about a minute ago
In Session here is some info on the prosecution's first witness, Mary Pontarelli who testified yesterday: Prosecution Witness #1) MARY PONTARELLI (next-door neighbor and close friend of drowning victim Kathleen Savio)
* Became friends with Drew and Kathleen Savio Peterson when the Petersons moved next door in 1997. She was especially close to Kathleen. We seen [sic] each other almost every day.
* Recalled how the Petersons split up after Kathleen learned that Drew was having an affair with Stacy Cales.
* After Drew Peterson moved out, Kathleen had a deadbolt lock installed on her bedroom door.
* Last saw Savio on the afternoon of Saturday, February 28, 2004. She said that she had a great week at school . . . she was studying to become a nurse. Said that Savio told her she was going to stay home that night and study.
* Saw Savios bedroom light was still on when she and her husband returned home from a party that night around midnight.
* On Monday, evening (March 1), she received a call from Drew Peterson. He said hed tried to bring the kids back, but Kathleen still wasnt home . . . he asked me if he got a locksmith if I would go in the house with him.
* After unsuccessfully trying to reach Savio by phone, Mrs. Pontarelli agreed to go along with Drew Petersons plan. I went outside; the locksmith was already working on the door.
* Once the front door was open, Pontarelli went upstairs with another neighbor, Steve Cancerano. He [Peterson] was still down by the bottom of the steps.
* After she and Cancerano entered Savios bedroom, Cancerano headed toward the master bathroom. He called out my name, I went into the bathroom, and seen [sic] Kathy in the tub. I ran out of the bathroom, threw myself down, and started screaming.
* Described injuries she noted on Savios body. She had a cut in her head . . . there was dried blood in her hair . . . then I noticed some bruising on her wrists and on her buttocks. She also had some blood coming out of her nose.
* After she screamed, her husband, her son, and Peterson came running up to the bathroom. Drew did take her pulse. I said, Is the dead? And he said, Yes, Mary, she is.
* Pontarellis first impulse was to drape something over Savios body. But Peterson told that she shouldnt.
* Described the Peterson/Savio divorce as bitter . . . but acknowledged that as time went on it seemed that they were getting along better.
* Agreed that Kathleen Savio could be tough . . . I wouldnt call her bossy . . . she had strong passions.
* Doesnt recall seeing a robe or any clothing near Savios bathtub. However, she acknowledged that a photo of the scene seems to show a blue robe inside the room.
* Peterson was in uniform on the night in question. But when he rushed up the stairs and into the bathroom as a result of Pontarellis scream, he did not have his gun drawn.
