Timeline in case of ex-Ill. cop Drew Peterson

Sep 7, 2012, 7:03 AM

JOLIET, Ill. (AP) – Former Bolingbrook police sergeant Drew Peterson was convicted Thursday in his third wife Kathleen Savio’s 2004 death. He was charged after his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, vanished in 2007. A look at key events in the case:

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1992

_Drew Peterson marries Kathleen Savio, his third wife. They have two children, Christopher and Thomas.

2001

_Savio learns Peterson is having an affair with 17-year-old Stacy Cales, a hotel clerk.

2002

_Nov. 14, 2002: During acrimonious divorce proceedings, Savio writes a letter to a Will County prosecutor, accusing Peterson of abusing her and saying she fears for her life.

2003

_Oct. 10, 2003: Savio and Peterson’s divorce is granted.

_Oct. 18, 2003: Peterson marries Cales, who becomes Stacy Peterson. He is 49 and she is 19. They have two children, Anthony and Lacy.

_November 2003: Drew Peterson allegedly offers a former co-worker $25,000 to hire a hit man to kill Savio, though the man said he never acted on the request.

2004

_Feb. 29, 2004: Stacy Peterson allegedly wakes up in the middle of the night to find her husband gone from the house. He allegedly tells her later to lie to police.

_March 1, 2004: Kathleen Savio found dead in a bathtub. Her death is originally ruled an accidental drowning.

2007

_Oct. 29, 2007: Stacy Peterson reported missing a day after she failed to show up at a relative’s home. Friends and family say that weeks before she had told them that she believed her husband killed Savio.

_November 2007: Drew Peterson mounts a media blitz to declare his innocence, including an appearance on NBC’s “The Today Show.”

_Nov. 9, 2007: Illinois State Police declare Drew Peterson a suspect in Stacy Peterson’s disappearance. They also say they have formally launched an investigation into Savio’s 2004 drowning death. The same day, a judge signs an order to exhume Savio’s body.

_Nov. 12, 2007: After 29 years as an officer at the Bolingbrook Police Department, Drew Peterson resigns.

_Nov. 13, 2007: Savio’s body is exhumed and an autopsy is conducted.

2008

_Feb. 21, 2008: The Will County state’s attorney announces that Savio’s death officially declared a homicide.

_May 21, 2008: Peterson turns himself in to police on a weapons charge unrelated to the disappearance of his wife. He is released from custody after an adult son posted a 10 percent bond.

_Nov. 19, 2008: Illinois legislators adopt a new law in the wake of the Peterson case, dubbed “Drew’s Law.” It allows normally barred hearsay evidence at trial if witnesses were killed to prevent their testimony.

_Nov. 20, 2008: Gun charges dropped against Peterson.

2009

_May 7, 2009: Murder indictment issued for Peterson. He is arrested during a traffic stop.

_May 18, 2009: Peterson pleads not guilty in Savio’s death.

_May 22, 2009: Judge refuses to reduce Peterson’s $20 million bail. He remains jailed.

2010

_ January 2010: Hearing held to decide what hearsay statement will be admissible at Peterson’s murder trial. Prosecutors call more than 60 witnesses. It prompts two years of appeals.

2012

_January 2012: Cable television movie “Drew Peterson: Untouchable,” starring actor Rob Lowe, airs.

_April 12, 2012: Illinois appellate court allows some hearsay evidence at Peterson trial. Defense doesn’t appeal.

_ May 4, 2012: Judge Edward Burmila is appointed to the case, replacing retired Judge Stephen White.

_July 31, 2012: Opening statements and testimony begin at Peterson trial.

_Aug. 27, 2012: Prosecutors rest case after calling more than 30 witnesses.

_Sept. 6, 2012: Jury convicts Peterson of murder in Savio’s death.