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.....

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

[Jackie-O]

My fiddlin' is much needed therapy/stress relief!;o)

[Jackie-O]

Gosh it seems so long ago since the beginning of this case! I had forgotten how soon he was looking to dump that home and car. Trying to wipe out the memory of his wife and child....trying to clear himself to be with Amber by Jan 25!
All of the facts that you mentioned will have such an impact on the jury when presented in the opening statements, during the trial, and in closing. We have been discussing things in bits and pieces for a year now. I am anxious to get to the full presentation of ALL of the evidence...circumstantial as well as physical.
Your comments on what Laci was doing this time last year just made my heart sink. I can almost see her in my minds eye, cute as a button, great with child, baking cookies and wrapping presents. Putting the finishing touches on Connor's room. Breaks my heart, can't fathom the grief that is tearing at Sharon's heart right now.
I will be lighting many candles for the Rochas, Laci and Connor this holiday season.

[Jackie-O]

Yes Laci's keys were still in the house, so if she returned, she would have to ring the bell.
But Snott knew she was not coming back. No need to stay in the home he murdered her in. He was in a big hurry to start his new life with Amber, after all he did pin himself down to a date...January 25. Quite optimistic of him.

[Velveeta]

An innocent person would be reluctant to leave the house in case their loved one showed up and couldn't get in.

Agreed! Remember that one interview with Gloria Gomez (I think) where Scott's cellphone rang in the middle of the interview? Most folks with a loved one missing would break-neck speed to answer a phone in case there was news of their loved one. Scott casually walked over and turned off the phone without a second thought!

[Velveeta]

Can you come fiddle at my house for a while?

[Canadian Outrage]

Yes, isn't that the truth Jackie. I can't fathom a Juror overlooking facts as shocking as this. His phone records and his OWN VOICE should about bury him. I still can see the juxtaposition of Laci's father Dennis holding a candle and weeping profusely and Snott holding his candle and grinning as wide as his ugly face would go. Etched in MY mind forever. What a puke.

[Canadian Outrage]

An innocent person usually cannot even tolerate the thought of ridding themselves of ANYTHING of their missing loved one. Some people take months to even touch the clothes closet. You are so right. Even the Realtor he approached was revolted and told him "this isn't the time or the place to discuss this Scott"!!

[Jackie-O]

We do live close enough where that could be a possibility...I might put ya to work, give you your very own tool belt! ;o)

[Canadian Outrage]

Your right grizz. Laci's keys and purse were hanging in her closet and her cell phone was in her car. The car that the Rocha's said Laci LOVED and Scott said she hated. Yeah right Snott!!

[Devil_Anse]

How sad, Grizzfan!

And even when a loved one just dies naturally, you don't want to get rid of their possessions, even things that you can't use yourself. But he was selling hers off and (reputedly) throwing some of her stuff away, as early as January. Almost like he was making a statement of what he REALLY thought of her.

[Devil_Anse]

Amen--and when a freakin' REALTOR doesn't want to sell a house, you KNOW you're jumping the gun just a LITTLE!

(The real estate agents around here send periodic unsolicited postcards to elderly people, offering to sell their houses... I think the old people should send back notes saying, "Sorry, I'm not incapacitated or dead yet, check back next year." Revolting.)

[Canadian Outrage]

Good point. That particular Realtor was likely appalled as well as taken aback. You know that about a week after that, he approached ANOTHER Realtor who just stated that it couldn't be sold without Laci's signature.!! ANOTHER thing is Laci's car. I recall Amy Rocha and Sharon Rocha BOTH saying that Laci LOVED that car. One of her girlfriends said, "That car was just SO Laci")!! Barring any evidence from that Bay that is a shocker, Scott Peterson's OWN VOICE and his words and WHEN spoken are going to be beyond damning. Then as they stack up his lie upon lie upon lie upon lie ad infinitum, it won't hurt Amber too much! They (the Jury) will dispise Peterson. Also, the Jury must face Sharon Rocha and the rest of the family. That won't be easy.

[Canadian Outrage]

I don't have the computer for long tonight Dev. Will have to sign off now. Good night one and all.

[Palladin]

LOL about Rita Cosby. She looks and talks like the over-the-fence gossips in my neighborhood when I was a kid. Washerwomen, we called them.

[Devil_Anse]

Good night, CO!!

[pinz-n-needlez]

OMG, I never put that together.

We ought to come up with a TO DO list for Scott for the next time he kills a wife, so he doesn't forget so many details....

Like drown the keys and cell phone, too; answer all incoming calls; don't sell your house in the first, what, 10 days?; try to keep phone calls to your girlfriend confined to before or immediately following your wife's prayer vigil...

Pinz

[pinz-n-needlez]

Hey, I invited her first!

Pinz

[Devil_Anse]

LOL!!

And next time your phone rings when your wife's supposed to be missing Scott, ANSWER it, don't just switch it off!!

[Velveeta]

I might put ya to work, give you your very own tool belt!

Yes Boss! Anything for a new floor!

[Velveeta]

Good list! Also, don't be photographed laughing and yucking it up at your wife's vigil.

I think this is going to grow into a very long list.