:15 PMMay 19 2009

hang his ass and be done with it

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KatzTyme