Quandary over families at trial

The Modesto Bee ^ | June 1, 2004 | Garth Stapely and John Cote'

[runningbear]

Quandary over families at trial

THE BEE Laci Peterson's mother, Sharon Rocha, next to husband Ron, could testify -- she talked to Peterson the night before her disappearance. THE BEE

Scott Peterson's father Lee Peterson, next to wife Jackie, talked to his son a few hours before Laci Peterson was reported missing. THE BEE

SNIP IT:

Quandary over families at trial

By GARTH STAPLEY and JOHN COTÉ
BEE STAFF WRITERS

Last Updated: June 1, 2004, 04:28:55 AM PDT

REDWOOD CITY -- Players in People vs. Peterson have hammered out ground rules on dozens of issues leading to today's opening statements, but have not touched a potentially explosive question: What to do with the families?

Scott and Laci Peterson's relatives regularly attended most proceedings up until jury selection. But many could be called as witnesses and, as such, normally would be excluded from the double-murder trial........

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Two death penalty trials cross paths

Two death penalty trials cross paths

By Michelle Durand, Daily Journal Staff

This morning, at precisely the same time, one capital murder trial ends while another begins at the Redwood City courthouse.

Scott Peterson, accused of killing his wife Laci, and confessed murderer Seti Scanlan have little in common aside from being two death penalty defendants in the same county, in courtrooms down the hall from each other. But, depending on the juries’ ultimate decisions, both could also end up together on San Quentin’s death row.

Opening statements begin at 9 a.m. in Peterson’s trial, thought to be the state’s most publicized case since the O.J. Simpson murder trial..........

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List Of Charges Filed Against Scott Peterson

List Of Charges Filed Against Scott Peterson

POSTED: 10:06 am PDT May 31, 2004

Charges filed against Scott Peterson, 31, on April 21, 2003:

COUNT I: On or about and between December 23, 2002, and December 24, 2002, defendant did commit a felony, MURDER, violation of Section 187 of the California Penal Code, in that the defendant did willfully, unlawfully, and feloniously and with malice aforethought murder Laci Denise Peterson, a human being.

SPECIAL ALLEGATION: It is further alleged as to Count I, MURDER, that the defendant acted intentionally, deliberately and with premeditation. ...........

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TINY CONNER'S 'MURDER' A PRO-CHOICE PARADOX

TINY CONNER'S 'MURDER' A PRO-CHOICE PARADOX

By ANDREA PEYSER

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May 30, 2004 -- HIS name was Conner. As Scott Peterson heads to his murder trial, a parallel battle is being waged in the California courtroom by the case's littlest victim.

Peterson's son, known as Conner - a boy killed even before he was born - is fighting for the right to be called a person.

Or is he a fetus?

Even before the trial kicks off, the confounding case against Peterson, charged with murdering his eight-months-pregnant wife, Laci, and the soon-to-be-born baby she carried, has managed to turn virtually everyone in America into a card-carrying hypocrite. ........

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Can the prosecutors make their case stick?
THE PROBLEM: The evidence on hand is only circumstantial

Can the prosecutors make their case stick?
THE PROBLEM: The evidence on hand is only circumstantial

Stacy Finz, Chronicle Staff Writer

Tuesday, June 1, 2004

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There's no confession, no eyewitness and, so far, no weapon.

But prosecutors contend they have enough circumstantial evidence to send Scott Peterson to San Quentin's death chamber for allegedly murdering his wife, Laci, and the couple's unborn child. Opening statements in the trial are to begin today.

Legal watchers .........

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Great news title:

A cheating husband faces trial for murder in city set against him

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TRIAL DAY FOR SCOTT PETERSON

SCOTT PETERSON Case won't be televised

.......

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Prosecutors plan to play TV interviews they say are filled with defendant's lies

Scott Peterson said during this Jan. 28, 2003, interview with Diane Sawyer of ABC New's 'Good Morning America' that he was having an affair -- and that his wife knew it -- prior to her disappearance. The Associate Pres.......

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Lawyers polish their game plans

Lawyers polish their game plans

By Jason Dearen, STAFF WRITER

AFTER police arrested Scott Peterson in San Diego County in April 2003, an angry mob greeted him back in Modesto, carrying signs accusing the fertilizer salesman of killing his wife, Laci Peterson, and their unborn child. During the 31/2 months between Laci's disappearance on Christmas Eve 2002 and the grisly discovery of the bodies on the shores of San Francisco Bay, a Fresno massage therapist and single mother named Amber Frey held a press conference.......

