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Drew Peterson murder-trial judge considering request for mistrial

May 2009 Booking photo of former Illinois police sergeant Drew Peterson AP Photo/Will County Sheriff's Office

(CBS/AP) JOLIET, Ill. - An Illinois judge is considering a mistrial request from defense attorneys in the Drew Peterson murder trial.

Judge Edward Burmila called a recess Wednesday morning and said he would reconvene proceedings in the afternoon to announce his decision. Peterson is charged in the 2004 death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio.

Burmila sent jurors out of the courtroom earlier in the day before grilling a prosecutor for allowing a witness to mention a bullet that left the impression that Peterson left it in the witness' driveway. The judge considered a mistrial request Tuesday as well after a prosecutor began to discuss an allegation that Peterson once tried to hire a hit-man.

Prosecutors argued against a mistrial, denying accusations of repetitive errors.

Complete coverage of the Drew Peterson case on Crimesider

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