Drew's guns to go to his son
JUDGE RULES | He still faces felony charge
A day after Drew Peterson was arrested on a weapons charge, a Will County judge ordered State Police to release eight guns owned by Peterson.
But Thursday's ruling by Judge Richard Schoenstedt doesn't mean the former Bolingbrook police officer will get back the guns seized last fall by police after Peterson wife, Stacy, disappeared last October. Those weapons -- part of a trove of 11 guns taken by police -- will go instead to his son Stephen, a suburban police officer.
(Courtesy)
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Peterson faces gun charge
Another gun, an AR-15 assault rifle that prompted Will County authorities to charge Peterson, 54, with felony unlawful use of a weapon Wednesday, will remain in police hands until the criminal case against him is resolved. Two other guns held by Peterson have been returned to their owners.
Joel Brodsky, Peterson's attorney, praised Thursday's ruling because it forced authorities to release Peterson's weapons. He has been named a suspect in the Oct. 28 disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson.
"This is a vindication of Drew's rights to do what he wants with his property," Brodsky said, adding he is confident the weapons charge filed against Peterson won't stick. Peterson had approval to carry the AR-15 while he served on the Bolingbrook police SWAT team, even though the barrel is shorter than the 16-inch length required by state law, Brodsky contends.
Police and Will County prosecutors disputed that. Bolingbrook Police Chief Ray McGury said he never requested permission to use it while on duty.