Drew Peterson trial update murder trial day 1 recap

Drew Peterson trial update

JOLIET, IL – JULY 31: Attorneys for Drew Peterson (L to R) Joe Lopez, Steve Greenberg, and Joel Brodsky listen as Pam Bosco, a friend and spokesperson for the family of Stacy Peterson, the missing fourth wife of Drew Peterson, addresses the media during a recess in Peterson’s murder trial outside the Will County Courthouse July 31, 2012 in Joliet, Illinois. Opening arguments in Peterson’s trial began today. Peterson, a former Bolingbrook, Illinois police sergeant is on trial for the murder of his third wife Kathleen Savio. Peterson is also a suspect in the disappearance of his Stacy Peterson. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

Today is the day that many have been waiting for, Drew Peterson is finally going on trial after the trial had been delayed for 3 years

The 12 jurors and 4 alternates were selected last week. They are comprised of seven men and five  women. Nine are white, two are African-Americans and one is Hispanic.

They will decide, based on the evidence presented whether Drew Peterson is innocent or guilty of killing his 3rd wife Kathleen Savio.

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Joel Brodsky, Peterson’s lead attorney in his publicity rounds before the trial said, “Back in 2004, this was ruled an accident”.

Based on that statement, it would seem highly likely that a large part of Peterson’s defense will hinge on Kathy Savio’s death being first ruled an accident.

Stephen Greenberg, an attorney on Drew Peterson’s team spoke to reporters outside of the court.  He said that Peterson has been  public servant all his life and that Savio’s death was an accident and that Peterson has nothing to hide.

Drew Peterson trial opening statements begin

Sure enough only minutes into the trial, Drew Peterson’s attorney asked for a mistrial during the State’s Attorney James Glasgow’s opening statements.

Glasgow brought up that Peterson tried to hire a hit man for $25,000to murder Savio.

The defense objected and the jury didn’t hear the whole statement due to the objection.

There were a number of objections and the jury was sent out a few times as both sides argued.

Drew Peterson

Then it was Peterson’s attorney’s turn.  According to ABC news, there were objections as Peterson’s attorney’s brought up Drew Peterson’s personal history including his military career.

The Judge put a stop to that.

Joel Brodsky then painted Kahtleen Savio is a poor light saying that Savio, “lies and makes up stories to fit her purpose or when she’s mad or angry” .

Brodsky also claimed in his opening defense arguments that Savio attacked both Drew and Stacy Peterson.

Kathleen Savios’s death was initially ruled an accidental drowning which is what Peterson’s lawyers are emphasizing, however Savio’s body was found in a dry bathtub.

Drew Peterson was also a Police Sargent and it is alleged that his ties to law enforcement may have influenced the accidental death ruling.

Stacy Peterson Memorial 5 (Photo credit: Michael Kappel)

Peterson’s fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, then disappeared.  He married Stacy only days after his divorce from Savio came through. Stacy Peterson allegedly told her Pastor that her husband told her he killed Savio and that she was afraid of him. This evidence has been ruled as hearsay and, as of now, will not be allowed at the trial.

Savio’s body was exhumed and the death was ruled as a homicide.

Although he has not been charged in connection with the disappearance of his fourth wife, many believe he was involved.

There is no DNA evidence connecting Peterson to the death of Savio that we know of at this point although the medical examiner can talk about what they believe happened to her.  Will the case turn out like Casey Anthony, where many believe a murderer walked free?

Drew Peterson trial update – Witnesses start testifying

Right before the witnesses were to being testifying, the Chicago Tribune reported that Kathleen Savio’s stepmother, Marcia Savio, seemed upset that Drew Peterson’s defense attorney, Joel Brodsky,  was attempting to make Peterson look like the victim and not her daughter. She said,

It seems like they’re trying to make Drew the victim instead of Kathy. Kathy was always a strong girl and the problem is, she wasn’t strong enough.

Mary Pontarelli, a neighbor and close friend who said Savio was, “like family”, was on the stand in the afternoon.  She recounted how upset she was when she found her friend  Kathleen Savio’s body in the bathtub in 2004.  She asked Drew Peterson if Savio was dead. He responded, “Yes, Mary. She is.” Drew Peterson was the last person, according to reports, to enter the bathroom, leading many to speculate that he knew what he would find.

Drew Peterson trial update – Day one wraps up

The Drew Peterson Day 1 of the Murder trial has now ended for the day.

Cameras are not permitted inside the courtroom so be sure to check the Drew Peterson trial update page daily for the latest updates.

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