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Experts examine remains
The Modesto Bee ^ | August 12, 2003 | John Cote'

Posted on 08/13/2003 5:39:24 AM PDT by runningbear

Experts examine remains


Members of the Scott Peterson defense team leave the criminalistics laboratory of the Contra Costa County coroner in Martinez after spending Monday morning examining the bodies of Laci Peterson and her unborn son. TED BENSON/THE BEE

Experts examine remains

By JOHN COTÉ
BEE STAFF WRITER

Published: August 12, 2003, 09:15:51 PM PDT

MARTINEZ -- Scott Peterson's attorneys and a pair of high-profile experts examined the remains of Laci Peterson and her unborn son Monday, looking for evidence to clear their client of double murder charges.

Eight members of the defense team, which now includes criminalist Dr. Henry Lee and forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht, were inside the coroner's facility here for about 2 1/2 hours. They later went to the Petersons' Covena Avenue home.

Attorney Mark Geragos said little about the substance of the examination when the defense team emerged from the Contra Costa County coroner's office at noon.

"There's not much that we can talk about obviously between the gag order (previously issued in the case) and just in deference to both the Peterson and the Rocha families," Geragos said. "Obviously Dr. Wecht and Dr. Lee have agreed to come on board and to help us in this matter."

Senior Deputy District Attorney Dave Harris, one of the prosecutors handling the case, and members of the Modesto Police Department oversaw the defense examination.

Lee, the former director of the Connecticut State Police Forensics Science Laboratory, was a defense expert in the O.J. Simpson murder trial. He testified regarding crime scene reconstruction, blood splatter interpretation and trace evidence.

Wecht, coroner of Allegheny County in Pennsylvania, is a renowned forensic pathologist.

"Both are thought of in their fields as the foremost experts," Geragos said. "Given the consequences in this case, and given, I think initially at least, some of the investigative things that were done, I think it was important to get the best people in the field."

Peterson, 30, is charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of his 27-year-old wife and unborn son. He could receive the death penalty if convicted.

Defense attorneys maintain police ignored other leads and focused on Peterson almost immediately after his wife was reported missing Christmas Eve. Her body and that of her unborn child were found separately in April along the east shore of San Francisco Bay, within four miles of the spot where Scott Peterson said he launched his boat Dec. 24 for a solo fishing trip.

Peterson was arrested near Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla on April 18, the day DNA testing identified the bodies.

Autopsies were performed on the badly decomposed remains shortly after they were found just over a mile apart along the shoreline near Richmond.

In the face of massive media attention, Stanislaus County Superior Court Judge Al Girolami ordered those autopsy reports sealed, along with a host of other documents in the case. Death certificates were made public; however, no cause of death was listed.

Last month, Girolami granted a defense request to conduct its own examination of the bodies. On Friday he issued a ruling that laid out guidelines for the examination, including the use of photographs, videotape, X-rays and the removal of "reasonable" amounts of tissue and fluid samples.

The defense team was required to provide its own medical instruments, and the group brought in cases on wheels, a large brown paper bag and other items.

Defense experts routinely review autopsy findings in murder cases, and second autopsies are becoming increasingly frequent, said Dr. Michael Baden, a former New York City medical examiner, who has worked with both Lee and Wecht on other cases.

"Mistakes can be made, intentionally or unintentionally," Baden said. "It's always appropriate for the defense to review things. Suppose they come back and agree 100 percent with the prosecution. The defense may want to plea bargain."

Prosecutors are expected to reveal a substantial amount of their case at a preliminary hearing scheduled for Sept. 9. At the hearing's end, Girolami will determine if there is enough evidence to hold Peterson for trial.

Defense attorneys have asked to keep the hearing closed to the public, arguing the inevitable media attention would make it impossible to find a fair jury.

News organizations, including The Bee, are seeking to keep the hearing open, arguing that open proceedings guard against abuse by judges or prosecutors and other means, such as moving the trial and sequestering jurors, can ensure Peterson a fair trial.

Prosecutors want the hearing open but want television cameras barred from the courtroom.

On Monday, the defense filed paperwork saying an open........

