Jurors to hear openings in Peterson trial

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by Laura Matovina

Story Created: Jul 31, 2012 at 5:51 AM CDT

Story Updated: Jul 31, 2012

CHICAGO (AP) -- The saga of Drew Peterson and his ill-fated wives has drawn a lot of attention outside the courtroom.

Now, the case finally goes to trial. Opening statements are Tuesday in Joliet, followed by testimony from the first witnesses.

The former suburban Chicago police officer's day in court comes nearly a decade after his third wife was found dead in a bathtub. He has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in her 2004 death.

A botched initial investigation into the death of 40-year-old Kathleen Savio leaves prosecutors with scant physical evidence. They'll rely on circumstantial and normally barred hearsay evidence to convince jurors of Peterson's guilt.

Peterson was only charged after his 23-year-old fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, went missing in 2007.

The 58-year-old Peterson has never been charged in her disappearance.

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