Drew Peterson found guilty of murdering 3rd wife

September 7, 2012 (JOLIET, Ill.)

"We will not tolerate this kind of bullying, tormenting of women and indiscriminate murder. This man murdered her because he was larger than she was. He is basically a coward," said James Glasgow, Will County state's attorney.

It took the jurors a day and a half to find the former Bolingbrook police sergeant guilty of the 2004 death of his third wife Kathleen Savio. The jurors were apparently grappling with the circumstantial and hearsay evidence. The outcome hinged on a lone juror.

"They had come to the point where they were beyond a reasonable doubt. The hearsay evidence was big. It just seemed like all the evidence was pointing towards the defendant being guilty," said holdout juror Ron Supalo.

"It was a stacked deck. Hearsay evidence allowed in in unprecedented amounts," said Peterson attorney Joel Brodsky.

"It is a dark day in america when you can convict somebody on hearsay evidence," said Peterson attorney Joe Lopez.

The defense is vowing to appeal. The family of Peterson's missing fourth wife Stacy hopes this verdict will lead to charges against Peterson in her case.

"Maybe someone will come forward that maybe knows something about my sister and they feel safe now and they can come forward and talk now that Drew is put away," said Cassandra Cales, Stacy Peterson's sister.

The verdict brought justice to the Savio family. They say they have never accepted that Savio died accidentally and always blamed Drew Peterson for her bathtub death.

"Fantastic, they couldn't have done a better job. Finally somebody heard Kathleen's cry. Twelve people did the right thing, thank God," said stepmother Marcia Savio.

"I knew all the time he killed her and I wasn't ever going to let go. I was there at the beginning for my sister and am here until the end," said sister Susan Doman.

"We thank everyone for the strong support. I just have to say thank you," said father Henry savio.

Drew Peterson woke up Friday in the same 5'x8' cell where he will be until sentencing in November, where he has been held since his 2009 arrest. Because of the publicity surrounding his case and the fact he is a former police sergeant, he has been kept in isolation. Guards allow him out of his cell for an hour or two each day but only to an adjoining day room. Once he is sentenced, he will be sent to a state prison.

Peterson will be sentenced November 26. He faces a maximum 60-year prison term.

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