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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[onyx]

Yes, according to reports at the time the bodies of Laci and Connor washed ashore, umbilical cord was still attached, and baby was said to be in better condition than mother.

Tape wrapped around baby's neck, adter all that time in the water? Deep cut (slash) not noticeable back then?

What about the reports that stated "little or no tissue was left on the bodies?" --- making the cause of death indeterminable?

[melodie]

Phew.....you had me scratchin' me head...lol.

[Howlin]

Do you have your TV on Fox or MSNBC?

[An American In Dairyland]

Whew!!! :)

[Howlin]

This is weird.

[texasbluebell]

I do remember hearing that the police were going through his trash too. Wonder what they found.

[Devil_Anse]

Nor am I.

I don't admire what I have heard of Amber's past lifestyle. This includes dating a man whose home address she apparently didn't even know. If the guy was that evasive, FOR HER OWN PROTECTION, she should have held off b/f going out with him so much. I know he apparently fooled Laci and the Rochas. At least we hear he did. But now some of the Rochas are coming out and saying they did indeed have misgivings about him.

Amber has done some things that are a little self-destructive. She has been her own enemy in these actions. Case in point: the old nudie photos may now be coming back to haunt her, at a time when she'd probably just as soon close that chapter of her life.

She is not perfect, and that has made it all the more rewarding that she has appeared to be so decent since this case began. It seemed that we were getting to watch a person turn from a somewhat sleazy, uncaring fool, into a real heroine, with real character.

I have no use for Geragos at all. I had no use for Geragos long before Laci was murdered. I hope he loses in a big way.

The state cannot expect to have saints for witnesses. They can still win even if their witnesses have not led perfect lives. They've done that before, in countless jurisdictions.

Everyone has made mistakes. We shouldn't let our own mistakes keep us from making a fresh start, and from speaking out against wrong when we see it.

[onyx]

I'm TRYING to watch both Fox and MSNBC and type too!

[spectre]

We know what the "motives" is. I thought others would figure it out too.

So what has changed? Does the grotesque description of the fetus MEAN that Scott couldn't have done it? How so?

sw

[runningbear]

because some people are still playing catch up on the thread, and answering from prior posts....;o)

[Freedom2specul8]

Yeppers, I heard it. Icouldn't post cuz daughter was on the puter at the time. Did you hear pfingst? He said to wait until we hear more before we jump to conclusions. (reading between the lines...before we assume sp is innocent and it was a satanic cult.)

[Howlin]

They are saying it's selective leaking.

[Freedom2specul8]

My opinion of her was kind of low anyway.. (dating a married guy)... but I did feel like she had her heart and mind in the right place during her first press conference.

[onyx]

Words to haunt: "ah, ah, I didn't do it, but I know who did...."

Your cult buddies?

Hey Geragos, am I buying into your spin? Your leaked and likely doctored autopsy reports?

[Devil_Anse]

LOL!!

[melodie]

I believe Scott still did it! Also, I have always thought Scott also stabbed Laci in the abdomen a few times to let the gasses that occur after death come out as to not let the corpse bloat up and float to the top of the water. I am so sorry...this is soooo disgusting.

[Freedom2specul8]

Uhoh... I do not believe for a minute it was a satanic cult, nor do I believe that there were witches ashes (whatever that is) thrown on the peterson's lawn. (of course, I could be wrong about the cult...but if it was a cult..how come we don't hear about this type of cult behaviour in other cases?)

[spectre]

All I can think of is "boy is Geraldo gonna be po'd"...scooped by Dan Abrams..grins.

[runningbear]

muy mucho gracias..;o)

[Freedom2specul8]

Maybe we should start a compilation of jacie's lies too?