May 30, 2008 6:32 pm US/Central
Drew Peterson In Court Answering Gun Charges
WILL COUNTY, Ill. (CBS) ―
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Drew Peterson turned himself in May 21, 2008 on a gun charge.
WBBM
Drew Peterson was in court Friday, answering to charges that he had an illegal weapon.
CBS 2's West Suburban Bureau Chief Mike Puccinelli reports Peterson got special treatment at the Will County Courthouse in Joliet because officials say death threats have been made against the former Bolingbrook Police sergeant and named suspect in his fourth wife's disappearance.
Peterson wasn't talking about Stacy Peterson or his third wife, Kathleen Savio, who was found murdered in a bathtub four years ago. And inside the courthouse their names didn't come up either.
Friday's hearing was about the only charge Peterson faces: unlawful use of a weapon that prosecutors say he should never have owned because it's barrel is too short.
"At the time his weapon was seized Peterson did not have an exemption to own and carry a rifle with an illegal barrel," said Will County State's Attorney spokesperson Charles Pelkie.
Peterson's attorney Joel Brodsky wants the case thrown out. He says his client was allowed to own the weapon because it was used by Peterson as part of his police duties.
"If this was a weapon that he used in the course or the performance of his duty then barrel lengths simply do not apply," Brodsky said.
And to strengthen their argument, the defense released a picture of Peterson with the rifle in question, working as a Bolingbrook cop on the set of a John Travolta movie.
"The picture of him receiving an autograph from John Travolta is irrelevant to this case," Pelkie said. "State's Attorney Jim Glasgow will prosecute the unlawful use of a weapon charge against Mr. Peterson vigorously."
Conviction could get Peterson probation or as many as five years behind bars. But first the defense motion to dismiss is scheduled for a hearing at the end of June.
One other matter that will likely be decided at the end of next month is whether Peterson can leave Illinois. Brodsky said he's asked the court for its permission so Peterson can take his four children on vacation.
(CBS 2, the Naperville Sun and the Aurora Beacon-News are news partners covering stories in the western suburbs. Send story tips to tips@cbs2chicago.com. (© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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