JOLIET, Ill. (AP) - Lawyers for Drew Peterson have told jurors in Illinois that Peterson is the victim of a media frenzy that began when his fourth wife disappeared, and continued until he was arrested and charged in the death of his third wife.
But prosecutors gave jurors a different account -- of a man who does what he has to, including murder, to keep his ex-wife's hands off his money.
Peterson is charged with first-degree murder in the 2004 death of Kathleen Savio (SAH'-vee-oh). He is suspected but not charged in the 2007 disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson.
Today's only prosecution witness was a neighbor who discovered Savio's body in a dry bathtub. She testified that Peterson ran up the stairs, took Savio's pulse, and declared somberly, "She is dead."
During opening statements, a prosecutor said Peterson had told Savio weeks before her death that he would kill her, and that she'd never see a divorce settlement or get his $300,000 pension.
But a defense lawyer said repeatedly that there was no evidence that the death was anything but a tragic accident.
