Facing killers at trial no reward for parents

The Modesto Bee ^ | June 7, 2004 | JOHN COTÉ and GARTH STAPLEY

[runningbear]

Facing killers at trial no reward for parents

EXCERPTS:

Facing killers at trial no reward for parents

BY JOHN COTÉ and GARTH STAPLEY

BEE STAFF WRITERS

Last Updated: June 7, 2004, 05:05:05 AM PDT

Testifying as the man accused of murdering your daughter looks on is something Teresa Vanderheiden doesn't wish on anybody.

"You try to keep your eyes focused on one thing," Vanderheiden said. "I remember looking at the clock a lot, thinking that would avoid it. But your eyes meet."

Anger flashed through Vanderheiden as -- in separate trials -- she came face to face with the men accused of murdering her 25-year-old daughter, Cyndi, in 1998.

"They're looking at you and as you look down and see them, you want to … " Vanderheiden, speaking from her Clements home, trailed off for a moment. "You just want to get rid of them."........

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Testimony Resumes In Scott Peterson's Double-Murder Trial
Laci's Half-Sister Scheduled To Return To Witness Stand

Testimony Resumes In Scott Peterson's Double-Murder Trial
Laci's Half-Sister Scheduled To Return To Witness Stand

POSTED: 5:14 pm PDT June 6, 2004
UPDATED: 5:22 pm PDT June 6, 2004

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. -- Testimony is set to resume Monday in Scott Peterson's double-murder trial.

Peterson's deceased wife's half-sister is scheduled to return to the witness stand.

Amy Rocha testified last week about the frantic scene at the Petersons' home on the day Laci Peterson was reported missing. ........

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Peterson's Martha Defense

N O T E B O O K / T H E T R I A L S O F . . .

Peterson's Martha Defense

By CHRIS TAYLOR

Monday, Jun. 14, 2004

Martha Stewart was back in the legal spotlight last week — at another high-profile trial that has obsessed the media. As Scott Peterson went on trial for the murder of his pregnant wife Laci, the defense scored a surreal but key point by playing a videotape of the TV homemaker. Peterson had said that on the morning the prosecution says he killed Laci, she was watching Stewart talk about meringue. The Modesto, Calif., police department claimed no meringue was mentioned on Stewart's show that morning. But Peterson attorney Mark Geragos, in his opening statement, played the tape and showed otherwise.

That was just the first of many early embarrassments for the authorities. Geragos has displayed a talent for getting prosecution witnesses to point out inaccuracies in police reports. While prosecutors were trying to show that Laci was too tired to walk the family dog, as Peterson claims she was going to do the last time he saw her, they also inexplicably pointed out that she was able to go to a salon and a spa and buy about $100 worth of groceries that day. "It's a bit confusing what the prosecution is doing at this point," says former San Francisco district attorney Jim Hammer. ..........

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Drive Valet Parking, LLC Announced Today the Company Expects to Hit $500,000.00 in Sales This Year

"LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 7, 2004--

Former Chief Volunteer in the Laci Peterson Case Co-Founded Drive after Being Forced to Resign from His Modesto Hotel for Refusing Rooms to Scott Peterson's Parents

[Velveeta]

Thank you Mrs. Runningbear.
How's Mister Runningbear feeling these days?

[Velveeta]

Sorry, can't help you there, RG. ROFL.

So far it looks like the prosecutor has missed some questions I would have like to have seen asked.

I guess there's plenty of time yet to pull it all together.

[RGSpincich]

Don't get me wrong here. I thought the jurors would have been more involved in the case if Amy could have pointed to spots on a map regarding her shop, the golf course, Vella Farms, her home. You want to draw them in and create an understanding of the facts.

The maternity pants that were ordered from Motherhood Maternity (Peoples Exhibit#11)were forgotten about on the initial direct examination of Amy. Luckily, Geragos was hmming and hahing around long enough before starting his cross that Distaso was able to get back to Amy. He then questioned her about the type of material Laci was wearing on the 23rd compared to what was ordered from MM. I know they could have snuck that in somehow later but my point was preparedness.

I realize that presenting a case is a work in progress and I hope the prosecution took the off days to re-examine a couple of aspects of their presentation.

[Velveeta]

Perhaps the media think that he who drools the most, will get the infamous first interview with Geragos when the trial is over.

I agree with you that the joking around by Geragos, is completely out of line. I can't imagine how the Rochas feel at that moment.

