Theories unfold as hearing nears in Peterson case

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.

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

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.

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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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.

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."

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.

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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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.

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:

I proved what you said impossile was a easy task.

I hate to set you straight again but this is what I really said.

Ray, to be walking east on La Sombra to Buena Vista she would have had to have come down (south) El Rio from the direction of the park and La Loma. El Rio doesn't connect to Yosemite.

I didn't say anything was impossible. La Sombra is one block long between El Rio and Buena Vista. This is the only stretch of La Sombra she could have been on heading east to Buena Vista. All the other routes you came up with do not cover that route. And if any routes did go by Yosemite first,she would have to loop around and backtrack.

If you still maintain I said something was impossible, post it.

ya know, the difference tween mouth and motion....;-)

I know it quite well. It is something you should consider before going into your macho act.

His car and boat looked pretty spic and span to me. Easy answer. He washed the boat.

She did not walk that morning. Scott said she had on black pants, she was found with light colored pants on. She either had on her pants from the night before (light colored) or PJs. Dogwalking eyewitness testimony is unreliable, IMO

Well Vell! I'm glad it was easy cause it was irrevelant to the question.

ALL PANTS ARE LIGHT COLORED AFTER MoNTHS of salt water exposure. But lets say the aren't black. killers change clothes on victims all the time to confuse. That is why it is only taken seriously when absolutely necessary. A black man turns lilly white after 3 weeks in the water.

You are entitled to your opinion, but Federal courts don't discriminate as to eyes especially when backed by strong scent evidence.

I wonder if you will feel differently about that evidence if the DA needs it to get an indictment.

The DA must prove Laci's body in that boat,without allowance for wash job, or all evidence from warrants is likely out.

Remember, this is the guy who when interviewed by Diane Sawyer described his marriage as GLORIOUS!! That almost made me puke on the spot. I'm happily married but I can tell you neither myself nor my husband would call our marriage GLORIOUS. That's not even a normal description.

Nor was his reponse today in court about the delay being "appropriate" what is with his ODD word usage? All he needed to say was "yes that's ok". It's peculiar. He uses grandiose language inappropriately. It's as if he is acting a the part of a well educated man, that he wishes he were...when really his word usage and acting are redundant an odd. I bet a lot of people "bought" his act for a long time. Including his parents. I looked at him in court today and wondered if Laci ever felt sorry for the insecure person that was under the facade? To bad that he was not just an insecure person....

You are entitled to your opinion, but Federal courts don't discriminate as to eyes especially when backed by strong scent evidence.

If the eyes deceive themselves...you can bet the courts will discriminate. Mrs. Mitchell, how's her eyesight? Could she have seen Kristen?

Mr. Mitchell, he didn't see her.

Homer Maldonado seems to have seen her "everywhere"

Mike Chiavetta, has a GLASS EYE....how's his vision? Did he see Kristen or Laci?

Kristen talked to Scott, walked right by there.

the court will examine and crossexamine whoever comes forward, that is by no means discrimmination.

You saig dog walking eyewitnesses were unreliable regardless. And that is acceptable;I know of no law against it and you said it was your opinion.

In a court of law that is not acceptable under equal application.

I don't understand the anger or maybe I do. I am just trying to preserve reliable evidence. God knows there is nothing conclusive yet and.to people who thought there was
Find it is frustrating

There is a bunch of people way too emotionally involved for whatever their reasons.They say they care for Laci But that doesn't fit b/c if tey did care for her they would want to catch all involved whereever it leads.

That is not the case!

Good bless all of you

You saig dog walking eyewitnesses were unreliable regardless

Eyewitness testimony *typically* is the least reliable. We all know that if 10 people see an accident, they'll be 10 different descriptions of what occurred. I would love for there to have been an eyewitness who saw Laci shoved into a van and for that person to have nabbed the license plate, but we haven't heard that materialize.

I don't understand the anger or maybe I do. I am just trying to preserve reliable evidence

The anger (actually frustration) stems from you labeling people Liberals or talking down to them if they have an opinion that differs from yours. Simple.

