In this May 8, 2009 file photo, former Bolingbrook, Ill., police officer Drew Peterson leaves the Will County Courthouse in Joliet, Ill., after his arraignment on charges of first-degree murder in the 2004 death of his third wife Kathleen Savio. Lawyers for Drew Peterson on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012, have withdrawn a motion for a mistrial, allowing the former Illinois police officer's murder trial to go ahead. The defense attorneys' move follows several blunders by prosecutors seeking to prove that the 58-year-old Peterson killed his third wife, Kathleen Savio, in 2004. He's also a suspect in the 2007 disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, but never has been charged in her case. Peterson told the judge Wednesday he does not want a mistrial. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green, File)
Will County Assistant State's Attorney Kathleen Patton, left, leaves the Will County Courthouse in Joliet, Ill., with first deputy States Attorney, Ken Grey, right, Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012, after the judge in the murder trial of former Bolingbrook, Ill., police officer Drew Peterson said he would would announce his decision on a mistrial motion Wednesday morning. Burmila is again considering a possible mistrial after another blunder from prosecutors in the former police officer's trial. Peterson is accused in the 2004 death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio. The judge decided to consider a mistrial after prosecutors violated his order from earlier Tuesday that they not ask questions in front of the jury about whether Savio had sought an order of protection against the former suburban Chicago police officer. Patton apologized to the judge. She explained that the barred question was on a prepared list and she read it inadvertently. Later Patton could be seen in an adjoining room, her shoulders slumped and her face buried in her hands. (AP Photo/M Spencer Green)
The defense attorneys’ move Wednesday follows several blunders by prosecutors seeking to prove that the 58-year-old Peterson killed his third wife, Kathleen Savio, in 2004. He’s also a suspect in the 2007 disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, but never has been charged in her case.
Peterson told the judge Wednesday he does not want a mistrial.
Judge Edward Burmila admonished prosecutors Tuesday for violating his order not to discuss whether Savio asked for an order of protection against Peterson. Peterson’s attorneys called the prosecution’s actions unfair and asked for a mistrial.
The prosecutor who mentioned the order apologized to the judge.
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