Friend: Peterson was frantic

The Modesto Bee ^ | 12/05/03 | Garth stapely

[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........

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 .......

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Superior Court, Stanislaus County December 5, 2003

Minute Order: Findings on Sealing Orders

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Superior Court, Stanislaus County December 5, 2003

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

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Velveeta]

Here's the pdf of Geragos' motion. Caution! Barf Alert.

http://www.pressupdate.info/pdfs/peterson/122203/995_motion_122203.pdf

[Devil_Anse]

no evidence that either of them were slain

Oh, sure, people in their 20's are always being found lying (or floating) around dead somewhere. And the bodies washed up separately... what the hell does that prove, considering that the bodies have been proven to be mother and son?

Obviously she went to the marina (by levitation--since her car remained in her driveway) to gaze out over the water, and just fell in and forgot how to swim.

I assume that Geragos included this in his motion: "And considering that I have to spend a lot of time doing PR for a case in which the client has much more money, it would be better if this murder case were dismissed, so I could concentrate my energies on Jackson. I need a win, in order to impress my client Jackson, so please dismiss this case."

[Velveeta]

Don't forget that according to Geragos' theory, Laci also duct-taped herself before accidently falling into the bay after having levitated to the marina.

Maybe she just wanted to swim out to the boat in 40 degree rainy weather, to check up on Scott's progress. Was sturgeon on their Christmas bruch menu?

[Devil_Anse]

Yum! Great sturgeon sushi, Laci!

Yes, and don't forget, Laci went out wearing only her bra and pants--she left her shirt balled up in her underwear drawer! Oh, and apparently she was barefoot, too.

[Jackie-O]

What a crock of $hit. Hope the judge has his hip boots and a very large shovel! I suppose as an effective defense atty, MG has to file a motion for dismissal. But to outright say that Laci and Connor may not have been murdered due to no cause of death is utterly ridiculous!
I thought he was going to show proof that a Satanic cult murdered them and dumped their bodies in the bay to frame his client. Now he wants to say that there was no murder at all?? Maybe Laci had torn her pants and decided to duct tape them up before she went out fro a stroll without her shirt. I mean come on MG!
Every time I hear him speak, like at his last press conf. after charges were filed against Jackson, I think, "what a blowhard!" His act is almost embarrassing, incredulous.

[MaggieMay]

First and foremost congratulations to Mrs. Runningbear.

Second Merry Christmas to all!

Third,Velveeta I found an article from ModestoBee to add to the articles you have already posted on Mark Geragos 12 page motion to dismiss the double murder charges.This one is titled,"Geragos: Peterson Evidence 'Feeble'."
LINK
http://www.modbee.com/local/story/7932052p-8807876c.html

Police "deliberately ignored" evidence that would have benefited Scott Peterson, and prosecutors have failed to show that his wife's death involved a crime, according to a motion seeking to dismiss double-murder charges.
"The police -- from the very beginning -- decided that their job was to put Scott Peterson on death row," defense attorney Mark Geragos wrote in the motion filed Monday afternoon in Stanislaus County Superior Court.

"They deliberately ignored any exculpatory evidence, and from day one worked only toward the goal of putting Scott in the gas chamber," Geragos said in a 12-page motion laced with disparaging comments about police and prosecutors.

The motion challenges the order holding Peterson for trial, handed down last month at the close of his 12-day preliminary hearing on charges he murdered his wife, Laci, and unborn son, Conner. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, which in California is administered by lethal injection or gas.

Chief Deputy District Attorney John Goold said he had not reviewed the motion and would not comment on it. A formal prosecution response is expected Jan. 8.

"We'll make our response known and address the applicable law in the paperwork we file," Goold said.

The defense contends there is no reasonable cause to order Peterson to stand trial, because prosecutors failed at the preliminary hearing to show the deaths involved a crime and did not present physical or circumstantial evidence to indicate Peterson murdered his wife and child. In April, passersby found the bodies of mother and son along the shoreline of San Francisco Bay, a few miles from where Scott Peterson said he went fishing Dec. 24. He reported his wife missing later that day.

The standard of proof prosecutors are required to meet at a preliminary hearing is significantly lower than what's required to find a defendant guilty at trial. The defense motion to set aside the ruling and dismiss the case has little chance of success, legal observers have said.

Judge Marie Silveira is scheduled to hear the motion Jan. 14.

Peterson's trial is set for Jan. 26, but that date will likely be pushed back if Girolami grants a defense request to move the trial because of massive publicity.

