Laci Peterson hearing set to begin

Scott Peterson, left, and defense attorney Kirk McAllister enter the courtroom on Oct. 24. By Al Golub, AP

SACRAMENTO (AP) — For months, there have only been glimpses into why prosecutors believe Laci Peterson's husband killed her and their unborn son.

A clearer picture of their case was expected to emerge Wednesday with the start of a preliminary hearing to determine whether Scott Peterson must stand trial on murder charges that could bring the death penalty.

Observers believe the hearing in Modesto will reveal the most detail to date of the evidence amassed by investigators in the case that riveted the nation after the substitute teacher disappeared on Christmas Eve.

Scott Peterson reported his wife missing when he returned home from a solo fishing trip near Berkeley. His 27-year-old wife was eight months pregnant with a boy they planned to name Conner.

After Peterson and other family members led hundreds of volunteers to search canals, reservoirs and wildlands, the decomposed remains of the woman and her fetus were found nearly four months later in April by dog walkers, within miles of where Peterson said he had been fishing Dec. 24.

The arrest and subsequent hearings did little to unveil what clues led investigators to suspect her husband from the beginning.

Leaks led Judge Al Girolami to impose a gag on participants in the case and seal most of the police records to protect Peterson's right to a fair trial.

Voluminous court filings have provided glimpses of the evidence defense lawyers will try to prevent prosecutors from presenting: DNA analysis of Laci Peterson's hair found on pliers in Scott Peterson's boat, bloodhounds used to pick up the scent of Laci Peterson in the boat or at a storage warehouse her husband rented, and wiretaps and global positioning systems used to monitor and track Scott Peterson.

The 31-year-old former fertilizer salesman has been held without bail since he was arrested in San Diego County — not far from the Mexico border — with his hair bleached and $10,000 cash.

Defense attorney Mark Geragos has said he would not only prove Peterson innocent, but would find the "real killers." The defense team has intimated that a satanic cult may have been responsible. Police have disputed such claims.

Prosecutors are expected to present enough evidence so the charges stick, but not so much that they expose witnesses to tough .........

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MODESTO, Calif -- After months of speculation, the prosecution will reveal the evidence it has against accused killer Scott Peterson, as his preliminary hearing is set to begin Wednesday.

Peterson's attorneys had boxes of evidence dropped off at the Modesto courthouse Tuesday afternoon.

Legal experts expect the prosecution to lay out its strongest evidence against Laci Peterson's husband -- not only to convince the judge Peterson should stand trial for murdering his pregnant wife, but to sway public opinion.

"This case has taken on a life of its own. I think we'll have a lot of testimony you wouldn't normally have at this stage," said Alexander Wolfe, a former district attorney.

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SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Nearly one year after a pregnant Laci Peterson disappeared from her California home, prosecutors on Wednesday will finally lay out evidence they say shows Scott Peterson killed his wife and unborn son.

The eagerly-anticipated preliminary hearing in Modesto is expected to last up to five days after which Stanislaus County Superior Court Judge Al Girolami will decide whether there is enough evidence to merit a trial for the 31-year-old salesman.

Scott Peterson, who has been in jail since his April arrest, is charged with two counts of murder and could face the death penalty if convicted in the case that has attracted exhaustive press coverage. He has pleaded not guilty.

A gag order has also kept a lid on much of the evidence so far and lawyers following the case said the preliminary hearing will likely showcase new details.

"There are going to be some surprises," said Jim Hammer, a prosecutor with San Francisco's district attorney's office. "It is a little like we have been waiting for the movie to start and we have been watching previews for the past month."

He pointed out that wiretaps, which the defense has been trying to suppress, would let people hear Scott Peterson's words as police were investigating his wife's disappearance from her home some 85 miles from San Francisco.

There is also rising speculation prosecutors will call the woman with whom Peterson was having an affair -- Amber Frey -- to testfy.

"Although I don't think he confessed to the murder, I think the prosecution has some highly damaging or at least embarrassing evidence in the terms of Scott Peterson's words on those tapes," Hammer said.

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Amber Frey to testify at Peterson hearing
Fresno woman is suspect's former girlfriend.

The "other woman" romanced by Scott Peterson before his wife's disappearance has been called to testify at his double-murder preliminary hearing, a source said Monday. Fresno massage therapist Amber Frey, who has cooperated with authorities since the case became a national obsession, has spent hours with legal experts practicing for the hearing, the source said.

Peterson is charged with killing his 27-year-old wife, Laci, who was eight months pregnant when she was reported missing Dec. 24, and their son, Conner.

