Theories unfold as hearing nears in Peterson case

The Contra Costa Times ^ | Oct 12, 2003

[runningbear]

Theories unfold as hearing nears in Peterson case

Posted on Sun, Oct. 12, 2003

Theories unfold as hearing nears in Peterson case

By Julia Prodis Sulek

SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS

MODESTO - Nazi Low Riders named Dirty and Skeeter, an old Satanic cult called the Order of the Lion, and bizarre paintings of decapitated women and floating fetuses. These are the latest surreal elements in the Laci Peterson slaying case.

Who could have guessed that the death of this pregnant homemaker who watched "Martha Stewart Living" each morning and had a wine-of-the-month club membership would be intertwined with such seamy images?

But no theory, it seems, is too farfetched for a case that feeds tabloid headlines and talk-show debates. Two especially macabre scenarios have bubbled to the surface as the Oct. 20 preliminary hearing approaches.

One centers on a jailhouse informant who passed a lie-detector test after claiming two gang thugs were hired to kill Scott Peterson's wife. The other resurrects a decade-old quadruple homicide outside Modesto by devil worshipers who believed the purest sacrifice is the killing of a newborn baby.

One scenario could send Peterson to the death chamber. The other could set him free. Could either be true? Or has a thirst for the sensational spawned titillating tales when the reality may be something far simpler: a cheating husband killing his wife to be with his mistress?

The prosecution is expected to push that more simple theory when it lays out its case for the first time at Peterson's preliminary hearing in Modesto. But, until then, the focus has shifted to bald, tattooed gangsters and robe-clad Satanists.

The Nazi Low Riders

It was only two weeks ago that Cory Carroll, a Fresno jail inmate, issued a startling statement: Scott Peterson used him to set up a murder-for-hire.

According to Carroll's lawyer, Frank Muna, it started in early November last year at a Fresno strip club called City Lights. After seeing Carroll's prison identification card when he paid for a drink, Peterson struck up a conversation. They spent the next several hours together watching the dancers, shooting pool and bar hopping.

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Passage of 'partial-birth abortion' ban could encourage other life-protecting legislation

Passage of 'partial-birth abortion' ban could encourage other life-protecting legislation

By Karen Addy Herald Columbia Bureau

(Published October 13‚ 2003)

COLUMBIA -- S.C. legislators and lobbyists predict that right-to-life legislation pending in the General Assembly could gain momentum if the first federal abortion ban in U.S. history becomes law.

"Every time lawmakers pass life-protecting legislation, it encourages other life-protecting legislation," said Holly Gattling, executive director of S.C. Citizens for Life.

Pro-choice advocates claim South Carolina already is in the forefront of national efforts to limit the reproductive rights of women and girls in favor of fetal rights.

Co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, the federal ban would send doctors to prison for performing late-term "partial-birth abortions" except in instances where the mother's life is threatened. The ban is more restrictive than one passed by the S.C. Legislature in 1997, in that it does not allow doctors to use the procedure to preserve the mother's health.

All six U.S. House members from South Carolina voted in favor of the "partial-birth abortion" ban earlier this month; the Senate is expected to vote soon.

Trey Walker, spokesperson for the state Attorney General's office, said federal regulations normally replace similar state laws when stipulations are stricter. Rep. Gary Simrill, R-Rock Hill, one of the original sponsors of the state's 'partial-birth abortion' ban, and Sen. Wes Hayes, R-Rock Hill, said the federal vote would bolster the state law.

Opponents say the federal bill's broad wording could be applied to other types of abortion, and they predict the bill will not survive challenges to it in court. Three years ago, the Supreme Court struck down Nebraska's version of the 'partial-birth abortion' ban.

But South Carolina's law has never been challenged, Walker said.

According to Clair Boatwright, spokeswoman for the state Department of Health and Environmental Control, 10,124 South Carolina residents aborted pregnancies in 2001, the most recent figure available. The procedures were performed in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. Of that group, 5,028 were white and 5,045 were women of color. The majority were in their 20s and early 30s.

The 2001 total included 306 York residents, 67 Lancaster residents and 79 Chester residents.

Nationally, approximately 90 percent of women who terminate their pregnancies each year do so within 12 weeks of conception. Scientists say a fetus reaches "viability," the point when it potentially can survive on its own outside the mother's womb, at between 24 and 26 weeks gestation........

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Frey, family shared feelings

Frey, family shared feelings

By GARTH STAPLEY

and JOHN COTÉ

Published: October 12, 2003, 08:26:03 AM PDT

As observers across the world earlier this year waited for word on the missing Laci Peterson, secret, emotional bonds apparently developed between her loved ones and her husband's lover.

