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Verdict: Drew Peterson Found Guilty of Murdering Kathleen Savio

The jury has given its verdict after weeks of controversial hearsay testimony, stops and starts and antics from both sides.

 

Drew Peterson has been found guilty of first degree murder in the death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio.

His sentencing will be Nov. 26.  

READ MORE: 

Updated 5:57 p.m. 

Rev. Neil Schori, the pastor who said Stacy Peterson Schori him Drew Peterson killed his third wife, Kathleen Savio, had this reaction:

"My wife and I wept" when they heard the verdict, Schori said. "We literally wept together. It's been a long, long journey. "I'm absolutely thrilled with what happened," he said. "Justice is coming for Stacy's family too."

"I'm highly honored," Schori said. "I feel so honored to have given Stacy a voice. I got to be a voice for Stacy, and I did what she asked me to do."

Updated 4:17 p.m. 

Will County State's Attorney James said Peterson murdered Savio "because he was larger than she was," Glasgow said calling Peterson a "coward."

"He would threaten people because he had a gun and a badge," Glasgow said. "No one ever took him on. We took him on, and he lost."

Updated 4:15 p.m. 

The following is the complete statement from jurors: “We have taken the responsibility bestowed on us by the court with a great deal of solemnity and diligence. After much deliberation, we have reached a decision we believe is just.”

Updated 4:12 p.m. 

When the verdict was read, Drew Peterson grimly said, "Good job" to his attorneys, according to the Chicago Tribune.  

The defense team has been met with boos outside the Will County Courthouse. To this, defense attorney Joel Brodsky said, "a conviction is the first step in a successful appeal," according to the Trib

Updated 3:34 p.m. 

Cassandra Cales, sister of Stacy Peterson, had this to say in reaction to the verdict: "Game over, Drew. I feel numb. It hasn't really hit me yet."

Cassandra wants to tell Stacy: "I love you, I miss you, and I've never given up hope I'll find you."

Around the Web: What People are Saying About the Drew Peterson Trial

Updated 3:29 p.m. 

Pam Bosco, foster mother of Stacy Peterson's sister Cassandra Cales had the following to say in reaction the guilty:

This is personal. This is personal to so many people. I never lost the faith. I believe in the system. I don't think he ever faced reality and that's why he did it twice. Today he's facing reality. He'll never see life outside prison walls.

This man has to pay for Stacy. There's no reason this man can't be taken back into this courtroom and go through this hell again. Stacy's case is right around the corner. I believe that. I always believed that "he would pay the price for killing two beautiful women.

I think he was stunned, first of all. He thought he would get away with it. I think he understands how much he's a hated man.

Updated 3:06 p.m. 

The jury sent out a note saying they reached a verdict at 2:15 p.m. The jury was brought back into the courtroom and the foreman read the guilty verdict a half hour later.

Eight uniformed deputies were spread through the courtroom along with Sheriff Paul Kaupas and other security for the reading of the verdict.

Updated 2:54 p.m. 

The jury returned with its verdict around 2:50 p.m. Thursday after a day-and-a-half of deliberations.  

Peterson had no expression when the verdict was read. The Savio family was crying and hugging in the courtroom.

"Oh my god it's about friggin' time," sobbed Savio brother-in-law Mitch Doman as he hugged his wife, Savio's sister Susan Doman. 

"Now she can rest in peace," Mitch Doman said. "They got the murdering
bastard."

"I just feel that she's with us right now," Susan Doman said. "I loved my sister very much. She's finally getting the justice she deserved. He's a sick man. He's an evil man."

What does "unanimous" mean? 

At 12:35 p.m., the jury asked Judge Edward Burmila to tell them what the word "unanimous" means.

Burmiila said he received the jury's question at 12:35 p.m. "Just to be clear, judge, what does 'unanimous' mean?" Burmila said the jury asked.

Burmila said he was sending back a note telling the jury that 'unanimous' means the agreement of all in regard to the matter at hand, and that when a verdict is reached, each juror must sign his or her name to it.

