Witnesses: Jury Wrongly Convicted Peterson

foxnews.com ^ | Tuesday, December 07, 2004 | AP

[crushelits]

Witnesses: Jury Wrongly Convicted Peterson

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — In tearful testimony, Scott Peterson's (search) family and friends pleaded with jurors to spare his life, contending that he was mistakenly convicted of killing his pregnant wife, Laci.

Defense witnesses have already testified that Peterson sang to seniors on Sundays, distributed food and clothes in Tijuana and that he was a good friend and loving son.

On the fifth day of the trial's penalty phase, Peterson's relatives questioned the jury's verdict.

"I don't believe he's guilty," said his uncle, John Lathamke to see him die. It would tear our family apart."

But jurors showed no expression, some even looking away or toward the ground as Latham spoke.

Testimony in the seven-month-old trial's penalty phase was set to continue Tuesday and run into the next day before closing arguments. Jurors were expected to begin deliberating Thursday whether to sentence Peterson to life without parole or the death penalty.

Peterson was convicted Nov. 12 of one count of first-degree murder in the death of his pregnant wife, Laci, and one count of second-degree murder for the killing of her fetus.

Prosecutors say he smothered or strangled Laci Peterson (search) in their Modesto home on or around Christmas Eve 2002, then dumped her body into San Francisco Bay. The remains of the victims were discovered about four months later a few miles from where Peterson claims to have been fishing alone the day his wife vanished.

[Mo1]

Defense witnesses have already testified that Peterson sang to seniors on Sundays,

Oh gee ain't that nice

I say fry him

[theconservativerepublican]

Please DO Tell what was my outright lies???? Quote them buddy.

[Howlin]

The school above (Northwestern) which I will start attending in just a few weeks have examples of people found guilty by circumstantial evidence that was later exonerated.

Then you need to apply to another CREDIBLE school, because they are wrong:

You made this statement earlier today:

To: Yehaw

There are more than 400 people that have been exonerated over the last 5 years from death row because they were convicted because of circumstantial evidence--what do you say about that? hmmm...
Later the real criminal was found guilty. I guess all of you all will say the Judge, the Prosecution and law enforcement had nothing at all to do with those fellows serving time in jail for something they didnt do?
When they were found guilty---people were saying exactly what yall are saying now--too much circumstantial evidence points to guilt.
So, why then--were they exonerated if circumstantial evidence proves guilt?

223 posted on 12/07/2004 12:23:50 PM EST by theconservativerepublican (www.theconservativerepublican.com)

And even though you have been at it all day, you've yet to TELL THE TRUTH.

In fact, what you said was an out and out lie, as evidence by this post:

