Snitch Says Drew Peterson Didn't Care If Glasgow Was Killed 'Execution Style,' But That Part Wasn't Recorded

CHESTER, IL — The prison snitch who secretly recorded Drew Peterson for the FBI claimed the disgraced former cop told him he didn’t care whether or not a prosecutor’s killing was done “execution style.”

The snitch, 25-year-old Antonio “Beast” Smith, failed to catch that damning statement on the recording device he had been provided by the FBI. So far, after three days and hours of recorded conversations between Peterson, Smith and other prisoners, Peterson has yet to order Glasgow’s murder.

But that’s what Peterson is standing trial for in Downstate Chester. Peterson is serving a 38-year prison sentence at Menard Correctional Center in Chester. He was sent to Menard for murdering his third wife, Kathleen Savio.

Peterson, 62, wasn’t locked up for long when he allegedly approached Smith about having a hit put on the prosecutor who tried his murder case, Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow. Smith reached out to a prison official and also sent letters to Glasgow’s office and the Will County Circuit Clerk. The FBI then outfitted Smith with a wire and he went about recording Peterson.

Peterson and Smith had struck up a friendship while both were assigned to protective custody at Menard. They would cook meals together, Smith said, and he protected Peterson from other prisoners.

On the day Peterson supposedly told Smith he was OK with Glasgow’s killer not doing the job execution style, the pair were together at the prison’s commissary, where inmates can purchase hygiene products, snacks and other items.

Smith said he and Peterson ducked into the “back by the urinals” so they could have some privacy.

There, they spoke of “stuff that was previously discussed as far as James Glasgow,” Smith said, that “stuff” being “the killing of James Glasgow.”

“We talked about a lot but the one thing that was discussed was it didn’t have to be execution style,” Smith said.

Peterson demonstrated what he meant by gesturing “as if he was pointing a gun at him,” Smith said.

While the jury will have to take Smith’s word about the supposed “execution style” conversation he had with Peterson near the commissary urinals, his recordings definitively captured Peterson discussing movies and confiding that he is a fan of romantic comedies.

“I like funny movies,” Peterson said. “Actually my favorite movie is ‘10 Things I hate About You.’”

Peterson also said he is a fan of the Clint Eastwood films “High Plains Drifter,” “A Fistful of Dollars” and “Kelly’s Heroes,” but deep down he likes romantic comedies best.

“Basically comedies, romantic comedies,” Peterson said.

“I like to laugh all the time at movies,” he said. “Especially in here. We don’t have a lot to laugh about.”