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Friend: Peterson was frantic
The Modesto Bee ^ | 12/05/03 | Garth stapely

Posted on 12/08/2003 5:52:00 AM PST by runningbear

Friend: Peterson was frantic

Friend: Peterson was frantic

By GARTH STAPLEY
BEE STAFF WRITER

Last Updated: December 5, 2003, 07:25:21 AM PST

Scott Peterson sounded frantic when he called a friend after Peterson's pregnant wife disappeared Christmas Eve, Modesto businessman Gregory Reed said Thursday. Reed's name surfaced in the intrigue-packed preliminary hearing for Scott Peterson. The hearing ended Nov. 18 with a judge ordering the 31-year-old former fertilizer salesman to stand trial on charges of slaying Laci Peterson and their unborn son, Conner.

Other former acquaintances of the defendant, also mentioned at the proceeding, refused to comment.

Reed and his wife, Kristen, held private Lamaze sessions attended by the Petersons, who lived a few blocks away in the La Loma neighborhood. Gregory Reed previously said the Petersons brought meals and visited after the Reeds' child was born.

"They were good people," Reed said Thursday.

At the preliminary hearing, detectives testified that on the night of Dec. 24, Scott Peterson told them he fished alone briefly that day in San Francisco Bay. Peterson said his wife, who had been planning to walk their dog when he left, was gone when he returned.

Prosecutors contend that Peterson used his pickup to transport the body of his wife to his work warehouse and then to the bay.

Steve Jacobson, a prosecution investigator, testified that Peterson used his cell phone to call Reed shortly after leaving the Berkeley Marina on Dec. 24, and again later that evening. There was nothing unusual about the first call, Reed said.

"I could tell he was driving," Reed said, "but I don't know where. I could hear road noise and feedback.

"A few hours later I did get that frantic phone call. I caught up with him and went over to the house."

Family members, friends and neighbors gathered that night to post fliers and search for the mother-to-be.

Peterson's attorney, Mark Geragos of Los Angeles, appeared at the hearing to draw the image of a man concerned at having returned to an empty house. Jacobson confirmed that Peterson made numerous calls the evening of Dec. 24, including several to his wife's mother, Sharon Rocha, and sister, Amy Rocha, and later to 911........

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Taping calls is legally tricky

By GARTH STAPLEY
BEE STAFF WRITER

Last Updated: December 6, 2003, 07:01:58 AM PST

Amber Frey secretly taped her phone conversations with suspected double-murderer Scott Peterson, but such an action is only legal under very specific circumstances. Recording calls is against the law in California -- unless the one taping gets the other person's consent. Another law permits covert recording to gather evidence of certain crimes, including murder.

That's how Frey did it. In fact, she had help from detectives who bought her a recording device and showed her how to use it -- hoping she could extract evidence from her boyfriend.

Peterson, 31, is scheduled to stand trial Jan. 26 on charges of murdering his pregnant wife, Laci, and their unborn son, Conner. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

In a preliminary hearing last month, authorities suggested that the defendant's romance with Frey may have provided him with a motive to kill his wife.

Frey approached Modesto police on Dec. 30, six days after Laci Peterson went missing, and began cooperating with authorities. Detective Al Brocchini testified that he gave her taping equipment that same day.

Brocchini said he bought some of it at Radio Shack. The store sells a "recorder control" for $24.19 -- with a caution urging buyers to check local laws because taping without consent is illegal in some states.

Questioning from a defense attorney suggested that Frey had begun taping their calls on her own as of Dec. 16.

In any case, she continued recording their calls for about seven weeks. Transcripts from one featured Peterson saying he was "longing to hold onto" Frey; he repeatedly deflected questions about having previously lied about his wife and unborn baby.

Authorities also obtained wiretap warrants for Peterson's cell phones allowing them to record all of his calls. Those recordings were not discussed at the preliminary hearing, though prosecutors reserved the option of introducing that evidence at trial.

Before 1967, anyone in California could tape a phone chat without fear of going afoul of the law. But state legislators that year adopted a series of eavesdropping statutes, including one prohibiting one-party-consent recording.

"To me, it's just offensive that people record conversations, in terms of .......

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Superior Court, Stanislaus County December 5, 2003

Minute Order: Findings on Sealing Orders

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Superior Court, Stanislaus County December 5, 2003

Minute Order: Correction to Minute Order of 12/3/03.....

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


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: avoidingchildsupport; baby; babyunborn; conner; deathpenaltytime; dontubelievemyalibi; faker; getarope; ibefishing; laci; lacipeterson; liar; nohewasnt; phony; phonybologna; smallbaby; smallchild; sonkiller; unborn; wifekiller
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To: Howlin
I should have forewarned with a gag alert!
21 posted on 12/08/2003 8:39:49 AM PST by Velveeta
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To: runningbear
LOL!!
22 posted on 12/08/2003 9:02:43 AM PST by Devil_Anse
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To: Jackie-O
Even better! The question of whether she taped illegally, and the question of whether the info garnered could be used against Scott in his trial, are TWO separate questions, and the answer to ONE of them is not necessarily dispositive of the other question.
23 posted on 12/08/2003 9:05:35 AM PST by Devil_Anse
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To: joesnuffy
Amen!!
24 posted on 12/08/2003 9:06:36 AM PST by Devil_Anse
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To: Howlin; runningbear
I bet Geragos already has that story printed up and framed on his office wall!

LOL, I just bet he does!

Thanks for the ping, RB!

25 posted on 12/08/2003 9:10:48 AM PST by Yaelle
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To: Agnes Heep
Yes, his franticity (??) was a bit premature. Kinda like telling his mother-in-law that Laci was "missing" so soon. Whoops, old Scaughty.
26 posted on 12/08/2003 9:12:41 AM PST by Yaelle
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To: RGSpincich
"Taping by Amber is legal. NOW, will you guys belive me. LOL.