[Jackie-O]

I also heard that he asked the Realtor to keep his conversation on the sale of the house on the QT....

[Jackie-O]

What????

[EllaMinnow]

Surely they checked out exactly when the Martha Stewart Makes Meringue Show aired?

[Howlin]

"Distaso mentioned the gun several times and showed the jury a picture of it, vowing that an expert would later testify on when it was last fired. "

[Howlin]

There was no Martha Stewart Show about meringues that day.

[Howlin]

The day before the 24th?

And remember this: when that gun was discussed during the preliminary hearing, Sharon Rocha got up and quickly left the courtroom.

Hm.....

[sissyjane]

I think the meringues show was on the 23, the day she died. Not on the 24 the day he went fishing.

[sissyjane]

>>"Distaso mentioned the gun several times and showed the jury a picture <<

Do you think she was shot??

All this time I thought he strangled her.

[Howlin]

Why would they call an expert to testify about when it was last fired?

And remember this from last week?

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"REDWOOD CITY -- Scott Peterson's defense attorney Mark Geragos claims Modesto prosecutors withheld information for nearly a year- and-a-half about a former peace officer who claimed to have seen Laci Peterson get pulled into a van by two men.

In a motion filed Monday, Geragos charged the prosecution with misconduct for withholding the information until just before the trial.

If Geragos' claim is valid, the news could present Peterson's defense with an important new eyewitness who could raise serious questions about the prosecution's case. "

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It's a LIE..........they gave him the name a year ago!!!

He's gonna get nailed for all this lying; he just cannot keep this up!

[Diver Dave]

There was no Martha Stewart Show about meringues that day.

I think it was "How to cook your own goose."

[sissyjane]

Well I guess Scott and Geragos are perfect for each other--both liars!!!

[KE]

Just my small list of info to add on:

Told police he left at 9:15-9:30 and went strait to fishing spot. Prosecutor said he was still only 1-2 miles away at 10:15-10:30 and was using his cell phone alot.

Told police what Lacy was wearing, but it turned out she was wearing (when found) the same clothes she had on the night of the 23rd. when her sister saw her. (I've always thought he killed her the night of the 23rd. and took her away on the 24th.)

Said she was watching Martha Stewart making Lemon Merg. Pie, but police found no show for that day with pies being made.

A few minutes after the Rochas arrived to start searching the park near Laci's house, Scott told Mr. Rocha he was fishing in the San. Fran Bay. And he told the uncle during the same search, he was golfing. Also told a neighbor earlier he was golfing.

Scott didn't know what he was fishing for, and police said he didn't know what he was using for bait, then said lures...what kind...he said "silver".

Before 3 weeks were up, end of Jan., he was already trying to sell the house. Tried to list and told the Real Estate Agent to keep it quiet. A week later he sold her car.

Told police the first night of search, they couldn't go to his warehouse to see his boat because there was no electricity. Cops took him there anyway, and guess what? His computer was on - that was the first thing they saw. Elect. worked fine....

[Howlin]

No rope, no chain, nothing that could be used for an anchor was found in the boat.

Professional anglers will testify that no one could hope to catch fish with the equipment found in Peterson’s boat, Distaso said.

[sissyjane]

I was watching Dan Abrams show today and almost puked. He had Carl Douglas on as one of his guests. OJ Dream Team lawyer...I used to call him foam-face during the trial.He always had foam in the corners of his mouth--GROSS!!

[cyncooper]

Hey Dev, I thought each side was limited to two hours for opening..just heard that Distaso took 8.....

I heard (on Fox?) that he took 6 hours and that while some thought that was too long, others thought he was very meticulous and at the same time compelling.

[RGSpincich]

Distaso mentioned the gun several times and showed the jury a picture of it, vowing that an expert would later testify on when it was last fired.

The prosecution has been tap dancing around this gun without giving an indication of what relevance it has. I do hope that they are toying with the defense. Wouldn't we be surprised if the smoking gun in this case was a ...smoking gun.

[Howlin]

They lady who brought the dog back to the house will testify that the door was LOCKED; yet another lie by SP.

The DA closed with the autopsy photos of Conner.

Isn't it odd that he would tell a reator that he wanted to sell the house with all the furniture in it?

[Howlin]

OMG........the prosecution may have Scott ON TAPE talking to the realtor!!!!!!!!!!!!11

[Jackie-O]

RRRROFFFLLLMMAAOO!!!