Baden: Fox News producer assisted him

JOLIET, Ill., Feb. 19 (UPI) -- Michael Baden, one of the best-known U.S. medical examiners, acknowledged Friday a Fox News producer assisted him at the autopsy on Drew Peterson's ex-wife.

Baden was the final witness at a hearing in Illinois on the use of hearsay testimony at Peterson's trial, the Chicago Tribune reported. Peterson, a former police officer in Bolingbrook, Ill., is charged with killing his third wife, Kathleen Savio, and is also a suspect in the disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson.

In his direct testimony, Baden said he concluded Savio was a victim of homicide. Her death was originally ruled an accident, but the investigation was reopened when Stacy Peterson vanished.

When he was cross-examined by Peterson's lawyer, Joel Brodsky, Baden said a producer for Greta Van Susteren, a Fox host, acted as his assistant.

"One always needs an assistant during an autopsy and there was no one else available," Baden said.

Judge Stephen White must determine what hearsay statements will be allowed at Peterson's trial.

Jeffrey Jentzen, a forensic pathologist and professor at the University of Michigan, testified for the defense earlier this week that Savio was not the victim of a homicide.

After reviewing reports from three autopsies conducted on Savio, Jentzen said, "It's my opinion that it's an accidental death," the Bolingbrook Sun reported.

Savio was found dead in the bathtub at her home in March 2004.