The preliminary hearing is scheduled to start Wednesday in Stanislaus County Superior Court.

At the conclusion, Judge Al Girolami is expected to rule whether evidence is strong enough to warrant a trial for the 31-year-old fertilizer salesman.

Girolami's gag order has kept veiled most aspects of the high-profile case, including witness lists.

Speculation has swirled over whether Frey might testify. The source, fearing possible repercussions because of the gag order, spoke on condition of anonymity.

California and other states allow law enforcement officers to relate testimony from witnesses at preliminary hearings.

Prosecutors may have put Frey on notice for this week's hearing because her testimony "has a lot more impact coming out of her mouth than some cop's mouth," said Ernie Spokes, a Modesto defense lawyer and former prosecutor.

Telephone records show that Frey and Peterson exchanged at least 76 calls over nine weeks starting nine days before Laci Peterson's family reported her missing Christmas Eve. Some were recorded by wiretaps on Scott Peterson's phones.

Spokes speculated that Peterson may have said something incriminating to his former lover. Otherwise, Peterson's defense team -- led by celebrity attorney Mark Geragos of Los Angeles -- would not be fighting to keep the wiretap recordings out of court, Spokes said.

"You always attack the biggest thing coming at you," Spokes said. "You've got to believe there is something in those phone conversations with Amber Frey that is dangerous."............

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- For months, there have only been glimpses into why prosecutors believe Laci Peterson's husband killed her and their unborn son.

A clearer picture of their case was expected to emerge today with the start of a preliminary hearing to determine whether Scott Peterson must stand trial on murder charges that could bring the death penalty.

Scott Peterson reported his wife missing when he returned home from a solo fishing trip near Berkeley. His 27-year-old wife was eight months pregnant with a boy they planned to name Conner.

The arrest and subsequent hearings did little to unveil what clues led investigators to suspect her husband from the beginning.

Leaks led Judge Al Girolami to impose a gag on participants in the case and seal most of the police records to protect Peterson's right to a fair trial.

The 31-year-old former fertilizer salesman has been held without bail since he was arrested in San Diego County - not far from the Mexico border - with his hair bleached and $10,000 cash.

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A detailed map indicating the designated parking spaces for satellite trucks, microwave vehicles and crew cars for the upcoming Peterson Preliminary Hearing is now available online.

YOU MUST FOLLOW THIS MAP. ANY UNAUTHORIZED VEHICLES WILL BE TOWED AWAY IF THEY DO NOT FOLLOW THE SPACE DESIGNATIONS.

Authorization must be obtained by your network affiliation representative or CNN/Court TV.

Peterson Case - Hearing results 10_24_03 Posted on Friday, October 24 2003 at 9:48 AM PST ----

Information provided by Michael A. Tozzi, Executive Officer, Stanislaus County Superior Court:

A hearing was held this morning, October 24th, in Department 2 of the Superior Court, Judge Al Girolami presiding. The results follow:

1. Due to continued delays in the trial in Los Angeles where defense attorney Mark Geragos is appearing, the Preliminary Hearing previously scheduled for October 28th was trailed one day to October 29th at 9:30 a.m. in Department 2 of the Superior Court.

2. The lists of prospective witnesses have been exchanged between the prosecution and the defense.

3. The Court ordered, pursuant to Penal Code §867, that any and all witnesses were not to discuss testimony with each other.

4. The Court also ordered that both sides provide the bailiff in Department 2 with a list of witnesses who are to be excluded from the courtroom during the Preliminary Hearing.

5. The Court allowed defendant Scott Peterson to continue to continue to wear civilian clothing during the Preliminary Hearing.

6. All media requests faxed to the court for courtroom seating on the 28th will remain in full force and effect for the hearing on the 29th, i.e., you do not need to renew you original request.

Peterson Case - Court Transcripts Posted on Wednesday, October 22 2003 at 3:29 PM PST ----

Information provided by Michael A. Tozzi, Executive Officer, Stanislaus County Superior Court:

At the close of each Preliminary Hearing session, which is scheduled to begin on October 28, 2003, media representatives will be able to access the Court Reporter’s Daily Transcript by logging onto www.exemplaris.com.

This website is a private transcript repository and distribution service. Exemplaris will charge a fee in the amount of $30.00 for access to the transcript. In addition to this fee, the statutory fee for court transcripts will also apply and be charged. The statutory fee will vary depending on the length of the hearing and the fee amount will be shown when you access the Exemplaris website.

