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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[Canadian Outrage]

Sounds about right to me. Geragos was the "biggest" mouth on "this" case from day one. I still recall his "if this guy did it, he's a sociopath"!! Also his bragadosia statements about the "imminent" arrest of the real killer, of course the Satanists crap, the tan van crap, and on and on. I agree, it's now going to bite him squarely in the rear end as it should. When Geragos had his mouth shut for him, he just sent out the family and "other" Lawyers, ie: Pixley!!

[Canadian Outrage]

I know one thing, Scott Peterson may well be a lot sicker person than even we have surmised. The one thing about Laci tho, according to her lifelong girlfriends, was that she was quite fiesti and would not have "put up" with abuse. Even her Mom said Laci was strong willed. I'm willing to bet that Snott, kept a lot of this stuff from Laci by virtue of his employment. He used it to be away from "home" as much as possible. I do think that the thought of a kid though, really was going to mess up his lifestyle and that he would be "expected" to be around more to be a father. What a mess. I so wish that Laci could have perceived the "danger" she was in.

[Canadian Outrage]

I'm wondering why the guy didn't just have a vasectomy on one of his "business" trips? I somehow feel his "issues" had more to do with money and expected responsiblities as in "spending time" with his son. Lots of fathers are "absentee" fathers but they don't kill over it. They just don't spend time with their kid(s)! I think he didn't want the expense (less for HIM) and he sure didn't want to be expected to vary his "schedule" of personal activities.

[Jackie-O]

LMAO!
Another sound argument for the Prosecution...no need to move the trial out of Modesto.
Geragos is NATIONWIDE! From Knoxville TN to Honolulu!! Even this poor smuck has heard of MG!

[Canadian Outrage]

LOL!!! Didn't Judge Girolami, intimate sometime ago, that he wasn't leaning toward a change of venue? I recall that. He did mention something about busing in jurors from surrounding counties but not moving the whole thing. It makes sense to me that that would be a gargantuan waste of money to move the whole darn trial. EVERYBODY knows of the Peterson matter.

[Devil_Anse]

YES, I ABSOLUTELY believe that Pixley is in the pay of the Geragos team! Seriously!

[Devil_Anse]

Good point! He's inescapable.

[Velveeta]

What? Don't suppose, what?! ;-)

[Velveeta]

I bet he thought she couldn't get pregnant since she only had the one ovary and then was displeased (to say the least) when she became pregnant.

[Velveeta]

It will be interesting to see if the prosecution has uncovered any evidence that he did not want the baby

It promises to be an interesting trial, for sure.

[Velveeta]

Great post, thank you! Reads like SP completely:

They believe these people often have cold, rejecting parents.

Ma Peterson giving away child after child....wonder if SP ever felt that if he made one "wrong" move he'd be outta there like the rest of them?

They tend to be underaroused, have less anxiety, and be sensation-seeking.

Hence, the Viagra? (Kidding!)

[Velveeta]

I agree. Watching SP gave you that same "sum ting wong" feeling as watching Susan Smith.

[Velveeta]

I just don't understand why SP was seemingly "OK" with playing Daddy to Amber's daughter??

[Velveeta]

I'm sure Geragos got a kick out of that one too! How big IS his preening mirror?

[cyborg]

oh good point... wasn't even aware of Amber Frye's daughter. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE MARRIED MEN?

[drjulie]

"I just don't understand why SP was seemingly "OK" with playing Daddy to Amber's daughter??"

I think much of this was an act to get Amber. Also, Amber's daughter would not be a financial burden & he could justify "keeping some distance" emotionally and physically since she isn't his own child. I'm sure the defense will try to argue this but IMO it is not a strong argument.

[Devil_Anse]

I meant, Jan. 18 (when Scott supposedly signed up for all the X-rated channels) was also the day Kim McGregor broke in, wasn't it? I thought Scott was out of town?

So maybe Scott signed up for that stuff while he was down in San Diego--though I don't see why he'd do his cable/satellite business while away from home.

I was joking, insinuating that Kim McGregor, while inside "Scott's" home, had signed him up for all those smut channels!

[Devil_Anse]

If he thinks a woman with only one ovary can't get pregnant, he doesn't deserve to have a college degree. My aunt had most of her five children while having only one ovary.

[Canadian Outrage]

I also believe that a guy like Peterson wouldn't be as worried about a girl. Fathers are expected to spend time with their sons, teaching them things. Fathers and daughters usually do the odd lunch or outting but daughters spend a little more time learning mommy things. I have one of each and although my son and I are very close, he did more things with his dad. My daughter and I baked, etc. and are very close now that she is a mom. Also, Peterson, would likely have never married Amber. He just wanted to use her for awhile. She was probably a little more exciting that the "Martha Stewart type Laci", the homemaker. Boy did Laci ever read this guy wrong. I wonder if Snotty's boss covered for him regarding some non business trips?

[drjulie]

"I also believe that a guy like Peterson wouldn't be as worried about a girl."

I agree - a girl may be less threatening because of fewer time demands.