Drew Peterson, Chicago ex-cop, jailed for 38 years in murder of third wife

Former Chicago cop Drew Peterson has been jailed for 38 years for the murder of his third wife, Kathleen Savio.

Peterson, 59, had faced a maximum 60-year prison term, the Associated Press reported, adding that he is also a suspect in the 2007 disappearance of his 23-year-old fourth wife, Stacy, although he hasn't been charged. 

Stacy Peterson disappeared in 2007, and it was during the search for her that investigators said they'd look again into Savio's 2004 death, initially ruled an accidental drowning.

Jurors convicted Peterson last September of murdering Savio, whose body was found by neighbors in a dry bathtub at her home.

Defense attorneys maintained that she fell, hit her head and drowned.

According to a report on Fox News, Peterson pre-empted the judge's sentencing, shouting:

"I did not kill Kathleen!"

The outburst prompted sheriff’s deputies to step closer to Peterson as Judge Edward Burmila fought to restore order in the court.

The Peterson case has drawn intrigue, with speculation that the former police sergeant used his law enforcement expertise to try and get away with murder.

Peterson will get credit for nearly four years that he has been in custody, CNN cited the state's attorney spokesman Charles B. Pelkie as saying.