Drew Peterson Surrenders on Gun Charge

[One2Snoop]

Drew Peterson Surrenders on Gun Charge
By SOPHIA TAREEN,AP
Posted: 2008-05-21 18:19:01
Filed Under: Crime News, Nation News

BOLINGBROOK, Ill. (May 21) - Months after naming a former suburban Illinois police sergeant as a suspect in his wife's disappearance, authorities issued a warrant Wednesday for his arrest on an unrelated weapons charge, officials said.

Drew Peterson turned himself in shortly after the warrant was issued.

The gun, a semiautomatic assault rifle, was one of 11 seized during a search of Peterson's home Nov. 1, shortly after Stacy Peterson disappeared in late October, said his attorney, Joel Brodsky. He said police claim the rifle barrel was too short under Illinois law.

Brodsky said Peterson was still a police officer when the weapon was seized and officers are exempt from the length provision of the law. Peterson retired from the force after Stacy Peterson's disappearance.

Police are also investigating the death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio. She was found dead in a bathtub in 2004. Her death was initially ruled an accident.

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http://news.aol.com/story/_a/drew-pe...21135909990001

[One2Snoop]

Drew Peterson makes bail on gun rap
Updated 10:22 a.m. EDT Thu May 22, 2008
BOLINGBROOK, Illinois (AP) -- Former police Sgt. Drew Peterson turned himself in Wednesday on a weapons charge unrelated to the disappearance of his wife, a high-profile case in which he has been named as a suspect.


Drew Peterson turned himself in to face a gun charge. Police suspect him in his wife's disappearance.

An adult son posted 10 percent of a $75,000 bond to secure his release pending trial, Peterson attorney Joel Brodsky said.

Peterson left jail without commenting.

The arrest warrant had been issued Tuesday. Brodsky said the arrest was part of an effort by state police to harass Peterson.

"Any inconvenience they can cause him, so much the better," Brodsky said as he waited outside the jail. "They might believe it's a tactic to shake him up."

The gun, an illegal rifle, was one of 11 seized during a search of Peterson's suburban Chicago home November 1, shortly after Stacy Peterson disappeared in late October. Authorities say the rifle barrel is too short under Illinois law.

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http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/05/22/...ion=cnn_latest

[One2Snoop]

Posted on Fri, May. 23, 2008

Judge orders authorities turn over guns to Drew Peterson
By DON BABWIN
Associated Press Writer


CHICAGO --Authorities must hand over eight guns they seized from the home of Drew Peterson after a judge on Thursday ruled the former Bolingbrook police sergeant can transfer ownership of the weapons to his son.

Peterson has fought for the return of the weapons, seized shortly after his wife, Stacy Peterson, disappeared in late October, arguing that investigators have had plenty of time to do whatever tests they needed to do.

Chuck Pelkie, spokesman for the Will County State's Attorney's office, said prosecutors were disappointed with the ruling that gives Peterson 14 days to transfer ownership of the weapons.

But Pelkie would not comment on whether the order hurts the investigation or prevents any necessary tests on the weapons, saying only that the case is "moving forward and is productive and methodical and there will be a resolution."

Peterson has been named a suspect in the Oct. 28 disappearance of his wife. He maintains that he believes his wife left him for another man. The death of Peterson's third wife, Kathleen Savio, is also under investigation. Initially ruled an accident, her body was exhumed after Stacy Peterson vanished and after an autopsy, authorities reclassified the death as a homicide, though they have not named Peterson a suspect.

The judge's order comes one day after Peterson turned himself in to authorities on a weapons charge. Peterson, charged with unlawful use of a weapon, spent a couple of hours at the Will County Jail before one of his adult sons posted $7,500, or 10 percent of a $75,000 bond. The charge is a felony that carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Authorities contend the gun, a semiautomatic assault rifle that was taken by authorities at about the time the other weapons were seized, was illegal because the barrel is too short.

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http://www.bnd.com/news/state/story/347753.html

[One2Snoop]

Drew Peterson could lose his cop pension

If suspect in Stacy's disappearance is convicted of weapons charge, a hearing would determine future of retirement pay
By Matthew Walberg | Tribune reporter
11:10 PM CDT, May 23, 2008

Drew Peterson stands to lose more than his freedom if convicted of a felony weapons charge leveled against him this week—he also stands to lose a lucrative pension for his 30 years as a police officer.

Peterson, 54, was charged Wednesday with unlawful use of a weapon for having an assault rifle with a barrel nearly 5 inches shorter than allowed by law.

His attorney, Joel Brodsky, contends the gun was legal because while Peterson bought it with his money in the late 1990s, he registered it with the Bolingbrook Police Department as a duty weapon for use on the department's SWAT team.

Bolingbrook police officials contend they have no knowledge of the weapon and that Peterson was issued a department-owned assault rifle for his work with the SWAT unit.

What is undisputed is that police investigating the disappearance of Peterson's wife, Stacy, took custody of the gun nearly two weeks before Peterson retired from the department.

Attorney Richard Reimer, who represents the Bolingbrook Police Pension Board, which issued the former sergeant's $6,068 monthly pension in November, said: "Peterson and his attorney have both contacted me, and at this point in time his pension stays. It's all premature—we have to wait to see if there's a conviction."

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http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/l...tory?track=rss