There is a bunch of people way too emotionally involved for whatever their reasons.They say they care for Laci But that doesn't fit b/c if tey did care for her they would want to catch all involved whereever it leads

Go back and read your posts, Ray. You sir, were the only one getting *too* emotional.

Now here's a clean bowl of Cornflakes for you with a side dish of fresh strawberries....I'd love to hear your theory about what you think happened.

"Eyewitness testimony *typically* is the least reliable."

If that is your philosophy, You are a constitutional liberal. You must be from Illinois or California.

"If 10 people see an accident, they'll be 10 different descriptions of what occurred"

OK! No one saw the accident, just a dead 5yrold girl holding a dead cat.

Thanks! I'll take the first one...Luv

Since the inception of our country our citizens through their Government have relied on the witness of other citizens to determine events. Maybe we are not as smart as you are, but we have done OK for hundreds of years. You come from must be really great.

Change it if you can but respect and live by it until you can because in the end (THE APPELLANT COURT) it is how you will be judged.

And my dear that will be the case here

You have never seen me get emotional when events switch from one side to the other b/c I unlike you have not prejudged anyone.

I get emotional when I see the constitution trashed and it's processes ridiculed. Why not get emotional I have sworn to defend it to my DEATH and will gladly do so.

That prosecution should have started with written statements from eyewitnesses and when it gets to Federal court that is exactly where it will start. No matter who it helps or hurts, especially if the case comes from CA.

Of course, if the judges are honest and Brazelton lied about evidentiary involvement of the boat, for now Scott should be free or more real evidence made public. There is no flight w/o proper warrant; In America we are free to come and go unless your people get control.

Vel we have a system and until changed Conservatives "TRY to live by it. Liberals try to change it.

I am family man and more, a daddy to my kids. That crime makes me want to kill. But we do not do it that way, we have rules and if a prep gets around them he walks b/c a long time ago we realized it was better to free ten guilty men than put one innocent man in prison. Before you disagree spend 30days innocent time, then decide!

You can disagree with the premise and that's OK, but if you interfere with the rule process, you obstruct, and you will be dealt with. California 60% 0verturn. Illinois (IIRC46%) overturn.

The whispers have been delivered, clean it up or we will.
The rumored remedy is layered but starts with "dismissal with prejudice" They will dismiss the case and free the suspect protected by double jeopardy,

They specifically mentioned this witness business.

It's ok with me if you want to be liberal, but watch it, you are on a conservative forum. Not all liberals think they are liberals but remember, they don't always get to decide.

You only disagree with me if you disagree with constitutional mandate.

Gee! Got to go they’re waiting.

Rain check on strawberries, Okkkkkkkkk.

Ray.

"Eyewitness testimony *typically* is the least reliable." If that is your philosophy, You are a constitutional liberal.

Are you're still out there with Chief Moose looking for the "angry white man in the white box van"? My philosophy in life is quite simple: Veritas.

You have never seen me get emotional when events switch from one side to the other b/c I unlike you have not prejudged anyone.

I'm not a juror at SP's trial, I can discuss my observations, theories and even pre-judge Scott Peterson (he's guilty) on forum without hindering his constitutional rights. And if I'm wrong about my perceptions, you would see that I'd be the first to admit it. (And I still wouldn't have had a wit of influence over his rights.)

Of course, if the judges are honest and Brazelton lied about evidentiary involvement of the boat, for now Scott should be free or more real evidence made public. There is no flight w/o proper warrant; In America we are free to come and go unless your people get control.

Always so skeptical about those who choose careers defending the Constitution. Why is that? "My people?" Who are my people Ray? I didn't know I had "people".

a long time ago we realized it was better to free ten guilty men than put one innocent man in prison. Before you disagree spend 30days innocent time, then decide!

You've precisely slam-dunked my point for me Ray! Nicely done! I don't want ANY innocent men in prison. I'm sure you're aware that of the over 100 men on DEATH ROW who were exonerated by DNA evidence, almost ALL of them were convicted based on WRONGFUL EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY. Eyewitness testimony is unreliable. Read up on Elizabeth Loftus' studies.

