Drew Peterson Case: Judge rejects mistrial request
(CBS/AP) JOLIET, Ill. - The judge in ex-Chicago police officer Drew Peterson's murder trial has decided against declaring a mistrial.
The Thursday ruling followed several blunders by prosecutors seeking to prove the 58-year-old killed his third wife, Kathleen Savio, in 2004. He is also a suspect in the 2007 disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson. But he's not charged in her case.
The furious judge had admonished prosecutors Wednesday after a neighbor of Savio testified about finding a .38-caliber bullet on his driveway. The witness insinuated Peterson may have planted it to intimidate him. Prosecutors later admitted there's no evidence to support the claim.
The defense asked for a mistrial, saying the jury was tainted. But the judge said Thursday that Peterson still can get a fair trial.