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Attorney Matt Dalton, right, briefs forensic experts Drs. Henry Lee, left, and Cyril Wecht at the forensics lab in Ripon. DEBBIE NODA/THE BEE


This photo shows an interior wall of a concrete structure that has paintings on all sides. This and other artwork, below, are near where the bodies of Laci Peterson and her unborn child were found by the bay. DEBBIE NODA/THE BEE

Defense outlines cult theory

By JOHN COTÉ
and GARTH STAPLEY

Published: August 13, 2003, 05:14:27 AM PDT

Scott Peterson's defense team Tuesday briefed two forensic experts on a statanic cult theory, including paintings and artwork near San Francisco Bay and an experiment showing that the pregnant Laci Peterson's body could have been placed in the water at the art site. Attorney Matt Dalton, using a laptop computer, showed artwork that he said depicted ritualistic killings and occult practices, and said the artwork could be found near the end of a peninsula in the bay.

Dalton also said that the defense team placed weighted flotation devices in the water at the end of the peninsula, and they ended up in the Richmond Inner Harbor, not far from where Laci Peterson's body and that of her unborn son, Conner, came ashore in mid-April.

Scott Peterson is in Stanislaus County Jail, charged with both their murders.

Dalton gave the briefing to criminalist Dr. Henry Lee and forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht while the three waited to review prosecution evidence held at the state crime labora- tory in Ripon.

Tuesday afternoon, the bayside presented evidence of its own: more than a dozen paintings on plywood and scrap lumber mounted on wooden frames at what East Bay residents call The Bulb, the rounded point at the end of the peninsula that holds the Albany Waterfront Trail, an area popular with dog owners.

Some of the artwork features decapitation and devil figures. Many of the paintings portray sexual activity, and several show pregnant women.

But, if the defense is trying to link the painters to Peterson's death, "that's utterly ridiculous," said Bruce Rayburn, a member of an artist collective known as Sniff. "That's reaching for straws."

He said he and three friends painted much of The Bulb artwork over the past five years.

Rayburn, a 50-year-old general contractor, said Tuesday from his El Sobrante home: "We're regular guys with full-time jobs who go down there once a week on Saturday mornings with our families."

Rayburn said neither law enforcement nor defense investigators had contacted him about the paintings.

One shows a man with an ax beheading a man in a rowboat on a body of water; a topless woman kneels next to the beheaded man.

Another shows a devil figure beheading a well-dressed couple in a theater balcony. And another portrays three children, their umbilical cords attached, in a body of water as a giant octopus wraps its tentacles around a naked woman.

"This is all done in fun and games," Rayburn said. "We've had a lot of criticism by certain groups of people who are offended by some of the paintings. There's a lot of good themes going on, but if you're looking for something to criticize, you can find it."

On the inside of a concrete structure on the peninsula, Rayburn's group painted a goat-headed figure spearing a caged man as a demonic image lurks.

"We called the inside of that place hell, because that's what it was to paint," he said. "You had to lay on a board in a foot of water to paint it."

The Bulb for years was a landfill at the edge of the city of Al-bany. The dump closed, and the land evolved into an encampment for homeless people before becoming part of a plan for a waterfront park between Richmond and Emeryville.

Albany police Sgt. John Geissberger said he was not aware of any ritualistic activity at The Bulb -- but that does not mean that it has not occurred, he quickly added.

"There are things that happen that we never hear about," Geissberger said.

Karla LaVey, founder of the San Francisco-based First Sa-tanic Church, said the Peterson defense team was using the satanic tactic as an attempt to deflect blame on a misunderstood and unfairly vilified group.

"Satanism does not involve any type of sacrifice or ritualistic killing," LaVey said. "Satanism obviously is a subject people are ignorant of, and so they tend to be biased and prejudicial."

The experiment

Dalton, in his briefing with Lee and Wecht, said defense investigators experimented with flotation devices -- putting them in the water at the end of The Bulb, between Berkeley Marina and Point Isabel. The current then carried them away.

Laci Peterson's body was found at Point Isabel, and her son's body was found about a mile away in south Richmond.

Scott Peterson has told police that he launched his 14-foot aluminum boat from Berkeley Marina on Christmas Eve, then went fishing for sturgeon off Brooks Island.

