Peterson drops appeal of decision allowing hearsay

An attorney for a former suburban Chicago police officer accused of killing his third wife says the defense won’t appeal an appellate court’s decision to allow hearsay statements as evidence at trial.

Joel Brodsky, Drew Peterson’s attorney, tells the Chicago Tribune the defense has informed the Third District Appellate Court they will not fight a recent higher court ruling allowing prosecutors to use previously excluded hearsay statements. Brodsky says the defense is ready to go to trial.

Legal wrangling over the statements from Peterson’s drowned ex-wife Kathleen Savio and missing fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, has postponed Peterson’s trial for nearly two years

The jailed Peterson was charged with killing Savio in 2004 after his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, disappeared in 2007. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.