-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Drew Peterson , who was arrested this week in the death of his third wife , joked with the media about his jail jumpsuit and chewed gum throughout his first court appearance Friday . A judge delayed Drew Peterson 's arraignment until May 18 because his lawyers could n't attend Friday 's hearing . The 55-year-old former police officer flashed a broad smile and engaged in banter during the 10-yard walk to the courthouse . Wearing an inmate uniform -- a bright-red short-sleeved shirt and pants , white socks and sandals -- Peterson had his hands and feet shackled as he arrived at the courtroom . Asked how he was , he responded , `` three squares a day and a spiffy outfit . '' He then held up the chains and said , `` and I got the bling . Ca n't complain . '' Peterson , who authorities call the prime suspect in the disappearance of his fourth wife , Stacy Peterson , was indicted on murder charges related to the death of his third wife , Kathleen Savio , the Illinois state attorney 's office said . Watch a shackled Peterson go to jail '' Peterson appeared in court Friday , but a judge delayed his arraignment until May 18 . Judge Richard Schoenstedt ordered the delay after Will County State 's Attorney Jim Glasgow told him that Peterson 's primary lawyer , Joel Brodsky , had asked for it because neither he nor Peterson 's other attorney could attend Friday 's hearing . Peterson , chewing gum throughout the proceedings and speaking in a clear voice , told Schoenstedt that he knew both of his lawyers were out of town and that he had no objection to the delay . Glasgow , who has said he will prosecute the case personally , said Brodsky told him that he expects to ask the judge for a reduction in Peterson 's $ 20 million bail during the May 18 arraignment . Illinois State Police said Peterson was taken into custody about 5:30 p.m. Thursday after a traffic stop near his home . Police had staked out his home all day , police Capt. Carl Dobrich said , but waited for Peterson to leave before arresting him out of concern for his three young children , who were in the house . Peterson , through his attorney , denied any wrongdoing in either case . Glasgow said he believes that the case is strong . `` This is an extremely grave and serious matter , and it is reflected in the bond , '' Glasgow said . Brodsky told CNN 's Larry King that he thought the bail was excessive and would seek a more `` reasonable '' amount , noting that it was the most expensive bail he 'd seen in 10 years . Watch Peterson 's attorney address his client 's arrest '' Charles B. Pelkie , a spokesman for Glasgow , said a grand jury indicted Peterson in the murder of Savio , whose death had once been ruled an accidental drowning . But Brodsky said in a statement that prosecutors wo n't be able to prove their case , because `` he did n't do it . '' `` There is no evidence that links Drew Peterson to the death of Kathleen Savio or anyone else for that matter , '' Brodsky said . `` Drew did not harm Kathleen ; he has said so from Day One . We 're obviously disappointed a grand jury indicted him . But an indictment does not mean guilt . '' Pelkie said the grand jury continues to meet and is studying the possibility of charges in Stacy Peterson 's disappearance . Watch family members react to the arrest '' After Stacy Peterson went missing in October 2007 , media and police scrutiny of Peterson revealed that Savio had died mysteriously during a nasty divorce a few years earlier . Savio died just before the division of marital assets was finalized , making Drew Peterson the sole beneficiary . Savio was found in the dry bathtub of her home . At the time , the death was ruled an accidental drowning . But her family continued to insist that Savio died as a result of foul play . The investigation into Stacy Peterson 's disappearance brought renewed interest in Savio 's death . Authorities exhumed Savio 's body , further tests were conducted , and her death was been ruled a `` homicide staged to look like an accident . '' Brodsky told King that he thinks the case has always been about circumstantial evidence and that he will bring a pathologist to trial who will say Savio died in an accidental drowning . `` I think the jury 's going to see that , in fact , this always has been an accidental death and still is an accidental death , '' Brodsky told King . Kathleen Savio 's brother , Nick , told CNN affiliate WLS that he received a call saying Peterson had been arrested . Watch police arrest Peterson '' `` The state police had been telling us the day was coming , '' he told WLS . `` We kept hearing it for about eight months . I 'm almost in tears here . It 's been so hard for our family . `` Hopefully , we 'll get the justice we 've always been waiting for . '' Martin Glink , attorney for the Savio family , said they had been hopeful the grand jury felt that there was enough evidence to charge Peterson . `` We 're very happy that the wheels of justice have continued to move and they are pointing in his direction , '' Glink told WLS . The news was bittersweet for Stacy Peterson 's family , who continue to wait for news about her disappearance . `` We have anticipated this coming . We have dreamed about it . We have been patient over it , '' family spokeswoman Pam Bosco told WLS . `` Now that it 's here , it 's almost a little bit calm . We 're waiting for the storm to calm now . The calm before the storm . '' Bosco said she was hopeful there would be charges in Stacy Peterson 's case . `` We always said from the very beginning that Kathleen and Stacy had one thing in common , and that was Drew Peterson , '' she said . `` So , hopefully , we 'll have news soon about Stacy , too . '' Ernie Raines is also relieved about the arrest . His daughter , Christina Raines , is dating Peterson and was living with him before his arrest . Raines told CNN 's Anderson Cooper that he was with his daughter and Peterson as recently as last week , when they talked about going to Las Vegas , Nevada , and getting married . Thursday night , he spoke with his daughter after the arrest . `` My daughter was terrified , very emotional , upset , '' Raines said . `` And I tried to tell her from the beginning that this was going to happen , be prepared . '' Raines said that when he heard about the arrest , he was more relieved than anything . `` I 'm glad justice finally came before he hurt my daughter , '' he said . Police put Peterson 's three young children in the custody of the state 's children and family service department . His adult son was contacted , at Peterson 's request , to take them , according to Dobrich . Dobrich said Peterson cooperated with police during his arrest . CNN 's Susan Roesgen contributed to this report .