Drew Peterson’s Son Withdraws From Wrongful Death Lawsuit Prior to Peterson’s Murder Conviction
Sep 25, 2012
Chicago, IL (Law Firm Newswire) September 24, 2012 – Former Illinois police officer Drew Peterson has been convicted of murdering his third wife, Kathleen Savio.
Weeks before the verdict, Peterson’s son, Kris Peterson, removed his name from a wrongful death lawsuit against his father, effectively ending the civil case.
“It’s clear that Peterson’s son did not share the Savio family’s views of the case,” said Chicago wrongful death attorney Robert Briskman, who was not involved in the lawsuit.
Kathleen Savio’s body was found in her bathtub in 2004, after she and Peterson were already divorced. Initially, her death was found to be the result of an accidental fall. Peterson was charged with Savio’s murder only after his fourth wife disappeared in 2007. Savio’s body was exhumed and the case was reopened, leading to Peterson’s 2009 arrest. Savio’s relatives filed a wrongful death lawsuit against him.
On August 9, one day after his 18th birthday, Kris Peterson signed a release of all claims against his father, effectively ending his involvement in the civil case. Kris was seen talking with his father in the courtroom the same day. Legally, Kris could not waive his claims until he reached the age of majority.
The case attracted public attention in no small part because Peterson seemed to taunt prosecutors and the public, making jokes about the case on television and radio talk shows, before and after his arrest.
The Peterson case is also significant in that prosecutors made substantial use of hearsay evidence, allowing witnesses to testify to statements they claimed to have heard Peterson’s third and fourth wives make. The evidence was admissible under a law passed in 2008 specifically aimed at Peterson, and defense attorneys said the case will likely be appealed on Constitutional grounds.
Peterson faces 60 years in prison when he is sentenced in November. His fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, remains missing, and no charges have been filed related to her disappearance.
To learn more, contact a Chicago personal injury attorney or Chicago wrongful death attorney at Briskman, Briskman & Greenberg by calling 312.222.0010 or visiting http://www.briskmanandbriskman.com.
Briskman Briskman & Greenberg
351 West Hubbard Street, Ste 810
Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: 312.222.0010
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