Retired judge chosen to preside over Scott Peterson murder trial

The San Francisco Chronicle ^ | Wednesday, January 21, 2004 | Kim Curtis

[Devil_Anse]

What amazes me is the way the actual state of their marriage must have been totally different from what their friends, relatives, and acquaintances perceived.

Or maybe said friends, etc., were (when inteviewed) just trying to make sure they only said nice things, to be polite.

[Devil_Anse]

Scott just couldn't keep his fool mouth shut! We know he consulted McAllister early on, and we KNOW McAllister would definitely have advised against his making statements, and would have REALLY advised against Scott's doing the TV interviews.

But it seems like Scott calculated that he could resolve all doubt early, and have done with the whole annoying mess, get on TV, let everyone know he was innocent, and then be free to go on with his much-improved (in his mind) life.

[RGSpincich]

didn't she say the woman had on light maternity pants, or am I just plain mistaken?

Sandy, Sandy, Sandy...Ms. Campos said THAT dog walker had on sweatpants and that she could not recall the color.

[RGSpincich]

http://www.trivalleyherald.com/Stories/0,1413,86~10669~1927243,00.html

Here is a story on the subject. Guess they got some advice from the Modesto folks.

[Devil_Anse]

Uh-oh. Sounds like Miz Campos has been ambushed by the facts.

[Devil_Anse]

What a story! It's fun to watch all the big chiselers go at each other.

[pinz-n-needlez]

Thanks for sharing your thinking on this. Makes sense. What a sad situation all around.

Pinz

[pinz-n-needlez]

I might be misremembering. Or maybe someone wrote in something using third person. I remember some heated exchanges when some of that stuff was coming out. And how shocking it seemed.

I sure would like to see the actual evidence. This is one strange little puzzle to put together with the little bits and pieces we've been fed, some of them intentionally erroneous.

The cops were trying to set traps to catch Scott, Geragos is just trying to muddy the waters.

Maybe a juror could wear a camera/corsage. ;-)

Pinz

[Devil_Anse]

Let's not laugh too much at the camera/corsage! Stranger things have happened, when the press wants to get a story, or a picture. And they've got LOTS of gadgets available to them, gadgets that a judge may not even be aware of.

And remember that New York reporter who strapped the small camera to his leg, and snapped the picture of the guy in the electric chair at Sing Sing!

I must admit, though, it's kind of electrifying and exciting to be in a courtroom when the judge calls a break, and watch the reporters jump up and bolt for the available pay phones in the hall. Those days are over, though.

[Devil_Anse]

I wonder what the verdict in that case was? It's not being shown live, is it? I mean, the verdict is already probably a thing of the past... I think I'll google it.

[pinz-n-needlez]

Have you been watching those same TV Guide commercials? lol

[pinz-n-needlez]

I think it IS being shown live on CTV. They just kind of left off last Friday when Catherine Cryer came on at 5:00. Amanda Bloom is down in Florida in the courtroom.

Guess we'll have to keep watching this week to see how it goes.

Your civil suit protection makes sense, I hadn't thought about that, and I think you're right about fighting it rather than pleading and then going broke paying damages.

Bot the defendant and his wife come across as people who are probably basically nice people, but they shoot of their mouth ( fist) first, and think through things later. It was embarrassing to watch the wife retract so many statements after she had time to cool off and think about what she REALLY witnessed, rather than just talking loud and fast to defend her husband.

Pinz

[Devil_Anse]

http://www.dfw.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/states/florida/counties/broward_county/7730853.htm

Here's a link for the Schuss/Rosenberg matter. Hope it works. If not, go to the Miami Herald, b/c that's where the story in the link is from. I think the story was dated Jan. 22.

Pinz, you're right, it is being shown live, so we have to wait for the verdict.

