Judge denies new murder trial for former suburban Chicago police officer Drew Peterson

3/7/2013

JOLIET, Ill.  — A judge has refused to grant Drew Peterson a new murder trial in the death of the former suburban Chicago police officer's third wife.

The ruling came today after Peterson's current legal team argued for a new trial on grounds his former lead attorney botched the case.

After the ruling, Judge Edward Burmila moved on to Peterson's sentencing hearing.

Jurors convicted Peterson in September in the 2004 death of Kathleen Savio. Her body was found in a dry bathtub.

The 59-year-old Peterson faces up to 60 years in prison for Savio's murder.

Peterson is also a suspect in the 2007 disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, but hasn't been charged.