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For Modesto, Peterson slaying cements dark notoriety
The Mercury News ^ | Oct 27, 2003 | Julia Prodis Sulek

Posted on 10/27/2003 5:40:38 AM PST by runningbear

For Modesto, Peterson slaying cements dark notoriety

Posted on Mon, Oct. 27, 2003

For Modesto, Peterson slaying cements dark notoriety
CASE TOUCHES NERVE IN TOWN FAMILIAR WITH TRAGIC TALES
By Julia Prodis Sulek

Mercury News

MODESTO - Twice a week, locals get a shadowy glimpse of Scott Peterson as he strolls around the fenced roof of the downtown jail. The time varies, just in case someone tries to take a shot at him.

Some people are withholding judgment about whether the 30-year-old fertilizer salesman is guilty of killing his pregnant wife and her fetus, at least until prosecutors reveal their case during a preliminary hearing beginning Wednesday. But many in this conservative Central Valley town of farmers and commuters made up their minds long ago.

And the feelings are visceral.

``Hang Scott Peterson today and have a fair trial next week,'' said Rita Sorenson, 69, who has followed the case on TV while recuperating from a heart bypass operation and hip-replacement surgery at a local convalescent home. ``He's guilty as sin. Guilty, guilty, guilty.''

Modesto has had more than its share of grisly tales in recent years -- from the murders of three Yosemite tourists by Cary Stayner, a motel handyman who grew up in the Modesto area, to the slaying of Chandra Levy, 24, a Modesto native who was having an affair with 54-year-old local congressman Gary Condit in Washington, D.C.

But it's the Peterson case that has pushed Modesto over the edge, giving this humble community an international reputation as a place stricken by awful things.

About the only good to come from this macabre notoriety is that the newly refurbished State Theater downtown has less trouble booking musical acts. They've heard of Modesto, all right.

`So much sadness'

This is the place where Laci Peterson, the 27-year-old substitute teacher with the dimpled smile, disappeared on Christmas Eve. This is where her husband, who was having an affair with a massage therapist, begged townspeople to help with a widespread search for his wife. And this is where Peterson was charged with two counts of first-degree murder after the bodies of his wife and her fetus washed up separately on the eastern edge of San Francisco Bay.

``We have had so much sadness here,'' said Tracie Medlin, 43, who moved with her two children to Modesto from Soquel 11 years ago. ``People are just disgusted.''

As much as the Peterson killing is a riveting story making the covers of supermarket tabloids and dominating cable talk shows, for Modesto residents, it's personal. It's not just what Peterson may have done to his wife, it's what has happened to their town. And if he did it, what he has done to them.

Many people heeded Peterson's tearful pleas and fruitlessly searched, hung fliers and prayed at candlelight vigils for his wife's safe return. So when Peterson was arrested four months later -- with a beard, dyed hair and a reported $10,000 in cash -- they felt betrayed.

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Peterson case comes back to light this week

Posted 10/26/2003 10:49 PM Updated 10/27/2003 4:51 AM

Peterson case comes back to light this week

By John Ritter, USA TODAY

SAN FRANCISCO — Almost from the moment Laci Peterson vanished, police and the public fingered her husband, Scott. When Laci's body and her unborn son's washed up in San Francisco Bay four months later, he was charged with a crime that had become a national fixation.

Scott Peterson, right, goes on trial this week for the murder of wife Laci, left.

By The Modesto Bee

Even California Attorney General Bill Lockyer fueled the widespread belief that Scott Peterson was guilty by calling the case a "slam dunk."

Now comes Peterson's first chance to punch holes in that perception.

At a preliminary hearing beginning Wednesday in Modesto, the public gets its first look at how prosecutors will try to tie the former fertilizer salesman to a double murder.

His lawyers will try to persuade Judge Al Girolami to throw out key evidence investigators obtained from wiretaps, bloodhounds, hypnosis, DNA analysis and tracking by global positioning systems.

The Peterson case has always been more than just another brutal domestic crime.

Its titillating details sucked America in: the attractive mother-to-be missing on Christmas Eve, the tight-knit community's anguished search, the stunning revelation that her husband had been having an affair, his lawyers' theory that a Satanic cult was involved and fresh allegations from a jail inmate in Fresno that Scott had tried to hire neo-Nazi gangsters to kill his wife.