Amber Frey, who emerged Jan. 24 with a bombshell revelation of her romance with Scott Peterson, the next day began calling friends and family of Laci Peterson, according to partial telephone records.

By March 14, Frey had reached out 53 times to people close to Laci Peterson, totaling nearly 6 1/2 hours of telephone time.

Well-placed sources say Frey hoped to assure Laci's loved ones that Frey did not know that Scott Peterson was married when they began dating Nov. 20. Frey also shared with them her hope, sources say, that the missing pregnant woman and her baby would be found safe.

It was not to be. The bodies of mother and son were recovered in mid-April along the shore of San Francisco Bay.

Peterson, 30, has pleaded not guilty to double-murder charges. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

Peterson talked with Frey in February about him taking a lie-detector test, according to two sources. The phone records show that Frey called a respected polygrapher in Fresno, but the test never occurred, sources said.

Frey, a 28-year-old Fresno massage therapist, continued talking with Peterson for almost four weeks after she publicly acknowledged their romance, phone records reveal.

She appeared at the same time to have a direct line to authorities, who were secretly wiretapping Peterson's phones. Frey reported to her police handler immediately following many of her conversations with Peterson, the records show.

"I hand it to Amber for doing the right thing," said Ron Grantski, Laci Peterson's stepfather.

Most of the people connected to Laci Peterson who were called by Frey declined to comment. Grantski said they do not want to violate a court-imposed gag order preventing potential witnesses from discussing the case.

Frey did not return calls seeking comment.

Grantski indicated that some of the conversations with Frey included details of the investigation.

"A lot of it does pertain to the case," Grantski said. "It'll all come out in court; at least I hope it will."

Grantski declined to comment further.

More than half of Frey's phone time with Laci Peterson's family and associates was spent with Lori Ellsworth, a close friend of the then-missing woman. She spoke with Frey at least 20 times totaling nearly 3 1/2 hours, phone records show.

Ellsworth declined to comment.

Expert sees emotion behind calls

Frey dialed three phones used by Laci Peterson's brother, Brent Rocha, nine times over the six-week period. She called Laci's sister, Amy Rocha, twice in February.

Frey called the home number of Grantski and Laci's mother, Sharon Rocha, twice, and dialed Rocha's cell phone twice, once talking for 22 minutes..........

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Peterson case delay possible

Peterson case delay possible

By JOHN COTÉ

BEE STAFF WRITER

Published: October 11, 2003, 02:04:31 PM PDT

Scott Peterson's defense team will ask a judge to postpone his much anticipated preliminary hearing, sources close to the case said Friday.

Peterson's lead attorney, Mark Geragos, was looking to push back the Oct. 20 hearing because a Los Angeles murder trial in which he represents one of the defendants is behind schedule, sources said.

After two weeks of testimony, prosecutors in that case still have five to seven more witnesses to call before the defense can begin, said Darrell Mavis, the Los Angeles County deputy district attorney prosecuting the case.

"We've qualified the jury through Oct. 31, and that's what we're sticking by," Mavis said Friday.

A formal motion to delay Peterson's double-murder hearing had not been filed as of Friday in Stanislaus County Superior Court.

Court Executive Officer Michael Tozzi said there was a "strong likelihood" a request to reschedule will be made at a procedural hearing Friday.

The defense is seeking to push the hearing to Oct. 27, a source said.

Modesto attorney Kirk McAllister, part of the Peterson defense team, said Friday that a gag order in the case prevented him from commenting. Geragos could not be reached.

It was unclear how Judge Al Girolami would rule on a request to delay the hearing, where prosecutors are expected to lay out some of their evidence against the 30-year-old fertilizer salesman.

Peterson is charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of his wife, Laci, and the couple's son, Conner. Laci Peterson was almost eight months pregnant at the time prosecutors contend she was killed.

Girolami previously had said a Sept. 9 date for the preliminary hearing was "set in stone." After pushing that to Oct. 20, the judge said, "It will be highly unlikely that it will be continued again."

But a defense request could be difficult to turn down because of delays in the Los Angeles murder trial of Karen Terteryan, 21, and Rafael Gevorgyan, 18, alleged members of an Armenian gang.

Prosecutors contend that Terteryan and Gevorgyan fatally beat and stabbed a high school senior, Raul Aguirre, when he intervened in a fight between the defendants and his friend.

Geragos represents Terteryan, who faces life in prison without parole if convicted. Gevorgyan faces a possible term of 25 years to life.

The trial was delayed two days because a sickout by Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies engaged in contract negotiations left the court without bailiffs.