Velveeta, you were close on the elements of the plea deal; this article says Schuss was offered a deal whereby he'd plead guilty and get one year in jail, then two years of house arrest. Also in this article, his daughter (IIRC) says Schuss has never been in any trouble before. To me, that means that a whole year in jail was just unacceptable to him. I would think such a prospect would horrify a guy who's not used to getting in trouble with the police!

And there are indeed civil suits out there. The Rosenbergs were paid $100,000 by the Schuss' homeowners insurance on MRS. Schuss' behalf. As for claims against MR. Schuss, those are still pending. To me, that means they took the criminal matter to trial b/c an admission of guilt (plea bargain) by Mr. Schuss would lose them the civil case. Homeowners insurance will pay a person's defense attorney in a civil suit in which the insured is a defendant; I don't know if homeowners would pay a person's criminal defense attorney, too. Possibly.

And the name of Janie Weintraub's step-son and co-counsel is David Sale. He looks to be the same age as Janie!

[runningbear]

yeah, I had the money figures way off... Gads, talk about cities chasing the dollar away. Unfortunately for this case, you'd think they would welcome most unexpectant revenues to supplement the current budget fiascos cities are having.

On a side note, I just got my renewal from DMV to renew vehicle registration, the standard fee went up from $30.00 last year to $40.00 and the VLF (vehicle license fee) deduction sure doesn't amount to much reduction/apprieciation from prior years. Also, I did make it just before the TRIPLE VLF fees went into effect, and my newer vehilce fees, which cost way more than the older car, was just about the same fees in renewing it. Somehow, I think they; government will find ways to increase costs of renewal fees upon the consumers anyhow. They should stop griping about the court costs and let the media come and go as they please. Tourism brings strange things to cities, at weird times. They should just enjoy it while they have to endure it!

Thanks for the artilce link. ;o)

[Devil_Anse]

LOL! It was a long time ago, but I remember them actually doing that! You know, there are contingents of ladies who actually make a hobby of going and watching trials. I'd have gladly joined their ranks, but I was a law clerk instead!

[drjulie]

"What amazes me is the way the actual state of their marriage must have been totally different from what their friends, relatives, and acquaintances perceived."

I think it is quite possible that both Laci and Scott said little things to different people that, when put together, may paint a damning picture with regard to motive. One thing I would do in this situation is study the victim. What characteristics did Laci possess that may have contributed to her becoming a victim (IN NO WAY am I saying she is to blame - there's no excuse for what happened). For instance, if a man says he doesn't want children some women would back off and not push the issue. Others may be stubborn and pursue it, perhaps thinking that he will change his mind. Some women may enlist friends or family to put pressure on the husband. Again, I'm not advocating blaming the victim, I'm just saying that inquiry into the dynamics of this marriage and the interaction of their personalities would enable us to better understand what happened. There's a new line of thinking in my field that proposes that maladapation is not necessarily isolated within in the person - it is rather an interaction of that person with another person of a particular type. A person may function normally with one type of person but exhibit signs of mental illness/maladaptive behavior with another. It's an interesting idea.

[pinz-n-needlez]

Sounds like my kind of fun too. Some of us are just destined to be lounge lizards. lol

I do a lot of hand work- knitting, sewing, embroidery, weaving- so it's nice to have some mental puzzles to work on while my fingers are occupied.

Do you enjoy people-watching at airports? Well, before all of the security procedures. Now I just stay away from airports.

Pinz

[Canadian Outrage]

I think your exactly right. Scotty really thought he could "con" everyone very early on. Once he got the "interviews" out of the way, he could just pick up and go on as if nothing had happend. OVERconfident.!!

[Canadian Outrage]

Yikes, I think Redwood City is profiteering actually. I can see paying for a spot BUT within reason. Alms sounds like he's scalping the networks.

[Canadian Outrage]

I thought the wife was a TERRIBLE witness. She was constantly sighing and blithering on. I could see the Defense didn't expect she'd do so badly so they kept Objecting!! The Prosecutor did impeach her numerous times.