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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[clouda]

Happy New Year To You!

[Velveeta]

You're both most welcome. It was a disturbing article in so many ways.

How many times are we going to read about SP breaking down and crying to get what he wants? He must have used this tactic all his life, as a distinct pattern is emerging.

Poor Laci fell for the act.

Here's the latest "press update" legal motion that was filed. It's the "Opposition to defendant's motion for a change of venue".

http://www.pressupdate.info/pdfs/peterson/010204/opposition_changeofvenue_010204.pdf

[Canadian Outrage]

I don't have pdf at home Vel. Can you give me a synopsis? I'll read the whole thing when I go back to work. Thanks

[Devil_Anse]

Rather than synopsize the whole thing, CO, let me just give you my favorite part: the state points out that a lot of the publicity that the defense complains of is due to the actions and words of the defendant, his attorney, and their minions!

Ha ha! I told you, one day Geragos was going to be arguing for a change of venue b/c of the "horrendous publicity", and someone would turn to him and say, "How can YOU complain of it, when it was YOU who caused a large part of it?" And that is exactly what is happening in this state's answer to Geragos' motion.

They point out that Geragos was a frequent guest on shows which were "condemning" of the defendant. I don't recall it that way--the way I recall it was that Geragos was a CONSTANT guest on such shows. I mean, we couldn't even turn on our TV's to any Laci-coverage show, w/o seeing his ugly mug right there in the middle of it! He was unfailingly present.

Then they point out all the crazy pronouncements Geragos would make from the steps of the courthouse, about "satanists" and other CRAP. And about how he was going to produce the "real" killer.

Yes, it's all coming back to bite him in the butt. He richly deserves it.

They also make mention of some well-known cases, such as Manson and the Juan Corona case. They say that in the Manson case, the defense (not sure for which defendant) moved for a change of venue, but was not granted the change of venue. Incidentally, Manson's was a death penalty case too. (But later, due to activist Supreme Court justices, Manson's sentence was changed to life in prison.)

[clouda]

telling Shawn he had homes in Sacramento and San Diego Shawn wanted nothing to do with him, but she made a fateful mistake by giving him Amber's phone number and the two would soon hook up.

Remember we always wondered where Scott had told Amber he lived. Not Modesto.

I have the new NE. The past few weeks they have had some good stuff. What a sociopath Scotty Boy is.

[Devil_Anse]

Oh, brother. "Homes in Sacramento and San Diego." You know, if a guy like Scott handed a line like that to me, I'd be afraid of slipping and saying something like, "Oh... and do you have wives in both those cities, too?"

I had thought that it was Shawn he'd originally hit on. B/C, remember, when we first heard about her by name, they said that one night Scott and Shawn (at a convention or something) had stayed up together till 3 a.m.? I mean, that sounds like a date, frankly. But clearly this Shawn was determined to get him off her back, b/c of her own commitment, being engaged and all.

[Devil_Anse]

How pathetic that Scott uses the cry-baby tactic. I guess being a victim was his way to appeal to motherly types like Laci. (Retch!)

And in this recent NE article you posted, again we hear that Scott didn't want children. Supposedly they would cramp his so-called lifestyle. Once again I am reminded of that couple I knew. People asked them if they planned to have children. The husband would say, "No--I like being an only child." That husband turned out to be a serial adulterer, just like Scott. Furthermore, that couple eventually divorced. The difference is, to my knowledge, neither of them ever killed anyone.

[Devil_Anse]

I think you're right, that Laci had to be aware of some of this. And don't forget, apparently even Kim McGregor was aware of some of it, since she noticed that Scott was "almost never home". Not that I'm blaming Laci. She may have been planning to dump the scumbag, but such things are not done overnight (unless murder is involved). Furthermore, maybe Laci had announced that she was leaving him and that led him to murder her--maybe his all-important image couldn't stand to be the one who got "left".

[Velveeta]

CO, Devil sums it up in post #604 better than anyone! I just found a KTVU article that also provides a synopsis but lacks that Devilish je ne se qua. ;-)


Prosecutors: 'No Point To A Change Of Venue'
http://www.ktvu.com/news/2738144/detail.html

MODESTO, Calif. -- Prosecutors Friday filed court papers challenging a change of venue motion in the murder trial of Scott Peterson, claiming it was the defense -- particularly famed attorney Mark Geragos -- that has generated much of the speculation and publicity surrounding the double murder case....(snipped)

[Velveeta]

Well done! The Modesto Bee should hire you. LOL

[Velveeta]

Can you believe this guy? His entire life was a series of lies. I loved the part about SP scurrying to cancel his "porn channel" services before the cops executed their search warrant. ROFL Talk about your screwed up priorities....sheesh.

