Drew Peterson verdict

JOLIET, Ill. (AP) — Jurors deliberating the murder case against former suburban Chicago police
officer Drew Peterson have reached a verdict, an official said Thursday.

It was not immediately clear what the verdict was, but Will County Sheriff's Office spokesman Ken Kaupas confirmed the jury had reached a decision.

The announcement came shortly after jurors sent a note to the judge asking for the definition of the word 'unanimous' — a request that would seem to indicate a lack of consensus among them after more than a day and a half of discussion.

After discussing a response for several minutes with attorneys, Burmila said he would respond with a note saying the word "indicates the agreement of all on the matter at hand" and that, if they reach a decision, they would all have to sign the verdict form to show they are all in agreement.

Peterson, 58, has pleaded not guilty to murdering his third wife, Kathleen Savio, whose body was found in her dry bathtub in 2004. He was charged only after his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, disappeared in 2007, and Savio's remains were exhumed and her death was reclassified as homicide.

The jury sent four notes to the judge Wednesday, when they began deliberations, including one requesting transcripts of so-called hearsay testimony from witnesses who talked about incriminatory statements about Drew Peterson that Savio and Stacy Peterson allegedly made to them.

Hearsay is normally barred from being introduced as evidence in American trials, but Illinois adopted legislation tailored to Peterson's case allowing it in these circumstances. The statements implicating the defendant that Savio allegedly made to others before she died and that Stacy Peterson allegedly made before she disappeared are at the core of the state's case.

Because of a botched initial investigation into Savio's death, detectives collected no fingerprints, strands of hair or any other physical evidence. That means the case largely hinges on the hearsay and other circumstantial evidence.

Source : http://news.yahoo.com/jury-reaches-verdict-drew-peterson-murder-trial-193827937.html?_esi=1