EXPLAINER: What ex-officer claims in bid to toss conviction

By DON BABWIN
Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) — Former suburban Chicago police Sgt. Drew Peterson is getting another chance to ask a judge to vacate his 2012 conviction in the murder of his third wife. A hearing Monday on the motion was delayed for three months by the same judge who sentenced Peterson to 38 years in prison for the 2004 slaying of Kathleen Savio. Peterson’s lawyer said he needed more time. Such efforts are rarely successful, but Will County Judge Edward Burmila wrote that he found a “gist of a constitutional” claim in Peterson’s hand-printed petition and he wants to hear more. Courts have already considered and shot down many of Peterson’s arguments in previous rulings.