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.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Another Peterson trial

Nurse becomes seventh member of Peterson jury

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Devil_Anse]

You feel like you read the same posts over and over all day? Gosh, wonder why?

[Velveeta]

RB, you my dear are a peach. I'd like to give you a big {{{hug}}} for all you do with such grace.

[uvular]

LOL!

Albert Clark, Sharon Rocha's atty. on phone with Greta. Letters have been sent to Geragos and McAllister regarding access for Rocha family to Laci's house still have not been responded to.

Will also be talking about sister Amy Rocha's last conversation with Scott.

[Trace21230]

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?

[Velveeta]

Cut me with a *wet*, sharp knife (not those goofy cheese slicer thingys)continue to wet the knife with cold water between slices.

[runningbear]

the humor one...lol.. It was too funny.... ummm, uncanny humor...not for all...;o)

[BunnySlippers]

Nightly. We practically are. I'm in LA on a New York time table. If I'm good (!) I'll be in bed soon. But I love to cheat. :)

[Howlin]

On Greta's show, the woman reporter on Modesto said that the day that Laci and Scott went to get his hair cut by her sister, Scott told Laci's sister that he had an early tee time down in San Deigo the next morning; no word about fishing; he even offered to run some errands for her sister.

[melodie]

Thanks for the "hady" little advise!! I will have to try that next time.

[Devil_Anse]

Thanks for the article! It makes me wonder, though. They just had two of Laci's close friends on TV a few days ago, and both insisted they never saw any signs of trouble in the marriage.

Maybe it's different when they're talking anonymously to a newspaper. Maybe they allow themselves to say more. Whereas, when they are sitting on national TV, maybe they are afraid to say too much.

[Howlin]

The Rochas' attorney said that the DA called them last night and told them they can have access to the house.

On the 3rd of June. The DA said, "Just go on in."

[uvular]

Claudia Cowan reports co-workers at Amy's hair salon heard Scott tell Amy he had a tee time the next day(?); said nothing about going fishing.

Atty. Clark speculates Geragos wants to go through house one last time. Prosecution and LE done with house; Sharon upset NE climbed fence and took pics of interior of home. Understanding of atty. is Rocha family will (eventually) be able to go to home without someone monitoring them.

[runningbear]

hummm, maybe Judge Giromali just might approve the release... ;o)

[BunnySlippers]

Scott told Laci's sister that he had an early tee time down in San Deigo the next morning; no word about fishing; he even offered to run some errands for her sister.

Interesting. Do golfers ever golf alone? If not, shouldn't there be a partner out there?

[Devil_Anse]

Whatever. Unless you were in the same room with Velveeta, spectre's wife, Sandylapper, and jrabbit, I have no way of knowing if you were hearing the same report as they heard. It is possible that Fox reported it more than once, in two different ways.

[Velveeta]

Amber's personal issues are a nonfactor.

I hope they'll continue to be a nonfactor for her sake and her child.

[runningbear]

Noooo! I thought you had it on toast with tomatos....lol.. Kept thinking of fried green tomatos. (how do they make them?...)

[Devil_Anse]

ROFL!!!!

[runningbear]

FYI, that press release is before the filing of the motion to release the autopsy reports... (which was done later, as to what I read on the Sheriff's link)

[uvular]

Great hint; thanks!