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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[Howlin]

More trouble for Dan: what's his face, the black guy on MSNBC, Lester, is saying that the word "noose" is NOT in the autopsy report.

I'd say Dan came out of the gate a little too soon.

[Velveeta]

Sarah, I was not mistaken. I reported *exactly* what I heard reported on FOX and Friends at exactly 7:40am CDT. Now, it seems that FOX and Friends folks were mistaken, but I DID NOT START a rumor.

[An American In Dairyland]

I read the article from the NYP. I heard Allred say the rumor wasn't true with my own two ears. However, I did not hear Allred say that Amber would never make money off of Laci and Conner's death much less by posing nude.

I personally expect to see Amber's naked behind again after the trial is over, this time in some skin magazine rather than on the pages of the NE. That is my opinion. And I'm not apologizing for having an opinion of Amber that doesn't include a halo for her.

[onyx]

My husband said, the word "noose" could not, would not, appear in an authentic coroner's report, UNLESS the cause of death was determined to be by hanging!

[Jrabbit]

Velveeta was not mistaken. She reported what she heard on Fox and Friends this morning. Several of us heard the same report. You are the one who is mistaken.

[Wednesday's Child]

you have mail!

[Howlin]

However, I did not hear Allred say that Amber would never make money off of Laci and Conner's death much less by posing nude.

She wasn't asked that question, why should she answer it? Do you require a lifetime disclaimer from Amber and/or Gloria?

And since you've already said you didn't believe what she said today, would you believe her anyway?

[Velveeta]

I heard it early this a.m. on Fox News Channel

Thank you. And thank goodness someone else is up early. (Other than Runningbear, who never sleeps!)

[spectre]

I certainly think that the continued character assassination and deliberate insistance on defaming Amber serves no good purpose.

I have to ask myself.."Why the witch-hunt" and "what is their agenda"?

sw

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

I have to ask myself.."Why the witch-hunt" and "what is their agenda"?

It does boggle the mind.

Now if all that energy was turned on ol' Scotty Boy, I'd join right in on it, but oh well............

[runningbear]

No, velveeta was posting what was reported... not started... And then the post story came up, and the rest is history as we all saw the printed facts where it came out from. Fox news reported it wrong!... Vel was reporting what Fox reported... And then we took it on, until debunked... that is all I am saying.. (just like what is happening to Dan Abrams today on the autopsy report, and where that is coming from....ummmmm!)

[spectre]

Velveeta was NOT mistaken..We heard the take on Fox and Friends this morning.

They were saying that although Gloria Allred might deny the rumor...this things usually pan out to be true in 30 days.

We report...you decide..

sw

[UCANSEE2]

I certainly think that the continued character assassination and deliberate insistance on defaming Amber serves no good purpose.

I have to ask myself.."Why the witch-hunt" and "what is their agenda"?

SW, you have an excellent point here. One that most posters have totally missed.

[Jrabbit]

That's what I said. Velveeta was not mistaken.

[Velveeta]

I personally expect to see Amber's naked behind again after the trial is over, this time in some skin magazine rather than on the pages of the NE

I would hope that she wouldn't profit off of such a tragedy, but it remains to be seen.

[runningbear]

humor here

look at the center for about 20 seconds then look at any flat surface.

humor

[justshe]

I also heard this report. It was stressed repeatedly that this was a RUMOR being reported by gossip columnist, Cindy Adams (I think her name was).

After MANY statements by Steve and Brian and Edie that this WAS just a rumor at this point, Edie stated that although it was a rumor, usually what happens with Cindy's gossip is that everyone talks about it....and 30 days later it is proven to be true.

[onyx]

Got me on the second try!

[spectre]

Is this forum being infiltrated by the Geragos Defense Team...? Or are people just playing into his hands?

sw