Testimony in Drew Peterson's murder trial enters a fourth day after a judge negotiated a delicate issue that nearly ended proceedings.

It's not clear who will take the stand first Friday as prosecutors continue trying to prove the former suburban Chicago police sergeant killed his third wife, Kathleen Savio. He was charged after his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, disappeared in 2007.

The judge refused to grant a defense mistrial motion Thursday, but made clear he entertained the idea. The issue was testimony from a prosecution witness who said he felt threatened by Peterson, an ex-Bolingbrook officer.

Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow denied the near-mistrial made his office look bad.

But defense attorney Steve Greenberg said the judge's rebuke meant prosecutors "did something they shouldn't do" and "got spanked."