By Lauren Petty and BJ Lutz, NBCChicago.com
Before the defense wraps its testimony in the trial of a former Illinois police officer accused of killing his third wife, jurors could hear Wednesday from Tom Peterson, the oldest of Drew Peterson and Kathleen Savio's two sons.
The 19-year-old is expected to testify in defense of his father, accused of killing Savio in 2004. Drew Peterson's attorneys said the teen has some interesting insights into his dad's defense and is expected to say he doesn't believe his dad killed her. He also likely will describe events leading up to his mother's death.
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The teen, a valedictorian of his Bolingbrook, Ill.,?high school class and a current student at the University of Pennsylvania, last year withdrew himself from the wrongful death suit filed on his behalf by his aunt and grandfather. His younger brother, Kristopher Peterson,?followed suit when he turned 18 years old earlier this month.
Related: Judge denies request for acquittal in Drew Peterson murder trial
Tom Peterson's testimony comes after some key medical testimony from two pathologists who said Savio's injuries were consistent with an accidental death. Dr. Jeffrey Jentzen said he thinks Savio died by an accidental drowning after slipping and falling in her tub.
"As I mentioned before, this is a classic injury caused by a fall, especially in an area where there are numerous areas for the body to strike," said Jentzen, who up until 2008 was the chief medical examiner in Milwaukee.
Related: Drew Peterson trial stalls as judge challenges pathologist's testimony
His testimony was in contrast to that offered last week by Dr. Larry Blum, who performed the second autopsy on Savio's body. As a witness for the prosecution, Blum said someone falling in the tub would have spread their extremities in an attempt to break their fall. Additionally, he said the tub's edges were not pronounced enough to cause the two-inch, straight-line wound on her head.
Peterson's attorneys disputed Blum's testimony.
"It was an accident,"?said attorney Steve Greenberg. "It's always been an accident, it's still an accident, it'll be an accident when we do the closing arguments, it'll still be an accident when the jury comes back."
Related: Former colleague testifies Drew Peterson said life better if 3rd wife dead
After Tom Peterson takes the stand, the defense is expected to rest. Prosecutors said their list of rebuttal witnesses include Dr. Larry Blum and Dr. Michael Baden.
Closing arguments could follow Thursday, and the jury would be expected to start deliberating. With the Labor Day weekend ahead, it's not clear what the judge will decide in terms of timing and days off.
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