Timeline in case of ex-Ill. cop Drew Peterson

[September 07, 2012]  JOLIET (AP)  -- Former Bolingbrook police sergeant Drew Peterson was convicted Thursday in his third wife Kathleen Savio's 2004 death. He was charged after his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, vanished in 2007. A look at key events in the case:

1992

Drew Peterson marries Kathleen Savio, his third wife. They have two children, Christopher and Thomas.

2001

Savio learns Peterson is having an affair with 17-year-old Stacy Cales, a hotel clerk.

2002

Nov. 14, 2002: During acrimonious divorce proceedings, Savio writes a letter to a Will County prosecutor, accusing Peterson of abusing her and saying she fears for her life.

2003

Oct. 10, 2003: Savio and Peterson's divorce is granted.

Oct. 18, 2003: Peterson marries Cales, who becomes Stacy Peterson. He is 49 and she is 19. They have two children, Anthony and Lacy.

November 2003: Drew Peterson allegedly offers a former co-worker $25,000 to hire a hit man to kill Savio, though the man said he never acted on the request.

2004

Feb. 29, 2004: Stacy Peterson allegedly wakes up in the middle of the night to find her husband gone from the house. He allegedly tells her later to lie to police.

March 1, 2004: Kathleen Savio found dead in a bathtub. Her death is originally ruled an accidental drowning.

2007

Oct. 29, 2007: Stacy Peterson reported missing a day after she failed to show up at a relative's home. Friends and family say that weeks before she had told them that she believed her husband killed Savio.

November 2007: Drew Peterson mounts a media blitz to declare his innocence, including an appearance on NBC's "The Today Show."

Nov. 9, 2007: Illinois State Police declare Drew Peterson a suspect in Stacy Peterson's disappearance. They also say they have formally launched an investigation into Savio's 2004 drowning death. The same day, a judge signs an order to exhume Savio's body.

Nov. 12, 2007: After 29 years as an officer at the Bolingbrook Police Department, Drew Peterson resigns.

Nov. 13, 2007: Savio's body is exhumed and an autopsy is conducted.

2008

Feb. 21, 2008: The Will County state's attorney announces that Savio's death officially declared a homicide.

May 21, 2008: Peterson turns himself in to police on a weapons charge unrelated to the disappearance of his wife. He is released from custody after an adult son posted a 10 percent bond.

Nov. 19, 2008: Illinois legislators adopt a new law in the wake of the Peterson case, dubbed "Drew's Law." It allows normally barred hearsay evidence at trial if witnesses were killed to prevent their testimony.

Nov. 20, 2008: Gun charges dropped against Peterson.

2009

May 7, 2009: Murder indictment issued for Peterson. He is arrested during a traffic stop.

May 18, 2009: Peterson pleads not guilty in Savio's death.

May 22, 2009: Judge refuses to reduce Peterson's $20 million bail. He remains jailed.

2010

January 2010: Hearing held to decide what hearsay statement will be admissible at Peterson's murder trial. Prosecutors call more than 60 witnesses. It prompts two years of appeals.

2012

January 2012: Cable television movie "Drew Peterson: Untouchable," starring actor Rob Lowe, airs.

April 12, 2012: Illinois appellate court allows some hearsay evidence at Peterson trial. Defense doesn't appeal.

May 4, 2012: Judge Edward Burmila is appointed to the case, replacing retired Judge Stephen White.

uly 31, 2012: Opening statements and testimony begin at Peterson trial.

Aug. 27, 2012: Prosecutors rest case after calling more than 30 witnesses.

Sept. 6, 2012: Jury convicts Peterson of murder in Savio's death.

[Associated Press]

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