Sun 11 Jul 2004
Posted on 07/12/2004 5:39:31 AM PDT by runningbear
‘No Joy in Our Lives’
Peterson's Parents Speak Out on Son's Murder Trial
July 9, 2004 — A year and a half ago Lee and Jackie Peterson were eagerly awaiting the birth of their grandson. Today, they say, there is no joy in their lives.
Watch Barbara Walters' full report tonight on 20/20 at 10 p.m.
Their son Scott is on trial, accused of the savage murder of his wife, Laci, and their unborn son, a baby they planned to name Conner.
Lee and Jackie Peterson tell 20/20's Barbara Walters they are convinced of their son's innocence. But as the case unfolds in a Redwood City, Calif., courthouse, the Petersons must reconcile two versions of their son: one, a wrongly accused husband who grieves for his murdered wife and unborn son, and the other, an adulterer turned cold-blooded monster. ........
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Peterson Trial Enters 7th Week
Jurors in Scott Peterson's double-murder trial have had more time outside the courtroom than in it recently to mull the prosecution's claims that the former fertilizer salesman killed his pregnant wife.
SLIDESHOW: Peterson Case Images
Heather's Trial Notes
The case resumes today following a four-day weekend -- the beginning of its seventh week, one that could see the most-anticipated witness called to the stand.
Prosecutors are still making their case that Peterson killed his wife in their Modesto home on or around Dec. 24, 2002, trucked the body to San Francisco Bay in a large tool box and plunged it overboard from a small boat.
His alleged motive: an affair with massage therapist Amber Frey.
Frey, who began cooperating with authorities soon after Laci Peterson was reported missing, could testify this week. Though a judge has imposed a gag order, preventing attorneys from discussing who will be called, court officials recently advised media about special procedures for when Frey testifies. .........
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Phone records raise queries
By JOHN COTÉ and GARTH STAPLEY
BEE STAFF WRITERS
Last Updated: July 10, 2004, 07:04:26 AM PDT
Scott Peterson's girlfriend called a Fresno police homicide detective's home in the days before and after Peterson's wife disappeared, partial cell phone records show.
Detective Richard Byrd's name surfaced in Peterson's double-murder trial during questioning about when Amber Frey called Modesto police about her relationship with Peterson and her whereabouts the day that Laci Peterson was reported missing.
Frey placed an almost hourlong call to Byrd's home the night of Dec. 21, 2002 -- three days before Peterson was reported missing, according to the phone records.
The next two calls from Frey's cell phone were to Scott Peterson the next morning, the documents show.
Frey called Byrd's home at least three times, for a total of 84 minutes, from Dec. 21, 2002, to Jan. 2, 2003, the records show. A 26-minute call from Frey's cell phone to Byrd's home took place the evening of Jan. 1, 2003 -- two days after Frey reportedly became aware that Peterson was married and his wife was missing.
Byrd declined to comment on the phone records, Frey's calls or the nature of their relationship.........
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THE PETERSON TRIAL
Prosecution faulted by observers in court
Defense seems to be scoring points during D.A.'s time
Harriet Chiang, Chronicle Legal Affairs Writer
Sunday, July 11, 2004
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Is Scott Peterson's defense team that good? Or are the prosecutors just not up to snuff?
That's what veteran trial lawyers are mulling over as they watch prosecutors try to convince a jury in Redwood City that Peterson is guilty of double murder.
After all, legal experts say, this is the prosecution's chance to bring out its most incriminating evidence, to build a rock-solid case against the Modesto fertilizer salesman who is accused of the 2002 slaying of his wife, Laci, and their unborn son.
But after five weeks of testimony, Mark Geragos, Peterson's noted defense attorney, instead seems be scoring one point after another, experts say.
During intense cross-examinations, Geragos has been able to produce evidence supporting his version of the facts, hammer away at the credibility of prosecution witnesses and even assume control of the courtroom, according to lawyers who have been observing the trial from the gallery of the Redwood City courtroom.......
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For all out missed this ping over the weekend
Sun 11 Jul 2004
Double act: Experts believe Senator John Edwards, right, brings real strengths to John Kerry’s Democratic ticket. He is an attractive figure who may help Kerry appeal to centrist voters in the presidential quest.
Picture: Justin Sullivan/ Getty Images
Dream team ready for Bush
ALEX MASSIE IN WASHINGTON
BATTLE is now officially joined. John Kerry’s selection of John Edwards as his running mate completes the rival tickets for this year’s presidential election and allows the campaign to start in full-blooded earnest.
Already Kerry’s choice is reaping rewards. Edwards, whose sunny, optimistic populism appealed to independent and moderate voters during the primary season, fills in some of the blanks in Kerry’s political curriculum vitae.
Where Kerry is a son of privilege, Edwards is self-made and his southern charm neatly balances Kerry’s New England and mildly aristocratic appearance while also giving the ticket a geographic spread that makes it seem as though it is appealing to all America.
On the stump, too, it is merely a small exaggeration to argue that in terms of eloquence Edwards is to Kerry as Tony Blair is to George W Bush.
An initial, post-announcement, CBS poll gave Kerry a four-point boost but that may only be the beginning of the good news for the Democrat challenger.
Perhaps in an effort to shake voters out of complacency, Bush’s own campaign strategists said they expect Kerry to have a 15-point lead by the end of the month, boosted as he will be by the acres of publicity Edwards has brought and, more importantly, by the party’s convention...........
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
He is only giving evidence of what he found(I have watched enough trials to know that the nitty gritty is tedius and as interesting as watching grass grow)...
He is not giving evidence as to whose blood it is or what it signifies..I believe she was probably strangled or suffocated..All he had to do was sit on her, restrict her breathing and use his "work out" muscles..
