Drew Peterson Lawyer Claims Joel Brodsky 'Physically Attacked' Her

The first witness in the hearing to determine whether convicted wife-killer Drew Peterson will get a new murder trial testified that attorney Joel Brodsky attacked her in the law office they shared.

"There was an incident where he physically attacked me and the police had to be called," Chicago attorney Reem Odeh said during the hearing Monday morning.

Odeh and Brodsky were law partners before she quit his firm and withdrew from the Peterson case in 2010. Peterson was in jail at the time and she visited him there to break the news in person.

Odeh said Brodsky was enraged by her departure. He attacked her when she dissolved their partnership, she said.

Peterson attorney Joseph "Shark" Lopez discussed Odeh's testimony during a break in the hearing.

"I don't know if they had a pushing and shoving match," Lopez said. "They had some sort of a physical altercation."

The attorneys still representing Peterson are trying to convince Judge Edward Burmila to grant him a new trial. They have based their case on Brodsky failing to adequately represent Peterson.

Peterson's attorneys have blamed Brodsky for blowing the trial.

One other witness, John Marshall Law School professor Clifford Scott-Rudnick has testified. He will take the stand again this afternoon.

Scott-Rudnick said Brodsky committed ethical violations by entering into a publicity contract with Peterson.

A wrongful death lawsuit against Peterson also was briefly addressed. Brodsky officially withdrew from the case. Peterson attorney Steve Greenberg asked Judge Michael Powers to sanction Brodsky but the judge set the issue for a later date.

Brodsky appeared in court for the civil matter and is expected to be called later in the hearing for a new trial.

"He's all right," Lopez said of Brodsky. "He looks a little nervous."

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