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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: Velveeta; All
Vel, thanks...

If I forget anyone, thank you all. ;o)

I'll be more focused by Monday....lol..

421 posted on 12/19/2003 7:05:00 AM PST by runningbear (Lurkers beware, Freeping is public opinions based on facts, theories, and news online.......)
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To: Velveeta; runningbear; All
Thanks, Vel! Have been so busy getting ready for Christmas and with the wedding and all, haven't had time to post much! You did know that I was selected to be rb's matron of honor, didn't you? Was wondering if I could borrow one of your tiaras? My best one is at the jewelers getting a diamond replaced as luck would have it. ;^)
422 posted on 12/19/2003 10:56:19 AM PST by Sandylapper
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To: Velveeta
He got one thing right: He said "my poor mother."
423 posted on 12/19/2003 12:03:10 PM PST by Devil_Anse
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To: Velveeta
That part you just quoted, there--nothing but Geragos engaging in gossip on national TV. How low can he go? He sounds like some old woman with her hair tied up in a rag, gossiping over the back fence. And I guess his mind isn't quite sharp enough to see the point that Allred's husband wasn't indicted for screwing little children, whereas that is what Jackson is apparently being charged with.
424 posted on 12/19/2003 12:05:42 PM PST by Devil_Anse
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To: runningbear
Coffee?? That'll just make you more nervous!

Better go with the Bacardi.

425 posted on 12/19/2003 12:06:51 PM PST by Devil_Anse
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To: Sandylapper; runningbear
Excuse me? You're the matron of honor? Hey RB!! What am I....chopped liver? You can still borrow one of my tiaras, cause that's just the kind of person that I am.

Let me know the color of your gown and I'll make sure the tiara clashes, er...um, I mean blends well your gown.
426 posted on 12/19/2003 1:12:24 PM PST by Velveeta
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To: Devil_Anse
You'd think given the big bucks that Geragos demands, he could slip his "poor mother" a few bucks every once in a while.

427 posted on 12/19/2003 1:14:15 PM PST by Velveeta
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To: Devil_Anse
I can't waaaiiiitt to hear the response from Gloria. My money's on her to come back with a doozy, after that Geragos stunt!
428 posted on 12/19/2003 1:16:24 PM PST by Velveeta
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To: Velveeta
Oh, his mom is probably well-off enough. I think she is "poor" in the sense of being pitiable for having such an unattractive, bogus-looking son.
429 posted on 12/19/2003 3:14:05 PM PST by Devil_Anse
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To: Velveeta; runningbear
Silly...sshhhh....Sorry you're out of the loop, but we SCOWs are going to surprise rb! You're a bridesmaid or maid or honor or whatever. I appointed myself matron of honor since I'm ... uh, uh... more mature. Wearing a gorgeous celery gown with my sunstreaked red hair. I'll look smashing, of course, but need your DIAMOND tiari, darnit! Put it in cybermail to me NOW!
430 posted on 12/19/2003 3:27:31 PM PST by Sandylapper
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To: Devil_Anse
Yes, poor Laci and Connor!
I don't think Scott thought of his baby the way most people would. It has been stated that Scott wasn't as thrilled as Laci about the pregnancy.I think that statement is true.
431 posted on 12/19/2003 3:52:23 PM PST by Cloe
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To: Velveeta
I'm starting to have a hard time watching Mark Geragos no matter what he is talking about. Is he really such a terrific lawyer?
432 posted on 12/19/2003 3:56:59 PM PST by Cloe
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To: Cloe
It's amazing--when you think of all the guys out there who have had it out with their wives big-time, and they and their wives literally can't stand the sight of each other, yet they still have a soft spot for their innocent children. It drives home the point that someone has to be extremely effed-up to have absolutely no feeling for a baby, much less a baby that was HIS.
433 posted on 12/19/2003 3:58:54 PM PST by Devil_Anse
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To: Cloe
What drives me crazy is the way Geragos' eyes won't open all the way.
434 posted on 12/19/2003 4:00:22 PM PST by Devil_Anse
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To: Cloe
I don't understand why some TV reporters & talking heads keep saying he is such a great lawyer. His credibility is low. He talks nonsense. Feiger has made fun of him, Gloria has gotten the better of him. Mainly he comes across as sleazy, a comic figure villain from silent film.

However, he has gotten away with intimidating witnesses and victims -- such as actually threatening violence to anyone who speaks out against Michael Jackson, the tactics of a mob enforcer.

435 posted on 12/19/2003 4:09:42 PM PST by Dante3
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To: Dante3; Devil_Anse; Cloe; Sandylapper; Jackie-O; Canadian Outrage; runningbear; All
Laci Peterson’s mother files wrongful death lawsuit

Laci Peterson’s mother today brought two lawsuits against Scott Peterson in the death of his wife and unborn child, Conner.

Sharon Rocha filed the first lawsuit - a wrongful death action - as an individual. She brought the second suit as the administrator of Laci Peterson's estate. Scott Peterson’s conduct was “willful, wanton and outrageous beyond the ability of ordinary human beings to comprehend,” attorney Adam Stewart wrote in one of the suits filed this afternoon in Stanislaus County Superior Court.

The lawsuits seeks in excess of $5 million for a range of monetary damages, as well as reimbursement for funeral expenses and burial costs, and judgment for “medical and related expenses.”

The civil lawsuits are not likely to move forward until the criminal case against Scott Peterson is concluded.

The 31-year-old fertilizer salesman is charged with murder. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

His trial is currently set for Jan. 26. That date could be pushed back months or longer for a number of reasons, including a defense bid to move the trial to another county because of massive publicity.

To obtain a criminal conviction, prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Peterson killed his wife, Laci, and unborn son, Conner.

In a civil case, the threshold for judgment is the lower preponderance of the evidence. Sharon Rocha and the estate need only prove that it is more likely than not that Peterson was the killer.

A criminal case also requires a unanimous verdict for conviction. A civil case requires nine of the 12 jurors to agree.

For the complete story, see tomorrow’s Bee or www.modbee.com.
http://www.modbee.com/local/story/7917116p-8793860c.html
436 posted on 12/19/2003 7:53:05 PM PST by Velveeta (YESSSS!!!!)
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To: All
***Updated (lengthy) article here:***
http://www.modbee.com/local/story/7920776p-8797355c.html

Laci Peterson's mother files wrongful death claims for more than $5 million

snipped..."In civil documents filed Friday, Rocha alleges that Peterson "planned and prepared to assault, batter and murder Laci D. Peterson," then killed her and their unborn son in the Modesto couple's Covena Avenue home"....snipped

437 posted on 12/20/2003 5:23:36 AM PST by Velveeta
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To: runningbear
Sadie, Sadie married lady
See what's on my hand
There's nothing quite as touching
As a simple wedding band.....

Best wishes for you today, Runningbear!!!
438 posted on 12/20/2003 5:37:06 AM PST by Velveeta
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To: Dante3
I agree!
I think "sleazy" describes him well.It seems some defence lawyers don't know the meaning of the word ethical.
439 posted on 12/20/2003 6:46:51 AM PST by Cloe
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To: Velveeta
I am wondering about the timing of this - I do think Sharon should file a wrongful death suit against Scott,but I don't want his lawyers able to say he can't get a fair trial because of it.
440 posted on 12/20/2003 6:54:22 AM PST by Cloe
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