The Disappearance of Stacy Ann Peterson
Mystery and Murder: Analysis by Dr. Phil
Dr. Phil McGraw
4.2 • 10.3K Ratings
🗓️ 12 February 2026
⏱️ 43 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Part 4: The Stacy Peterson mystery collides head-on with the courtroom battle over Kathleen Savio’s death. In Part 4, Dr. Phil sits down with Steve Greenberg, Drew Peterson’s former criminal defense attorney, for an inside look at what happened behind the scenes of one of the most scrutinized cases in America. Greenberg explains why he believes Drew’s relentless media blitz (“Win a Date with Drew” and more) helped turn up the heat that ultimately led to indictment and how reckless publicity can poison a jury pool, disrespect a grieving family, and box a defense into a corner.
Dr. Phil and Greenberg also unpack the moment Greenberg says changed everything: a defense decision to put attorney Harry Smith on the stand, delivering testimony that jurors allegedly couldn’t shake.
From Drew’s current prison status to the added murder-for-hire conviction that ensures he’ll never walk free, this episode pulls back the curtain on strategy, ego, and consequences while the most haunting question remains unanswered: what happened to Stacy Peterson, and will anyone ever reveal where she is?
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | The disappearance of Stacey Ann Peterson is one of the most talked-about mysteries. |
| 0:10.6 | The young mother of two vanished without a trace, leaving behind her two beloved children. |
| 0:18.1 | Her husband Drew, a local police officer, didn't seem all too concerned about her disappearance. |
| 0:25.0 | Then he was put on trial for murdering not Stacy, but his previous wife, Kathleen Savio. |
| 0:34.6 | Today we have the privilege of talking to Drew Peterson's former criminal defense attorney, |
| 0:40.9 | Steve Greenberg. He was one of a team of lawyers who represented Drew Peterson in his murder |
| 0:47.3 | proceedings and appellate efforts. Now, Steve was a central figure in Peterson's defense team, and he made some headlines of his own. Steve was a central figure in Peterson's defense team, and he made some headlines of his own. |
| 0:57.9 | Steve was known for his outspoken criticism of how the trial was handled and the decisions made by lead counsel. |
| 1:08.1 | At one point, Greenberg said, no reasonably competent lawyer would have his client go on TV and talk and talk and talk. |
| 1:21.1 | Commenting on media decisions he felt undermined the case. |
| 1:25.8 | So we're going to have a lot to agree on, Steve. |
| 1:29.7 | So thanks so much for being here. |
| 1:32.0 | Thank you. |
| 1:33.0 | Good to see you. |
| 1:34.0 | Good to see you. |
| 1:35.0 | So first off, I say you were a member of the defense team. |
| 1:38.4 | I certainly don't want to tie the result to you because you didn't make a lot of the decisions |
| 1:44.0 | that were made in the defense strategy. |
| 1:48.0 | But first, let me catch up with Drew Peterson. |
| 1:53.0 | Are you still in touch with him and what's his status and circumstance? |
| 1:59.0 | Can you bring us up to speed on Drew Peterson? |
| 2:02.3 | Sure. I haven't talked to Drew in quite a while now. A couple of reasons for that. |
... |
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