Laci Peterson family seeks items from home

The Fresno Bee ^ | Published Thursday, May 29, 2003, 4:15 AM | John Cote'

[runningbear]

Laci Peterson family seeks items from home

Laci Peterson family seeks items from home
Relatives hire lawyers to retrieve wedding dress, baby crib, other personal belongings.

By John Coté
The Modesto Bee

(Published Thursday, May 29, 2003, 4:15 AM)

MODESTO -- Laci Peterson's family has hired attorneys in an attempt to retrieve her wedding dress, a baby crib and other personal items from her Modesto home, according to a statement released Wednesday.

In the murder case against her husband, court documents made available Wednesday assert the defense team's contention that investigators violated the law by monitoring privileged communications and that Deputy District Attorney Rick Distaso "misled" defense attorneys and the judge about it. Scott Peterson, 30, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder in the deaths of his 27-year-old wife and their unborn son, Conner.

Scott Peterson's parents and his attorney have prevented his wife's family from entering the couple's Covena Avenue home and retrieving personal items, according to the statement from attorneys Adam J. Stewart and Albert G. Clark.

The statement came with a 22-point list of items that family members want, including Laci's diplomas and journals, and a watering can that says "Laci's Garden." But family members said that being inside the home that Laci decorated and lived in was more important than retrieving personal items.

According to the statement, lead defense attorney Mark Geragos wrote a letter in response to the request for access. The Laci Peterson family attorneys, in their statement, say that Geragos said it would be "unthinkable to allow anything to be moved or disposed of" until his team had completed its investigation.

Meanwhile, the newly available court documents show that defense attorneys have requested a closed hearing to question prosecutors about wiretaps used to intercept calls between Scott Peterson and his defense team.

The defense drafted the documents before Superior Court Judge Al Girolami on Tuesday ordered prosecutors to turn over "all calls intercepted involving defense counsel or the defense investigator." Also, the defense has asked for a transcript of a Jan. 17 wiretap discussion among Judge Wray Ladine, prosecutors and investigators, the documents reveal.

Defense attorneys have a Friday deadline to file a motion on the wiretap issue.

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Laci Peterson's Family Hires Lawyers to Collect Mementos

Laci Peterson's Family Hires Lawyers to Collect Mementos

MODESTO — A Modesto law firm says it has been hired to help Laci Peterson's family visit their daughter's house and collect her wedding dress, jewelry and other mementos.

Lawyers Adam Stewart and Albert Clark say they were hired after Scott Peterson's family prevented his in-laws from entering the house the couple shared before Laci Peterson vanished just before Christmas.

Scott Peterson has pleaded innocent to murdering his wife and unborn son. The remains of the 27-year-old pregnant substitute teacher and the infant they planned to name Conner were found on the shore of San Francisco Bay last month.

Defense lawyer Mark Geragos says he has worked out an agreement to let Laci Peterson's family visit the house and remove her journals, a food processor and a watering can that said "Laci's Garden."

Copyright © 2003 KABC-TV and the Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Last Updated: May 28, 2003

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DEFENSE LAWYER TO GET PETERSON PHONE LOGS

DEFENSE LAWYER TO GET PETERSON PHONE LOGS

(05-27-2003) - The judge overseeing the murder case of Scott Peterson ordered Tuesday that police records of telephone calls made between Peterson and his lawyer and investigator be turned over to his new defense attorney.

Prosecutors had not contested the release of the conversations, which they said they had not heard or seen and had ordered sealed when they realized police investigators had been listening to or recording calls.

At least two of the 69 calls between Peterson and Modesto attorney Kirk McAllister were included in the widespread monitoring that also taped Peterson's calls with reporters. Police also listened in on a call between Peterson and a private investigator.

Peterson's new attorney, Mark Geragos, said he expected to receive the police records Tuesday afternoon.

"Once we see exactly what was taped, we'll file the appropriate motions," the Los Angeles attorney said.

Peterson, 30, is accused of killing his pregnant wife, Laci Peterson, and unborn son, Conner, last Dec. 23 or 24. Stanislaus County prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty.

Peterson, arrested April 18, maintains his innocence, saying he last saw his wife when he left for a Christmas Eve fishing trip.

Stanislaus County prosecutors this month notified McAllister, private investigator Gary Ermoian and 64 other people that their conversations were intercepted from Jan. 10 to Feb. 4 under a court-ordered wiretap to gather evidence in the Peterson investigation.

Police are not supposed to listen to talks between attorneys and their clients, which are considered privileged conversations. McAllister said earlier this year he was skeptical of claims that police recording equipment was turned off when it became clear that Peterson was talking with his lawyer.

But John Goold, a chief deputy district attorney for Stanislaus County, told reporters Tuesday that prosecutors have never seen or heard anything from the Peterson-McAllister calls monitored by police.

"Our requirement is to not listen in on privileged phone calls," Goold said.

Also Tuesday, Judge Al Girolami said he was also considering a gag order on lawyers in the case to prevent leaks fueling news stories, and indicated he would wait until July to decide whether to unseal court records reporters are seeking.

