Nov 19, 2007 10:44 pm US/Central
Drew Peterson Talks About Wife's Disappearance
Former Cop's Attorney Lashes Out At Media Coverage Of Stacy Peterson And Kathleen Savio Cases
BOLINGBROOK, Ill. (CBS) ―
Former Bolingbrook police sergeant Drew Peterson, considered a suspect in the disappearance of his fourth wife on Monday showed an emotional side about the case.
It's been more than three weeks since Stacy Peterson disappeared, and Monday night, her husband, Drew Peterson, considered a suspect in her disappearance and possible homicide, spoke out about what this ordeal has been like for him and his family.
For three weeks Peterson has played a sort of cat and mouse game with the media, but after CBS 2's Mai Martinez talked with him on the phone Monday evening, Peterson decided he wanted to take a time out from all the jokes and snide remarks he's been making and really talk about this ordeal, and his feelings for Stacy.
"I'm still in love with Stacy and I miss her," Peterson said Monday night outside his Bolingbrook home.
For the first time since disappeared, Drew Peterson talked about his feelings for the missing 23-year-old. The comments come after a whirlwind day of national television interviews and photo shoots which Peterson says he did at the prompting of his attorney, to get his side out.
Peterson stepped up his national media campaign Monday with another network television appearance and a photo shoot for national magazine. He appeared via satellite on NBC's "Today" show along with his lawyer, Joel Brodsky.
Brodsky said he does not believe his client will face charges stemming from the investigation.
He also criticized the media for their coverage of Peterson, who resigned as a Bolingbrook police sergeant following Stacy's disappearance.
Police have named Peterson, 53, as a suspect in her disappearance, and authorities have called the case a possible homicide. He has denied any involvement in her disappearance.
"We do not expect to be charged in these cases," Brodsky said. "This is out of control. It's a rush to judgment fueled by people, by entertainment and people seem to want to be entertained by what's going on."
Brodsky, who began representing Peterson on Friday, declined to let his client respond to most questions during Monday's short interview.
When asked Monday night about some of his odd behavior and remarks following Stacy's disappearance, Peterson defended his actions.
"I've joked all my life," he said. "It's my way of dealing with hurt and pain. I joke. I laugh, and it's maybe a nervous laughter, but when I've had sadness in my life, I've always been comforted by having the ability to laugh and joke."
Peterson's behavior has been criticized by many, including the families of Stacy Peterson and Kathleen Savio, Peterson's third wife whose body was returned to her grave earlier Monday, three days after a forensic pathologist said he believed her "accidental" death was actually a homicide. Peterson and the children he and Savio had together were not at the burial.
"We weren't invited to attend, so we weren't really aware of the goings on or proceedings," Peterson said.
Peterson says right now his priority is protecting his children, whom he says have started asking questions.
"Mom's on vacation for the little ones, and the older ones are seeing what they see on television," Peterson said.
"Sometimes I have heart to hearts with them individually, and try to explain it to them the best I can, but that's the best I can do" he added.
Drew Peterson has not been charged with any crimes in connection with Stacy Peterson's disappearance, or the death of Kathleen Savio. But he said he feels he's already been convicted in the media. He told CBS 2 the stress is so bad he's considering making arraignments for his kids, and then going into hiding.
"People are looking at me under a magnifying glass. It's very upsetting. You know, I mean, what I had for breakfast is newsworthy. So it's crazy. Look at these people," he said, gesturing to the media gathered in front of the home Monday morning. "This is hilarious. It's just not how I want to be spending my retirement."
Peterson later participated in a photo shoot for People magazine in his backyard.
Also Monday morning, Peterson's first wife, Carol Brown appeared for an interview on ABC's "Good Morning America." She was married to him in the 1970s and said the marriage ended in 1980 after she discovered he was having an affair. But she said Peterson did not abuse her.
"In the beginning we just had a normal relationship, did things together. I'd say the most controlling part was, and it was very minimal, he just didn't like me to go out maybe in the evenings like to go to a bar," she said.
When asked if she thought Drew Peterson was capable of murder, Brown said, "The Drew that I knew, I would never expect that."
Stacy Peterson, who was studying nursing at a junior college, disappeared from the couple's suburban Chicago home Oct. 28. Volunteers have been canvassing fields, lakes and construction sites near the family's house, but have found no traces of the woman.
Peterson denied claims made by his second wife, Vicki Connolly, that Peterson told her he could kill her and make it look like an accident. Connolly said that while she didn't believe he ever would kill her, she confided in Bolingbrook police officers she considered friends.
"I've never said anything like that, or even thought anything like that," Peterson said. "I don't know what's going through her head. I thought her and I had a good relationship. I thought we were friends. For her to say something like that, I don't know if it was driven by the media or whatever. Who knows?"
Tuesday, the Bolingbrook village police and fire commission will decide whether to accept Drew Peterson's resignation, or they could terminate him. He was awarded his full pension last week.
CBS 2's Mai Martinez and Joanie Lum, and the Associated Press, contributed to this report.cbs2chicago.com's Most Popular Pages 
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