Ruling reinstates Drew Peterson gun charge

[February 16, 2010]  JOLIET (AP) -- An appeals court has reversed a lower court's decision to dismiss gun charges against former Illinois police officer Drew Peterson.

The Illinois Third District Appellate Court ruled that Judge Richard Schoenstedt erred when he dismissed the gun charges against Peterson in 2008 after prosecutors refused to hand over key internal documents.

Peterson's attorneys had argued the gun charges amounted to vindictive and selective prosecution.

The charges stemmed from an investigation into the 2007 disappearance of Peterson's fourth wife, Stacy Peterson. He was charged with owning an assault rifle with a barrel shorter than allowed by state law.

He's currently in jail awaiting the start of his trial on charges he killed his third wife, Kathleen Savio. He's pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing.

[Associated Press]

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