Orange County added to list of possible Peterson venues
By SUSAN HERENDEEN
BEE STAFF WRITER
Last Updated: January 14, 2004, 09:10:08 AM PST
Three Bay Area counties could handle Scott Peterson's double-murder case, administrators of California's court system said Tuesday. Officials also added a fourth possibility: Orange County in Southern California. The Administrative Office of the Courts, which assists trial courts when a change of venue is ordered, said Alameda, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Orange counties would not be unduly burdened if they took the case.
Defense attorney Mark Geragos is likely to argue in favor of Orange County, because he previously noted that his preferred location is "Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Los Angeles," where his office is located. Los Angeles County is adjacent to Orange County. Geragos did not return calls Tuesday.
The decision rests in the hands of Stanislaus County Superior Court Judge Al Girolami. The judge is scheduled to listen to arguments from prosecutors and defense attorneys on Tuesday, then make his selection.
"The decision is ultimately his," Superior Court Executive Officer Michael Tozzi said Tuesday.
Peterson is charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of his wife, Laci, and unborn son.
Peterson has been held without bail since his arrest in April. His trial is set to start on Jan. 26, but legal observers expect delays.
Girolami last week said the trial must move to a larger metropolitan area within driving distance of Modesto and with a major airport, because an enormous amount of pretrial publicity rules out a fair trial in Modesto.
Girolami suggested Alameda, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.
The judge ruled out courts in San Francisco, San Joaquin, Sacramento and Fresno counties. That means that the co.........