Testimony asked for during Wednesday's deliberations

The jury started its day shortly after 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. Within two hours, they sent a note to Judge Burmila asking to see and hear some of the evidence from the trial.

Jurors asked to see Peterson's phone records from Feb. 28 to March 1, 2002 and the phone records of his missing fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, for the same time period.

They also wanted transcripts of the testimony from the Rev. Neil Schori and Wheaton attorney Harry Smith, and a November 2002 letter written by Peterson's slain third wife, Kathleen Savio, to former Assistant State's Attorney Elizabeth Fragale.

On top of that, the jury wanted the Bolingbrook police report detailing a July 2002 attack Peterson allegedly perpetrated against Savio, and later requested—and was provided—photographs of Savio curled naked and dead in her bathtub.

An Illinois State Police crime scene technician took the bathtub death scene pictures soon after Savio's body was discovered by neighbors in March 2004.

The jury also asked for photographs taken during the autopsies performed on Savio and pictures showing the bruises on her dead body.

Defense attorney Joel Brodsky objected to turning over some of the autopsy photos, which the jury has already seen. Brodsky claimed those particular photographs were "too gruesome" for jurors to look at again.

Related Topics: Drew Peterson, Kathleen Savio, and Murder Trial

vg

3:19 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012

Wonder if he's got that smug look still on his face....

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Tim rice

3:56 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012

Wonder if the big time lawyers will stick around for an appeal. They may sense the end of the line. There will be an appeal, but maybe a court appointed attorney to take over.

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Pro Life Crusader +

5:00 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012

Now the big question is , does the Savio family sue anyone that used to work at B.P.D. for their part for not taking action against Drew to defuse a ticking time bomb that lead us to where we are today!!!

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Ballseck Malone

5:44 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012

You know it all comes down to making money. All of the jurors were given media kits in hopes of them getting exclusive interviews with the jurors. Got any idea how much cash the jurors will ask for an interview? My guess is at least 200,000 for each of them. That's why these clown jurors banded together and decided to coordinate their clothing in the middle of a MURDER trial. Their minds were in la la land. They already had Drew decided before the trial, based on what they've heard and seen on T.V.. They are now extremely excited about the money they will soon get from our media for interviews or book deals.

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Jeff Muranyi

9:05 am on Friday, September 7, 2012

Very good question? Sounds to me there should be an investigation into the B.P.D. and Peterson's then "Buddies"??

bmail57

5:26 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012

Kathy now you can R.I. P. - be a Guardian Angel to your boys. They need you
Now we must find Stacy and let her family be at peace as well

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Tina

5:29 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012

Best statement all day"Game Over Drew". Great coverage Joe! Time for book # 2??

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Ballseck Malone

5:38 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012

Judge Burmilla should be fired for letting this B.S. happen in our court. The whole thing should have never even been tried in Illinois. The media and Hollywood did a great job of making that impossible. This trial was not fair even before it went to court. Then, The State, led by Gasclown, repeatedly broke the rules in court (with the jury listening). The defense rightfully asked for a mistrial and were denied by Judge Burmilla. Agenda here???? Elections in a couple months???? The sad thing is when I look at all those people on T.V. at the courthouse cheering and celebrating. The first thing I wonder is why they are not at work?? Sad society we live in today.

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bmail57

6:08 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012

Drew himself is the one who turned it into a media event frenzy. Don't blame the court, they had to put up with what D.P. started.

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Clutche

12:24 am on Friday, September 7, 2012

Where would you be if your spouses' or relative's murderer was on trial? At work? I think not

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Hamish

8:22 am on Friday, September 7, 2012

This was a Travesty of justice..... There was NOT a shred of legit evidence presented... Only Hearsay evidence that was beneficial to those that gave it. i hope the appelate court frees him!

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Thomas

2:33 pm on Friday, September 7, 2012

You know what wasn't really fair! Stacy Peterson life was cut short! Stop the BS and remember who got the biggest shaft of all! Sorry you feel the killer wasn't tried properly. Go join the jurors from the OJ case!

