Drew Peterson Charged with First Degree Murder
Peterson's mugshot courtesy the Will County Sheriff's office, via NBC 5
When the news of Drew Peterson's arrest hit yesterday evening, there was actually some surprise but not many details other than that it was in connection with the 2004 death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio. At a press conference last night held by Will County State's Atty. James Glasgow and Illinois State Police Capt. Carl Dobrich, it was announced that Peterson has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with Savio's death - per Glasgow: "one on the theory of intentionally killing and the other knowingly doing an act that caused great bodily harm" - and is being held on $20 million bail. With so much info out there (we recommend the Tribune, Sun-Times, and NBC 5 for more info), we'll just hit some highlights.
- For those needing a refresher on the timeline on the whole Peterson saga, the Sun-Times has a nice one to help you out.
- CBS2 has the complete press conference from last night available here.
- WGN Radio's John Williams spoke with Peterson attorney Andrew Abood: Part 1 and Part 2 [MP3s].
- Per the above interview, it seems Peterson's children will be placed in the care of Peterson's oldest son.
- According to Peterson's other attorney, Joel Brodsky, speaking on a media blitz this morning, a main aspect of the defense will center around challenging the constitutionality of the prosecution's use of statements made by Savio before her death. The law - as you might recall - was just passed last fall and was, in fact, inspired by Peterson.
- Reaction from the Savio family: Kathleen's sister, Anna Marie Doman, told The Herald News, "We have been waiting, how many years? After all that time of people not believing us, not responding to us. Nothing being told to us. There's nothing else you can do. Then all of a sudden, I'm like, thank you. I hope they've got all their ducks in a row. (Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow) is my idol, I gotta tell you."
- Will County State's Attorney Glasgow said he will prosecute the case himself.
As for Peterson himself, it seems one has to look no further than his reaction to his arrest, as reported by the Daily Herald: "I guess I should have returned those library books - son of a bitch."