Drew Peterson arrested on murder charges
'I SHOULD HAVE RETURNED THOSE LIBRARY BOOKS...' | Family, neighbors celebrate Peterson's arrest, he tells a joke
Drew Peterson poked his head out of his second-floor window and barked at reporters Thursday morning: "I promise you, nothing is going to happen today."
But six hours later, as he said goodbye to his 16-year-old son and pulled away from his Bolingbrook home in his missing fourth wife's car, State Police took him down.
(Michael R. Schmidt/Sun-Times News Group)
(Courtesy)
At the busy intersection of Weber and Lilly Cache roads, he was taken out of the car, put in handcuffs and led to the back of a red police SUV.
Minutes later, as he was marched into the State Police's District 5 headquarters in Lockport, he remained the brash jokester.
"I should have returned those library books -- son of a bitch," Peterson said, shaking his head. He later smirked for his mug shot.
But police and prosecutors were in a solemn mood Thursday night when they announced the 55-year-old former Bolingbrook police sergeant had been indicted by a Will County grand jury in the 2004 bathtub death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio.
The grand jury handed up indictments for two counts of first-degree murder almost 18 months after it began reviewing evidence in the case. Judge Daniel J. Rozak set Peterson's bond at $20million. He'll need to post $2 million in cash to get out.
"This is an extremely grave and serious matter, which I think is reflected in the bond," State's Attorney James Glasgow said.
Glasgow said he plans to prosecute Peterson using statements Savio made about being threatened by Peterson. Glasgow spearheaded a recent change in state law that allows such hearsay evidence.
Savio's relatives, who have long suspected Peterson, were relieved. "I'm feeling so many different emotions," Melissa Doman, Savio's niece, said. "I'm happy. I'm sad. I'm just overjoyed for my aunt."
There were no charges filed, however, in the October 2007 disappearance of Peterson's fourth wife, Stacy Peterson -- the case that triggered the investigation into Savio's death.
"Eventually, I'm sure there will be charges for Stacy," said Stacy's sister Cassandra Cales.
Glasgow insisted the probe into Stacy's disappearance continues.
Ernie Raines, whose daughter Chrissy had an on-again, off-again relationship with Peterson in recent months, said she called her father in tears Thursday because she thinks Peterson in innocent.
Ernie Raines feels differently.
"I'm dancing with joy," he said. "They got him. And my daughter is out of there, and she ain't going back this time."
Four of Peterson's six children still lived with him. Police called one of Peterson's adult children -- Stephen Peterson, an Oak Brook cop -- to take temporary custody of the minor kids.
Savio, the mother of Thomas Peterson, 16, and Kristopher Peterson, 14, was found dead in a dry bathtub in March 2004. The 40-year-old woman's death was initially ruled accidental, but the case was reopened after Stacy disappeared. Savio's remains were exhumed from a Hillside cemetery in November 2007, and a second autopsy concluded she had been murdered.
Police consider Stacy, who was 23 when she vanished, to be the victim of a "potential homicide" and have named Drew Peterson their sole suspect in the case.
One of Peterson's attorneys, Andrew Abood, said: "Drew has steadfastly maintained his innocence regarding the rumor and innuendo that has circulated regarding the unfortunate death of Kathleen. Although he is disappointed with the decision of the state, he looks forward to the opportunity to once and for all prove his innocence in a court of law."
After Peterson's arrest, the cul-de-sac where he lived exploded into bedlam. Gawkers crammed the street, as did neighbors and his missing wife's friends and family.
Peterson's stepbrother, Thomas Morphey, who says he helped Peterson carry a barrel containing Stacy's body out of the house and into a waiting SUV, was also on the block. He said he was relieved by the arrest.
"Justice is finally served," Morphey said.
Contributing: AP