Prosecutors: Peterson wanted wife dead

Bond stands at $20 million
May 22, 2009 (JOLIET, Ill.) Prosecutors made the allegation as part of the argument to keep Peterson in jail.

"We followed the statute and presented what was required in order to make a proper argument on behalf of the people and the judge was satisfied with what we presented. I believe that's why she kept the bond at $20 million," said James Glasgow, Will County state's attorney.

Glasgow said he has evidence that Peterson tried to hire someone to kill Savio because their divorce would have thrown him info financial ruin.

Glasgow also said in court that Peterson allegedly told a fellow Bolingbrook police officer in late 2003 that his life would be easier "if she were just dead." Bolingbrook police say they know nothing about that and have no comment.

Savio was found drown in her bathtub three weeks later with a gash to the back of her head.

The shocking allegation came as Drew Peterson's attorneys tried to have the former police sergeant's bond reduced.

"He set himself a bar. He laid out facts that he says he's going to be able to prove. And each time he fails to prove it, we're going to be right there with another motion to reduce bond," said Joel Brodsky, Peterson's attorney.

At the end of the trial, the judge allowed that the $20 million bond stand.

A much more subdued Drew Peterson became even more somber as he left the hearing.

"It's our first small victory on the road to justice," said Anna Doman, Kathleen Savio's sister.

"Give the amount of media attention, it's the easy thing to do – whether it's the right thing to do, I don't know – but the easy thing to do is to leave bond where it's at for now," said Andrew Abood, defense attorney.

The former police sargaent is charged with first degree murder in the 2004 death of Savio and is also a suspect in the 2007 disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson.

Drew Peterson continues to maintain his innocence.

"For so many years, nobody heard the cries and the pleas from Kathleen. We were too slow to react for Stacy. But I think today the courts listened to them," said Pam Bosco, spokesperson for the Stacy Peterson family.

Drew Peterson's attorneys say they will file an appeal with the Illinois Court of Appeals to reduce the bond by the end of next week

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