He said his wife was gone when he returned home. Family members reported her missing at about 6 p.m.

Dalton, an attorney with lead defense counsel Mark Geragos' Los Angeles law firm, hinted at another possible defense strat-egy -- telling Lee and Wecht about a man accused ......

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From the Stanislaus County Sheriff's press release:

Superior Court, Stanislaus County August 11, 2003

Reply to Media Entities Opposition to Motion to Close Preliminary Hearing

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and

Superior Court, Stanislaus County August 8, 2003

DA's Motion to Conduct Venue Survey

(Excerpt) Read more at modbee.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: avoidingchildsupport; baby; babyunborn; conner; deathpenaltytime; dontubelievemyalibi; getarope; ibefishing; laci; lacipeterson; smallbaby; smallchild; sonkiller; unborn; wifekiller
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To: Sandylapper
Dr Spitz last night said that that cut on the baby was most likely caused by a propeller or being moved around by strong currents and therefore bumping into a sharp object in the Bay. He even said that is likely how Laci was cut open. He didn't have any problem with the organs being gone from Laci and the Uterus still intact. The Uterus being intact is a VITAL piece of evidence. Also, the coffin birth of the baby was slowed considerably because of the cold temperatures at the bottom of the Bay thereby accouting for a slower buildup of decomp gases in Laci's belly.
101 posted on 08/13/2003 9:02:55 PM PDT by Canadian Outrage (All us Western Canuks belong South)
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To: Sandylapper
Lee and Wecht being retained by the Defense automatically put them under the GAG order. If Baden made that statement and he got that information from the Defense I think they are in for a big surprise. Perhaps that info will be excluded from the trial. AND/OR Geragos will be punished for that.
102 posted on 08/13/2003 9:06:52 PM PDT by Canadian Outrage (All us Western Canuks belong South)
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To: Jackie-O
Jackie-o your uncle sounds like he was an absolute joy to know. I know he will be sadly missed and I am so sorry for your lose..What a wonderful man he was to have touched so many lives and brought a moment of joy to each of them..I picture him now singing with the angels to all of us on earth God Bless and comfort you during this time
103 posted on 08/13/2003 9:07:36 PM PDT by fiesti
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To: Nettie
I saw your earlier post. You're right. Kalifornia.
104 posted on 08/13/2003 9:08:56 PM PDT by Sandylapper
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To: Sandylapper
Remember that Laci was actually 71/2 weeks pregnant. 7 x 4 = 28!!
105 posted on 08/13/2003 9:10:09 PM PDT by Canadian Outrage (All us Western Canuks belong South)
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To: fiesti
Hi fiesti!! Glad your back.
106 posted on 08/13/2003 9:11:43 PM PDT by Canadian Outrage (All us Western Canuks belong South)
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To: Canadian Outrage
Oh, and more bad news. There was agreement between Baden and Spitz that there would be some difference in the autopsy that was done right after Laci was recovered, and any tissue taken by defense.
107 posted on 08/13/2003 9:12:38 PM PDT by Sandylapper
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To: Sandylapper
Dr. Spitz explained that last night. He said even tho Laci and Connor'r remains had been refrigerated that they would still deteriorate. He said, the Defense waiting sooooo long to request to do an independant autopsy was NOT good for the Defense. He seemed to think that the results because of that would no doubt not be good for the Defense. I just believe there is going to be a way to rebutt this statement. And the statement itself by Baden who was given that info by those working for the Defense breaks the GAG order. I refuse, REFUSE I tell you to even entertain that Snott will be acquitted. The Prosecution still seems very confident to me. Snott's calls or statements to Amber may be so incriminating that the Defense will not be able to overcome it.
108 posted on 08/13/2003 9:18:39 PM PDT by Canadian Outrage (All us Western Canuks belong South)
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To: Canadian Outrage
With that, I must hit the hay. Tomorrow will be another hectic day. Night all.
109 posted on 08/13/2003 9:20:44 PM PDT by Canadian Outrage (All us Western Canuks belong South)
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To: Canadian Outrage
Hi CO never been gone. Been lurking here everynight for any bits of info I am a true SCROW !!Just haven't said much just waiting to get this show on the road so we can really ventalite about some real evidence...and back to our SCROW parties on Friday nights lol U have made some very good posts and think u right on the money in all of them Take care
110 posted on 08/13/2003 9:22:41 PM PDT by fiesti
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To: Canadian Outrage
LOL. Know how you feel, but I refuse not to think the worst can happen. If there was any one at all fooled by the Simpson jury, it was moi. I was in total shock after that one, and OJ's life was never in question.
111 posted on 08/13/2003 9:23:18 PM PDT by Sandylapper
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To: fiesti
Hey fiesti! Good to see you!
112 posted on 08/13/2003 9:25:05 PM PDT by Sandylapper
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To: runningbear
But Bruce Rayburn, an El Sobrante contractor who is a member of a group of artists who painted the scenes, told the Bee the defense conclusions were "utterly ridiculous."