Regardless of when Peterson's hearing begins, it will be heralded by an army of television trucks converging on downtown Modesto.

Modesto police officials unveiled their plan Friday to handle the media crush. The plan calls for closing off a handful of streets near the courthouse, starting Friday night if the preliminary hearing proceeds on Oct. 20.

"We realize parking is a premium in that area," said Lt. Dan Inderbitzen, who heads the Police Department's traffic unit.

A mobile police command post will be set up and five or so additional officers will patrol outside the courthouse, Inderbitzen said.

A firetruck will be on hand when fuel tankers are brought in to refuel the diesel generators that power satellite trucks, officials said.

Television companies will pay for the extra personnel and equipment, which also could include a generator, portable toilets and garbage bins.............

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------New link to Prelim hearing Court info:

Prelim Hearing Info

[Devil_Anse]

Interesting article, thanks!

mmmppphhh...snicker...Geragos thinks GPS is too newfangled to use...mmmpphh... bwahahahahahaHAHAHA!!

[Devil_Anse]

So maybe in this case, Merlin followed Laci's specific scent while Trimble on the same path followed a cadaver scent.

Makes sense to me!

[Devil_Anse]

I don't know the specifics of how the cops arrived at this conclusion, but they said that according to their tracking dog or dogs, they concluded that Laci left in a vehicle, not on foot, the last time she left home.

It makes me wonder if maybe he took the body and hid it in the winery dumpster in a hurry, then felt calmer later that night, or early in the morning, and went and moved the body (to the bay).

[Canadian Outrage]

You posted one real GEM in the above post: There is a pregnant woman getting murdered, there are eyewitnesses all over "know" she is there, hear her scream, they tell each other, print Leaflets, Say she was last seen in the Park.!! That is precious because it DOUBLE underscores, the rediculousness of the eyewitness testimony!! I also, remember Mr. Mitchell was certain too because he was watching his favorite show that wasn't on.!! *hands on head, running in circles, screaming here*!! LOL

[Canadian Outrage]

That was Exactly what I was trying to relay here about Merlin, I think. I have watched the Police Dogs perform, and when they get to their hit, whatever that may be for THAT dog, they immediately SIT DOWN and will NOT move. The handler, then gives the dog a command and permission to move. Otherwise, the dog would probably sit there all week. These are "highly trained" dogs and they are trained for very "specific" jobs.

[Sandylapper]

Ray buddy, somewhere ya lost me, but it's nice to know that Vel and I both made 50 on your test! ;^) See, Vel, we're half genuises! I guess!

[Devil_Anse]

On the 26th, the police might have been going on the theory that she had died in some sort of fall in the park, or other accident, rather than that she had been killed by Scott. I say "might have", b/c I have a feeling you two are more likely to be right--that the police suspected Scott from the first. It would only be logical, since persons closest to Laci would necessarily be on any suspect list at first anyway, and I don't think Scott made a convincing picture of the grieving husband, EVER.

[Canadian Outrage]

I wonder if Snott took the body to the "secured storage facility" and then later went back and attached the weights, and loaded her into the boat and then took his "package" to the Bay? Just a thought. If that Prelim doesn't get going soon, I think were all gonna go goofy!!

[Sandylapper]

but I never got the impression that he led them on foot from Laci's house to that dumpster.

Thanks a bunch, Anse! Maybe the above phrase is where I'm going wrong! I thought Merlin did lead them on foot to the dumpster!

[Devil_Anse]

Okay, so this Ms. Eloise Anderson's dog Twist is an "area search" dog?

Isn't an area search dog, according to Vel's dog-handler friend, a dog which simply "hits" on the scent of a human, any human?

Okay, so Twist didn't "hit" when placed in Scott's boat?

So does that mean that not only was Laci not in THAT boat, but Scott was not in THAT boat, either? I mean, SCOTT'S a human, too... sort of.

[Canadian Outrage]

Isn't that Geragos objection to GPS tracking just idiotic? It's only used all over the world, been used in Law Enforcement for some years now, yet he expects us to believe his downright dumb theories. You know, like paintings on a rock, barbeque sauce in the carpet of some homeless people's van etc. hmmmmmmmmm is right. Oh PULEEZE. Do any of you get the impression that the actions of the Defense, especially in their latest pleadings, show desperation?

[Velveeta]

Well Ray, at least you didn't say I was a "half wit". (smirk)

[Devil_Anse]

Just stepping back here for a minute. Laci was allegedly last seen by Scott, in her home in Modesto, alive.

Laci's car was in the driveway of her home when she was discovered missing.

Laci had no other known means of getting away from home, except to walk, and the scent dogs say she didn't walk away from her home.

