Drew Peterson prosecution expects to rest Friday

[August 24, 2012]  JOLIET (AP) -- Prosecutors have told the judge at Drew Peterson's murder trial they expect to rest their case Friday.

They made the comment Thursday before the judge adjourned for the day.

Prosecutors have called more than 30 witnesses over four weeks in a bid to prove Peterson killed his third wife, Kathleen Savio, in March 2004. He has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.

If prosecutors rest Friday, defense lawyers would have their chance to put on a case. They could also choose not to call witnesses and argue that the state failed to meet its burden of proof.

Prosecutors faced major challenges heading into trial, including a lack of physical evidence.

Savio's death was reclassified from an accident to a homicide after Peterson's fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, disappeared in 2007.

[Associated Press]

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