November 24, 2024
State | Northwest Herald
State

Jurors deliberate at Drew Peterson's murder trial

By MICHAEL TARM

In this Tuesday, July 31 courtroom sketch, Drew Peterson, foreground, looks on, as Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow gives his opening statement before Judge Edward Burmila and jurors, in Joliet, in Peterson's murder trial. Prosecutor Chris Koch gave closing arguments today. (AP Photo)

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JOLIET, Ill. — Jurors have begun deliberations at the trial of Drew Peterson who is accused of murdering his third wife.

The jurors withdrew to a jury room Wednesday morning after a judge read them instructions on how to assess the five weeks of testimony.

Peterson, a former Illinois police sergeant, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Kathleen Savio in 2004. The 58-year-old was only charged only after his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, disappeared in 2007.

Peterson is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in Savio's death. If convicted, he faces a maximum 60-year prison sentence.

During closing arguments on Tuesday, prosecutors implored jurors to use common sense as they go through the evidence. The defense told them the state fell far short of proving Peterson killed Savio.