Warehouse probe put in spotlight
By JOHN COTÉ
and GARTH STAPLEY
BEE STAFF WRITERS
http://www.modestobee.com/local/story/7730973p-8633206c.html Last Updated: November 13, 2003, 06:43:47 AM PST
Detective Al Brocchini, who is set to take the stand again today, appears to be at the center of a defense strategy aimed at showing the Modesto police investigation into Laci Peterson's death was sloppy and marked by mishandled evidence.
Earlier defense questioning of police witnesses appeared to suggest that Brocchini had the opportunity to plant or tamper with evidence. The defense since has steered clear of that option while cross-examining Broc- chini.
The warehouse where Scott Peterson stored chemicals and products used in his work as a fertilizer salesman has been a major focus of testimony in Peterson's preliminary hearing on double-murder charges.
The warehouse could again feature prominently today as Brocchini takes the stand for the third time.
A prosecution theory suggests that Peterson killed his pregnant wife, Laci, in their Covena Avenue home late Dec. 23 or
early Dec. 24 and took her body to his warehouse, where he picked up an aluminum fishing boat purchased two weeks ear- lier and transported her body to San Francisco Bay.
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