The reporter’s certified transcript is subject to an in-court review to certify the record pursuant to Penal Code §190.9(a)(2).

You will need to access the Exemplaris website to get the details on how to set up an account.

The Superior Court is not associated with Exemplaris. Questions regarding Exemplaris and services provided by Exemplaris should be directed to Exemplaris at (888) 584-9988.

Dates, Deadlines & Updated Forms Posted on Tuesday, October 21 2003 at 12:19 PM PST ----

There are many dates and deadlines coming up in the case of the People v. Scott Lee Peterson. In an effort to make it easier to sort out, we've posted a calendar list of events/deadlines.

Go to http://www.pressupdate.info/ and click on "Court Dates". You will be able to download a one-page list of dates. There are also two different dates/forms for seating for the upcoming hearings. Go to "Court Forms" for those forms.

If you intend on bringing a live truck and gear to the Preliminary Hearing scheduled to begin on Tuesday, October 28, 2003 - YOU MUST CONTACT James Kyle at (818) 383-2115 to coordinate access and parking on the pre-designated lot.

Parking Agreement & New Map Posted on Tuesday, October 21 2003 at 12:17 AM PST ----

Based on legal feedback from the networks, the FINAL License Agreement is now posted to this Web site - CLICK HERE to view that information.

If you are the designated representative for NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, Court TV or FOX - please download this document and follow the instructions. It MUST be returned by 5:00 pm (PST) on Thursday, October 23, 2003.

There is also an updated detailed map of downtown which reflects the use of the county property. It also details the street closures, parking restrictions and media box designations............

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Jackie and Lee Peterson head into the Stanislaus County Jail on Tuesday to visit their youngest son, Scott Peterson. BART AH YOU/THE BEE

The preliminary hearing for accused double murderer Scott Peterson has turned a dirt lot at 11th and I streets in downtown Modesto into a bustling enclave of TV trucks and cables -- at least for a week.

TV crews from stations as far away as Japan have rumbled into Modesto to cover Peterson's preliminary hearing on charges that he murdered his pregnant wife, Laci, and their son, Conner.

"It's like doing the logistical planning for a mini-Super Bowl," Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department spokesman Kelly Huston said.

Nearly all the evidence in the case has been ordered sealed, stoking public interest and speculation.

But a court official said that despite the Peterson case's drawing power, it largely would be business as usual inside the Stanislaus County main courthouse.

"It's an open courthouse, and we intend to keep it an open courthouse," court Executive Officer Michael Tozzi said.

Cameras are banned from courthouse hallways, and the hearing will not be televised.

Legal proceedings in other courtrooms have not been reduced or rescheduled to avoid the media swarm outside, Tozzi said.

Police Lt. Dan Inderbitzen said access to 11th Street between I and H streets would be limited to people with courthouse business.

The police and sheriff's departments have set up mobile command centers outside the courthouse.

Media companies paid to have about 125 lines for phone and high-speed Internet access installed to their encampments in front of the courthouse and on the future site of the Gallo Performing Arts Center, Huston said.

Networks also are footing a bill of roughly $30,000 for additional police officers, portable toilets, garbage service and fire personnel to oversee refueling and other measures, Inderbitzen said.

Mobile office trailers, satellite trucks and portable generators dotted the dusty lot at 11th and I streets Tuesday afternoon.

The office trailers, complete with air conditioning, were sandwiched between nine TV trucks, various remote broadcast vans and a motor home.

Thousands of feet of cable snaked through the dust to a row of 28 media tents set up along 11th Street in front of the courthouse.

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That's the only clothing I ever heard that was taken. But perhaps Kim McGregor will stand up there and say, "I also took some clothes, including maternity clothes."

At that point, I just wish I could be there in the courtroom so I could stand up and yell (right b/f being dragged off in handcuffs, lol), "OKAY, KIM, PRODUCE THE CLOTHES YOU TOOK AND LET'S SEE WHAT THEY ARE!!"

"Seems awfully funny that any burglar would just take a maternity outfit. Even if the burglar was a "clothes thief", why wouldn't he have taken all the clothes? Frankly, I've never heard of a burglar taking clothes, period."

The clothes are also important for another reason. I believe (not 100% sure) that Scott reported that Laci was wearing black leggings and a white top when he left. Many, if not all, of the witnesses who saw her walking the dog reported her wearing black leggings. We've talked extensively on this forum about how memories can be faulty. If the witnesses said they saw her with black leggings that's a problem for Geragos. If Amy reports she was wearing the cream leggings, the cream leggings were missing from the house, and she was found in the cream leggings, Scott has a real problem. Of course, one could argue that she was abducted in black leggings, held by someone, and, while being held, changed into cream leggings. Any jury, however, is going to find that highly unlikely.