"It's got a lot of human intrigue," says Laurie Levenson, a law professor at Loyola University in Los Angeles. "But the main reason it's gotten so much attention is that you had a whole community that spent their Christmas dinner looking for Laci Peterson, a whole community invested in this case.

"It became a cause celebre ."

Legal experts say the preliminary hearing could preview battles at Peterson's trial next year.

Look for his lead lawyer, Mark Geragos, to try to discredit the police investigation and maybe float other scenarios of how Laci died.

He may try to lock in the testimony of prosecution witnesses, hoping later to show inconsistencies with their trial testimony.

"Usually the defense uses these hearings as a chance to learn and to probe," says Erwin Chemerinsky, a University of Southern California law professor.

Assistant District Attorney David Harris is .......

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Cast of Characters: A Witness - Frey romance turned the case to full boil

Cast of Characters: A Witness - Frey romance turned the case to full boil

By GARTH STAPLEY
BEE STAFF WRITER

Published: October 26, 2003, 04:39:53 PM PST

Of the many bombshells in the Peterson case, none has burst with greater force than that of Scott Peterson's romance with Amber Frey.

Many observers say that Frey's testimony might be the key to locking away her former boyfriend -- or sending him to his death.

The Fresno massage therapist and single mother appeared joyful in photos showing her cozying up to Peterson by a Christmas tree. Friends say the happiness turned to horror when she realized her beau was not only married, but also a suspected killer.

Laci Peterson was small, dark-haired and outgoing. Amber Frey is tall, blond and quiet. She has said she didn't know Peterson was married when they met Nov. 20. People close to Frey say she quickly fell in love with Peterson.

Phone records show that Frey first contacted police at 1:43 a.m. Dec. 30. They also suggest that she maintained an active phone relationship with Peterson as investigators bugged his cell phones.

Frey, 28, also dialed family and friends of Laci Peterson -- 53 times. She hoped to assure them she had no idea Peterson was married, and that she prayed for the return of his wife and their son, sources said.

If Frey was chatty with Laci Peterson's loved ones, she's the opposite with media. Frey has spoken publicly only twice: in a January news conference arranged by police and in May to announce she had hired a lawyer.

Gloria Allred, a self-proclaimed feminist attorney, has been at the center of many gender-issue cases. Her clients include Pamela Anderson, Paula Jones and the family of murder victim Nicole Brown Simpson.

Allred has one focus: to protect Frey's reputation and -- by extension -- her credibility. That could be hugely important to prosecutors as well.

Reporters of all stripes have pursued Frey relentlessly, turning up nude and semi-nude photos she had posed for four years ago, when she hoped to become a model. A tabloid published some in February; a porn broker said he bought rights to the pictures and posted them on his Web site in September, charging $19.95 for peeks. Last week, she sued the broker for $6 million.

Also figuring in Frey's entourage is her father, Ron. Initially eager to comment, he has drifted to the background.

Lana Romano, who worked for Ron Frey's construction ............

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Actor leads bikers on Peterson ride


The Fabulous Blue Notes play at the Fruit Yard for the Laci Peterson memorial. DEBBIE NODA/THE BEE

Shawn Rocha organized the event to thank volunteers for helping search for his cousin Laci Peterson. DEBBIE NODA/THE BEE


Above, the Homewreckers entertain at the blues concert held Saturday at the Fruit Yard. Hundreds of Harley-Davidson owners proudly turned out for the occasion. DEBBIE NODA/THE BEE

Actor leads bikers on Peterson ride

By KEN CARLSON
BEE STAFF WRITER

Published: October 26, 2003, 04:36:31 PM PST

Shawn Rocha, the cousin of homicide victim Laci Peterson, had met actor and fellow motorcycle enthusiast Mickey Jones only once. They had shaken hands at a bikers' rally some time ago.

But somehow Rocha knew Jones was the right person to host a memorial event for his cousin and her son, Conner.

The event, called the Laci Peterson Memorial Day & Concert, was held Saturday at the Fruit Yard on Highway 132 to thank people who had worked and prayed for Peterson's safe return.

