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

NBC11 ^ | May 1, 2003 | Karen Brown

[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 This material may not be published, broadcast,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.

[BunnySlippers]

The taloids were unusually lurid this week with Scott, Amber and Laci all over the covers. This is a biggie!

[bruinbirdman]

NAW

[Canadian Outrage]

I think even ego bound Geragos is over his head this time. Moreover he's not gonna get away with his public statements about Snott over the last number of months. I firmly believe that the MPD and the DA have been taking their time, checking and re-checking, getting every detail in order, and in fact could probably go to trial in a fairly speedy fashion. There is something very personal about this case to these Detectives. They know where the brutal murder happened, the know who did it, and they have been doing their work methodically. Mr. G may be in for a MOAB!! Mother of all bombs. Peterson STILL looks very worried. What a change from the plastered adulterer to now.

[Devil_Anse]

Yes, thank you. I was getting worried! Worried that poor Mark wouldn't even get a lousy $100/hr., much less his regular fee!

BTW, as I recall, Leslie Abamson absolutely did not WANT to become the appointed lawyer for the Menendez bros. in that second trial. She fought against it, but the judge required her to do it. So much for those who have said on here that the lawyer has all the control over whether he represents the client in such cases. That is certainly true in most situations where it is all private pay, but not so in cases where it is paid for by the public.

There are certain situations where a lawyer gets in and can't get back out of the case when he wants to. That's why it's wise for them to make sure before taking a case that there is money, or that there will be money--unless they WANT to work for free.

[Rusty Roberts]

In this milieu, the publicity is immeasurable. Right now, most people think this case is unwinnable, so MG has nothing to lose and everything to gain. I'm certain that the Petersons have quite a stash in assets that are being liquidated.

[CheneyChick]

Whoa - just saw those pix of Scott/Amber. Yowza.

[Devil_Anse]

In my opinion, Vel, no. No, especially, in the case of someone like Geragos, who has clearly made his name already.

[Canadian Outrage]

I just wonder why Laci, who was so close to her Mom and family, didn't mention it!! I just don't know about this one. Maybe Laci was going to just get through Xmas and then make her move. She never got the chance. (guessing here?)

[BunnySlippers]

I just wonder why Laci, who was so close to her Mom and family, didn't mention it!! I just don't know about this one. Maybe Laci was going to just get through Xmas and then make her move. She never got the chance. (guessing here?)

I totally agree with you here. when I hear breaking news from the NE I take it with a grain of salt until other more reliable sources take it up. After all, even her mom said she sounded in a good mood in the last phone call.

[Canadian Outrage]

I didn't know that the general public felt that the case was unwinnable. That surprises me. I wouldn't be unhappy to see the Peterson's lose everything tho.

[Devil_Anse]

I remember we all discussed whether Laci would have told her mother or friends about Scott's adultery, if she knew of it. The family and friends were very firm that she would have.

I think you're right, she was probably waiting till after Christmas. She was probably thinking of how hard it would be for her family members to be around Scott if they knew such a thing about him.

It turns out she may very well have known or suspected that Scott was cheating on her. But as for her being "okay with it", as Scott said, I think everyone on here has agreed that that would not have been the case.

[RGSpincich]

I'm wondering if, in the fight, Amber's name did come out? In my younger years, I had the same threats made to me from a wife for a much lesser offense than an affair. Eventually she made good on her threats but I was/am okay with it (I have custody). I'm just wondering if somebody overheard a boilerplate argument between SP and Laci and assumed it was about Amber.

[runningbear]

Even after SP's arrest, Lee and Jackie Peterson, still advertising their tip line

A note to the media hangs on the door of the home of Lee and Jacquelin Peterson, Scott Peterson's parents, Friday, April 18, 2003, in Solana Beach, Calif. Scott Peterson was arrested Friday afternoon in San Diego for the murder of Laci Peterson. (AP Photo/Tim Tadder)

[SoCar]

I'm not surprised Ms. Mitchell was debunked. Was she the supposed upstanding local official or was there another witness?

[mass55th]

I want to see how they explain Laci's blood on the mop, and the fact that Peterson said he had to clean up. The housekeeper said she had cleaned the house and there was no need for him to do it. The prosecution will be able to prove numerable times where Peterson has lied, and the jury will convict.

[Velveeta]

>>>"Moreover he's not gonna get away with his public statements about Snott over the last number of months."<<<

From what I saw tonight, Geragos has already gotten around his statements in the eyes of his compatriots. Even Greta was backing off and saying..."well Geragos talked to Scott and he believes in him"...

Suddenly tonight I saw those very same attorneys who were hanging Scott last week, raising reasonable doubt all over the place. Seems like they're all stepping in behind the GURUgos.

[BunnySlippers]

BTW, as I recall, Leslie Abamson absolutely did not WANT to become the appointed lawyer for the Menendez bros. in that second trial. She fought against it, but the judge required her to do it.

Wow, I didn't know that. Can the court require an attorney to take a pro bono case under certain circumstances? My knowledge about these things is fuzzy. :)

[runningbear]

LOL....my, I bet he doesn't want to look like ol snotty... ;o)

[Canadian Outrage]

Sharon Rocha has stated that she believed that if Laci knew that would have said something to one of them including one of her friends. However, maybe Laci was putting on a brave face to spare the rest of the family a ruined Xmas. If she was, she's a better woman than I would have been.

[Devil_Anse]

Good to see you! Hey, earlier today runningbear posted a link to some pictures of the inside of Scott's jail. You ought to see them. What a nice jail it is!

I heard, though, that he keeps asking for room service.