It seems like high-profile murder defendant Drew Peterson, charged with killing ex-wife Kathleen Savio, is beginning to take his case a little more seriously. While he joked about life in jail and chewed gum during his arraignment in May, a Tribune article reports his demeanor during recent testimony as "somber."
Savio died from drowning in March 2004 and prosecutors believe she was murdered. There was also evidence of blunt force trauma and cuts, according to the autopsy report (DocStoc).
Peterson, a veteran and decorated sergeant with the Bolingbrook Police Department, allegedly taunted Savio on several occasions leading up to her death.
A former colleague of Savio has said Peterson once invaded Savio's home, grabbed her, held a knife to her throat and then threatened to kill her.
He ultimately backed off, however, telling Savio that stabbing her "would be too bloody."
Another witness, also a former colleague, testified that Peterson stalked Savio at the office and would wait in the parking lot for hours for her to leave. When this witness suggested she call police for a restraining order, Savio reportedly said it wouldn't help (because of Savio's tenure with the department).
Peterson was charged with the murder last May and has been in custody ever since. He didn't tell jokes during this court appearance, but he did laugh at a reporter's comment at how much weight he had gained while in jail.
- Kathleen Savio murder coverage (Tribune)
- Drew Peterson: Ex-cop arrested on murder charges in '04 death of third wife (Tribune)
- Murder: First Degree (FindLaw)
- Find a Chicago Criminal Attorney (FindLaw)
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