Drew Peterson Judge Replaced For A Second Time

For the second time, the judge in the Drew Peterson murder case has been replaced.

Will County Chief Judge Gerald Kinney on Monday assigned the case to Circuit Judge Stephen White. The move was in response to the defense's motion for a judge other than Carla Alessio Policandriotes. Kinney said he found that the defense's motion "does appear to meet the criteria."

Peterson's attorney, Joel Brodsky, didn't specify why he wanted a different judge. Earlier, State's Atty. James Glasgow, who is prosecuting the case, said in court he didn't oppose the motion, saying it is "a statutory right."

Policandriotes handled a small part of the 2002 divorce case between Peterson and Kathleen Savio, signing an early order setting child support and awarding Savio temporary custody of their children.

Peterson is alleged to have killed Savio in 2004 after they had divorced but before financial and other matters had been settled.

Peterson has pleaded not guilty.