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Former Attorney Says Defense Is 'Strong'Kirk McAllister Is Protecting Key Witnesses
NBC11 ^ | May 1, 2003 | Karen Brown

Posted on 05/02/2003 5:48:38 AM PDT by runningbear

Former Attorney Says Defense Is 'Strong'
Kirk McAllister Is Protecting Key Witnesses


Attorney McAllister

Former Attorney Says Defense Is 'Strong'
Kirk McAllister Is Protecting Key Witnesses

Karen Brown

POSTED: 10:25 p.m. PDT May 1, 2003
UPDATED: 10:58 p.m. PDT May 1, 2003

MODESTO, Calif. -- Scott Peterson's former attorney says he has some powerful evidence that will help defend Peterson against charges that he murdered his wife, Laci, and his unborn son.

Scott Peterson's original attorney, Kirk McAllister (pictured left) said his office has uncovered evidence that will exonerate Peterson -- evidence that will be turned over to his new attorney. Defense sources say the new attorney will be Mark Garagos, NBC11's Karen Brown reported.

To send condolences Laci Case(my insert)

Condolences:
1508 Coffee Road
Suite H
Modesto, CA 95355

McAllister told NBC11 that the defense's case is "strong."

When asked why, he said, "because we investigated it instead of calling press conferences like the police did."

The key to Peterson's defense will be the testimony of witnesses uncovered by McAllister, witnesses he says need to be protected, Brown reported.

"I'm protecting witnesses, because I have concerns for them if I go public," he said.

According to defense sources, Los Angeles attorney Mark Garagos -- who has represented high-profile clients like Winona Ryder -- will take over the case Friday morning.

The current public defender says getting Garagos will only strengthen Peterson's defense.

"I think he's going to do a great job," said Kent Faulkner, the deputy public defender. "He's got the resources. He's got the knowledge. He's got the connections. I think it'll change the landscape of the way the case is tried."

Meanwhile, the District Attorney's office issued a statement saying, "We treat all cases as the case needs to be treated. Who the defense attorney is, is not going to change what we do."

In the meantime, Laci Peterson's family is busy preparing for the memorial that will take place Sunday at the First Baptist Church in Modesto.

Scott Peterson has not made an official request to attend that memorial, but the sheriff here says if that request is made, he'll deny it, Brown reported. Sign-up For Breaking News E-mail Alerts Copyright 2003 by NBC11.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast,

Public defender says he believes Geragos will assist Peterson

EXCERPTED:

Public defender says he believes Geragos will assist Peterson

By JOHN COTÉ
BEE STAFF WRITER

Published: May 2, 2003, 05:11:14 AM PDT

Stanislaus County Public Defender Tim Bazar said he expects Los Angeles attorney Mark Geragos to step in today to defend Scott Peterson, who is charged with murdering his wife and unborn son.

"I do anticipate that he is going to come in on the case,"

Bazar said Thursday afternoon. "But I've got to hear it from the judge."

Peterson, 30, is charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of his wife, Laci, and their unborn son, Conner.

Superior Court Judge Nancy Ashley appointed the public defender to the case last week. A hearing scheduled for 8:30 a.m. today before Judge Al Girolami is designated for substitution of counsel.

If Geragos steps in, the public defender's office would turn over the case completely

Bazar said.

"It's just not appropriate for a county agency to take a secondary role," Bazar said. "We wouldn't be in a position to actually control the course of the case."

Bazar said his office has canceled one contract extended to a potential expert, and ceased efforts to retain other experts and investigators.

"I don't think it'd be prudent to spend county money on a case where it appears we would be off the case in a matter of hours," Bazar said.

Geragos said Wednesday on the CNN program "Larry King Live" that he would make a decision on the case Thursday. But Geragos did not return calls Thursday.

In Modesto on Tuesday, Geragos met with Peterson and representatives of the public defender's office.

LA lawyer expected to take case


Laci Peterson

LA lawyer expected to take case

By JOHN COTÉ
BEE STAFF WRITER

Published: May 2, 2003, 05:11:44 AM PDT

About 3,000 people are ex-pected to attend a Sunday afternoon memorial service for Laci Peterson, the Modesto woman whose remains were found last month along the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay.

