Deliberating Peterson jurors to see autopsy photos

[September 06, 2012]  JOLIET (AP) -- Jurors at Drew Peterson's murder trial are getting to look again at photographs of the former Illinois police officer's third wife's body.

Judge Edward Burmila told the court Wednesday afternoon that jurors had requested the photos of Kathleen Savio's body in the bathtub. They asked specifically for those that show bruises and scratches.

Peterson has pleaded not guilty to murdering Savio in 2004.

Burmila also agreed to send jurors photographs showing Savio's body after it had been cut open. One is of Savio's head sliced at the top, revealing her brain.

Peterson attorney Joel Brodsky objected to letting the jury see what he called "extreme bruises."

But Burmila said the photographs can help resolve the key question about whether or not Savio's death was a homicide or an accident.

[Associated Press]

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