Crime & Safety

Brodsky Cared More For Fame Than Winning Drew Peterson Case: Judge

Attorney Joel Brodsky may have even lost the Drew Peterson murder trial on purpose in hopes of augmenting his public image, a retired judge testified.

Drew Peterson's lead attorney may have taken a dive during the convicted wife-killer's murder trial in hopes of boosting his fame, a retired judge testified Wednesday morning.

If attorney Joel Brodsky had somehow managed to win Peterson's murder trial, "The spigot could be turned off. The interest could probably wane," retired Cook County Judge Daniel Locallo testified.

Peterson attorney Steve Greenberg referenced the Casey Anthony case and pointed out that no one is very interested in her attorney, Jose Baez, since he beat the murder case brought against the Florida mother.

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Locallo also said Brodsky was "prejudiced" against Peterson because of a contract the two of them signed with a Florida publicist. He also said Brodsky's decision to call his slain wife's divorce attorney as a witness was a huge mistake.

"So far I haven't heard any explanation for why he made this renegade, obviously ineffective move," Greenberg said of Brodsky calling Smith to the stand.

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Peterson was found guilty in  September of murdering his third wife, Kathleen Savio. Brodsky, who Greenberg said insisted his co-counsel call "coach," is no longer part of the defense team. Peterson's remaining lawyers have since blamed Brodsky for losing the case and are trial to get Judge Edward Burmila to grant a new trial.

Greenberg and attorney Joseph "Shark" Lopez said they may call one more witness Wednesday afternoon. They would not identify the witness or disclose whether Peterson will testify.


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