(Getty)
Drew Peterson, the former suburban Chicago police officer sentenced to 38 years in prison for the murder of his third wife, Kathleen Savio, will face even more jail time. Today, a jury found Peterson guilty for the planning the murder of Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow.
#DrewPeterson guilty on both counts
Here’s what you need to know about the case.
1. Glasgow Lead the Team That Successfully Prosecuted Peterson
Drew Peterson in 2009 (Getty)
Glasgow was the prosecutor that successfully lead the team that put Peterson behind bars. Peterson was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder. Savio was found dead in March 2004. Peterson, 62, was convicted in September 2012 and later sentenced to 38 years in prison in 2013.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, prosecutors said during the trial that Peterson became friends with Antonio Smith, a gang member, while in jail. That gang member turned out to be an informant who was wired. Smith said that the two plotted to kill Glasgow and recordings were played for the jury.
2. Peterson’s Defense Called Smith Unreliable
Drew Peterson guilty of trying to hire hitman to kill Will County State’s Atty James Glasgow t.co/Xs7fFHPEz8
Despite the recordings, Peterson’s defense lawyers called Smith unreliable. Defense attorney Lucas Liefer pointed out that Smith was in jail for a variety of charges, including murder, and wanted to do anything to reduce his own jail sentence. Smith also testified that Peterson said he killed his fourth wife, Stacy, who is still missing. However, according to The Chicago Tribune, Liefer said that the recordings show Peterson still thought Stacy was alive.
“This case is wrought with inconsistency and incomplete evidence,” Liefer said.
Stacy Peterson has been missing since 2007. After that, Peterson first gained national attention thanks to appearances on national media, including an appearance on Larry King Live in 2008.
3. Peterson Offered $10,000 for Glasgow’s Murder
The tapes did reveal that Peterson was offering Smith $10,000. Peterson apparently thought that if Glasgow was out of the way, he would win an appeal because he thought Glasgow’s assistant state’s attorneys wouldn’t be able to keep him in prison, notes NBC Chicago.
“If Glasgow is dead by Christmas, when will that put you out? Approximately what do you think? Are you worried about his ASAs or anything?” Smith told Peterson in the recording. Peterson replies, “No, they’re idiots.”
4. Peterson Faces Additional 60 Years in Prison
Peterson could face an addition 60 years in prison at sentencing. That means he would be sentenced to a total of 60 years in prison. The charges are solicitation of murder for hire and solicitation of murder.
5. Still Appealing First Conviction
Jury selection begins in Drew Peterson murder-for-hire trial… t.co/FbYLLFndrE
Peterson is still appealing the first conviction to the Illinois Supreme Court. He wrote to Smith about it, saying that it would expose the state’s corrupt politics. According to the Sun-Times, the letter read:
My appeal is blowing the state’s case out of the water, but it’s almost impossible to fight the corrupt, under-the-table politics that’s going on. So nothing has changed. I’m praying for a bright future for our family. So let’s put a green light on all of our projects.