Peterson uncle: I liked slain wife

Man awarded assets to Drew

WESTCHESTER — The man who awarded Drew Peterson all of his slain ex-wife's assets said he is just an "honest guy" with nothing against the dead woman.

"I might be the only one who liked Kathleen," James B. Carroll said of Kathleen Savio, the dead wife of his nephew, Peterson.

Whether Carroll liked her or not, Savio's sister and father filed a wrongful death lawsuit last week against Carroll and Peterson.

Savio and Peterson were in the midst of a contentious divorce when she was found drowned in a dry bathtub in March 2004. The couple's marriage was legally severed but their finances had yet to be divided. Savio died shortly before that was scheduled to occur.

State police investigated but failed to find any indication of foul play in Savio's death. Soon after, Drew Peterson produced a will that named Carroll the executor of Savio's estate.

Carroll said the will was made at his suggestion — but added he had no idea Peterson was going to name him executor.

He recalled Peterson asking for advice about making out a will shortly before the couple took a vacation to the Bahamas.

"I remember saying to him make a will," Carroll said.

'I was family'

The state police are reinvestigating Savio's death. The disappearance of Peterson's next wife, Stacy Peterson, in October 2007 prompted them to revisit the case.

The state police consider Stacy Peterson the victim of a "potential homicide" and named Drew Peterson their sole suspect. In the wake of her disappearance, authorities decided Savio's death, which was first determined to be an accidental drowning, was actually homicide.

The recently filed wrongful death lawsuit accuses Carroll of working out an "agreement" with Peterson to ensure his nephew held on to all of the marital assets, including the sale proceeds of a tavern and printing company; insurance policies; and personal property.

The lawsuit alleges the assets were "diverted to the personal benefit" of Peterson, Carroll or both of them.

Carroll insists he received nothing for acting as the executor of Savio's estate.

"Heck no," he said. "I was family."

An 'honest guy'

Carroll said he was not even aware that Peterson followed through on his advice to make out a will until his nephew came up with it after Savio died. He said Peterson explained that he made him executor because he thought of his "Uncle Jimmy" as an "honest guy."

Carroll said he last saw Peterson in January, when the family celebrated Peterson's 55th birthday and the 16th birthday of Peterson's son Thomas.

Carroll's wife and Drew Peterson's mother were sisters. Carroll's wife died 14 years ago, he said.

The Westchester resident said he is retired from his job with AT%26T, and while he does not think the Savio family can get any money out of him through the wrongful death lawsuit, he is not happy about being named a defendant.

"It stinks," he said.