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Hamish

3:03 pm on Friday, September 7, 2012

Thomas if Stacy got the short end... Wheres the body??? Thats right there is none.... maybe shes still alive ??? Hmmmmm

Ballseck Malone

5:55 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012

Quote:
"Burmiila said he received the jury's question at 12:35 p.m. "Just to be clear, judge, what does 'unanimous' mean?" Burmila said the jury asked."

How I think Burmilla probably replied:

OK, imagine 12 apples at a super market. If 11 apples are red, and one is green, then that is NOT "unanimous". However, if all apples are red, then the apples are unanimously red. Got it? Just like you guys were unanimous about wearing sports jerseys to court.

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bmail57

6:11 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012

How would you have explained it to the jury? I thought he was pretty clear. Even a grade school student would have understood his explanation.

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Kimberly

11:29 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012

"Just to be clear, judge, what does 'unanimous' mean?" Burmila said the jury asked."

You put 12 people in a room and not one of them know the meaning of the word unanimous???

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george

9:23 am on Friday, September 7, 2012

The jury was making a very clear sign and signal for everone to ponder and understand They were letting everyone realize that the decision was Unanimous amoungst all Jurrors . remember they have been sheltered and not allowed to discuss even chit chat . It was clear and somewhat humorious to me.

Ernie Carneau

5:57 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012

It's like I said here some time ago, he was going to be found guilty. Now the fight in appeal over hearsay evidence admitted. It outta be interesting. My call is it will be upheld so long as the trial judge did everything properly. If he didn't, you could see a new trial. Petey won't just walk. Petey wasn't planning on the admission of hearsay evidence, something that you didn't see done a few years back, and he knew it. But he's puckering today!!!!

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Hamish

8:24 am on Friday, September 7, 2012

The deck was stacked against him with this Bull Jib Hearsay evidence statute.

Pro Life Crusader +

6:43 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012

The jury at first was 7-5 , 8-4, 11-1,then 12-0 in their finding of guilt!!! Who was peer pressured into guilty?

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Clutche

12:30 am on Friday, September 7, 2012

He has stated that he was not pressured. And deliberating means just what it says...they discussed and dissected the evidence and came to a unanimous verdict. And it's not unusual but common that the initial vote changes whether a guilty or not guilty verdict is reached

Watchful Eye

6:44 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012

Just read that Glasgow is going to present their evidence as it relates to Stacy Peterson's disappearance/alleged death, when Peterson is sentenced. So, we'll all get to see what else there is to this sorted mess.

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Pro Life Crusader +

6:47 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012

Now with Drew guilty what if and I mean if, what happens if Stacy now shows up? I see an automatic dismissal! IJS!

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Clutche

12:32 am on Friday, September 7, 2012

No, just the opposite. She would corroborate the evidence that Drew told her he killed Kathleen.

Pro Life Crusader +

6:50 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012

This Drew trial is over. Let's move onto the biggest trial in Will County history,the mass murder of a family by Christopher Vaughn! This guy is the worst in recent memory in Will County!

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Eric C

9:29 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012

All you fools who are pleased with this verdict have no understanding of justice. He probably is guilty but you can NOT convict a man without evidence. You tell me how the original autopsy finds that wife #3 drowned then dig her up 5 years later and determine she was murdered. Heresy evidence allowing people to be convicted. I overheard someone saying..... she told me that.......my pastor was told..... CRAP!!! Did Drew or his lawyers get to face his accusers?? How can they? She isn't here? How do you cross examine someones comments made to third parties 5 years ago or more??? HOW IS THIS JUSTICE???
Like I said, I believe he probably is guilty but to convict a man without evidence is a huge step away from our constitution. God help us all when the prosecuters can get anyone of us on hersy. What has happened to America???

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Clutche

12:34 am on Friday, September 7, 2012

Justice was served by a jury according to our Constitution period.

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Carrie Underwood

8:31 am on Friday, September 7, 2012

Cluche-

Justice most certainly was NOT served according to the laws of the land- until they made a special law just for Drew.

This time, we can all be sure they got the right guy, but now that the law is on the books, it will be misused by those with vendettas or axes to grind.

