As a Will County grand jury called in witnesses connected to Sgt. Drew Peterson on Wednesday, Bolingbrook police dealt with the likelihood they will not be able to hold him accountable for possible departmental violations because he quit.
Also on Wednesday, Peterson’s appearance on a network TV morning show to discuss the disappearance of his wife, Stacy, and the mysterious death of his ex-wife fueled more turmoil in his Bolingbrook neighborhood.
Shortly after 1:30 p.m. in downtown Joliet, Steve Carcerano, 39 — the neighbor who discovered the body of Peterson’s ex-wife Kathleen Savio in her bathtub in 2004 — walked into the Will County Court annex where the grand jury was convened. When he left hours later, Carcerano said he did not testify but expected to return next week. Also summoned to the grand jury was Bolingbrook Police Officer Alex Morelli, whom sources describe as a close friend of Drew Peterson. A person by that name signed as a witness to the 1997 will of Savio and Peterson.
Morelli declined to comment on whether he testified. Later, he could not be reached for comment on whether it was he who signed the will.
Savio, 40, was found dead just weeks before the divorce settlement between her and Peterson was to be made final. An autopsy noted blood covered her hair and the back of her head had a 1-inch gash, but the cause of death was determined to be drowning. In May 2004, a coroner’s jury ruled it accidental.
More Top Picks Best Adjustable Focus Reading Glasses
But the Oct. 28 disappearance of Stacy Peterson, 23, raised new questions about Savio’s death. Last week, State’s Atty. James Glasgow announced a formal reinvestigation of Savio’s death, and State Police Capt. Carl Dobrich called the sergeant a suspect in Stacy Peterson’s case, which he described as a potential homicide.
On Tuesday, Savio’s body was exhumed and investigators served a grand jury subpoena to Peterson’s brother. Peterson, meanwhile, flew to New York. He appeared Wednesday on the “Today” show, where he told host Matt Lauer he had nothing to do with Savio’s death or Stacy Peterson’s disappearance.
“I can look right in your eye and say I had nothing to do with either of those incidences,” he said. Peterson said his relationship with his wife was contentious, and said her mental health deteriorated after her sister died of cancer in 2006. He said she was on medication for her moods and asked him regularly for a divorce — requests he said corresponded with her menstrual cycle.
Peterson, who contends Stacy ran off with another man, said he did not know why she hadn’t contacted anyone. Asked what he would say to her, Peterson responded, “Come home, tell people where you are.”
A source familiar with the investigations said Drew Peterson appeared last week before the grand jury but would not say which case it was investigating.
Peterson had legal representation at that time, but he told Lauer one of the reasons he agreed to the interview was because he was anticipating a costly defense.
“If anyone would like to take my case, please call,” he said. “Let me know what you can do for me.”
Pam Bosco, spokeswoman for Stacy Peterson’s family, criticized his comments and demeanor during the interview.
“I think a normal human being would have been more emotional under the circumstances,” Bosco said. And the menstrual comment “was irrelevant. To bring that in as part of her emotional roller coaster or even to say that was part of their problem was just ridiculous.”
She questioned why he was allowed to travel after being named as a suspect. Peterson’s neighbor, Sharon Bychowski, agreed.
“His only priority is to go on that show and get a free lawyer and not to be concerned about Stacy’s return,” she said.
State Police Master Sgt. Luis Gutierrez would not comment on investigators’ view of the interview, but said Peterson is not under arrest and his travel is not restricted.
After weeks of unsuccessful searches for Stacy Peterson, media attention has shifted toward the Savio investigation, especially as it appears likely the grand jury is focusing on that case. But Bosco said the family does not believe Stacy’s disappearance is being overlooked.
“It doesn’t bother me at all,” she said. “Obviously it’s an issue that may possibly tie both these cases together, so we’re hoping something gets divulged by her case too.”
Peterson, a 29-year veteran of the police force, was suspended without pay and the subject of an investigation into possible violations of department rules that were uncovered in the course of the Savio and Stacy Peterson investigations.
On Monday, he tendered a letter of resignation, but Chief Ray McGury refused to accept it, Lt. Ken Teppel said Wednesday. One reason was because the letter was handed in by someone who identified himself as Peterson’s brother, leaving doubts about its validity, Teppel said.
The other reason was that investigators determined Peterson had violated department rules, and McGury wants him to face a hearing. Officials would not divulge the nature of the alleged violations.
Peterson is “going to be held accountable for this internal-affairs investigation,” Teppel said. “This happened while he was an officer, wearing the department’s uniform and badge, and he should be held accountable for it.”
Teppel said the internal-affairs report had been forwarded to the Bolingbrook Fire and Police Commission.
But Kathleen Elliot, attorney for the commission, said McGury does not have the authority to refuse a resignation, and said the board will acknowledge it at its meeting next week.
Attorney Burt Odelson, who represents numerous towns and civil service commissions, said the Bolingbrook board has no choice but to accept Peterson’s letter.
Peterson also filed for pension benefits Monday, said Richard Reimer, attorney for the pension board. He said the current investigations will not affect his benefits.
“The only time a police officer can lose his pension is if there’s a felony conviction, but that felony conviction has to arise out of, or relate to, or be in connection with, his employment as a police officer,” Reimer said. Peterson will receive about $6,000 per month, he added.
———-
More Top Picks Best Illuminated House Numbers
IN THE WEB EDITION: Watch the full NBC “Today” show interview with Drew Peterson at chicagotribune.com/petersonvideo