Looks like the rest of us contractors in El Sobrante will have a little less competition.

113 posted on 08/13/2003 10:22:53 PM PDT by RGSpincich
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To: Sandylapper
Is there anybody else who has actually seen the autopsy that has stated the baby was 38 weeks? Or was that the long end of a range of weeks starting at 31. Baden gets facts screwed up all the time.
114 posted on 08/13/2003 10:32:48 PM PDT by RGSpincich
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To: runningbear
Heads up for what you post in the morning, rb...

KOVR13, Sacramento CBS affiliate, news broadcast at 10 pm Wed...

Gloria Gomez reports that the defense team may be in serious trouble with Judge Girolomi (sp?) for possible gag order violations in regard to the Modesto Bee article on Wednesday morning. This issue will be addressed in court on Thursday. Gloria Allred was interviewed and basically stated that the defense has violated the gag order.

The defense states that they were not aware of a Modesto Bee reporter being present when they were talking with Henry and Cyril. Nonetheless, KOVR showed a copy of what I believe was a court schedule addressing the fact that the defense has some 'splaining to do.

Gomez also reported that the Rocha family may now receive Laci and Connor's bodies for burial in the near future.

Gomez also reported that there is a problem ~ the Catholic priest the Rochas have been talking with in regard to funeral/burial, is conflicted. He has been counseling Scott Peterson while he has been incarcerated. Gomez suggests that the Rochas will be looking for another priest.

115 posted on 08/13/2003 10:38:52 PM PDT by Diver Dave
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To: Diver Dave
The defense states that they were not aware of a Modesto Bee reporter being present when they were talking with Henry and Cyril.

Who on earth did they think the guy that took this picture was????



Attorney Matt Dalton, right, briefs forensic experts Drs. Henry Lee, left, and Cyril Wecht at the forensics lab in Ripon. DEBBIE NODA/THE BEE

116 posted on 08/13/2003 10:44:53 PM PDT by Howlin
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To: RGSpincich
That I don't know, RG. I made an assumption that Baden had seen the autopsy and sonogram report. You know what they say about assumptions. He was on the phone tonight with Greta, not on her program as he was last night. Thought he was in CA.
117 posted on 08/13/2003 10:49:43 PM PDT by Sandylapper
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To: redlipstick
We'll have to wait and see what Wecht does. He has been known to refuse to testify for the defense, even after put on retainer.

Oh? That is interesting and gives him a lot of credibility. Do you remember which known cases he has refused to testify for once hired? Just curious.

118 posted on 08/13/2003 11:23:55 PM PDT by Yaelle
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To: Canadian Outrage
Yes, true. Dr. Lee will probably have testimony that shows that it would have been POSSIBLE for some Satanic cult to do it..."not inconsistent with scenario from Mistah Geragos.." but then when grilled by the prosecution would HAVE to admit that it was also "not inconsistent with attack by husband either."
119 posted on 08/13/2003 11:27:49 PM PDT by Yaelle
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To: Devil_Anse
"I not say he drug her and chop head off. I say he drag her and she chop own head off."

ROFL! Sometimes I think he hams up that accent of his for effect, like how using bad syntax might help in a college exam when you aren't sure which of two responses would be right. "Sum ting wong here" for OJ wasn't a major declaration of innocence, was it?

120 posted on 08/13/2003 11:30:22 PM PDT by Yaelle
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