Calling the prosecution evidence "extraordinarily feeble," Geragos wrote in the motion that prosecutors had only established that Peterson was an unfaithful husband who had happened to go fishing on the "same day his wife tragically disappeared."

"There was no evidence at all at the preliminary hearing suggesting Laci's cause of death or Conner's cause of death," Geragos wrote. The medical examiner testified he could not determine the cause of death.

In a wide-ranging assault on the prosecution's case, Geragos attacked the notion that Scott was preparing to flee when he was arrested outside the Torrey Pines Golf Course near San Diego. A detective testified Peterson had $15,000 cash, four cell phones and camping gear in his car.

"It also stretches credulity that an alleged 'murderer on a run for the border' stopped on the way to Mexico to play nine or 18 holes while heading north," Geragos wrote. "Only the geographically challenged would miss the fact that Scott was headed north, which, then and now, is the direction of the Canadian border."

[Sandylapper]

Mags, many thanks to you and Velveeta for the updates! Maybe we'll have some news about the direction this is heading in early January. Jackie, I'm with you--MG won't get anywhere with this latest filing.

I'll be cooking and wrapping most all day tomorrow, so I'll take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

[Velveeta]

Just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukka, Happy Kwaanza......as long as it's all Happy and Merry, that's what I wish for you all! See you after the holidays. Stay safe.

[Jackie-O]

Well ladies, I'm making my 10 qt. pot of gravy right now for my X-mas lasagna...the house smells like my Nanna's. I will be thinking of you all when we have our traditional Italian holiday dinner! Hope Santa brings you Peace and Happiness! (and maybe some bling-bling too!)

MERRY CHRISTMAS LOVEES!!!!

[Jackie-O]

Well it has been exactly a year since Laci and Connor were murdered.
I will say a special prayer for their souls, and their grieving family.
In a couple of weeks it will be a year since I officially joined you all here. (lurked for 3 years prior)
I am blessed to haev "met" you all!
P.S. Will I loose my "newbie" status when I make a year??? ;o)

[Jackie-O]

haev=have
should have use the nice new spell check option!

[Howlin]

Yes, you will. No more excuses for you!


I'll say a prayer with you!

[pitinkie]

Happy Holidays!

[pinz-n-needlez]

You can be a newcomer for as long as you wish, Jackie-O. ;-)

Geragos must have been busy during the Westerfield trial, He was found guilty and sentenced to death without a cause of death, time of death, or place of death for poor Danielle.

I hate to read Geragos' argument and be bummed, but because I will never in my life be bummed as much as Sharon, I will read it and offer it up for the repose of Laci's soul, and perhaps a bit of peace for her family.

I wish the peace of Christmas for all of my new-found friends on these threads, and for some lurkers, who are friends from past threads.

Pinz

[drjulie]

Thank you for the Christmas wishes. I hope you all have a great holiday season! It's been a year since Laci was murdered and this doubtless will be a painful holiday for Laci's family. Let's hope and pray that justice will be served in the upcoming year.

[Diver Dave]

Merry Christmas greetings to one and all.
Hoping to get one of those jury questionaires they plan to send out to those of us who were dismissed from jury duty this past year.

[Devil_Anse]

I thought he was going to show proof that a Satanic cult murdered them...now he wants to say that there was no murder at all??

It can't get any plainer than that: Geragos will say whatever serves his purposes best at the moment.

That's why I just hit the mute button, or change the channel, whenever some news show shows him "standing on the courthouse steps" making some statement. Nothing he says has been worth listening to, and I've listened to his blabbering mouth since the fat-hipped rapist's impeachment. So I think I can safely push the mute button and not miss a thing.

[Devil_Anse]

Merry Christmas, Maggie and runningbear!!!

Thanks for the article, Maggie. IMO, the operative word is "feeble"-- which is a good description of Scott's bogus story.

[Devil_Anse]

Merry Christmas, Sandy!!

I wrapped my stuff last night. Today I'm going to make something for us to eat tonight when we get together. Then tomorrow I cook the Christmas dinner, which we usually eat about mid-day. Our church isn't having midnight Mass this year! I couldn't believe it; their latest Mass tonight is 9 p.m. I prefer going on Christmas Eve to going in the morning, though.

[Devil_Anse]

Merry Christmas Jackie!!

Yes, cooking, cooking, cooking! Be sure and get some of that good food for yourself b/f your relatives devour it!!