New judge assigned to Drew Peterson case

Prosecutors in the murder case against former police officer Drew Peterson got their wish when a new judge was appointed to preside over the trial.

Will County Chief Judge Gerald Kinney on Thursday appointed Carla J. Alessio-Policandriotes to oversee the case.

Earlier this week, the Will County state's attorney had asked that Judge Richard Schoenstedt be removed, on the grounds of bais against the state.

Peterson's attorney Joel Brodsky challenged that motion. On Thursday, Brodsky originally said in court that he would ask that that new judge be replaced, too, but he later withdrew that request.

Peterson is charged with first-degree murder in the 2004 drowning of Kathleen Savio. Her death was initially ruled an accident but was reopened after Peterson's fourth wife, Stacy, disappeared in 2007.