That turnout would be more than double the estimated 1,200 people who nearly a year ago paid their respects to Chandra Levy, a Modesto woman whose disappearance, like Peterson's, gripped the nation.

The 24-year-old Levy was the subject of a major search and intense media coverage after she disappeared in 2001 in Washington, D.C., where she had just completed a federal internship. Her remains were found almost 13 months later in a District of Columbia park.

The body of Peterson's unborn son, Conner, washed ashore about a mile from his mother's body. Scott Peterson, 30, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder in the slayings of his wife and son. He faces the death penalty.

The memorial service is set to take place on what would have been Laci Peterson's 28th birthday.

"The family wanted it to be on her birthday," spokeswoman Kim Petersen said.

Family and friends are slated to speak at the memorial service, which will include a video tribute, choir performance and other music.

"There will be songs that were some of Laci's favorites and ones that had a lot of meaning to the family," Petersen said.

The memorial service is set to start at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church, and is expected to last an hour.

Streets near the large church generally are closed for Sunday services, but there will be more closures this week, and they will be longer, police said.

The city will have 17 officers on duty around the church Sunday, Lt. Gary Watts said. Four will be working overtime, and another four will be reserves.

The extra police were required because several scheduled officers already are assigned to other events on the Cinco de Mayo weekend, he said. The city will absorb the approximately $1,200 extra cost, Watts said.

(Excerpt) Read more at nbc11.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: avoidanceof; avoidingalimony; avoidingchildsupport; capitalpunishment; childsupport; conner; deathpenaltytime; getarope; guilty; killerhusbands; laci; lacipeterson; peterson; sonkiller; sweetgirl; sweetwife; whatasweetgirl; wifekiller
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today's court actions and stories....
1 posted on 05/02/2003 5:48:38 AM PDT by runningbear
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To: runningbear
Where were all of these witnesses before now? Geragos is going to make it look like Snott has been railroaded, no doubt. I hope they show this trial on Court TV, if they do I think I'll take a vacation week or two, just to watch these witnesses get ripped apart on the stand.
2 posted on 05/02/2003 5:53:59 AM PDT by Sunshine55
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To: runningbear; Rheo; spectre; Jaded; Mystery Y; Searching4Justice; brneyedgirl; Scupoli; sissyjane; ..
Pinging... Good morning all...

FYI: for those who missed the GW speech and events in San Diego.

President Flies In On Navy Jet, Declares End Of Major Combat

Lots of info...

video clip of GW arriving on the ship

Video clip

part 2

3 posted on 05/02/2003 5:58:24 AM PDT by runningbear (Lurkers beware, Freeping is public opinions based on facts, theories, and news online.......)
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To: Sunshine55
I think he may be referring to those like the Mitchell's et el... If he as an attorney and knows that SP is innocent and can prove it, before the arrest, than shame on him for not bringing forth that information to MPD and have the investigators move on to other leads, therefore, leaving ol scaught alone.

I think he is buying time, or just doesn't have the goods!

To me, if he keeps making these statements, and can't produce the evidence of innocent of SP murdering Laci and Conner, then he has none.

4 posted on 05/02/2003 6:03:23 AM PDT by runningbear (Lurkers beware, Freeping is public opinions based on facts, theories, and news online.......)
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To: runningbear; All
Found this link:

Inmate: Scott Lee Peterson

5 posted on 05/02/2003 6:06:32 AM PDT by runningbear (Lurkers beware, Freeping is public opinions based on facts, theories, and news online.......)
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To: runningbear
Good morning, Runningbear! :)
6 posted on 05/02/2003 6:09:11 AM PDT by BunnySlippers
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To: runningbear
Good morning Rb, and thanks for the ping.
7 posted on 05/02/2003 6:11:56 AM PDT by melodie (Got.....S.C.O.W.?)
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To: runningbear
Good morning everyone........thanks for the ping RB.
8 posted on 05/02/2003 6:17:56 AM PDT by Wednesday's Child
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To: runningbear; All
Thanks for the ping and good morning, rb!!

It happened again today. This is the second time I've seen her--a brunette woman, very pregnant, walking her dog, within about a quarter of a mile of my house. I don't know her, and I've never seen her before yesterday.

