Peterson witness: 3rd wife died accidentally

Peterson witness: 3rd wife died accidentally

JOLIET, Ill. (AP) — A pathologist has testified for the defense at Drew Peterson’s murder trial that the former Illinois police officer’s third wife died as a result of an accidental fall, not murder.

Dr. Jeffrey Jentzen’s testimony today counters state witnesses who told jurors they thought someone killed Kathleen Savio.

Savio’s body was found in her bathtub in 2004, and her death was initially ruled accidental. It was reclassified a homicide only after Peterson’s fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, disappeared in 2007.

Jentzen says a gash on the back of Savio’s head and other bruises were “classic” indicators of a slip and fall.

A prosecution witness testified earlier that it was impossible for Savio to get an injury on the back of her head and bruises on her front from one fall.