The bodies of Laci and Conner Peterson were recovered in April along the shore of San Francisco Bay. Her husband, Scott, is charged with their murders.

"When I got an e-mail from Shawn, he said, 'I am sure you are asked to do this all the time,'" Jones recalled Saturday.

"I do a lot of events that I get paid for, but sometimes you have to do what your heart tells you is the right thing to do."

Jones has appeared in numerous television and movie roles, including the science-fiction thriller "Total Recall" and the ABC comedy series "Home Improvement." He is in the recently released film "The Fighting Temptations."

Jones also serves as a spokesman for Indian Motorcycle Corp. He made the trip from Southern California with his wife, Phyllis, who arrived by car.

Also attending the free blues concerts were numerous motorcycle clubs from Northern California, some of which provided volunteers to help stage the event.

"Bikers come out stronger than anyone else for support when others are down," said Rocha, a Harley-Davidson owner who estimated that 600 to 700 bikers participated.

Original idea scrapped

Rocha first planned a large memorial ride in memory of Laci and Conner, but insurance issues convinced him to scuttle the idea in favor of the concert.

Saturday morning, some of the bikers met up at Mitchell's Modesto Harley-Davidson shop on Carpenter Road and rode to Burwood Cemetery near Escalon to visit the gravesites of Laci and Conner.

Jones said he was moved.

"I can't imagine what this family is dealing with," he said. "As of today, I got to know Laci."

Jones later took to the Fruit Yard stage to introduce the bands, the Fabulous Blue Notes and the Homewreckers, and also to help Rocha announce the raffle winners.

Volunteers said fund-raising activity, such as the raffle and T-shirt sales, was for a new nonprofit foundation whose name and purpose is yet to be announced.

Kevin Scott of the Modesto Harley Owners Group said the club was more than willing to provide people to help with the concert.

"As soon as Shawn made the call, it was like bees to honey," he said. "A lot of people have asked how they can help the Petersons. This is the best tribute you can give them."

Other clubs represented at the event included American Legion Riders of Turlock, the Livermore HOG chapter and the Blue Knights, a group of retired peace officers.........

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Peterson stage is set


Media hordes will again descend on Modesto's streets this week. AL GOLUB/THE BEE

Peterson stage is set

By JOHN COTÉ
BEE STAFF WRITER

Published: October 27, 2003, 05:02:57 AM PST

The public's first real look at evidence against accused double-murderer Scott Peterson is expected Wednesday, when prosecutors begin laying out a legal case that has been under wraps for 10 months.

"Everything will be a revelation to us," said Ruth Jones, a criminal law professor at McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento and a former prosecutor. "This case is unique in that sense."

Peterson's preliminary hearing, which likely will last five days, could demonstrate the strength of the prosecution's case and outline the possible trial.

The hearing that begins Wednesday is to determine whether there is enough evidence to try Peterson in the deaths of his 27-year-old wife, Laci, and their son, Conner. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

It's unclear how much evidence the prosecution will unveil at the hearing, because it's relatively easy to have a defendant held for trial. For that reason, the defense rarely calls witnesses, protecting them from cross-examination.

But this case is different, legal observers said, pointing to widespread public scrutiny that has influenced legal tactics and might affect the trial.

"There are two battles going on here," San Francisco Deputy District Attorney James Hammer said. "The legal battle and the PR battle."

In the legal battle, attorneys are poised to spar over an array of evidence the defense wants kept out of court, including information from wiretaps, electronic tracking devices, DNA testing and scent-tracking dogs.

The judge also is to hear a defense argument that a potentially key piece of evidence -- a single hair found attached to a pair of needle-nose pliers in Peterson's boat -- likely was "altered" while in police possession.

Prosecutors contend that the hair simply broke inside an evidence bag.

The hair could be a critical piece of physical evidence linking Laci Peterson to the boat her husband said he took fishing on Christmas Eve, the day she was reported missing.

The defense's challenge of the evidence signals a wider tactic of trying to show that investigators acted improperly, echoing the O.J. Simpson murder trial, legal observers said. A jury acquitted the former football star in 1995 of killing his ex-wife and her friend.

"It's a very important strategy," said Professor George Bisharat, a criminal ...........