Innocence: Freed From Death Row

 Advanced search |

NR	NAME	ST	RACE	CONVICTED	EXONERATED	YEARS BETWEEN	REASON	DNA ?
1	David Keaton	FL	B	1971	1973	2	Charges Dismissed
2	Samuel A. Poole	NC	B	1973	1974	1	Charges Dismissed
3	Wilbert Lee	FL	B	1963	1975	12	Pardoned
4	Freddie Pitts	FL	B	1963	1975	12	Pardoned
5	James Creamer	GA	W	1973	1975	2	Charges Dismissed
6	Christopher Spicer	NC	B	1973	1975	2	Acquitted
7	Thomas Gladish	NM	W	1974	1976	2	Charges Dismissed
8	Richard Greer	NM	W	1974	1976	2	Charges Dismissed
9	Ronald Keine	NM	W	1974	1976	2	Charges Dismissed
10	Clarence Smith	NM	W	1974	1976	2	Charges Dismissed
11	Delbert Tibbs	FL	B	1974	1977	3	Charges Dismissed
12	Earl Charles	GA	B	1975	1978	3	Charges Dismissed
13	Jonathan Treadway	AZ	W	1975	1978	3	Acquitted
14	Gary Beeman	OH	W	1976	1979	3	Acquitted
15	Jerry Banks	GA	B	1975	1980	5	Charges Dismissed
16	Larry Hicks	IN	B	1978	1980	2	Acquitted
17	Charles Ray Giddens	OK	B	1978	1981	3	Charges Dismissed
18	Michael Linder	SC	W	1979	1981	2	Acquitted
19	Johnny Ross	LA	B	1975	1981	6	Charges Dismissed
20	Ernest (Shuhaa) Graham	CA	B	1976	1981	5	Acquitted
21	Annibal Jaramillo	FL	L	1981	1982	1	Charges Dismissed
22	Lawyer Johnson	MA	B	1971	1982	11	Charges Dismissed
23	Anthony Brown	FL	B	1983	1986	3	Acquitted
24	Neil Ferber	PA	W	1982	1986	4	Charges Dismissed
25	Clifford Henry Bowen	OK	W	1981	1986	5	Charges Dismissed
26	Joseph Green Brown	FL	B	1974	1987	13	Charges Dismissed
27	Perry Cobb	IL	B	1979	1987	8	Acquitted
28	Darby (Williams) Tillis	IL	B	1979	1987	8	Acquitted
29	Vernon McManus	TX	W	1977	1987	10	Charges Dismissed
30	Anthony Ray Peek	FL	B	1978	1987	9	Acquitted
31	Juan Ramos	FL	L	1983	1987	4	Acquitted
32	Robert Wallace	GA	B	1980	1987	7	Acquitted
33	Richard Neal Jones	OK	W	1983	1987	4	Acquitted
34	Willie Brown	FL	B	1983	1988	5	Charges Dismissed
35	Larry Troy	FL	B	1983	1988	5	Charges Dismissed
36	Randall Dale Adams	TX	W	1977	1989	12	Charges Dismissed
37	Robert Cox	FL	W	1988	1989	1	Charges Dismissed
38	Timothy Hennis	NC	W	1986	1989	3	Acquitted
39	James Richardson	FL	B	1968	1989	21	Acquitted
40	Clarence Brandley	TX	B	1981	1990	9	Charges Dismissed
41	John C. Skelton	TX	W	1983	1990	7	Acquitted
42	Dale Johnston	OH	W	1984	1990	6	Charges Dismissed
43	Jimmy Lee Mathers	AZ	W	1987	1990	3	Acquitted
44	Gary Nelson	GA	B	1980	1991	11	Charges Dismissed
45	Bradley P. Scott	FL	W	1988	1991	3	Acquitted
46	Charles Smith	IN	B	1983	1991	8	Acquitted
47	Jay C. Smith	PA	W	1986	1992	6	Acquitted
48	Kirk Bloodsworth	MD	W	1984	1993	9	Charges Dismissed	Yes
49	Federico M. Macias	TX	L	1984	1993	9	Charges Dismissed
50	Walter McMillian	AL	B	1988	1993	5	Charges Dismissed
51	Gregory R. Wilhoit	OK	W	1987	1993	6	Acquitted
52	James Robison	AZ	W	1977	1993	16	Acquitted
53	Muneer Deeb	TX	O	1985	1993	8	Acquitted
54	Andrew Golden	FL	W	1991	1994	3	Charges Dismissed
55	Joseph Burrows	IL	W	1989	1994	5	Charges Dismissed
56	Adolph Munson	OK	B	1985	1995	10	Acquitted
57	Robert Charles Cruz	AZ	L	1981	1995	14	Acquitted
58	Rolando Cruz	IL	L	1985	1995	10	Acquitted	Yes
59	Alejandro Hernandez	IL	L	1985	1995	10	Charges Dismissed	Yes
