Jailed Drew Peterson resents 'sinister' image

JOLIET, Ill., June 4 (UPI) -- Former police officer Drew Peterson says he's "sick of being called sinister" as he awaits trial in Joliet, Ill., for allegedly killing his third wife.

In an exclusive interview with the Chicago Sun-Times at the Will County Adult Detention Center in Joliet, Peterson, a former Bolingbrook, Ill., police sergeant, refers to himself as "Bored, but I'm OK, because I think of myself as a man in jail awaiting trial, and not in prison for killing someone."

Peterson, 58, has been held for three years since a Will County grand jury charged him with murder in the death of Kathleen Savio, his third wife. He also is the chief suspect in the disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacey Peterson. Jury selection in his trial will begin July 23, the newspaper said Monday.

"I'm sick of being called sinister," he said in the 30-minute interview. "I'm just a wise-ass who gets into trouble for attempting to be funny, but what's happening is not funny."

He acknowledged, in the interview, his marriage choices were disastrous, but considers himself a good father to his six children.

Asked if he misses Stacey Peterson, he said, "Sometimes I do. Sure."

And if she suddenly reappeared?

"Ask her to sign the divorce papers," Peterson said.