(Excerpt) Read more at bayarea.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: avoidingchildsupport; baby; babyunborn; conner; deathpenaltytime; dontubelievemyalibi; getarope; ibefishing; laci; lacipeterson; smallbaby; smallchild; sonkiller; unborn; wifekiller
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To: Devil_Anse
Drag his sorry bum out of his cot, torque Jackie P's oxygen and let's get a move-on, people!
181 posted on 10/29/2003 5:43:52 AM PST by Velveeta
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To: river rat
LOL...okay... heeheee...
182 posted on 10/29/2003 5:44:35 AM PST by runningbear (Lurkers beware, Freeping is public opinions based on facts, theories, and news online.......)
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To: drjulie
Runningbear put up a new thread here, in case you weren't pinged:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1010403/posts
183 posted on 10/29/2003 5:47:30 AM PST by Velveeta
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To: Velveeta
Thanks Vel, I did ping all on my list in 3 posts..... hope all got the ping...
184 posted on 10/29/2003 5:48:17 AM PST by runningbear (Lurkers beware, Freeping is public opinions based on facts, theories, and news online.......)
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To: Velveeta
Thank you!
185 posted on 10/29/2003 5:59:54 AM PST by drjulie
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To: Devil_Anse
"Get ready to be happy, Ray! Just my opinion--I still have faith that they have something. We'll see. If I'm wrong, I'll be posting to you a week from now: "Come out and gloat, Ray, you've earned it!"

I will be happy. I am a death penalty conservative. I am also and primarily a strict constitutionalist. I have no qualms about execution, probably to a fault.

The only way I will be sad is if they pull another "Mouser". Well do not get me started so early in the day.

There will not be any gloating if that low life gets off for now. As a society we have a system and how CLEAN we keep it is what we are, just like your kitchen and house: Btw, you have no corner on the clean house market: I WILL GLOAT ON MY HOUSE CLEANING AND COOKING. Oh Ah make ma mess when I'm makin 30 or 40 gallons of Shrimp Aundoille Jambalaya fer tha fair or whatever, but before I rest ya never know I was there.

At thirteen, I learned to clean while working for a window cleaning company. We also cleaned and professionally polished floors washed walls inside and out. I am a floor-finishing maniac. Ah loved ta make floors and windows shine.


Oh, Anse, When N.O. city hall was constructed Five of us ------- cleaned all those aluminum frame windows inside and out.

Cut your finger to the bone with Renuzit all over your hand and you will shake and cry, no running water up there to put it under. ;-) HUH! WIMINS, I'll cleans wit any of ya...LOL

"I guess we don't sharpen our knives often enough, and you know how a dull knife is more of a hazard and cut risk, than is a good sharp knife"

A dull knife is high risk for slippage and nicks. A razor sharp blade scraping down raw bone and you will jerk and cry and for 15 seconds you won't care where your blood goes...;-)

I have to be very careful now; I was diagnosed Poly Cythemic two years ago. It is blood thinner for me from now on, but I feel so good now. My Hematocrit was 120 now it is 48. I keep Fifty ML Potassium handy for injection in the event I am cut badly.

Anse I sincerely hope you right if you are talking personal connective evidence. That will tickle me pink; if they have connection Amber is unnecessary; that is one main reason I think they do not have connection. They only have to prove it once. If dey got it show it and we can all move on to tha next one.

Aye girl, na ya have me hungry. I know, I will have shrimp and eggplant with Vidalia Onions for today at noon. Bye!


186 posted on 10/29/2003 6:07:16 AM PST by STOCKHRSE ( The preceding is this Freeper's opinion and is submitted rhetorically. .........)
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To: editer
You got that exactly right! That's precisely why we pulled up stakes and left that weird place ruled, it seemed, by numerous ethnic gangs. The only safe place in town was where we lived. Fortunately, that's also where the policemen had their homes too, but we still found Stockton to be a nervous place to live.
187 posted on 10/29/2003 6:22:27 AM PST by Paulus Invictus (Enviros hate forests!)
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To: STOCKHRSE
I am a floor-finishing maniac. Ah loved ta make floors and windows shine.

Ray, can you come over to my house, puhleeese? ;-)

188 posted on 10/29/2003 6:26:59 AM PST by Velveeta
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To: runningbear
For Modesto, Peterson slaying cements dark notoriety

I wish newspaper publishers would stop trying to be so clever. This headline is bordering on being tacky.

