Don't you just want to slap that face!
Posted on 05/28/2003 1:14:59 AM PDT by kattracks
With as many as three girlfriends, multiple cell phones to stay in touch and a checking account hidden from his wife, Scott Peterson had a busy secret life, a source close to the double-murder investigation revealed.Investigators also have evidence that Peterson - accused of killing his pregnant wife, Laci, and their unborn son, named Conner - made a "significant purchase" of items that could have been used to anchor a body, a second source familiar with the case said.
Investigators need to find the items to "connect all the dots," that source said.
The bodies of Laci and Conner washed ashore last month in San Francisco Bay, near where Scott Peterson, 30, had told cops he went fishing Christmas Eve. He reported his 27-year-old wife missing after returning that night.
Peterson, a fertilizer salesman, has proclaimed his innocence. His lawyer, Mark Geragos, has vowed to help him find the real killer.
Lawyer Gloria Allred, representing Peterson's admitted mistress, Amber Frey, urged any other girlfriends to step forward yesterday. Allred also met with prosecutors to discuss their plans to call Frey as a witness, possibly during a preliminary hearing scheduled for July 16.
Peterson, who is being held without bond, showed up in court yesterday aslawyers wrangled over an array of issues, from unsealing document towiretaps.
His bleach blond locks had been shorn to a near-buzz cut that was back to his original dark brown. He said nothing, appearing confident and sometimes flashing a smug grin as the legal eagles duked it out.
Judge Al Girolami heard arguments from California newspapers that want sealed documents - including search warrants and autopsy results - to be made public. He said he would rule this week.
Girolami also threatened to issue a gag order. "Every day we hear about something in the paper that we don't hear in court," he said. "I think we need a protective order."
The judge ordered prosecutors to give Peterson's camp copies of 69 phone conversations that law enforcement intercepted between the defendant and his lawyers in the months before his arrest.
Details of those conversations were disclosed Monday on Fox News Channel, which reported that Peterson told Frey in one conversation: "I know who did it, and I'll tell you later when I see you." That meeting never occurred.
Defense sources have raised the possibility that Laci Peterson was killed as part of a satanic ritual or by a strange man spotted in the neighborhood the day she disappeared.
After the court proceedings, Geragos said the defense team has received several helpful tips from the public that the police also are looking into.
"The big cases tend to bring out the big nuts," he conceded, "but a lot of information we have received has been very good."
Originally published on May 28, 2003
Just couldn't remember if Scott had an attorney before the PD was assigned, thought you might know.
As my page here says, my fields of lawyerly endeavour are maritime (primarily) and immigration law. Got into maritime law after spending a few years with a bud's father's Marine Salvage and Accident Investigation firm, spent a lot of time in Oz, NZ, HK, and Singapore while doing investigations. Decided to do it w/ a JD, and have spent most of my time dealing with Great Lakes situations, as well as Nor'east US.
Immigration law came later, lotta illegals on the boats that pack up on our coasts. Just kidding, clients are individuals who are attempting to enter the US, curiously enough, though I've worked with a few Cubans and other Caribs. Mostly Euros, Ozzies, and Kiwis.
Meant to say "clients are individuals who are attempting to enter the US legally, curiously enough".
The maritime law really helps me combine my love of the water with a nice job that can involve travel to some beautiful parts of the world. It does have a criminal aspect to it at times, but I'm on the sidelines at that point, being expert witness, etc.
He is morally supeior to the Clintons and the DNC leadership.
Didn't Geragos say yesterday that Scott does want a speedy trial but he (Geragos) has advised him to take more time to help their investigation?
On another note, it doesn't seem to me that they have Scott on tape saying that he didn't hurt Laci but he knew who did. If the cops heard that why wouldn't they make a "wired" Amber pursue a meeting?
What is shown in the prelim is only what is needed, has absolutely nothing to do with what has been turned over to the defense. The prelim's purpose is to show cause to move forward to trial.
As to discovery, that continues throughout the trial, as evidence arises. Any good lawyer will always tell you, you investigate every waking moment, never rest on your laurels. Nothing is a sure thing.
"Again - had they had any direct evidence, he would have been arrested long ago. They may well have had a stong circumstantial case when they arrested him (tho the threshhold for an arrest warrant is decidely lower than for a prelim), and may even have turned up new direct evidence in the meantime. We'll get to see that in July. "
This could be true, but the majority of cases are tried with circumstantial evidence. But direct evidence, in the house they shared in a nebulas thing. The fact that the bodies washed up did clarify and rush the need to arrest, as it became apparent that Scott was getting antsy. Up to that point, the authorities were fine in taking their time, gathering evidence. This murder took place less than 6 months ago, and for CA this is fairly fast. What we see in July will still be only a small part of this case. Only when the actual trial comes to pass will we see the whole enchilada.
Yes, it's Geragos fault that even though he stated they were just days, if not hours away from finding the "real" killers last week, they have decided against their right to a speedy trial. hmmm, guess those ducks are looking a little too fierce right now. It would seem, as many lawyers say, going ahead right now, pushing for the speedy trial would be a wise decision, forcing the prosecution's hand, make them go before they are ready. IF, as some feel, they don't have the evidence, then Scott will be fine. Why not go for it? There is only one bite at the apple.
On another note, it doesn't seem to me that they have Scott on tape saying that he didn't hurt Laci but he knew who did. If the cops heard that why wouldn't they make a "wired" Amber pursue a meeting?
If this is true, this statement will be BIG, as it will be a statement against self interest. This could prove to be the most important element of Amber's testimony.
I imagine Amber never wanted to be face to face with Scott after she met with the police. I'm sure those conversations have been somewhat chilling, given that she conversed with him, knowing that he was suspected in his wife's disappearance, yet had to pretend for some time that he wasn't even married while they talked on the phone. Then had to fake surprise when he told her that he was married, that his wife was "missing"...
Gee, first, he was not married, then he had "lost' his wife the year before around Christmas, then he had to go away for Christmas to Maine and on to Europe..but he still called her in the days following Christmas, then he kinda had a little surprise, he sorta, kinda was married but it seems he misplaced his wife....
Now, if the story is also true that he arranged to have some of Laci's custom made jewelry delivered to Amber, it most certainly was prior to Laci's body washing ashore, that again, is an action that speaks volumes.
Forget statement against interest - if they've got it on tape (and the wiretap order is in order), they can play the tape in court. They won't even need her to authenticate.
Do you see Amber as being a particularly significant witness,unless she brings the smoking gun to court with her. After establishing that she had an affair w/ Scott, much of the play by play would be inadmissable.
Do I think Amber is the smoking gun? No, I do not know that at all. I do believe that if these two items are true, she will play a key role, and she will need to testify to both issues.
Don't you just want to slap that face!
A petition has been created and will be forwarded to Mark Geragos once 1000 signatures are on it. It will tell him, and the Peterson's, that the public is outraged at this cold-hearted maneuver. Go here to sign it.I read about this petition on WebSleuth's and Court TV Forum..I put it on the Voy forum I'm on and thought maybe you would like to have it on Purgatory. http://www.ipetitions.com/campaigns/support_sharon/
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