I believed you. I remember posting the California code and wondering if she fit into the special category.

I still wonder if she does on those calls she taped before the detective got involved.

From Article:
Recording calls is against the law in California -- unless the one taping gets the other person's consent. Another law permits covert recording to gather evidence of certain crimes, including murder.

That's how Frey did it. In fact, she had help from detectives who bought her a recording device and showed her how to use it -- hoping she could extract evidence from her boyfriend...............

Questioning from a defense attorney suggested that Frey had begun taping their calls on her own as of Dec. 16.

27 posted on 12/08/2003 9:12:59 AM PST by Spunky (This little tag just keeps following me where ever I go.)
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To: Devil_Anse
Hey Dev, I got my Dell up and running at home yesterday.
Sweet!! The big monitor is just the ticket for these over 40 eyes! Took some nice pics with the free digital camera too. I have to play with it for a while, but I'm hoping to set up a nice about page here when I get a chance. My little man knows more about the machine than I do! ;o)
28 posted on 12/08/2003 9:32:58 AM PST by Jackie-O ("The horror...the horror"- Col. Kurtz)
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To: Jackie-O
Sounds wonderful, Jackie!! Good to see you here!!
29 posted on 12/08/2003 9:36:53 AM PST by Devil_Anse
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To: Yaelle
his franticity

ROFL!!!

It fits the situation, though!!

Scott's franticity was premature, and his putridity will make the jury hate him.

30 posted on 12/08/2003 9:40:27 AM PST by Devil_Anse
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To: runningbear
"Peterson's attorney, Mark Geragos of Los Angeles, appeared at the hearing to draw the image of a man concerned at having returned to an empty house."

I remember when the HUGE, EXONERATING evidence was that (gasp) Snotty boy actually CALLED Laci and left a voice mail regarding picking up a gift basket or some such errand he was suppose to do that day. Heard for days how this proves his innocence. Yeah, a sick pig like this couldn't "act" frantic or concerned could he? I swear, people are becoming so stupid, I'm truly becoming afraid of the society we are creating!
31 posted on 12/08/2003 9:47:55 AM PST by tinacart ((I still hate hitlery!!!))
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To: Devil_Anse
But it's his stupiditidity that's gonna nail him!

(and true justicicity, G-d willing!)

32 posted on 12/08/2003 9:54:46 AM PST by Yaelle
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To: Yaelle
Yes, his franticity (??) was a bit premature. Kinda like telling his mother-in-law that Laci was "missing" so soon. Whoops, old Scaughty.

The logical thing would have been to wait a few hours, then call friends or relatives simply inquiring whether Laci were there, or if they knew where she was.

FBI profiler John Douglas once remarked upon a case where a woman frantically called 911, claiming that her small son had been kidnapped. This occurred right after the time she discovered him missing, and so she immediately conferred suspicion upon herself, because, as Douglas pointed out, kidnapping is the last thing in the world that would occur to a mother under the circumstances--one would normally assume that the child had wandered off, or something far less threatening. Sure enough, the woman had murdered the child and tried to stage a scenario.

Profilers like Douglas are forever pointing out that if you try to stage a crime scene you are bound to fail, primarily because the police have lots of experience with genuine crime scenes, while the average schmuck does not.

33 posted on 12/08/2003 10:12:57 AM PST by Agnes Heep
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To: Devil_Anse
I've been spending all of my time outside of work at home with the kids so I suspect I will be around alot this winter. Just finishing up a major hardwood floor refinish project. Turned out beautiful, good therapy/stress releif too!
34 posted on 12/08/2003 10:19:26 AM PST by Jackie-O ("The horror...the horror"- Col. Kurtz)
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To: Jackie-O
So... when you run out of floors and walls at your house, do you want to come and visit me for, oh, 6 months or so? I'll let you play with my floors all you want! ;-)


I admit I've been watching to hear about your next project. lol

Pinz
35 posted on 12/08/2003 10:33:02 AM PST by pinz-n-needlez
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To: Howlin; Devil_Anse; drjulie
What are the laws wrt:recording conversations via phone in california? For example, in missouri, only one party has to know that they are being recorded..and that means either party.. In Kansas... it's not legal at all.
36 posted on 12/08/2003 10:39:43 AM PST by Freedom2specul8 (Please pray for our troops.... http://anyservicemember.navy.mil/)
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To: pinz-n-needlez
You would love what I've done with my stairs and landings to my second floor. The landings I've stripped and refinished to a golden pecan. I stenciled a border design before I put the polycrylic on to give an inlaid wood look.
The I refinished the woden stair treads and put mosaic tile on the "kick" part of the stairs. I'm so pleased with the way it turned out!
37 posted on 12/08/2003 10:42:42 AM PST by Jackie-O ("The horror...the horror"- Col. Kurtz)
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To: Spunky
Thnx for the info about recording in california... It missouri, only one party has to know. It helps in many ways.. IE:domestic violence, stalkers etc..

38 posted on 12/08/2003 10:43:46 AM PST by Freedom2specul8 (Please pray for our troops.... http://anyservicemember.navy.mil/)
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To: Jackie-O
That sounds awesome! Do you like to watch vern on trading spaces? He's my favorite decorator.
39 posted on 12/08/2003 10:44:36 AM PST by Freedom2specul8 (Please pray for our troops.... http://anyservicemember.navy.mil/)
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To: pinz-n-needlez; Jackie-O
I've been enjoying hearing about your floors, too. I was hoping to start the same, but the project has been put on hold for a bit.

Jackie, did you already know how to install, or did you study up on it before beginning?
40 posted on 12/08/2003 10:50:19 AM PST by cyncooper ("The evil is in plain sight")
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