Death, life, new trial? Peterson finds out today

Associated Press ^ | March 16, 2005 | 9News.com

[Howlin]

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - Shackled at the waist, Scott Peterson returned to court Wednesday to learn his fate for the slaying of his wife and her fetus, four months after jurors found the former fertilizer salesman guilty of their murders.

Peterson was escorted into San Mateo County Superior Court under heavy security, wearing a dark suit and handcuffs chained to his waist. Ten of the 12 jurors who sentenced him to death in December sat in the jury box.

Judge Alfred A. Delucchi was set to decide Wednesday whether to grant the former fertilizer salesman a new trial, sentence him to death - as the jury recommended - or give him life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Peterson, 32, was convicted Nov. 12 of two counts of murder in the deaths of his wife and her fetus. The jury recommended the death penalty a month later.

Hours before the hearing began, Peterson's former mistress, star witness Amber Frey, said she stood by her decision to turn to police. Peterson's lawyer is challenging the use of telephone conversations she recorded for the trial.

"As far as having not come forward there may not - and certainly in the jurors' eyes - there would not have been justice, so I stand by my choices and my decisions that I made," Frey told NBC's "Today" show Wednesday.

In asking for a new trial, defense lawyer Mark Geragos said Peterson's telephone calls to Frey should not have been admitted. He said Peterson never implicated himself in the crime during the calls and that authorities should not have tapped his phone.

Geragos also said prosecutors withheld evidence that a state prison inmate claimed he heard that Laci Peterson had interrupted a burglary at a neighbor's home in Modesto on Dec. 24, 2002, the day she was reported missing.

Scott Peterson claims he went fishing that day, and Geragos says the tip "points to the conclusion that Laci was alive after Scott left for the day."

"If the evidence were presented at a retrial, it is highly probable a different result would have occurred," Geragos wrote.

But prosecutor David Harris said the burglary happened two days after Laci Peterson's disappearance. He said the evidence was handed over a year before the trial started and would not have changed the verdict.

"His claim is reminiscent of the 'boy who cried wolf,' " Harris said.

The motion for a new trial, filed Feb. 25 in Redwood City, also claimed the judge erroneously dismissed two jurors, and erred in denying Geragos' motion for a second change of venue.

[Annie03]

The whole Peterson clan, classy to the end....

lol, ain't that the truth. Unbelievable.

[TexKat]

Lee Peterson (L) and Jackie Peterson arrive at the courthouse in Redwood City, California, March 16, 2005. The Petersons were attending the formal sentencing of their son, Scott Peterson, who was convicted of two counts of murder in the deaths of his wife and their unborn child. REUTERS/Monica Davey/POOL

Defense attorney Mark Geragos arrives at the courthouse in Redwood City, March 16, 2005. The attorneys were attending the formal sentencing of their client Scott Peterson, who was convicted of two counts of murder in the deaths of his wife and their unborn child. REUTERS/Tony Avelar/POOL

[Neenah]

Turn off FOX !! They are readng impact statements on CTV. Fox is almost tabloid.

[Howlin]

Mark Geragos will NOT handle appellate.

JACKIE and LEE outburst in courtroom.. called brent a liar. said scott is innocent. Judge ordered quiet.

Amy is on the stand; she's crying, calling him a monster. Conner never even saw the face of the voice he knew as his mother. You are sick and you deserve everything coming to you; no punishment will ever compare to the punishment God will give you when you die.

[Howlin]

uring Brents VIS Jackie yells out Scott didn't do it and Lee calls Brent a Liar and now both Jackie and lee are out of the court rom per the judge

[Annie03]

How convenient. Jackie wearing her oxygen again. She wasn't wearing it a couple weeks ago when the Petersons broke into Laci's house to loot other things they wanted.

[Howlin]

More:

BK says Judge has not sentenced. VI statements to eb given beginning with Brent R. Brent speaks directly to SP:

It's not easy to easy to get up here. Everything you put us through, our family, your family, you've been sheltered in your jail cell. You have no idea what we've really been goin through. I don't know how much you understand or comprehend, how much feeling you can have but I'm going to do it anyway. Maybe your arrogance is a coping mechanism but sooner or later you're going to have to face what you have done. You'll have to face the choices you have made. It's not right to take someone's life. Duid you really hate Laci and Conner that much or do you just not like yourself? You still go on as if nothing has happened. Why do you act as if you better than everyone else? Becauseyour parent's gave you money or because you can play a good golf game? You killed L and C because you were living beyond your means, your delusional life would have been overif Conner came into the picture. We sat by the pool and you told me that you were down. I know what the truth is and you're denying it.

Lee and Jackie start screaming at Brent Liar, etc. Lee leaves. Peterson circus has erupted.

[TexKat]

Wow.....Brent told Scott; "When they take you to the execution room, look out the window to Brooks Island and you will know that Laci and Conner have come to take you away."

Whew!!!

[Howlin]

Dear God, look:

From Brent:

"it's a sad thing you've brought our mothers to" "It was somewhat gratifying to see the noose tightening around your neck"" when you walk to the execution room you'll look out the window and see Brooks bay," something about knowing Laci has come to take him away? something like that

[Mad Dawgg]

"It just needs a couple of midgets."

This goes without saying.

Be honest, what situation wouldn't be improved with a couple of midgets?

[nmh]

What channel?

I live in NJ and about to pick up my daughter so I don't have much time.

[Howlin]

AMY ROCHA: remember the night i cut your hair and asked you what you wanted for xmas..you said the baby,,you lied

[mystery-ak]

I see Jackie has her oxygen tubes in again,,,just last week I saw her carrying items out of Lacy's house to a moving van with no tubes....

[Howlin]

Rose (Brent's wife):

You asked to touch my pregnant stomach just days after you killed them. That disgusts me.......One person took that away from them because of his own selfish reasons. Your own son could have brought you so much joy....I hope in yourself you start reflection on what you've done...scott you're an evil person and you will pay for what you've done, not just now but for eternity

Amy Rocha:

"you said the baby. An dyou lied you're a selfish and evil person you've put our whole famly through hell. You're a monster. I was looking forward to be able to help laci. You're a coward and selfish person. ....I can't believe you'd murder my sister and you're son. No punishment you receive on earth will compare to the punishment god will give you when you die.

[green iguana]

It just needs a couple of midgets.

I think that guy who hung out with Pedro Martinez during the Red Sox pennant run last year is available...

But then Bubbles would be jealous.

[dead]

Be honest, what situation wouldn't be improved with a couple of midgets?

No such animal.

[GaltMeister]

LOL - two midgets, with a dog and a pony.

[TomGuy]

CourtTV reporter just read a couple of statements Laci's relatives made to the judge/Scott. They were severe.

Brent Rocha is asking the Judge for a verdict of death, rather than life in prison.

[Scott in shackles? Did Atlanta wake up allot of courthouses?]

[YaYa123]

This is quite a Court TV Day!!! Idaho teenager Sarah Johnson just found guilty of killing her parents, the Scott Peterson sentencing, and if we're really lucky, the Robert Blake verdict will come in too. That jury is taking it's time, and I'm thinking that means he might be found not guilty of murdering his wife, Bonnie.

[Annie03]

I know Geragos isn't an appellate lawyer. Good thing, because his motion for a new trial to Judge Delucci(sp) was laughable.
I've always thought Scott would be better off with the public defender (who at least knows how to try a death case). Geragos never had a clue, IMO