Laci somehow travelled 80+ miles, from Modesto to the Bay, and she didn't use her car to go those 80+ miles.

She ends up 80 or so miles away from her home, when she wasn't planning on going any farther from her home than just down the block to the park. Her vehicle clearly was not used. Or, if it was used, she came back in it, all safe and sound, and THEN whatever happened, happened.

We haven't heard anything about the truckdriver in a long time. The truckdriver claimed to have seen Scott's vehicle, towing Scott's boat, and in the passenger seat was a person with long dark hair, whose head was bobbing like they were unconscious, and whose hair was falling in their eyes.

Could Scott have driven her to the vicinity of the Bay, unconscious (perhaps from a hit on the head)? Could Scott have gone to his sister's home in Berkeley, perhaps while his sister and her family were away, and have wrapped up Laci's unconscious body in all that tarp and weights stuff? Could Scott's sister or her husband have a boat that Scott had access to, right there in Berkeley?

[Devil_Anse]

I find it hilarious that Mr. "Rock Star" attorney, Mr. Public Figure, the most hip, modern, with-it media star of them all (all of the above description, courtesy of my guess as to Mark Geragos' self-image), is now saying that something like GPS, such a modern, cool thing to have, is too modern to be accepted yet. BWAHAHAHAHAHA!! I bet all his rich friends would say, "Mark, we've been using GPS for YEARS!"

[Sandylapper]

You may see it as a weak case right now, I just don't.

Don't really know how strong prosecution's case is, CO, but it's probably not the "slam dunk" the state's attorney general said it was. I do believe now that there is a strong possibility that Scott had help, and in the interest of justice, I want any such "help" arrested and tried, too. More specifically, I want to hear from prosecution on Carroll's story. Wonder if they've given him a more detailed LD yet? That story is about 6 weeks old now, IIRC. Maybe we didn't hear it 6 weeks ago, but the DA did.

[Canadian Outrage]

I hope the trial clears up HOW Scott got Laci into the Bay. She would have HAD to have weights attached to her (and probably three of them) BEFORE she was dumped into the water. I keep hoping that Scottie will have a mental "breakdown" and confess as more and more damning evidence comes out on him. Not to mention that the spoiled little turd had completely lost his freedom. He's apparently throwing some tantrum now!! He HAS to be worried, very worried, because he KNOWS what he said on those phone calls. He probably NEVER thought that Amber would ever betray him.

[Devil_Anse]

I don't think he'll ever confess, even to his lawyers, b/c in his narcissistic mind, if he confesses to such a despicable act, his lawyers wouldn't be able to like him, and therefore wouldn't work as energetically for him. I believe that Image is everything with Scott. That's certainly how it is with other narcissists.

[Velveeta]

There was quite a bit I think MPD learned by the 26th.

Canceling the golf tee time.

The marina receipt that Ridenour said something like: "We never said Scott gave it to us." (Implies to me, they found it somehow and caught him in a lie)

Fishing with no bait?

He washed his clothes, showered, vaccumed, emptied a washbucket that Laci supposedly washed the floor with.

Seen loading into his truck (something doesn't fit with the market umbrella story)

Uncooperative.
Tells them to get a warrant to search.

Then just a few days later when the family are still extolling his virtues, the MPD already has Amber on hand and they're watching and listening.

Probably watched him go golfing while everyone else was still looking for her.

[Sandylapper]

You and Vel keep wanting to go to the warehouse and bay. I'm still at the dumpster behind the wine gallery with Merlin. IOW, in Laci's neighborhood, trying to determine if Merlin, the bloodhound, is credible or not. If Merlin's not credible in the first scenario, no way a jury's gonna believe he is in the second and third. Now, that begs the question, how did Merlin get to the dumpster? It just seems like I recall that he came out of the driveway and immediately turned left and started tracking Laci. Guess I need to go back to the driveway. ;^)

[Canadian Outrage]

I wouldn't be real surprised if SP had help. The reference to the "slam dunk" statement is the one that the media CONTINUALLY MIS-state. The head prosecutor used that statement in the context of the DNA results on Laci, the baby and the surety that it was Scott's baby. Brazelton (I think his name is) has corrected the media over and over again but they still continue to mis-state it. And your right, we don't know HOW strong the DA's case is but I think we can safely assume that it is fairly strong. We can also safely assume that the Defense case is "weak". With Court cases you can never be absolutely SURE that you'll win. But they do seem confident and have all along. I don't fault you for dissecting the evidence, that means you don't just buy everything that is said. However, we all have to remember that what we have heard is a) leaked info; and b) media reports.