Judge limits Drew Peterson publicity

[June 04, 2009]  JOLIET. (AP) -- A judge limited Drew Peterson's ability to give media interviews Wednesday after the jailed ex-police officer phoned in wisecracks to a Chicago radio show last week.

Will County Judge Stephen White ordered Peterson's lawyers to give him a list of family, friends and attorneys that Peterson calls from jail. Peterson must get permission to call somebody not on the list, White said.

White also ordered that all attorneys in the case must notify him and the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of any interviews and send copies of press releases.

"If you are going to do an interview, I would like to be informed (beforehand) as to the time and place," White said.

Peterson called the "Mancow & Cassidy" show last week from the Will County Adult Detention Facility and cracked jokes about prison showers, a "Win a Conjugal Visit with Drew" contest and the death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio.

The former Bolingbrook officer has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the 2004 death of Savio, whose body was found in a dry bathtub. Peterson is also a suspect in the disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy.

Since she went missing in October 2007, Peterson and his attorney, Joel Brodsky, have made scores of television and radio appearances and a small army of television trucks is often parked outside Peterson's home. Both he and Savio's family have hired publicists.

The publicity threatens the ability for a fair trial, said Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow, who said he has limited speaking out on the case.

"This is the place to put a cap on it," he said of pretrial publicity. "I'm trying to protect the jury pool here."

Brodsky countered that he needs to be able to talk to the media, saying publicity might prompt potential witnesses to come forward with relevant information.

The judge set an Aug. 24 trial date.

Brodsky, who can ask for a continuance, said it was a realistic date as long as Peterson is in custody.

Glasgow said he expects the defense to move for a change of venue because of the publicity.

Brodsky did not address the change of venue but has said the defense is considering that.

[Associated Press]

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