[Devil_Anse]

That would be powerful.

Or what if the Mary Janes were found right there in the closet? Along with, say, every single other pair of shoes Laci owned? If so, then what would the defense say she was wearing on her feet when she "went to walk the dog"? (We begin to see why Matt Dalton or someone else may have planted those "slippers" or whatever they were, of Laci's, to be found "down the street"--remember all that?)

[Devil_Anse]

Fortunately, if he missed some stuff (I think so, too), he can always re-call whatever witness it was. He has until he rests his case to do this. And he will also have a similar (but not identical) chance to call the witnesses in his rebuttal case, if he chooses to have one.

[Velveeta]

Hi Dev. Maybe we can send him a clipboard with little boxes....then Distaso can check off the questions as he's asked them.

One thing so far that I'm not clear on is the Martha Stewart show.

On 12/23...the cleaning lady said that SP came home at 10:00am to pick up a Fed X envelope. Where was he? If he came home at 10am, he couldn't have seen any of the Martha Stewart show.

Sigh. I'm not seeing where he was on the 23rd in the morning. Are you?

[Jackie-O]

I agree that they should be meticulously prepared and it would have been best to have a map, having Amy mark it as they did with the salon layout.
Sucks not having cameras in the courtroom....I noticed that during the opening that when Snott's taped calls were played, we did not get any of the dialogs. That will stink if we don't get those tapes transcribed. Will have to rely on reports from the media inside and I don't trust that myself.

[Jackie-O]

Even better! All shoes accounted for!

[drjulie]

"Or what if the Mary Janes were found right there in the closet? Along with, say, every single other pair of shoes Laci owned?"

That's a great point! She wouldn't walk barefooted nor would she walk in flimsy shoes (slippers, flip-flops, etc.)

[drjulie]

"Perhaps the media think that he who drools the most, will get the infamous first interview with Geragos when the trial is over."

How true.

[3catsanadog]

Do you have a link for the websleuth board?

[Canadian Outrage]

Liz I have been reading them also. I tried to register but when I couldn't say WHO recommended me, it would not register?? I sent an email to them but no answer. The stuff on their is really intersesting. I heard some really interesting commentary this morning. Beth Karas and a former San Mateo Prosecutor for many years says that Geragos is really acting it up in the court room but in so doing he is walking right into Distaso's trap. Geragos is promising all sorts of things that he CANNOT DELIVER.

[Jackie-O]

I'm reading some updates on CTV boards regarding MG's cross today...some are concerned about MG drilling the fact that Laci went walking in Carmel the week prior to her murder. Keeps asking if Laci stayed fit.
This does not concern me as there have been a few witnesses that have said that Laci was tired after her trip to Carmel, and the Doc reports that she fell ill during her walks. I hope the Pros counters with those points....

[Jackie-O]

Here is a good thread to follow for updates...it's kind of long, but interesting.
http://board2.courttv.com/showthread.php?s=a119f1625e0deb0c20a2dec9c4ceb9f6&threadid=131281&perpage=10&pagenumber=1

[Canadian Outrage]

Exactly Julie. But don't get too worried yet. I listened to commentary this morning and Geragos is being set up. Distaso IS NOT STUPID nor is he UNPREPARED!! He WILL get his chance to lower the boom from which Mr. Hollywood will NOT recover. He absolutely MUST lay the detailed ground work first and YES, most of the coverage is troublesome to me.

[Canadian Outrage]

RG the Prosecution always has the LAST say as well. They can rebutt plenty. I think as former long time San Mateo Prosecutor said this morning, Distaso is DELIBERTELY letting Geragos paint himself into corners. He thinks this is a deliberate strategy and I believe he will be able to fill in the blanks!!

[Sandylapper]

Thanks, rb! I've been running errands all day. Maybe now I can catch up.

[Canadian Outrage]

You know what Jackie, I'm NOT posting at CTV anymore. The censorship that has happened there is DISGUSTING. They ban everybody that says ANYTHING about the Petersons OR Geragos. Somebody is pulling strings there. All the good posters are going over to Websleuths. Websleuths is a MUCH BETTER and more COMPREHENSIVE information site. I've HAD IT with CTV.

[Canadian Outrage]

blech - Now I MUST get to work. My husband has gone to a luncheon and expects me to have an entire Mortgage done when he gets back. God, I'm so uninterested in this work right now. It's hell, I tell ya!! LOL