Judge denies motion to have ex-Ill. police officer Drew Peterson released pending appeal
By APThursday, July 8, 2010
Judge denies motion to have Drew Peterson released
JOLIET, Ill. — A judge has ruled that former Illinois police officer Drew Peterson should remain in jail pending an appeal by prosecutors in his murder case.
Defense attorneys had argued that keeping the former Bolingbrook officer behind bars while prosecutors appealed a judge’s ruling denied Peterson his right to a speedy trial.
But Will County Judge Stephen White said Thursday that “the court finds compelling reason” to keep Peterson in jail. He did not elaborate.
The judge on Wednesday ruled out certain hearsay statements prosecutors hoped to present during the trial.
Peterson has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio. He has denied involvement in the 2007 disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson.
