Laci's things in tug of war

The Modesto Bee ^ | May 31, 2003 | Garth Stapely and John Cote'

[runningbear]

Laci's things in tug of war

Laci Peterson's brother Brent Rocha loads a rocking chair from her Modesto home into the back of a truck Friday morning.

Laci's things in tug of war

By GARTH STAPLEY and JOHN COTÉ

BEE STAFF WRITERS

Published: May 31, 2003, 07:16:10 AM PDT

Laci Peterson's family and friends removed truckloads of items from the slain Modesto woman's house on Friday, touching off controversy between her family and that of her husband.

Police responded to the Covena Avenue home at about 10 a.m. after a security company reported that the alarm had been triggered, Capt. Greg Savelli said.

Officers determined that Laci Peterson's family and friends were removing items that belonged to Laci, said Savelli, who added that officers documented what was taken.

"We're treating this as a civil dispute over property," he said. "It was clear to the Police Department that this was not a burglary.

Peterson's husband, Scott, 30, has been charged with double murder and faces the death penalty in the killings of his 27-year-old wife and their unborn son, Conner.

Savelli said the fallout from Friday's property removal "was best handled between the families and their attorneys."

Adam Stewart, an attorney for Laci Peterson's family, said the family had been in contact with Scott Peterson's defense team, who had agreed to allow Laci's mother, Sharon Rocha, to go through the house on Tuesday. She was to be accompanied by representatives of the defense team, and all items taken were to be photographed and videotaped.

Scott Peterson's parents and lawyers expressed outrage that the Rochas did not follow the agreement.

Jackie Peterson said the people who went into the home Friday had "absolutely no permission to be in that house. I have a lot of empathy for Sharon, but she does not have a right to go in our house and take what she wants."

Rocha did not appear to be among the packers. Calls placed to the Rocha home were not accepted.

Seven vehicles loaded

Among the items loaded into seven vehicles were a crib, a rocking chair and a box with Graco printed on the outside. Graco makes such products as strollers, highchairs and car seats.

Laci Peterson's family announced Wednesday that it had hired attorneys to help recover items from the house. A list included her wedding dress, jewelry and Conner's crib.

Jackie Peterson told The Bee that the security company notified her by telephone in San Diego County that the house alarm had been tripped.

The property removal appeared to take Scott Peterson's defense team by surprise.

Matthew Dalton, an attorney with lead defense attorney Mark Geragos' law firm, drove to the house and asked reporters if someone had reported a burglary.

Dalton went to Stewart's Modesto law office Friday morning and dropped off some items requested by the Rocha family, Stewart said.

Monday, the defense team moved other items, including what appeared to be gifts, to the Modesto office of defense co-counsel Kirk McAllister, for transfer to Laci Peterson's family. But the items had not been picked up by Friday morning, McAllister said.

Stewart said in front of the home that it would be "ridiculous" to suggest that the Rochas broke into the home.

"I apologize for it coming down to this," he said. "This is not the way we operate. This is for Laci, for Conner and Laci's family. It is not for the media or Mr. Scott Peterson's defense in any way, shape or form. It's depressing that it's come down to this."

Stanislaus County Chief Deputy District Attorney John Goold said prosecutors had no legal authority over the house.

"It's not a crime scene," Goold said. " This is a civil problem between the Rochas and the Petersons."

The house title is in Laci and Scott Petersons' names, county records show. In such a joint tenancy, when one titleholder dies, the title goes to the other.

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Incident brings Peterson case close to home
Victim's family moves items from house, raising the issue of ownership.

Incident brings Peterson case close to home
Victim's family moves items from house, raising the issue of ownership.

By Garth Stapley and John Coté
The Modesto Bee

(Published Saturday, May 31, 2003, 4:47 AM)

MODESTO -- Laci Peterson's family and friends removed truckloads of items from the slain Modesto woman's house Friday, touching off controversy between her family and that of her husband.

Police officers were dispatched after a security company notified them that the alarm at the Covena Avenue home had been triggered, Capt. Greg Savelli said.

Officers determined that members of the Rocha family and friends of Laci Peterson were removing items that belonged to the slain woman and documented what was taken, Savelli said.

"We're treating this as a civil dispute over property," he said. "It was clear to the police department that this was not a burglary. It was a dispute over property and was best handled between the families and their attorneys."

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Judge cites Peterson right to fair trial in denying report access

Judge cites Peterson right to fair trial in denying report access

By JOHN COTÉ
BEE STAFF WRITER

Published: May 31, 2003, 07:16:56 AM PDT

A Stanislaus County judge on Friday ordered that arrest and search warrants remain sealed in the case against Scott Peterson, who is accused of murdering his pregnant wife and unborn son.

Superior Court Judge Al Giro-lami's ruling also ordered the autopsy reports for Laci and Conner to stay sealed.

Thursday, District Attorney James Brazelton reversed his position and asked to have the autopsy reports made public, and the matter is set for hearing June 6.

