Peterson wants to go home, seeks bond reduction

Drew Peterson is hoping to be back home in time for the long holiday weekend.

Behind bars for two weeks, Peterson this afternoon will ask a Will County judge to slash his $20 million bond.

Circuit Judge Carla J. Alessio Policandriotes took over the murder case Thursday after prosecutors successfully ejected the county's presiding felony judge, who they argued had "prejudice against the state."

A shackled Peterson, 55, appeared tired and glum in court - a far cry from the wisecracking persona he often displayed in the 11/2 years since being thrust into the national media spotlight.

The former Bolingbrook police sergeant is charged with killing his third wife, Kathleen Savio, in 2004 after their recent divorce. Authorities initially called her bathtub drowning death an accident, but they exhumed her body and ruled otherwise after suspicions grew about Peterson in light of the Oct. 28, 2007, disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy, 23, who still hasn't been found.

Results of a Thursday autopsy on decayed partial human remains found along the Des Plaines River were inconclusive, but Stacy Peterson's family are hopeful they are hers. An expedited DNA analysis will likely take about two weeks.

"We've always prepared ourselves for this day," said Pamela Bosco, a family spokeswoman. "It's inevitable. We know she was killed. Hopefully, there will be some kind of retribution."

Drew Peterson's lead attorney said he and his infamous client are confident the grisly discovery is insignificant to their case.

"I can just tell you we are not at all concerned," attorney Joel Brodsky said. "Not one bit."

Peterson pleaded not guilty to Savio's murder. He contends Stacy left him for another man and most likely is living out of state.

Brodsky plans to ask the judge to reduce Peterson's bond to less than $500,000. He called Peterson a "model client" with a good civic record who never fled despite traveling to places such as California, Florida and Mexico during the long probe.

Brodsky also said the four-member defense team has not ruled out asking that a special prosecutor be brought in since Peterson, as a former cop, has worked alongside some of those who are seeking his conviction.

"We are going to fight this case every step of the way," Brodsky said. "We're going to see him exonerated and walk out the courthouse a free man."

Prosecutors and the women's families oppose any bond reduction.

Bond: Lawyer says they may ask for special prosecutor