Drew Peterson attended mother's wake

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JOLIET, Ill., Oct. 12 (UPI) -- Convicted killer Drew Peterson was let out of an Illinois jail for about an hour to attend his mother's wake, jail officials in Joliet, Ill., said.

While Peterson, a former suburban Chicago police sergeant convicted of drowning his third wife in 2004, was at the Thursday wake for his mother, Bettey Morphey, who was 84, lawyers squabbled in a courtroom for the right to represent him during the appeals process.

Peterson's longtime counsel Joel Brodsky told Judge Edward Burmila the convict had reaffirmed his confidence in Brodsky, the Chicago Sun Times reported.

Not so, said lawyer John Paul Carroll, who had a jailhouse meeting with Peterson before the wake. Carroll said Peterson expressed reservations about Brodsky and asked Carroll to aid his appeal.

"He gave me the go-ahead to represent him," Carroll said.

Peterson may seek a new trial, alleging incompetent representation, the lawyer said.

Brodsky said Carroll had given Peterson "crazy advice."

"[Peterson] trusts me, he knows I'm only looking out for his best interests," Brodsky said.