Over-the-Top Drew Peterson Creates Perfect 'Villain' in Trial, Story Says

The national appeal of the Drew Peterson case boils down to sex appeal, according to a story in the Christian Science Monitor, one of dozens of media outlets that have been watching the murder trial with bated breath.

Sure, there have been many cases that have captured the public's eye, the newspaper says, but this one is overloaded with gossipy details, not the least of which is a "jowly" police sergeant with a propensity for marrying women half his age and a "glib attitude ... that made (Rob) Lowe’s cartoonish characterization (in a Lifetime movie about Peterson) seem pale in comparison."

Andrew Stoltmann, a Chicago attorney who teaches at Northwestern University Law School, told the paper:  “It has so much trial sex appeal, so to speak. ... You have a couple of beautiful young women, one of whom is dead; you have a rogue husband suspected of the murder; and Drew Peterson is right out of central casting when it comes to pitching a villain.”

Whether that will be enough to land a victory in court remains to be seen. With Peterson as the defendant, Glasgow's failure to get several points admitted into the trial may not be the death knell that some believe, the article said.

Peterson's "erratic public behavior since both Savio’s death and (Stacy) Peterson’s disappearance will work against him in the minds of jurors," according to Los Angeles jury consultant Philip Anthony.

“A normal murder suspect has to deal with the facts, whereas Mr. Peterson has to deal with the facts plus the drama he has created,” Anthony said.

Read the Christian Science Monitor story here.

Peterson's trial resume's Tuesday. To read the latest story from the court proceedings, go to http://patch.com/A-wDr0.

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