Brazelton's about-face came after part of the fetus's autopsy report was leaked to the media. Prosecutors said that portion was clearly "skewed in favor of the defense."

Defense attorneys, coroner's officials, police and prosecutors have denied leaking the information.

Friday, in his ruling on all the documents, Girolami said releasing them "might irreparably harm the continued investigation into this criminal matter."

"Despite the fact that the complaint has been issued and a suspect has been arrested, the investigation and search for both incriminating and exonerating evidence in this matter continues," Girolami wrote.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys argued that releasing the documents could impede Peterson's right to a fair trial and damage an ongoing investigation.

Girolami agreed, saying in his ruling that releasing the documents "might result in the evidence being destroyed and witnesses being reluctant to step forward."

A group of newspapers, including The Bee, are seeking to have the documents unsealed.

Right to view reports argued

Charity Kenyon, an attorney representing the newspapers, argued that the public's right to view court documents was fundamental in an open legal system.

Other means exist for ensuring

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Judge orders Laci Peterson autopsy report sealed

Judge orders Laci Peterson autopsy report sealed

The Modesto Bee

The Associated Press

Published: May 31, 2003, 06:49:17 AM PDT

MODESTO, Calif. (AP) - A judge ruled Friday that an autopsy report on the deaths of Laci Peterson and her unborn son should remain sealed along with other search warrant and arrest records.

Superior Court Judge Al Girolami said releasing the information could hamper the murder investigation and prejudice public opinion before a trial begins.

Girolami is scheduled to hear more arguments June 6 from prosecutors preparing a murder case against Peterson's husband, Scott Peterson. Prosecutors on Thursday asked that the autopsy reports be released to the public. They argued that media leaks of the reports are biased toward the defense.

Girolami also ordered that leaks of sealed information stop and indicated he would consider a gag order to stop the prosecution and defense teams from talking to the media.

Scott Peterson, 30, is accused of killing his wife and unborn son, whom the couple had planned to name Conner, last December 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.

Several media outlets have released details of the coroner's report, and a spokeswoman for Laci Peterson's family members said Thursday they were "devastated" at hearing autopsy reports without warning on television.

The leaked reports indicated the unborn son had plastic tape wrapped around his neck and a significant cut across the shoulders.

Meanwhile, friends of Laci Peterson removed several personal articles Friday from the single-story Modesto home where she and Scott Peterson lived.

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MOM'S MOVING MOMENT

MOM'S MOVING MOMENT

By HOWARD BREUER and MARSHA KRANES

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May 31, 2003 -- Laci Peterson's mother - shattered by the graphic details leaked from the 25-page autopsy of her unborn grandson - yesterday began removing her slain daughter's belongings from the home she had shared with her accused murderer husband, Scott.

Sharon Rocha, accompanied by several friends and relatives, was seen at the Modesto, Calif., house removing the rocking chair Laci had bought to use when she nursed her infant son, as well as unopened Christmas gifts, clothing, chairs, lamps and artwork.

In doing so, she ignored the advice of her lawyer, Al Clark, that she wait until he, Scott Peterson's lawyers and court officials work out the procedures to be followed when she entered the house.

Modesto police arrived while Rocha was there, and she and her entourage left a short time later after packing seven cars full of Laci's belongings.

Hours later, lawyers representing Laci's family and Scott Peterson started haggling over whether removing the items was legal.

Scott Peterson's mother, Jackie, expressed outrage that the items had been removed since Laci's family had "absolutely no permission to be in that house."

Scott Peterson has pleaded not guilty to killing his wife and their unborn son.

Laci's family said Wednesday that they had hired lawyers to help them retrieve a baby crib and jewelry from the home.

Meanwhile, Clark told Fox News his client's anger over the grisly revelations leaked from her daughter's and grandson's sealed autopsy reports drove her to go get her daughter's possessions.

A family spokeswoman said Rocha was "devastated" by the reports describing how the near full-term fetus of her grandson Conner had plastic tape wrapped around the neck and a large cut across the chest when he was found in the shallow waters of San Francisco Bay last month.

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[Sacajaweau]

Real curious about this ring at the jewelers. Hmmmm. Wonder when it first went to the jewelers....so she wouldn't be wearing any expensive rings when she died??? Hmmmmm And Scott never picked the ring up from the jewelers after she died??? Hmmmm

[cinFLA]

Is Jackie Peterson's name on the deed?

I have heard rumors that Scott has signed it over to them in return for their financial aid for his legal bills. Unsubstantiated.

[Rusty Roberts]

I agree. Yes, technically, it was against the law, but there is no court that will charge the Rochas for what they did. They tried for almost three months to communicate with the Petersonsto no avail, then obtained lawyers to work out an agreement, thought they had one, only to see it blow up.

There have been reports of things being removed from the house by the Petersons previously, so it will be interesting to see down the road just what was missing.

It is true, late in a pregnancy, fingers swell and rings are hard to wear, but I've never heard of a wife wanting to have her rings made in to other jewelry. Thus, what exactly was Laci's rings and grandmother's diamonds doing at that jewelers? When exactly were they taken to that jeweler?