There's an FBI notice out there somewhere (I think hergus has it) which describes Laci as wearing black pants and a white top. Scott is the person who provided this information to the FBI. And you can bet that whatever FBI personnel took that report from Scott will be available to say, "He told me she was wearing black pants and a white top when he last saw her."

And there's the question of a coat. People have pointed out that Scott never said Laci would have been wearing a coat (when she "went missing"), or pointed out her coats to anyone. But I notice that we now hear that it was indeed chilly enough that Laci was wearing a coat the evening before, when Amy saw her.

If Laci was killed by Scott after they got home, I imagine that coat would be found in the closet. (Which, I guess, proves nothing.)

As soon as that burglary happened in January (while Scott was away, looking for Laci near the Super Bowl, in San Diego), I knew that the burglary would become an arrow in the defense's quiver. It adds an element of "unknown" into the case. "Ladies and gentlemen, when the house was broken into, how do we know WHAT the burglar might have touched, or taken? These items could be anywhere!"

Here is my very best guess about this bouy.

Between Berkeley and Angel Island there are two deep draft vessel traffic lanes (dredged areas where big ships can navigate safely, without running aground). We go round the one nearest to Angel Island a lot because sea lions are usually sunbathing there and the kids (and adults) onboard our boat love to see them. Judging from the background, this is that bouy.

If anyone wants to see it for themselves, we are taking our boat to Angel Island on Sunday from 9:00 - 3:00. Freepmail me.

I'd love to see the sea lions with you...what a great day. Maybe I'll get to SF one day.

Maybe you can take some more of your great pictures, this time of Bouy #4?

Did you see the picture I found with a bouy off the end of Brook's Island from the Kayaking website? Could that be #4?

Laci Peterson Disappearance

Go back to bed and get up again, try to start your day happy.

Sure everything was returned just ask the thief. ;)

I guess she took the wedding dress and evening clothes ,she just thought ahead. Go out to dinner get married and pregnant in one neat package. She must have been flying on some “dynamite” stuff. LOL

The girl was being diddled by Scott ah think, No one really knows what she took.

Ya know Anse, I think the maternity clothes were sent to the lab to be checked for blood and fluids etc. LE is just trying to obfuscate and aggravate Scott.Think, if you don't send her maternity clothes to the lab what do you send? Iwould have sent them to the lab.

Scott Probably did set it up but so what, they can only jail one of him. Na, I think SP was late for a rendezvous and she got drunk from the frustration etc.

Oh there will be another judge for the main trial for sure says Nancy Grace. Everything she said last night was wrong so who knows, I think she is repulsive and very unhappy. Jmo...

You had better get a grip or that's what's gonna happen to you.
Relax, and think instead of reacting to everything, take this hearing in stride.:-)

If the law can’t handle him "someone" will, he is a marked man.

Ray

Frankly, I've never heard of a burglar taking clothes, period.

I know a man who had a burglar break into his house, steal his stereo, and his cashmere sweaters. High class burglar, wouldn't you say? Hehheh.

The dotted lines next to Angel Island denote the outbound traffic lane for deep draft vessels. The smaller dotted lines to the right denote the inbound deep draft vessel lane for ships going to Richmond Long Wharf, Sacramento and Stockton. Bouys are shown on a chart by the purple tear-shaped marks you see around the traffic lanes (the white areas). This bouy is probably the one just above the 47 foot sounding. This is just an educated guess based on the background in the picture.

It's quite possible that the hair was WOUND in the needle-nose pliers, Anse, but it was info that I had never heard before. I'm OTO that NG was screeching like a fisherman's wife last night. Nancy also mentioned that she had READ in a court filed document (over 400 pages, I think) that on the day of the candlelight vigil, Scott was on the phone with Amber for an hour asking her to move to Europe with him and have his baby. This could not be a "wiretapped" conversation because Amber had not been to MPD at this time. I question how Nancy Grace was privileged to that court filed document. Wonder if it's available to all the press and the public now? RB, Velveeta, do you know if that document is available online?

Regarding the broken hair, Ted Rowlands said last night that the defense was claiming that Laci knew about the boat and that they "MAY" have a witness at the warehouse, who will say that she was there in the days prior to her disappearance. It'll be interesting to see how the judge rules on the "hair" evidence.

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