189 posted on 10/29/2003 6:33:55 AM PST by al_c
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To: Devil_Anse
Get ready to RUMBLE!!
190 posted on 10/29/2003 6:41:01 AM PST by melodie
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To: STOCKHRSE
Little Laci "Martha Stewart" Peterson probably only used knives when cooking. She had this really handy-around-the-house husband to do that other stuff, don'tcha know?

You shake your hand and get blood around... if you dat inta cleaning, you clean it up after your hand is bandaged! You know you do!

So, okay, she cuts herself on a knife and shakes blood on the walls or ceiling. In the kitchen. But how much cooking did she do in the bedroom/living room/den, etc? If there's her blood on wall/ceiling in one of those rooms, look out. And there's supposedly a way to tell how much pregnancy hormone was in the blood sample, too.
191 posted on 10/29/2003 6:50:32 AM PST by Devil_Anse
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To: Velveeta
Huh!Ya give ma strawberries ta susan whoever 'n na ya want dis shyne ta shine ya flooahs....;-0)


192 posted on 10/29/2003 6:51:35 AM PST by STOCKHRSE ( The preceding is this Freeper's opinion and is submitted rhetorically. .........)
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To: Velveeta
... or y'all could take up residence in New Orleans City Hall!
193 posted on 10/29/2003 6:51:41 AM PST by Devil_Anse
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To: al_c
Thank you, that was kind of bothering me too.
194 posted on 10/29/2003 6:52:44 AM PST by Devil_Anse
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To: melodie
To quote my son: "YEAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!!"
195 posted on 10/29/2003 6:53:30 AM PST by Devil_Anse
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To: STOCKHRSE
Have nice new batch of strawberries on hand.
196 posted on 10/29/2003 7:02:26 AM PST by Velveeta
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Meanwhile, unbeknownst to anyone but one harried bailiff, a small post-it note which read "Scott Peterson's lawyer called to say he'd be late" was stuck to the judge's bench...
197 posted on 10/29/2003 7:31:08 AM PST by Devil_Anse (JUST KIDDING)
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To: Devil_Anse
look out. And there's supposedly a way to tell how much pregnancy hormone was in the blood sample, too.

So what, A drop of Laci's Bluh in her own house is noT necessarily connective ta any thing. Calm down Luv. If they produce a provable cause and time etc. that's fine. Geez not one person denies the scent leaving on the 24th, I've got that in print atleast three places.

And now I see Carroll's name coming up on the phone on jan 7.

Lets just see what happens and try to be objective in our analysis. Anyone wo read Mouser knows one way or another they are going to convict. The thought of anyone involved getting away just eats me alive.


Rememba what ya freep miled me the other day about arguing the sides, you were exactly right. Relax, Come ta lunch if ya want Eggplant 'n shrimp with out of season Vidalia's from da freezer.

HEY, I GOT AN IDEA. For FIVE DAYS ALL WE DO IS TALK THE FACTS AS THEY HAPPEN AND WHAT THE DEFENSE AN PROSECUTION STATE ABOUT THE FACTS. NA YALL AIN"T GOT THE CONTROL FOR IT.

SORRY CHARLIE (the Tuna)

Lunch at 1:00 yall holding up production wit all dis(just kidding PoST ME ANYTIME.
198 posted on 10/29/2003 7:35:33 AM PST by STOCKHRSE ( The preceding is this Freeper's opinion and is submitted rhetorically. .........)
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To: STOCKHRSE
And now I see Carroll's name coming up on the phone jan 7

WHAT?? WHAT?? Where's that??!

No way do we have the control for it!

Put me in for the stuffed eggplant, and I'll have a bowl of gumbo, and bread pudding for dessert.

199 posted on 10/29/2003 7:49:48 AM PST by Devil_Anse
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To: Velveeta
Ha HA aren't you the Politician.

It used to be Strawberries na it's *different*. What *else* ya got? Betta ansa by Freep!....WOW....;-0)
200 posted on 10/29/2003 7:54:19 AM PST by STOCKHRSE ( The preceding is this Freeper's opinion and is submitted rhetorically. .........)
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