Peterson Sentenced to 38 Years in Prison for Murder of Kathleen Savio

Drew Peterson has been sentenced to 38 years in prison for the 2004 murder of his third wife, Kathleen Savio. 

See what Drew Peterson said before his sentencing in our Storify. 

Peterson was facing 20 to 60 years in prison. According to the Chicago Tribune, "Judge Edward Burmila said he gave Peterson some consideration for his years as a police officer and his service in the military."

Under the sentence, Peterson, who is 59, will be in jail until he is 93, according to the Chicago Tribune. He will be required to serve his full sentence, with the credit of the nearly four years he's already served in prison. 

The sentencing immediately followed Burmila's decision to deny a motion for a new murder trial. Peterson's lawyers argued for two days that he was deprived of a fair trial by Joel Brodsky, who was more worried about becoming a media darling than representing his client.

Peterson spoke before the sentencing was announced. 

From Chicago Tribune: 

Peterson began his appeal to the judge today by telling him, "Good day, my name is Drew Peterson. I hope I don't aggravate the situation here, but I have a lot of things to be said." Then he screamed, "I did not kill Kathleen!"

"Yes, you did," a woman said.

"Ma'am, I'd like you to leave the courtroom," Burmila said. "And Mr. Peterson, don't make any outbursts that are designed to aggravate people."

"I'm sorry, your honor. I must have been woozy," Peterson said.

READ PATCH'S COVERAGE OF PETERSON'S PLEA FOR A NEW TRIAL HERE: 

• Drew Peterson Judgment Day? Judge Will Make Call Thursday on New Trial
• Brodsky Cared More For Fame Than Winning Drew Peterson Case: Judge
• Drew Peterson Lawyer Claims Joel Brodsky 'Physically Attacked' Her