[cinFLA]

Then, the Rochas BREAK INTO a home (they set off the alarm, which indicates a unconventional mehtod of entry, to me) and begin removing truckloads of stuff, rather than going by the agreement they signed off on... The Rochas are looking less and less like decent people to me.

One can enter normally but not know the code to diable the alarm which could be set off by the door opening or motion detectors.

It is hard to know the real story but consider how you would feel if you were denied entry to retrieve sentimental items belonging to your dead daughter and were afraid they might "disappear" over time as others had free access to the house!

Shame on you for castigating the Rocha's as indecent considering all they have gone through. Shame on you.

[janette]

for later reading

[Canadian Outrage]

If you don't like Trial by media then go after the "Defense". The Prosecution are not allowed to go before the media whilst prosecuting a case. These Defense bums are flapping their gums on the Courthouse steps CONTINUOUSLY!! It's about time that Defense Lawyers had socks shoved down their throats. They need to be gagged and I believe that is exactly what THIS Judge (that Geragos attempted to have removed btw) is going to do.!!

[Canadian Outrage]

Ray, I think this is where Amber is going to come in. Whaddya want to bet that the "jewelry" he sent to Amber is Laci's. IF that is the case, and imo, it is, THAT will be devestating against Snott. Combined with all the other things that he has done that are just so BIZARRE for a supposedly grieving husband and father to be, it's going to be a real blow. And I could hardly stand LKL last night. I had to continually change the channel until Pixley and the "ever present Petersons) were finished. THEY are totally disgusting.

[mass55th]

"How do you like this one, Mass?"

See my earlier comments about this at #47 on this thread.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Shame on you for castigating the Rocha's as indecent considering all they have gone through. Shame on you.

Yeah, shame on me for not turning a blind eye to an illegal act perpetrated by someone just because they've 'gone through a lot'... shame on me, indeed...

[Chad Fairbanks]

I certainly havn't "defended" the defense...

[Canadian Outrage]

NO, Until he's convicted and a Death Certificate is ISSUED, it is STILL in joint tenancy. Laci is an owner as to an undivided 1/2 interest.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Ok, so Laci still has a half-interest in the house - so what? How is that relevent? It's STILL not the Rocha's house. Period.

[Canadian Outrage]

You know, the Rocha's have been completely gracious and polite throughout this entire ordeal. THESE are NOT lawbreaking people. They tried to make an arrangement to get their daughter's "personal" things. The Petersons have acted like WHITE TRASH. I wish for starters that you had listened to the Rocha's Attorney last night - The Rocha's did NOT break any agreement. The agreement did NOT exist. Give it up already. NOBODY is going to prosecute these people, the true victims here. If they do, it will be a suicidal act for Snott P. Over 90% of the public are already on their side. Like Nancy Grace said last night "Geragos you go for it and charge the Rocha's with burglary - that will really work, go for it"!!

[Jrabbit]

Defense bums are flapping their gums on the Courthouse steps CONTINUOUSLY!

When did this happen? I've seen Geragos twice after the 2 court appearances. (Breathless media types quoting defense sources aren't the same thing as you describe)

Has Geragos or other defense team members been giving press conferences?

[Howlin]

In case you haven't figured it out yet, this is NOT a court of law; innocent until proven guilty ONLY applies in a court of law during a trial.

We're free to speculate 24/7.

[Canadian Outrage]

It's relevant because the Peterson's seem to think it is theirs 100%. Let's get real, the "crime scene" thing is not relevant any more. All the forensics that were going to be collected were collected. And after the Defense team have been tromping through that house and swimming in the pool etc. I don't see how they can claim that the place has been tainted. It has been tainted by THEM.

[JesseShurun]

I agree. Garegos and team are probably selling everything they can to the tabloids to pay for their fees. Her journal was in there and pictures. That's why they're so mad. And no more pool parties

[Chad Fairbanks]

I havn't used the 'crime scene' excuse - I leave the excuse-making to everyone who defends this one action of the Rochas (up to now, they've been handling this exceptionally well, given the circumstances) - What they did was commit theft. I don't care about 'reasons' or 'excuses'...

[Howlin]

(they set off the alarm, which indicates a unconventional mehtod of entry, to me)

The Petersons changed the locks AND the alarm code the day before.

Then Jackie Peterson came on LKL and insinuated declared that Sharon had access to the house all along. If Sharon had the key and access to the code, that would indicate to me that they DID have access to the house, but the Petersons, for whatever reason, changed their minds and decided not to let them in.

[Canadian Outrage]

Your post #222 - Right on!! The gall of the Peterson's is UNbelievable. Then, after all the stuff they have done, they act like they are the victims. I think these people are in for a very big "bitch slapping" in Court. I'm sick and tired of listening to their tripe about Satanic cults, orange vans etc. This is nothing more than throwing crap up against the wall to see if any of it sticks. So far, it isn't sticking. These people don't seem to realize that the Prosecution has Not even BEGUN to show their hand.