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george

9:29 am on Friday, September 7, 2012

Eric you are so incorrect Yes the evidence was very clear and the State Attorney's did a very well presented case You are the Fool and yes we are all proud of the verdict God has helped us all including the family members i hope the pig will confess what sewer hole he stuffed the young child of his other wife i believe she was 24 years old . That was agood connection to her Pastor

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Michele V

9:51 am on Friday, September 7, 2012

Eric C, you are 100% correct. The precedent has been set and now anyone can argue that heresay is strong enough to convict. The fundamental requirement of having proof that someone committed a crime is no longer necessary. You can't pass a law to convict one person. Now the law can be used to convict an innocent person because we no longer have to prove with evidence that a crime was committed. Someone can potentially lie about another on the stand and it may convince a jury that an innocent person is guilty. No proof necessary. Is this what we want as a society?
Do I believe Peterson was guilty? OF COURSE. This verdict and the law will be challenged. If it's appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, it will never be upheld, and we should all be grateful for that.

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Ernie Carneau

2:05 pm on Friday, September 7, 2012

Your absolutely right! I never thought I'd see the day when hearsay evidence would be admitted! I guess that this is the first test of that rule allowing hearsay evidence in trial. The outcome is going to be critical for the US justice (or injustice) system!

quilty

10:04 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012

I've seen comments made about how Harry Smith wanted to try and extort money from the defendant then about how much money Drew was going to get once he walked out a "free man," seen comments about how the pastor and other witnesses would be making money on book deals, how the prosecutors were only in it for the money, now its the jurors who are gonna cash in on interviews, is that all people in Bolingbrook can think about is MONEY?? The bible says "Thou shalt not covet" I believe that would cover concerning yourselves with what someone else has that YOU DONT! Good grief!

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J Graham

10:06 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012

Joel quite answering comments on the story!! Your as crazy as Drew is!!!

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Clutche

12:37 am on Friday, September 7, 2012

Did you pass English class? I don't think so.

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joliet resident

12:37 am on Friday, September 7, 2012

The people that thought the jury was so great for dressing alike assuming it meant loyalty to the Lopez couple and laughing at Glasgow are now singing a different tune. Remember Drew killed the main witness so you should be able to murder anyone that is going to testify against you. Yes, Stacy asked the lawyer a stupid question but how much life experience did she have???? She was in way over her head with a creep. Glasglow summed it up perfectly...a thug and a coward that beats up women. I have great sympathy for his children and the boy, Tom's FB comments were heart wrenching. Someday, he will realize his father caused this and quit blaming others. For now I hope the media just lets the kids live their lives and hopefully they will have Drew's pension to do it.

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Anna Hultin

5:45 am on Friday, September 7, 2012

Justice was done...he was looking for another wife...those of you with daughters can now have peace of mind.....he is off the streets.....

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Hamish

8:27 am on Friday, September 7, 2012

Biggest Crap of a verdict i have ever seen

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george

9:33 am on Friday, September 7, 2012

Very well planned out from the start the States Attorneys did a superior job and also the Judge did exactly what he was supposed to do bring out all the stupid pleadings from the Defense " Hang Themselves " States Attorneys can do what ever they need to present the findings/facts and witness deposition and the Judge has to comply.

Pro Life Crusader +

10:42 am on Friday, September 7, 2012

This was a politically motivated trial! Period!

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Volpe d'argento UNO

11:09 am on Friday, September 7, 2012

My wife's period is politically motivated!

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Jeff Muranyi

8:47 pm on Friday, September 7, 2012

If I remember one of his other wives drowned in a bathtub ? I feel there should be an investigation into that one as well. Just like doctors, a cop won't rat out a fellow policeman. So who better to get away with murder then a policeman in his own community?

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RobynD323

2:35 pm on Sunday, September 9, 2012

People should understand two thing's. Thing's and Money are not to be worshiped to the point that you would "murder" for them. As long as they keep making money, you can get more. And material things are just that. They can be replaced but not a human life, Death is final. Death is wrong, and when you take matters into your own hands & play God- it's MURDER!

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Angela Douglas

6:37 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012

I don't think hear say should be allowed where is the real evidence.

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