Weapon Charge Nets Peterson Arrest
Drew Peterson Released After Son Posts Bond, Wife Remains Missing
Former police Sergeant, Drew Peterson is free again after his arrest for possession of an assault rifle that has a barrel shorter than Illinois state law permits, according to the former fierce prosecutor, Nancy Grace, on her show, aired May 21, 2008.
Peterson turned himself in to police after learning that a felony warrant for his arrest was issued. His son later posted the $75,000 bond, releasing Peterson from custody.
Meanwhile, Drew’s wife, Stacy, remains missing since her mysterious disappearance from the couple’s home on October 28, 2007. Since shortly after Stacy vanished, husband Drew, has been the prime suspect in his wife’s disappearance.
Suspect in Third Wife’s Murder
Sometime later, Peterson was named a suspect in the homicide of his third wife, Kathleen Savio, who drowned suspiciously in a dry bathtub in 1994. Savio’s body had been autopsied after her death and ruled that the drowning was accidental. But when fourth wife, Stacy went missing, authorities reopened Savio’s case. Her body was exhumed and two autopsies were conducted, both concluding that Savio’s death was a homicide.
Arrest a Possible Police Tactic
Jon Leiberman, correspondent with "America`s Most Wanted”, a guest on Nancy Grace’s Show, speaking of the weapons charge against Peterson said, “It may sound minor, but it`s a class three felony in Illinois,” which could get Peterson five years in prison if convicted.
Leiberman elaborated that the rifle was one of 11 guns state police confiscated when they served the very first search warrant at Drew Peterson`s house after Stacy went missing.
Grace cited several instances of cases where lesser arrests were made when a murder arrest followed as she questioned Mike Brooks, former DC Police Detective, who served on the FBI Terrorism Task Force and CNN Law Enforcement Analyst, on whether this could be a police tactic.
Brooks agreed, adding that Peterson took the 5th when he went before the grand jury. He speculated that police may now have some leverage against Drew Peterson. Brooks explained this theory with Peterson’s recent third degree felony arrest, saying that if Drew decided to cooperate with authorities, it could be possible for Peterson to work out a plea deal.
However, defense attorney John Burris disagreed largely because Peterson is free on bail. He said that in the examples given, the suspects were in custody “because they needed to control” them. In this case Burris said, “they don`t have control of this man.”
Who is Right?
Could Brooks be right? At the time of arrest, police may have believed that Peterson would be held without bail. Furthermore, with the possibility of finding Stacy’s body, while it still has any useful forensic evidence is dwindling making prosecution even tougher. Therefore, authorities may very well be looking for a plea deal with Peterson.
Family Law attorney, Susan Moss, told Grace that Peterson’s arrest on the weapons charge may be the tool needed to help them find Stacy. She believes that it may be the missing piece of the puzzle.
Legal Analyst for the Nancy Grace show and defense attorney, Renee Rockwell doesn’t think Peterson is the type to cave in under the pressure of incarceration. She believes that the intention of authorities is to monitor Peterson’s activities, now that he's free, and make sure he follows the conditions of the court.
Failing to follow the court's conditions could result in his being held without bail, which may be what police think will happen.
Innocent or Guilty
At this point it may be unclear as to Peterson’s involvement in his wife’s disappearance, and his former wife’s murder, although the evidence is merely circumstantial right now, things do not look good for Drew.
You decide. Leave your comments.
