A murder trial is no laughing matter. Is it?

Court TV ^ | June 16 2004 | Harriet Ryan

[runningbear]

A murder trial is no laughing matter. Is it?

Excerpt

A murder trial is no laughing matter.

Is it?

Defense lawyer Mark Geragos has cracked up everyone from the jury to prosecution witnesses during the high-profile murder trial. Experts say it could work for him.

By Harriet Ryan
Court TV

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — When it came time to cross-examine the receptionist from Laci Peterson's obstetrician's office, Mark Geragos leaned forward on the defense table and grinned.

The young woman had just testified that no one called the office about the slain mother-to-be Christmas Eve, but she could not be sure about Dec. 26 because she had taken a sick day.

Geragos paused just long enough for every juror to turn toward him and his client, and then deadpanned, "Were you really sick the day after Christmas?"

The courtroom erupted in laughter....

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Officers detail extensive search for Laci Peterson

Officers detail extensive search for Laci Peterson

Police Sgt. Ronald Cloward testifies Wednesday about the "needle in a haystack" search for Laci Peterson.

By Harriet Ryan
Court TV

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — Police used helicopters, boats, ATVs, horses, dogs, divers and numerous volunteers in their efforts to find Laci Peterson, two officers testified Wednesday at her husband's capital murder trial.

Modesto police sergeants Ronald Cloward and Timothy Helton detailed the extensive, but ultimately fruitless, search to find the mother-to-be, who vanished Christmas Eve 2002.

Asked by prosecutor Rick Distaso if finding the 27-year-old woman was like "finding a needle in a haystack," Cloward replied, "That was exactly what it was like. It was difficult.".......

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Angry Laci's Mom Scolds Geragos

Angry Laci's Mom Scolds Geragos

POSTED: 10:47 am PDT June 16, 2004
UPDATED: 5:18 pm PDT June 16, 2004

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. -- Laci Peterson's mother -- Sharon Rocha -- had some harsh words for defense attorney Mark Geragos on Wednesday, telling him to stop making jokes during her late daughter's murder trial.

Video

Video On Demand: Sharon Rocha Has Harsh Words For Geragos

Video

Video On Demand: Michael Cardoza On Tuesday's Testimony And Preview Wednesday

Rocha was angered that Geragos has made several comments since the trial began that have elicited laughter from the courtroom gallery and the jury box.

"I think Mr. Geragos need to stop.......

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Defense: Petersons' street dangerous

Article Last Updated: Thursday, June 17, 2004 - 4:18:10 AM PST

Defense: Petersons' street dangerous

Geragos says Laci complained to officials about nearby homeless mission

By Jason Dearen, STAFF WRITER

REDWOOD CITY -- Forty-seven of Modesto's registered sex offenders listed a homeless mission near Scott and Laci Peterson's house as their official residence, a Modesto police sergeant testified Wednesday.

Defense attorney Mark Geragos said Laci Peterson had complained to city officials because the homeless people from the mission often used her residential street to get to a nearby park; she wanted the city to close the Covena Avenue park entrance.

Appearing in full dress uniform, his sunglasses hanging from a strap on his shoulder, Modesto police Sgt. Ron Cloward took the witness stand Wednesday for the prosecution. He confirmed that he had received an e-mail about Laci Peterson's concerns over "transients" on her street, but that none of their efforts to locate the sex offenders led to any evidence of her disappearance........

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[Sandylapper]

Thanks for the ping, rb!

[Diver Dave]

sadly, we're at the mercy of talking heads and media reporters.
Talking heads, not present in court, rely on input from news sources who hash over and edit what has actually transpired in the courtroom. They hone in on one or two statements out of a full day of testimony and twist and turn it to their point of view.

Reporters comments outside the courtroom are limited to one to two minute soundbites for live-feed and then the talking head frenzy begins.

Guess the only way to be totally informed is to either attend the trial or somehow read the transcripts.

(stepping down from the soapbox...)

[Yaelle]

I'll tell you something, Mr. Mark Geragos!!!! Here's someone who in July of last year would have had his first real long giggle but alas could not because YOUR CLIENT KILLED HIM before he ever got to take a breath.

We all remember exactly where we were sitting last summer and what word set off our little Oliver, born the week Connor would have been, and we treasure that memory of the first little innocent peals and that wonderful, happy face.

Take another look at your slides of the little sea-beaten body and think of your own son when he was small. And then SHUT THE HECK UP.

[Yaelle]

Possibly because the ocean is deep and he was hoping that the bodies would NEVER surface.

[MEG33]

bttt

[juzcuz]

Fox:

Breaking News
Juror #5 speaks to Brent Rocha.
Says: "Your going to lose today" Fox has it on tape.

[Velveeta]

Bump. Ping! Holy smokes!

[pitinkie]

Waiting for the video!

[Velveeta]

Long time no see! Nice to see you.

I guess FOX news is trying to enhance the video. IMO, this juror is a goner.

[pitinkie]

Hi there!!! Yes I am waiting..Fox said that a while ago...nothing on Court Tv that I can see. I have to go exercise so now I have to wait a couple of hours!!!!

[Cloe]

Thanks for the ping - anxious to hear more about juror #5's remarks!

[RGSpincich]

The poor juror #5 is on disability. Just asking for a little "loose change today?". Nobody, but nobody, is this stupid. There has got to be more to it.

[Rusty Roberts]

The poor juror #5 is on disability. Just asking for a little "loose change today?". Nobody, but nobody, is this stupid. There has got to be more to it.

You said a mouth full. I'd be looking very carefully at the first alternate, as it's my guess that who MG wants on the jury.

[B4Ranch]

>>Fox:

Breaking News
Juror #5 speaks to Brent Rocha.
Says: "Your going to lose today" Fox has it on tape.<<

What's different about that and the way 95% of the people on this thread feel? They have already convicted him without ever hearing the prosecuters case.

Where is the difference?

[sissyjane]

>>Breaking News
Juror #5 speaks to Brent Rocha.
Says: "Your going to lose today" Fox has it on tape.<<

OMG!!!

I've been gone all day....

I can't believe this. Is this the same juror who was smiling at SP???

[sissyjane]

>>Where is the difference?<,

The difference is that we're not on the jury!!!!!

[juzcuz]

Is this the same juror who was smiling at SP???
---
Don't know. But it is being reported that he was also seen whispering in Geragos's ear.

[pinz-n-needlez]

Beth Karras said the afternoon session started. With juror #5. With nothing said on the topic.

She had said earlier that the judge was reviewing the tape in chambers. He must of thought it wasn't worth kicking him off for.

Beth also said this guy says things when entering the courtroom to both defense AND prosecution. Sounds like he's a chatty flake.

Dude!
Pinz

[juzcuz]

95% of the people on this thread feel
---
I think that 95% of the people on this thread feel that Scott has convicted himself.

[B4Ranch]

I think the media may have convicted him and the public is refusing to keep their eyes open while looking for possible misconstrued *facts*.