Drew Peterson to appear in court

March 15, 2008
FROM STNG WIRE REPORTS
BOLINGBROOK --

For months, Drew Peterson has been an official suspect in the disappearance of his wife and the subject of speculation about the drowning death of one of his previous wives.

But since Stacy Peterson vanished in late October and authorities reopened the investigation into the 2004 death of Kathleen Savio, Peterson has not set foot in a courtroom in either case.

That is expected to change Monday. At 9:30 a.m. Peterson is scheduled to appear in a Joliet courtroom on a matter concerning the disappearance of his wife.

.

The issue on which he will appear is relatively minor - the planned return of his cars, computers and other items that police seized as part of their investigation of his wife's disappearance - but it may nevertheless be significant.

"The judge wants to advise him that he's giving up some rights to challenge the (validity of the) photographs," said Peterson's attorney, Joel Brodsky, who said it would not be uncommon to allow an attorney to handle such a matter without requiring the client to attend.

.
"I guess if (Peterson) is ever charged, it's potentially a death (penalty) case, the judge wants to make sure he stipulates so (Peterson) knows what he's doing," said Brodsky, who added that Peterson is looking forward to his court appearance.

Peterson has denied he was involved in his wife's disappearance, which authorities are investigating as a possible homicide, contending he believes she ran off with another man. He also has denied involvement in the death of Savio, who was found dead in her bathtub in 2004. Brodsky said he doesn't believe Peterson will be charged in either case.