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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[RedBloodedAmerican]

You're right, it is common decency. But sometimes the law doesn't take that into account. The fact he possibly murdered his pregnant wife sort of tells me that there isn't much hope in common decency from him.

[Yaelle]

Gloria, Miss Feminist of the Century, would be highly hypocritical if she urged Amber to strip to pay her fee. And Amber would be a soulless sleaze to accept that offer, no matter HOW much.

[Devil_Anse]

I am not a bible thumper. If Amber was having sex with Scott, not being married to him (which she obviously wasn't), then the two of them were behaving like whores. SORRY.

She can keep her child all she wants to! But last I heard, grandpa, not Amber, was keeping the baby. And the child IS a mere BABY.

[Howlin]

No....no.....I didn't mean that directed at YOU....I was venting......LOL.

You posted the facts at the top; I just couldn't figure out why people were still defending Jackie, denying that they were keeping them out.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

I agree.

[Marysecretary]

I wholeheartedly agree with what you are saying. M

[Devil_Anse]

Right! If this turns out not to be true, I think it'll be great! I want Amber to stay as she has been since this case began!

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Not whores. It would be adulterers.

[Devil_Anse]

I remember when he appeared to be dumping a lot of stuff. Seems to me if I knew about it, obviously the media knew about it. Bet they went to the dumpster or wherever and got anything he threw away!

[Howlin]

This has NOTHING to do with the law, RBA. The police have released the house to Scott. There is no other reason to keep them out, other than cruelty.

You watch: now that this story is "out," all of a sudden Geragos and the family will find there really is NO reason to keep them out....they'll be in there before the weekend.

The question is, will they let them go in by themselves?

[daylate-dollarshort]

---

"You won't find wild speculation.

As I said, you do us all a disservice by implying that we're not knowledgeable about this case; of course, that IS the only way you can push YOUR agenda, isn't it?"

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Why Howlin', you're fairly foaming at the mouth! Could it be that you've lost all of your impartiality? Have you seen the autopsy report? Have you seen the lab results from the search warrant material?? Do you know what was taken as a result of the search warrants?? Have you spoken with the investigating officers?? Of course not.

Until the trial and the evidence and testimony has been presented and the defense has had an opportunity to refute the evidence and cross examine the witnesses testimony, all is speculation.

And just what do you think my agenda is??? Do I have one???

My "agenda" is to keep an open mind. Right now I admit that I believe Scot is likely guilty. I have said so in my posts. However, until Scot gets his day in court, I'm not willing to lynch him, as you and most others on these Laci threads are attempting to do.

[Devil_Anse]

I say, "Hold out for a million, Amber!"

[Howlin]

(a) he is innocent until proven guilty by a court of law, and

That ONLY applies in a court of law during a trial.

We're free to discuss this case till the end of time.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

So Scotts attorneys aren't looking for "evidence" (which I would hope the police had already done). And, yes, he is being a jerk. Why would the law protect him?

[daylate-dollarshort]

Thank you.

....you are a voice of reason in the wilderness.......

[Devil_Anse]

Well said. We'll see if the story turns out to be true. Here's hoping it doesn't.

Amber has made herself a victim before. With help from some conscienceless people such as Scott Peterson.

[Marysecretary]

It's sad, isn't it? As if they both didn't have enough pain to contend with. A simple phone call would do it.

[Devil_Anse]

Yup! The usual haymaking that we've seen in so many news stories.

[An American In Dairyland]

>>I say, "Hold out for a million, Amber!" <<

What the heck, go for broke and hold out for 2 million.