Okay, the dog is a chocolate Lab, not a Golden Retriever. The woman has the same general description as Laci, but is not a dead-ringer for her. (How's that for choice of words?)

This morning the woman was wearing a white maternity top, and black shorts. Yes, shorts--not pants. Whew!

Just a little bit of bizarre to go with everyone's morning coffee.
9 posted on 05/02/2003 6:22:50 AM PDT by Devil_Anse
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To: runningbear
runningbear, thanks for the pings! I haven't had much time to respond to all of this but I have been trying to keep up with these threads.

If McAllister had any real proof of Scott's innocence, his former client wouldn't be sitting in jail, waiting for the trial to begin.

They're setting the stage to make it look like the MPD is framing Scott, but we all know that Scott did that to himself, all by himself.

At first, I gave Scott the benefit of the doubt. The turning point for me was when he told Diane Sawyer that Laci knew about the affair and was ok with it.
10 posted on 05/02/2003 6:22:53 AM PDT by fellowpatriot
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To: fellowpatriot
I think we all gave SP the benefit that 'someone' else took Laci,.....until all his actions, and statements pointed directly at him. agree with your statements......
11 posted on 05/02/2003 6:27:01 AM PDT by runningbear (Lurkers beware, Freeping is public opinions based on facts, theories, and news online.......)
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To: Devil_Anse
that can be bad... me, need more coffee, and to get to work... ;o(..
12 posted on 05/02/2003 6:27:57 AM PDT by runningbear (Lurkers beware, Freeping is public opinions based on facts, theories, and news online.......)
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To: runningbear
Oh, cool! Jail pictures! Scott's new life!

I see their holding cell even gives them a little half-wall to hide behind when they use the toilet. Better than most places. Scott should be thankful.
13 posted on 05/02/2003 6:32:01 AM PDT by Devil_Anse
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To: runningbear
Los Angeles attorney Mark Garagos -- who has represented high-profile clients like Winona Ryder -- will take over the case Friday morning.

It's funny that Garagaos' most famous client, Susan McDougal, doesn't even get a mention anymore.

14 posted on 05/02/2003 6:33:42 AM PDT by Lancey Howard
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To: runningbear
The old secret witness ploy, eh? Maybe the OJ jury will show up, too?

Assuming what McAllister says is true about having evidence that will clear SP, why do you suppose SP is waving time? A speedy trial within 60 days and the prelim on May 19th. Why sit in jail for two years waiting for your defense witnesses to die? Show the world that SP didn't do it at the prelim and that there is no reason to hold him over for trial. SP could be teeing it up at Torrey Pines by the 20th and returning some of that jailhouse mail in person by that evening. What's the deal McAllister? Put up or shut uo.
15 posted on 05/02/2003 6:35:48 AM PDT by RGSpincich
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To: RGSpincich
YES SIREE... I AGREE...
16 posted on 05/02/2003 6:53:14 AM PDT by runningbear (Lurkers beware, Freeping is public opinions based on facts, theories, and news online.......)
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To: Lancey Howard
Yep, they associate him with the Hollywood left stars attorney...
17 posted on 05/02/2003 6:53:49 AM PDT by runningbear (Lurkers beware, Freeping is public opinions based on facts, theories, and news online.......)
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To: Lancey Howard
That's because most people have no clue who Susan was or what she did.

Unless they can pull a rabbit out of the, no a complete miracle, it's all over but the rest of the tears. I think that if the opportunity arises to plead out for LWOP it should be done, save the family members more grief and an on going media circus. They've had enough to last forever.
18 posted on 05/02/2003 6:54:59 AM PDT by Jaded (rant away, it's what I expect anyway)
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To: RGSpincich
I didn't hear this, you stated, SP waived his rights to a speedy trial? I remember that topic on the DW case, but didn't realize SP did it already?
19 posted on 05/02/2003 6:55:19 AM PDT by runningbear (Lurkers beware, Freeping is public opinions based on facts, theories, and news online.......)
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To: runningbear
We caught it quite a few times.

As I commented on another thread it sure is a lift of personal spirits having GW as our President.
20 posted on 05/02/2003 6:58:24 AM PDT by oceanperch ((All Night Freeper, Day Job Lurker))
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