[Velveeta]

It's interesting to see it mentioned again that he didn't want children. Makes you wonder if he feared that his child would be as evil as he was. Or if it was just in his *genes* to want to get rid of his spawn?

Curious life he must have had growing up with brothers and sisters popping out of the woodwork.

[drjulie]

Thanks for posting the NE article! If all of this is true I believe Laci knew the kind of person to whom she was married. Very sad - she probably thought he could/would change.

[drjulie]

"And in this recent NE article you posted, again we hear that Scott didn't want children."

I agree that this is very important. I do wonder, though, if the defense might leak this information. They may try to argue that he was chronically unfaithful in the past, yet he never killed his wife. Why would he kill her now? The prosecution is going to have to focus on the pregnancy as the key factor - if they choose to address motive.

[Velveeta]

You're welcome. Sad to wonder if she thought a baby would make things better.

[Velveeta]

***Warning if you read the last paragraph of this article, you WILL spew all over your keyboards....so, don't take a sip! Remember you were warned. ROFL!****

Arrested Plane Passenger Appears in Court

JAYMES SONG
Associated Press

HONOLULU - A science teacher who tried to break into the cockpit of a Hawaii-bound Northwest Airlines flight - screaming the world was coming to an end - told a judge Friday he was on a mission to see the beach.
Brandon Gabriel Rines was charged Friday with interfering with a flight crew. During his court appearance, Rines was talkative, erratic and disruptive - arguing with his public defender and U.S. Magistrate Barry Kurren.

"My sole purpose on this mission was to see the beach," the 31-year-old Tennessee man said. "I have not seen the ocean. I have not tasted the rain."

Rines' journey began in Knoxville, Tenn., where he caught a plane to Detroit on Thursday morning and then connected on a flight to Hawaii.

According to court documents, he allegedly approached the DC-10's cockpit about 90 minutes outside of Honolulu, screaming "We need to land this plane now. We need to get on the ground."

He returned to his seat, but later rushed the cockpit again, yelling, "The world is coming to an end," and "I am going to land this plane," before being subdued and handcuffed by the flight crew.

U.S. Attorney Edward Kubo Jr. said Rines "violently" tried to gain access to the cockpit, getting within "touching distance" of the reinforced door.

"The passengers on that plane were very fearful for their safety and very concerned with his actions," Kubo said. No injuries were reported and no weapons were used, authorities said.

Kurren has ordered a mental competency evaluation for Rines, who faces up to five years in prison if convicted of the felony charge.

In court, Rines would not allow a public defender to speak on his behalf. He also interrupted Kurren several times, saying he didn't know what he was being charged with and that he wanted to represent himself, or hire his own attorney.

"I move to dismiss. I don't want to be represented," Rines said. "Where's Geragos? Where's Geragos," referring to Mark Geragos, the high-profile Los Angeles defense attorney representing pop star Michael Jackson and murder suspect Scott Peterson.

http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/7622135.htm

[drjulie]

"It's interesting to see it mentioned again that he didn't want children."

This is not uncommon among these types of folks for at least three reasons. 1. They would not be the center of attention. 2. The baby would cost money. More money for the baby means less money for the things/activities the person enjoys. 3. Parenting requires emotional and psychological involvement. Often the narcissist feels inadequate or even terrified of these types of demands.

[drjulie]

"....referring to Mark Geragos, the high-profile Los Angeles defense attorney representing pop star Michael Jackson and murder suspect Scott Peterson."

Oh goodness! Well, based on what I've seen so far, I don't think I'd want Geragos defending me. This shows that the guy really is out of his mind!

[Velveeta]

Often the narcissist feels inadequate or even terrified of these types of demands

Interesting insight. Perhaps terrified enough to kill.

Doc, if we now see that SP had told previous girlfriends that he didn't want children, I would assume that he told Laci that as well. Why do you suppose he went along with "trying to have a baby" with Laci for about one year before she became pregnant?

Also, is narcissism a learned or inherited type of behavior?

[Devil_Anse]

Yes, the idea of not wanting one's own child to be born is so foreign to me that I really have to struggle to understand that there are indeed people who are that maladaptive.

There's one other thing, though. While Laci may have endured other infidelities by Scott, it may be that this was the first time she told Scott she was going to divorce him over it. Just a guess. And if that's the case, it may have been too much of a blow to his narcissistic IMAGE for him to accept.