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........

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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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[Devil_Anse]

He knew he had to explain a wet mop.

Also there was vacuuming. We heard that Scott was vacuuming, even when the family was there. Wonder if that was accurate?

Because now we hear that the cadaver dog hit on a place on the carpet!

[Devil_Anse]

Hey, I was just glad to get my new National Enquirer with the partial transcript of Scott's interview!

I got a silver tray set, and too much candy, and a steam cleaner (yes, I specifically requested it). And some videos that I can never find in the video store.

How'd you do? I know you got a ski trip, that's pretty good to start with!

Oh--and wonder of wonders, my brother showed up to spend Christmas Eve with us--and he didn't bring anyone, hallelujah!

[Velveeta]

Hey, no Moochie with the brother, great news! Your Santa did quite well by you this year. We had a great Christmas. The ski trip was the "biggie" and I finally got the cappuccino maker that I'd had my eye on, yum!

[Canadian Outrage]

OMG!! This is the FIRST I saw of the GeraGROSSSSSS filing!! What a crock of crap is right. This takes the absolute cake. I cannot STAND that sleepy eyed puke any longer. Speaking of the Jackson case, I heard one defense Lawyer say on a talk show that IF a scheduling conflict of any consequence occured between the Peterson and the Jackson trials, that Geragos would drop Peterson like a hot potato!! I just want the Jury to hear this guy's voice and witness the depth of deception of his life. Thrown in a few hundred "coincidences" and then let common sense take over.

[Canadian Outrage]

May you have a long and happy marriage rb!! You've been so good to ping us all EVERY day. Hope marriage won't hurt that!! LOL I can relate to the snow - it's all around me at the moment.

[Canadian Outrage]

Boy the Dog evidence is very POWERFUL!! I see the reasoning for the yellow crime tape surrounding "his" house!! Even in his interview with Diane Sawyer he kept referring to Laci as "was" er "is" amazing. The baby, yeah that "was" er is hard!! No way around those statements. There's too many of them and they start from day one!

[Canadian Outrage]

See y'ALL tomorrow. HAPPY NEW YEAR SCOWS and SCOMS!! I was sooooooo busy over Christmas I couldn't even make it to the puter. I was thinking of everyone tho. My heart still breaks for the Rocha family. And when I think of Peterson, I just feel a sick rage. He and his Lawyer are cut from the same cloth.

[Devil_Anse]

I like this phrase: "That was the morning decision."

[Canadian Outrage]

That "my house" er "our house" sure is revealing. Just think, within hours of his pregnant wife missing, he's asking if they have cadaver dogs looking for her and he's asking for a grief counsellor?!! He was so EXTREMELY detached from the marriage that he literally did NOT know how to behave. I think this is a HUGE catch.

[Canadian Outrage]

Yeah, that's a good phrase Dev. btw - I miss your morning freepmail!! We gotta get this trial going again. I STILL want to know about the Jacqueline and Lee Peterson situation. Speaking of Geragos, I noticed that that twit, LKL had a REPEAT SHOWING of his Geragos interview on the Jackson charges. In that interview he of course has to get in a couple of licks to do with the Petersons. eg: Jacqueline Peterson, I just love her.!! GAG

[Devil_Anse]

Oh, yeah. I remember that. He said "my house", then quickly changed it to "our house".

Even more ironic, IMO, it is no big deal if my husband were to say "my house" when referring to the house which he and I own jointly. It's the fact that Scott felt compelled to quickly change it, that made it very noticeable. JMO.

[Devil_Anse]

I am totally NOT INTERESTED in the Jackson case. Ordinarily, I might follow a case about a pedophile. But Jackson's arrogance, his lack of touch with reality, are too much for me. And people play along with this ONLY b/c he has a lot of money.

I wonder how long we are supposed to be like the crowd in that story, "The Emperor's New Clothes"? Pretending that what is abnormal is normal, and pretending that what is normal is NOT normal?

[landerwy]

Awwww come on Devil! I think you are a tiny bit interested! As for me I'm trying to figure out the female fascination with Scott Peterson!!!

[Velveeta]

Happy New Year to you too, CO. And to ALL of you.

[Canadian Outrage]

I am TOTALLY NOT INTERESTED in Jackson either. Wasn't that Geragos filing for dismissal of the charges from outter space?? I perceive that he would love to be able to sweep the Peterson matter off his plate!! Not nearly as lucrative.

[Cloe]

I feel the same way about the Jackson case - I have little to no interest in hearing anything about it.
The sad fact is that a whole lot of people don't seem to be "pretending" that what is abnormal is normal and what is normal is not normal. They seem to believe abnormal is quite acceptable - and think we are the ones with the problems.

[Cloe]

Thank you,Velveeta.
Peace and Happiness to all in the coming year!

[Sandylapper]

Happy New Year, Vel, and All! Have been ailing a bit for a couple of days but hope to be back soon. The best of the New Year to you All!

[Canadian Outrage]

Go figure huh? Up is down, down is up, right is wrong, wrong is right! etc. etc. arrrrggghhhhh!!

[Jackie-O]

I wanted to check in with all my SCOWS and SCOMS before I took off for family gatherings tonight.
May you all have the most Joyous New Year!!
Be safe all!
See you next year!!!