Ill. judge to hear, through witnesses, homicide victim’s fears of ex-cop Drew Peterson
By Don Babwin, APTuesday, January 19, 2010
Victim to ‘testify from grave’ in Peterson case
JOLIET, Ill. — Six years after drowning in a bathtub, Kathleen Savio is finally getting her day in an Illinois court.
Savio will essentially testify from the grave during a hearing Tuesday about the suspect in her slaying: her ex-husband, former Bolingbrook police Sgt. Drew Peterson.
Witnesses are expected to tell a Will County judge about how Savio talked and wrote about her fears that Peterson would kill her. A judge will then decide if any or all the statements could be presented to a jury when Peterson stands trial.
Illinois law allows a judge to admit hearsay evidence in first-degree murder cases if prosecutors can prove that a defendant killed a witness to prevent the person from testifying.
Peterson has pleaded not guilty to murdering Savio.