60	Sabrina Butler	MS	B	1990	1995	5	Acquitted
61	Verneal Jimerson	IL	B	1985	1996	11	Charges Dismissed	Yes
62	Dennis Williams	IL	B	1979	1996	17	Charges Dismissed	Yes
63	Roberto Miranda	NV	L	1982	1996	14	Charges Dismissed
64	Gary Gauger	IL	W	1993	1996	3	Charges Dismissed
65	Troy Lee Jones	CA	B	1982	1996	14	Charges Dismissed
66	Carl Lawson	IL	B	1990	1996	6	Acquitted
67	David Wayne Grannis	AZ	W	1991	1996	5	Charges Dismissed
68	Ricardo Aldape Guerra	TX	L	1982	1997	15	Charges Dismissed
69	Benjamin Harris	WA	B	1985	1997	12	Charges Dismissed
70	Robert Hayes	FL	B	1991	1997	6	Acquitted
71	Randall Padgett	AL	W	1992	1997	5	Acquitted
72	James Bo Cochran	AL	B	1976	1997	21	Acquitted
73	Robert Lee Miller, Jr.	OK	B	1988	1998	10	Charges Dismissed	Yes
74	Curtis Kyles	LA	B	1984	1998	14	Charges Dismissed
75	Shareef Cousin	LA	B	1996	1999	3	Charges Dismissed
76	Anthony Porter	IL	B	1983	1999	16	Charges Dismissed
77	Steven Smith	IL	B	1985	1999	14	Acquitted
78	Ronald Williamson	OK	W	1988	1999	11	Charges Dismissed	Yes
79	Ronald Jones	IL	B	1989	1999	10	Charges Dismissed	Yes
80	Clarence Dexter, Jr.	MO	W	1991	1999	8	Charges Dismissed
81	Warren Douglas Manning	SC	B	1989	1999	10	Acquitted
82	Alfred Rivera	NC	L	1997	1999	2	Charges Dismissed
83	Steve Manning	IL	W	1993	2000	7	Charges Dismissed
84	Eric Clemmons	MO	B	1987	2000	13	Acquitted
85	Joseph Nahume Green	FL	B	1993	2000	7	Charges Dismissed
86	Earl Washington	VA	B	1984	2000	16	Pardoned	Yes
87	William Nieves	PA	L	1994	2000	6	Acquitted
88	Frank Lee Smith ** died prior to exoneration	FL	B	1986	2000 **	14	Charges Dismissed	Yes
89	Michael Graham	LA	W	1987	2000	13	Charges Dismissed
90	Albert Burrell	LA	W	1987	2000	13	Charges Dismissed
91	Oscar Lee Morris	CA	B	1983	2000	17	Charges Dismissed
92	Peter Limone	MA	W	1968	2001	33	Charges Dismissed
93	Gary Drinkard	AL	W	1995	2001	6	Charges Dismissed
94	Joaquin Jose Martinez	FL	L	1997	2001	4	Acquitted
95	Jeremy Sheets	NE	W	1997	2001	4	Charges Dismissed
96	Charles Fain	ID	W	1983	2001	18	Charges Dismissed	Yes
97	Juan Roberto Melendez	FL	L	1984	2002	18	Charges Dismissed
98	Ray Krone	AZ	W	1992	2002	10	Charges Dismissed	Yes
99	Thomas Kimbell, Jr.	PA	W	1998	2002	4	Acquitted
100	Larry Osborne	KY	W	1999	2002	3	Charges Dismissed
101	Aaron Patterson	IL	B	1986	2003	17	Pardoned
102	Madison Hobley	IL	B	1987	2003	16	Pardoned
103	Leroy Orange	IL	B	1984	2003	19	Pardoned
104	Stanley Howard	IL	B	1987	2003	16	Pardoned
105	Rudolph Holton	FL	B	1986	2003	16	Charges Dismissed
106	Lemuel Prion	AZ	W	1999	2003	4	Charges Dismissed
107	Wesley Quick	AL	W	1997	2003	6	Acquitted
108	John Thompson	LA	B	1985	2003	18	Acquitted
109	Timothy Howard	OH	B	1976	2003	26	Charges Dismissed
110	Gary Lamar James	OH	B	1976	2003	26	Charges Dismissed
111	Joseph Amrine	MO	B	1986	2003	17	Charges Dismissed
112	Nicholas Yarris	PA	W	1982	2003	21	Charges Dismissed
113	Alan Gell	NC	W	1998	2004	6	Acquitted
114	Gordon Steidl	IL	W	1987	2004	17	Charges Dismissed
115	Dan L. Bright	LA	B	1996	2004	8	Charges Dismissed
116	Ryan Matthews	LA	B	1999	2004	5	Charges Dismissed	Yes
117	Ernest Ray Willis	TX	W	1987	2004	17	Charges Dismissed