The broken ribs could be just before or soon after death,,I heard one doctor say a hard kick could have done it..others say a possible bump by a passing boat while she was in the water.
And after that, I also want to say something to Juror #5, because I just saw that he is apparently going to be on Nancy Grace's show tonight. (I will watch it anyway.)
PROSECUTION: PUT DR. DIMAIO ON YOUR WITNESS LIST!
JUROR # 5 (THAT'S YOU, JUSTIN): YOUR 15 MINUTES ARE UP!!!!!
"We have been told repeatedly that this therapeutic massage which she was trained to do was NOT a front for prostitution, but was a legitimate job."
Who has "repeatedly" told "us" this? The only place I have ever heard this is from women posting on Free Republic. If there's an official source for this, I have not seen or heard it but would appreciate being told where it can be verified officially.
Harvey Kemple was the relative testifying about Scott burning the chicken. He is married to Sharon Rocha's cousin which makes him Laci's First Cousin, Once Removed, by marriage.
Somehow, I knew you would couldn't miss the approach of Amber's testimony, lol.
The name of the Sports club that Amber worked at escapes me at the moment, as I recall, it had America in it (American Sports Club?). It's a chain, and I doubt they would be in business if they were "fronting" for such a thing, as it would be so easy to bust and lose licesences. We went through this discussion back when Amber first came on the scene, as I said then, I don't think she's any saint, but I'm interested in hearing what she has to say. That's all. It took two to tango in this caper as far as Scott and Amber, so I see no need to tar and feather the girl.
If she can provide any information, anything, that might go towards nailing this sob, I'm for it. If you want to start an Amber is an .... forum, go for it. I just hate to see that start up again.
All stated with reverence, and respect for free speech, ma'am.
Okay!
Her job as a massage therapist was undoubtedly a front for her real job as a prostitute.
Thank you..I knew he was Laci's kin...
I just heard one big wrong assumption on O'Reilly..that the detective(Byrd) Amber called on the 21st of Dec was from Modesto..Wrong! he was from Fresno. Then on H and C..Jerrilyn Merritt(Gag) and another TH carried the theme along...Never try to get accurate info on the trial from these shows.
Have you listened to this interview of Justin Falconer, the radio hosts kind of got on him a little bit to say the least. You'll need Windows Media Player.
Heck, I worked in a popular diner when I was in college, where the cooks used to prop the back door open and the flies would get in the soup. The cook used to say, just scoop down deep, the flies float.
I heard that error also. Kept waiting for the interview-ee to correct O'Reilly but he never did. Guess he was afraid to offend Bill. LOL.
Yes, it seems that these guys just put in a Peterson update b/c their producers deem it to be something that will draw some viewers. (Imagine that...) They are not really into the case.
Like Larry King. He features this case often, but it is 1000% clear that he is just going through the motions: he knows the case is a hot topic with some fairly loyal viewers, so he has it on his show because it makes him money. I have NEVER, EVER, EVER seen Larry King even try to fake any real interest in this case. He is clearly not into whodunits; he is more interested in hobnobbing with famous names/celebrities. (Most "celebrities" bore me as much as the Peterson case seems to bore Larry.)
This oughta be a hoot. I hope the radio guys were John and Ken!
Thank you, Eva.
(Excuse me a moment, I have to cancel a restaurant reservation. I can cook some burgers here at home!)
Oh, now the star-studded panel on Greta Van Susteren is slowly coming to the realization that... GASP!... Amber may have been DATING this Richard Byrd cop guy.
WELL!
How dare she??
She had the NERVE to two-time Scott while he was away in MAINE and PORTUGAL! Why, that no-good...
Yup those were the radio hosts and they show no mercy. :^)
I just listened. John and Ken sure had him going.
Justin thinks you maintain that "Innocent" until proven guiltly clear to the end of the trial and then when you go into deliberations is when you begin forming an opinion. I would hate to be on a jury with him. Not only would the trial take 4 months but so would the deliberations.
He did say he would like to hear more about the missing anchors. I think we all would.
Ted Whatsisname on Greta was entertaining tonight.
First he suggested that the prosecution put the "dawg" on the witness stand.
Then he said [paraphrasing] "Mark needs to be careful about all this business about homeless people must've killed her. Mark, I know you watch this show, and I'm telling ya, as a former homicide investigator as I was, when these crimes of opportunity occur, they leave the body at the crime scene. They don't put it in the Bay to frame Scott!"
Greta brought up the latest red herring, the meth woman who allegedly stole "checks" out of the mailbox at the warehouse. At that point, the word "nexus" was brought up.
Meaning that if there is not a sufficient nexus to connect that woman, somehow, to this case, then HE CAN'T BRING HER ANTICS INTO EVIDENCE.
I am always a little leary when I tell the waitress the steak is to rare and she has to take it back. I have heard terrible tales as to what the cook does when it is brought back because he don't like his cooking questioned.
I think the concept of circumstantial evidence--easily mastered by countless jurors across the whole country--is too much for Justin.
HEY, JUSTIN! HOW DO YOU KNOW YOUR MOM IS REALLY YOUR MOM? YOU WEREN'T THERE RIGHT BEFORE YOU WERE CONCEIVED, WERE YOU? YOU DIDN'T SEE YOUR CONCEPTION WITH YOU OWN EYES, DID YOU? WHERE'S YOUR PROOF?
HEY, JUSTIN! DID YOU KNOW THAT BLOOD IS ACTUALLY BLUE WHEN IT'S IN YOUR VEINS AND ARTERIES? IT ONLY TURNS RED WHEN IT COMES INTO CONTACT WITH AIR!
I would think that they should be mature enough to not hold a grudge just b/c you wanted it a little more cooked! (Unless of course when you sent it back, you said, "Please kill it before serving it to me!" lol)
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