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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[daylate-dollarshort]

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"When all is said and done, that house will BELONG to the Rochas because a murderer OR his family cannot profit from a murder; and then the Rochas can SUE the Petersons for anything that is missing.

I cannot believe anyone is defending these tacky people. In the name of all that is HOLY, they should let those people in to MOURN their daughter, you and your "legalese" excuses be damned."

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ROTFLMAO!!! Such intolerance and venom. I can't belive you're attacking the Petersons before all the facts are in. What's the matter, lost your objectivity???

Gee, why even have a trial Howlin. According to you he doesn't need or deserve one. Why don't you just lynch the guy???? You all have tried and convicted him here---without examining the first piece of evidence or hearing the first word of testimony. So much for the Constitution.

As to suing the Peterson's, the Rocha's would be better off trying sue the MPD, they failed to secure the property. It has been broken into you know. It would appear, more than once.

[Howlin]

I read that on the threads, but have never seen any confirmation of it. Let me see if I can find the year they moved. It's probably in that People article.

[runningbear]

;o)

[Howlin]

Say, this is just their style, isn't it? Nuts 'n sluts, isn't that what they called them?

[An American In Dairyland]

<< Fox said she had been offered the money, not that she took it.<<

Could be so. I remember how upset Amber got when Saki got that $20,000 deal for pictures of Amber and Amber got zilch. If Gloria makes her pass this money up now, it is my guess that Amber will pose after the trial. Heck she did it once for free.

[Howlin]

I can't belive you're attacking the Petersons before all the facts are in.

The facts are IN, pal. The Petersons have the only key to the house and they're not allowing the Rochas in.

[daylate-dollarshort]

You shouldn't gloat. I didn't make the original post and I did say it was rumor. Read my posts!

[Howlin]

I see you haven't bothered to actually READ the gossip piece before you bashed Amber Frey.

It's a RUMOR, but that's never stopped you before, so I'm sure the fact that it's not true won't stop you now.

I must say, you really have a "thing" for Amber Frey.

[An American In Dairyland]

>>NOW I see that. Thought it was a done deal. All that html for nothing. Geragos is grinning alright....this story might be his doing.<<

Could be MG's doing. I don't know a thing about Cindy Adams or gossip columnists outside of the NE. But I would think at least part of their popularity and success is based on being right most of the time.

[Freedom2specul8]

Ugggh...I hope not! I was hoping people learned from the van dam threads that we should take some of the reports with a grain of salt...until trial and transcripts.

On the other hand...taking 500 grand for a photo layout, is definitely a character/moral issue...but has no bearing on the case.

[runningbear]

that would be sweet justice....

[daylate-dollarshort]

"The facts are in???"

Oh my, to borrow a phrase...in the name of all that is HOLY, how can you say that?

I heard Mrs. Peterson state, that she has never been asked by the Rochas to enter the home and further that she had no problem with it.

Gee, do you have some facts to refute her?? If you do, show 'em. Because I certainly have seen none.

[onyx]

Next we'll hear that the Peterson's are selling Laci's belongings on e-bay to pay for sonny-boy's defense!

[Freedom2specul8]

Then how did the rochas know they were not allowed to go in if there had been no contact?

[Howlin]

Jackie Peterson is a liar.


Sharon Rocha says she hasn't been allowed in and has hired an attorney to gain that accesss. I hardly think she'd do that if she hadn't ASKED and been REFUSED.

[runningbear]

RG and I had the records from county recorder, but I am at work and limit the net....lol..

[An American In Dairyland]

>>My "bible thumpers" remark refers to a tiny minority on these threads who have trashed Amber calling her a Whore, Slut, and unwed Mother who shouldn't have kept her child"..Been following the threads, HM?<<

I have questioned Amber's past choices although I don't believe I ever once came out and called her a slut or a whore or even an Unwed Mother (although that one looks to be an obvious fact) and I am not a "bible thumper."

I have to wonder why it is ok for you to call some people unflattering names such as "bible thumper" but Amber is strictly hands off here.

[daylate-dollarshort]

What Runningbear posts are un-substantiated facts and rumor published in the press. The MPD hasn't verified anything yet. In FACT, they have gone out of their way not to comment on the "leaks".

[Freedom2specul8]

In this case, I think the message was clear to the rochas..there were refused entrance or requests were ignored. From personal experience, when families are fueding after a death...miscommunication can occur. but I do not think that is what happened here.