---

Average number of years between being sentenced to death and exoneration: 9.025 years

Number of cases wherein DNA played a substantial factor in establishing innocence: 14

*List is ordered by year of release, thus numbers may vary from those in the DPIC reports.
**DNA played a substantial factor in establishing the innocence of the inmate

DPIC used a number of resources when first developing the above list. The earlier cases are based heavily on the work of Hugo Adam Bedau and Michael L. Radelet. (See also, Radelet, Michael et al.., "Prisoners released from death rows since 1970 because of doubts about their guilt"; 13 Thomas M. Cooley Law Review 907 (1996)).  See also, Hugo Bedau and Michael Radelet, "Miscarriages of justice in potentially capital cases"; 40 Stanford Law Review 21 (1987) and Michael L. Radelet and Hugo Adam Bedau, "In Spite of Innocence," Northeastern University Press (1992).

---

For specific information about each case, see Cases of Innocence
Return to Innocence and the Death Penalty

You see that? 117 cases in 31 years.........not quite the 400 in five years you claimed, huh?

As for your statements:

There are more than 400 people that have been exonerated over the last 5 years from death row because they were convicted because of circumstantial evidence--what do you say about that? hmmm...

I say the same thing I said hours ago: it's a pack of lies.

Later the real criminal was found guilty.

Yet another claim you cannot substantiate.

So, why then--were they exonerated if circumstantial evidence proves guilt?

Where is ANY fact that says they were ALL found guilty on circumstantial evidence?

I think that your statement that they have all been found guilty by circumstantial evidence has absolutey NO basis in fact. None.

As do most of your posts.

[Howlin]

Please DO Tell what was my outright lies???? Quote them buddy.

I just did; see post 623.

You need to learn that FR isn't a place to come and BS; we actually HAVE facts around here -- or we know how to get them.

And I am not your buddy. I don't care for posters who don't know what they're talking about.

[theconservativerepublican]

And please tell since im the dense one here, how well did YOU do on your SAT? How about your LSAT? Oh thats right. Your only a court reporter--exactly what my neighbor is. Sweet lady, but no special education for that job.

[theconservativerepublican]

so what if its only 117? That is still 117 people that were convicted because of circumstantial evidence, or do you still not get that?

[sport]

And I hope that the State "wrongly" executes him.

[Howlin]

but no special education for that job.

And you're a prime example that an education doesn't mean you're smart.

[Howlin]

so what if its only 117? That is still 117 people that were convicted because of circumstantial evidence, or do you still not get that?

So what? You, the smarta$$ college student, here to tell us what's what, was POSITIVE for 600 posts that 400 convicted people had been removed from DEATH ROW, and in 5 years, to boot; now those were YOUR words -- YOUR claim; nobody on this thread MADE you say them.

Be a big boy and admit you lied.

[theconservativerepublican]

I admit I misquoted and apologize. Did I intentionally mislead? No.
You be a big boy and admit that circumstantial evidence doesnt always prove guilt and you and I will be on the same page here.

[valleygal]

actually I think he did it, but maybe with help or maybe NOT the way the prosecution said. This guy was found guilty with LOTS less evidence than what OJ was found NOT guilty with. Meaning there was alot more evidence that OJ was guilty than this guy Scott.

Did you follow the OJ trial? The verdict had nothing to do with the evidence. Jury members said their verdict was payback for Rodney King.

I also believe Geragos attempt to tip the boat over took three tries. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[theconservativerepublican]

agreed

[Howlin]

You be a big boy and admit that circumstantial evidence doesnt always prove guilt

Kindly link ANY posts where I said that; I can wait all night for you to find one.

and you and I will be on the same page here.

You and I aren't ever going to be on the same page; ever; I don't like posters who don't back up their statements, period.

You have made so many mistatements on this thread it may well be a forum record.

[theconservativerepublican]

Did you lie when you said sonar equipment cant pick up concrete under water, misquote or really didnt know what you were talking about?

[Howlin]

Sonar can't pick up ANYTHING covered with silt, which any anchors certainly would be by now.

Do you think it looks like the bottom of an aquarium down there?

[valleygal]

I don't believe the jury was "shuffled" to get a guilty verdict, as you say.

The woman who was released did her own research as others have said. Big no-no. Juror number five, the doctor-lawyer foreman asked to be taken off and told the judge he couldn't render a verdict.

[theconservativerepublican]

once again, I have backed up everything I have said except for the 400 exonerated, but yes I did back up the fact that people are exonerated that were falsely accused did I not? Rather it be 117 or 400, those people were exonerated Howlin!
I backed it up with even more proof from the Northwestern Law School website that YOU said was wrong...Man you are smart. Shouldnt we start the Howlin Law School since you also know more than they?

[Howlin]

And you avoided my question:

and admit that circumstantial evidence doesnt always prove guilt

Link ANY post where I said that.

You know, I'm beginning to think you don't even know what circumstantial evidence is.

[theconservativerepublican]

I agree with you here, but remember the Jury also did an "experiment" with the boat which is also "Usually" a no-no, but the Judge didnt call a mistrial. Another example of the guy wanting the case to get over with.

[Howlin]

those people were exonerated Howlin!

Actually, you said that they were exonerated because of circumstantial evidence and that the "real" killer were found.

Not a word of that is true OR substantiated by you.

I looked at those 117 people; MOST of them were released on technicalities; not too many of them were found NOT GUILTY.