Posted on 05/30/2003 5:41:15 AM PDT by runningbear
MODESTO, Calif. -- Defense attorney Mark Geragos allegedly told the attorneys representing Laci Peterson's family that "if you want war, you got war" after negotiations to allow the Rochas to enter their late daughter's home broke down on Thursday afternoon.
"We thought we had it worked out with Geragos (who represents Scott Peterson) that she (Sharon) could come in here (Laci's home) next Tuesday (June 3)," said Al Clark, one of the two attorneys the Rocha family has hired to attempt to gain access to the home of their daughter.
"He (Geragos) called us in a very loud, very boisterous manner (on Thursday) and said he's not going to allow anyone in the house...I called Sharon and this is right after she heard about the autopsy report and she was very emotional as you can understand and she just said 'I've got to do something.'"
When asked what exactly Geragos said, Clark said he was told by his partner Adam Stewart that the famed defense attorney said: "The words he used were 'If you want war, you'll get war.' I can only think that we were suppose to file a lawsuit to get back a wedding dress and photos. It just seems ridiculous to me."
"It's the straw that broke the camel's back, especially the way he talked to us...I even told her as a lawyer I have to advise you not to go into the house," Clark continued. "But if I were a parent, act by your heart and she acted by her heart."
The Rochas had been prevented by the family of Scott Peterson from entering the home.
What the family did was that a group people including Sharon, Laci's stepfather Ron Grantski, Brent Rocha -- Laci's brother -- and several friends entered Laci and Scott's home and removed items -- including a rocking chair and nursery furniture -- and then sped off as the news media and police looked on.
Matt Dalton, a member of the Geragos defense team, arrived at the home a short time later and told reporters that his concern was that the Rochas "had planted evidence." He then sped off to allegedly file a burglary report with the Modesto police.
Earlier, a representative of Geragos had dropped off other personal items of Laci's that Sharon Rocha had requested at her Modesto lawyer's office. Those items included a Tiffany lamp Laci inherited from her late grandmother and also three unopened Christmas presents.
Despite the developments of the last 24 hours, Stanislaus County Superior Court Judge Al Girolami decided late Friday to keep the autopsy sealed until a hearing scheduled for June 6. He also did not issue a gag order.
Meanwhile, the Rochas also denounced as "incredibly insensitive" the leak of an autopsy -- allegedly by defense attorneys -- that indicated that the body of Laci Peterson's unborn son had a significant cut and plastic tape wrapped around the neck.
A source close to the case who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed information in the autopsy to The Associated Press on Thursday.
Prosecutors responded later in the day by saying it was misleading and asking that the results be unsealed.
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"The information being leaked has clearly been skewed in favor of the defense," wrote Deputy Stanislaus County District Attorney David Harris. "By releasing the autopsy reports the court will allow the media to see what the actual facts are and then accurate information may be reported to mitigate recent adverse publicity."
Through their spokeswoman, Kim Petersen, Peterson's relatives said they learned the autopsy details from the television, without warning
Erin McGinnis' Friday Report From Modesto: 'No Evidence Of Man-Made Wounds' On Laci's Body
"No family should ever have to learn the autopsy results of somebody they love on national TV, and that's exactly what happened," Petersen said Friday on NBC's "Today" show.
She said Sharon Rocha was "devastated."
"She asked me to go out and convey the pain that was inflicted on their family. ... She just implores the media to be sensitive and remember that this isn't a story, this is their life," Petersen said.
The information was first reported by cable news channel MSNBC, which said it had received a portion of the autopsy report completed by the Contra Costa County coroner's office.
Results had been sealed by court order after Stanislaus County prosecutors said releasing them would jeopardize Scott Peterson's right to a fair trial.
Only the prosecution and defense were given copies of the reports and prosecutors said they had not shared results with police or Laci Peterson's family.
In a statement, District Attorney James Brazelton said "evidence in this case should be presented in court through the testimony of witnesses and not selectively leaked to the news media by unknown persons whom the press will not identify."
The Contra Costa County coroner's office did not comment on the report.
Part of the autopsy indicated the unborn baby boy had one and one-half loops of plastic tape around his neck, MSNBC said.
Scott Peterson, 30, of Modesto, is accused of killing his wife and unborn son, whom the couple had planned to name Conner, last Dec. 23 or 24 in their home. Laci, 27, was eight months pregnant at the time. The bodies washed ashore in San Francisco Bay last month.
Contra Costa County authorities concluded their autopsy report earlier this month, but did not disclose the cause of death.
It's possible the baby's body was cut shoulder to shoulder or became wrapped in the tape because of its long submersion in San Francisco Bay, the MSNBC report said, adding that the part of the coroner's report the network received "doesn't prove anything one way or another."
Geragos would not comment on the report. He said Girolami, during a closed meeting in his chambers Tuesday, "more than telegraphed that he does not want us commenting on the case."
Girolami had said he was considering a gag order to prevent news leaks.
Geragos has suggested that members of a satanic cult were the killers. He has also hinted that a female mystery witness could lead authorities to the real killer and free Scott Peterson.
Copyright 2003 by KTVU.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Also retold story of Scott claiming to Amy on 12-23, that he had a tee-time at Del Rio Golf Course 12-24, and promised to pick up a fruit basket for Amy. Company ended up calling Amy 12-24 to have her pick up basket.
LOL! You're correct :)
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