http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-drew-peterson-webaug29,0,7433493.story?track=rssDrew Peterson's trial date set on felony gun charges over modified assault rifle
By Erika Slife | Chicago Tribune reporter
12:05 PM CDT, August 28, 2008
A Will County judge set a Dec. 8 trial date for former Bolingbrook Police Sgt. Drew Peterson, who faces felony gun charges stemming from the investigation of his wife's disappearance.
The trial could take up to two weeks, Judge Richard Schoenstedt said Thursday.
Peterson, who appeared in court sporting a full beard, is accused of owning a modified assault rifle with a barrel nearly 5 inches shorter than allowed by state law. His attorneys argue Peterson used the gun as a duty weapon.
The rifle was seized last fall after search warrants were executed as part of the investigation into the disappearance of Peterson's fourth wife, Stacy. The Bolingbrook mother, who was 23 at the time, vanished Oct. 28, and police named Drew Peterson, 54, a suspect in the case. He was arrested in May on possessing the weapon.
Peterson is next scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 18 for a pretrial hearing.