Girolami said he would rule by the end of the week whether to unseal police reports and arrest warrants, as well as autopsy results of Laci Peterson and her unborn son.

But the Modesto judge told Charity Kenyon, a Sacramento lawyer representing The Modesto Bee and four other California newspapers, that he would most likely order that the documents remain impounded until a July 15 preliminary hearing, held to determine whether Peterson should go to trial.

Girolami wondered aloud, given the great amount of publicity in the case, whether 12 fair jurors could be found anywhere in California if the information was unsealed.

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Another Peterson trial

Nurse becomes seventh member of Peterson jury

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[Devil_Anse]

Good night, sleep tight! Don't dream about SCOTT!

[alexandria]

Now please, slice me up and spread me on a cracker or something,...OK?

LOL! Sadistic are we?

[Devil_Anse]

Brrr! Did the book say those people appeared to have "the perfect marriage"?

[Rusty Roberts]

I'll second that emotion. And while I'm at it, I don't understand the requests to not post to each other? As someone mentioned earlier, this isn't highschool, we can all just ignore. I've always thought the abuse button was for giving out private information, truly profane actions. Surely we are able to police ourselves?

My point of view on a certain , shall we say topic "a" hasn't changed, but I'm not "forcing" it on anyone here, espcially today ;-) But when I feel there is something worth contributing, I will. I can't imagine trying to keep track of those who might have opposing views who might at some point say don't ever post to me again....that's not what this community is all about, at least not what I thought it was about.

[alexandria]

scott must have loved slumming to have taken up with some of these other bims.

Sick isn't it? Unfortunately I think SP really did want that trashy type that was the exact opposite of Laci.

[Queen Jadis]

It is truly pathetic that this thread has almost 900 postings. LOL! Aren't there better things to do, like watch Ricki Lake or Jerry Springer?

Oh grow up! Suggestion.....LEAVE the threads that you are not interested without your pi$$y posts.

(LOL)

[MEG33]

I hadn't read the part about the video or audio tape.I await the prelim. That will clear up many questions.

[justshe]

I agree with you 100%. I have only used the 'abuse' button a VERY few times, and it was for graphic profanity or extremely gross posts. And I've been here almost 4 yrs.

On a thread recently, I saw Jim Robinson tell someone that he doesn't expect Admin Moderators to be babysitters. I happen to agree. This "don't talk to me or I'm going to go running to Mommy" was already addressed by Jim on another Laci Peterson thread:

To: Jim Robinson

Maa... he's talking to me again.

1,034 posted on 05/24/2003 5:45 PM PDT by Jim Robinson (FReepers are the GReatest!!)

So......what's a person to do? Suggestions?

[Queen Jadis]

The "au que" post made me laugh long, loud and heartily Picturing my teenager's conversations: Au que? Auuuuu que, yeah...au quuueee!

thanks, hehe sometimes it's good to take a silly break

I don't have kids but have to admit teenagers can be hilarious...

[Rusty Roberts]

Funny, I heard somewhere tonight that there was also tape on Laci's body in this report, so you may be on to something. As you say, the reports of "coffin birth" have been through the abdominal wall and if Laci had been wrapped in a tarp, sealed with some plastic tape, this is something to consider.

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

So......what's a person to do? Suggestions?

Only one......some people don't get it when it is staring them right in the face or even repeated several times. My suggestion is to make plenty of rope available and you can count on a hanging.

P.S. - They usually never see it coming either.

[Howlin]

See #1039.

[Rusty Roberts]

It's not unusual to grab a tee time and just pick up partners at the club, play with the pro, etc. On Christmas Eve however, you would think the partners would already be arranged, as not many hanging around the clubhouse that day.

[Queen Jadis]

Mr Pixley another attorney that I cannot abide....along with Janey Weintraub, although has a whole different "brand" of annoyance. That simpering pretty face of his that spews ridiculity with an air of arrogance, reminds me very much of Sidney Blumenthal. Slimey and although Pixie Pixley probably thinks every woman finds him attractive, I find him a tad on the girlie side for my taste.

[Queen Jadis]

" have a question: why is Cyril Wecht on MSNBC calling this "scotch tape?" "

"Scotch Tape" as in the brand of adhesive tape. Some people use it as a generic term for adhesive tape.

[Rusty Roberts]

I have an bad feeling they are going to find so many things missing of Laci's. I heard the lawyer for Sharon Rocha tonight mention she wanted to collect two Tiffany lamps from Laci's grandmother...I'm betting there are certain items that have been "taken" care of and used to pay for Scott's fun and games all those months he was out and about playing. He wasn't working, there was no sign of that really. He had no income coming in.

Any antiques, etc are history, taking bets.

[joyce11111]

I have read that book...I have read all of Ann Rule"s books.

That killer had everyone fooled, as well.

[joyce11111]

I have wondered why the girlfriends were so very cautious.

Perhaps on advice from the prosecution, do you suppose?

[Howlin]

Ah. Kleenex? I get it.

[joyce11111]

I wonder if one of the sources was her Dad, Dennis Rocha.