Peterson Judge Allows Cop to Testify on Savio Report

UPDATE: Judge Mulls Third Mistrial Motion in Peterson Case...

In a major victory for prosecutors in the Drew Peterson murder trial, Judge Edward Burmila on Tuesday allowed testimony from Bolingbrook police officer Teresa Kernc about an exchange between Peterson and his third wife, Kathleen Savio.

Kernc recounted a 2002 visit she had with Savio in which Savio told her that Peterson broke into her home and held her captive on the stairway for more than three hours.

At some point, Savio ordered Peterson to leave "or do what you came here to do, kill me." Kernc said Savio claimed Peterson asked her "where do you want it?" and she said, "in the head."

Those details were not in the original hand-written report Savio filed. She was found dead in a bathtub in her Plainfield home on March 1, 2004 and her death ultimately ruled a homicide.

Peterson, 58, is facing first-degree murder charges. He's pleaded not guilty.

Burmila also made a decision, considered a setback for the prosecution, when he barred testimony from two witnesses. Savio's cousin, Candace Aikin, and Savio's friend, Donna Badalamenti, were to testify that they had overheard Peterson say he could kill Savio and make it look like an accident.

Tuesday's proceedings began Tuesday with testimony from a forensic pathologist. Dr. Christopher Long testified that no toxins were found in Savio's body other than those that develop during decomposition.

NBC Chicago has reporters in the Will County Courthouse for the trial. During proceedings, follow along with our Drew Peterson Trial Live Blog or follow gmarshall_jr on Twitter.

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