It's ok with me if you want to be liberal, but watch it, you are on a conservative forum. Not all liberals think they are liberals but remember, they don't always get to decide.

Anyone who disagrees with you is a liberal? Ray, da man....the rest of us to share your scraps of wisdom evenly among us...or else, huh? How very, Stalinesque.

Are you're still out there with Chief Moose looking for th“e "angry white man in the white box van"? My philosophy in life is quite simple: Veritas”

HELL NO! I am with those “eyewitnesses” who saw the dark complexioned men the first or second day. And the ones who stopped them twice but Chief Moose refused to listen, because they were black Veritas. I posted as much somewhere that very day and got ma bones jumped.

It appears you are out there with da Moose

Everything gets abused and eyewitness testimony is no different.100 were abused but how many thousands were freed b/c of truthful eyewitness testimony. Veritas

Over zealous prosecutors have abused it. It is after all their responsibility to screen these people. And it is when Prosecutors abuse eyewitness testimony that an innocent man goes to jail.Veritas

You read Federal Witness Guidelines.
You read Chicago Tribune Survey on prosecutorial misconduct. Veritas

It has been found that prosecutors exclude eyewitnesses that go against their circumstantial theory and fabricate them to conform on others. Especially on Rape where there are no actual witnesses they fabricate them. Veritas.

“Always so skeptical about those who choose careers defending the Constitution. Why is that? "My people?" Who are my people Ray? I didn't know I had "people"”

Keep talking and they will group you with some people, not FR I fear. Vel, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Skeptical of prosecutors? Oh, no reason LUV. Yea, prosecutors are defenders of constitutional rights. NOT! Keep reading!

PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT AND WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS

The Chicago Tribune (10-14 Jan, 1999) ran a scathing series of articles
exposing the role of prosecutors in contributing to the number of wrongful
convictions in the United States in general, but especially in Illinois.

http://www.soci.niu.edu/~critcrim/wrong/tribpros.html

Da CONSTITUTION be Da Man. Veritas

Ray does not have a horse in this race, guilty or not guilty. So we can’t disagree there.

Ray is not the one overturning 60% of CA capital cases and IIRC 46% of Illinois Capital cases, with an asterisk on witness and confession handling.

Ray is not the one personally commenting on the importance of eyewitness testimony, so we can’t disagree there.

You don't disagree with me unless you disagree with Constitutional Mandate. Veritas

YOU DISAGREE WITH UNITED STATES JUDICIAL POLICY:

THE GOVERNMENT POSITION: The Constitution through the Supreme Court of The United States, through the Attorney General of The United States, Through The Federal Appellate Courts; Eyewitness Testimony judged truthful is second only in direct evidence importance to a properly received confession..

YOUR LIBERAL POSITION: Eyewitness testimony is unreliable. Read up on Elizabeth Loftus' studies.

You seem brazen enough to want besmirch the messenger now how about the MESSAGE itself and the Government for which it stands? (You are GETTING WARM!)

Your next step is for you to call who Stalinesque? Veritas

NOW CRAWFISH AND SPIN SOMEWERE ELSE THAT IS YOUR CASE AND THE GOVERNMENT'S CASE ON EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY. they are the same or they are different. You decide. I could care less.

You and Liz have fun looking for a jurisdiction. Just another couple of Kooks to be pused aside. It is your life do with it what you will.

Ray

http://www.dredmundhiggins.com/

Eyewitness identification is one of the most potent and effective tools available to police and prosecutors. It is compelling, and time after time, it convinces juries of the guilt of a defendant. The problem is, eyewitness identifications are WRONG at least 50% of the time!

The table below reports errors found in each of the cases in the database. Some cases have more than one error.

Errors Number of Cases Percent

Erroneous Eyewitness Identification 214 59%

False Informant (jailhouse snitch) 102 28%

Official Misconduct 66 18%

False Confession 64 18%

Prosecutorial misconduct is indeed a problem, Ray. BUT not as predominant a problem as eyewitness identification.

But what the "L" do I know? I'm just a liberal trapped on a conservative forum.

Have a nice day.

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