Posted on 01/17/2003 4:05:53 AM PST by runningbear
Friends of Laci Peterson, missing since Dec. 24, pray on Friday, January 10 outside of the Laci Peterson Volunteer Center. Police informed Laci's family Wednesday that they believe Scott Peterson, Laci's husband, is responsible for her disappearance.
Joan Barnett Lee/The Bee
Laci Peterson’s family says police disclosed affair, insurance policy
January 16, 2003 Posted: 11:21:00 PM PST
BY TY PHILLIPS
BEE STAFF WRITER
Modesto police told Laci Peterson’s family that her husband was having an affair and recently took out a $250,000 life insurance policy on her, a family member said Thursday.
Detectives met with Laci Peterson’s side of the family Wednesday night to tell them why they believe Scott Peterson is responsible for the disappearance of his 27-year-old pregnant wife, the family member said.
Police refused to comment on the investigation Thursday, and Scott Peterson did not return calls Thursday night. “I don’t think she ever saw it coming,” said the family member, who asked not to be identified. “As to exactly what happened to her, I don’t really know.”
According to the family member, detectives told the family that:
Peterson took out a $250,000 life insurance policy on his wife last summer, after she got pregnant. Peterson was having an affair with a woman in the Fresno area. Detectives showed family members pictures of Peterson and the woman posing together.
Laci Peterson was reported missing on Christmas Eve. Scott Peterson, 30, has told police he went fishing that morning in Berkeley and could not find his wife once he returned home that evening.
“We’re not going to confirm or deny anything,” Police Chief Roy Wasden said. “We’re not going to discuss this investigation.”
Wasden said Peterson had not been eliminated from the investigation. He said that about 200 registered sex offenders, parolees, and mentally ill homeless people — as well as many people close to Laci Peterson — had been ruled out in her disappearance.
“If he’s innocent, fine, then take a lie detector test,” the family member said. “At first, he told us he was willing to. But then he said he talked to his parents and they told him not to.”
Laci Peterson’s friends and family did not open the volunteer search center at the Red Lion Hotel Thursday for the first time since opening there about three weeks ago. It appeared that the center would not open again.
“Obviously, it was hard to close it down,” said a longtime friend of Laci Peterson’s, who asked not to be identified. “Everybody’s numb right now. It’s hard to hear that (Scott Peterson) is not the person we all thought he was.”
Since the case began, Peterson declined most interview requests, telling friends and family he wanted to keep the emphasis on his wife. On Thursday, he talked to a reporter from Sacramento-area TV station KCRA.
“I really don’t care what people think of me as long as it continues to keep Laci’s picture, description, tip line in the media,” Peterson said. “Make me the biggest villain if you want to as long as it keeps her picture in the press. … They can think anything they want of me. Let’s find Laci.”
The change was not lost on Laci Peterson’s family. “All of a sudden, Scott is talking to the media,” the family member said. “He is realizing people are finding out about the girlfriend, so he’d better go out there and do some damage control.”
Before Thursday’s interview, Peterson had issued only one public statement in the form of a message written in black marker that hung in the volunteer center:
Volunteers:
As I see every person come through this door, or out searching, I tell Laci about them, looking for her. Early this morning, I felt she could hear me. She thanks you. Laci’s husband
Investigators met with the family Wednesday because they wanted to disclose information before it came out in the National Enquirer on Thursday, the family member said.
(Excerpt) Read more at modbee.com ...
"According to the family member, detectives told the family that:
Peterson took out a $250,000 life insurance policy on his wife last summer, after she got pregnant.
Peterson was having an affair with a woman in the Fresno area. Detectives showed family members pictures of Peterson and the woman posing together.
This is one sick puppy. How cruel he is!
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As well he should, if he is quilty. Somebody just needs to produce Laci and the unborn child. This is so sad.
On another note, if he were my son, even if he was innocent, I wouldn't want him taking a lie detector test. It won't get you off the hook if you pass and can sure convict you in the eyes of the press if it is even "iffy". Some technicians are not as competent as others. Why risk indictment by incompetence?
I don't know the culpability of the husband, as the facts aren't yet known. However, I find this particular revelation highly suspicious. But more on the part of the police, because of the implication. I don't know any insurance company that would issue a $250,000 policy without a physical and blood tests, which would require some knowledge on his wife's part.
I agree 100 percent. There is a reason that lie detector test results are inadmissible in evidence. It's witch doctory as far as detecting lies - what it detects is sweating and muscle contractions. An honest but nervous person will go off the charts, but a sociopath will lie like a rug and never budge the needle.
Polygraphs are used mostly to scare folks. Convenience stores and similar employers use them in investigations to frighten employees into behaving -- and police use them to try to winkle confessions out of suspects.
We had a famous (and funny) case here in GA where a couple of enterprising small town policemen hooked a suspect up to a Rube Goldberg gizmo they built out of a door buzzer, a couple of batteries, and two metal bars they gave the guy to hold. They'd question him, he'd give 'em an answer, and one of the cops would hit the buzzer and yell, "You're lying! The machine says you're lying!" Eventually the guy confessed - but the confession was thrown out of court. . . . once the judge stopped laughing.
That said, it isn't looking good for hubby right now. The "drip-drip-drip" of circumstances is starting to accumulate.
I read somewhere that they found a bunch of empty concrete bags in his warehouse? And that he said he'd been making boat anchors?
I feel so bad for that family (both her family and his)
ALL those lives destroyed _ and Laci and her baby killed taking the hope and promise of a new grandchild and what should've been such a happy event in all their lives...
I often wonder how his parents could ever stand by him when they realize their son is a murdering monster of his wife and the baby.
I remember that case vividly since I was pregnant myself at the time - it was so heartbreaking and disturbing....
and I recall it was 'late '89... about 13 yrs ago.
That creep did everyone a favor by killing himself (jumped off a bridge?)
I would imagine they are 'watching' Scott for similar suicidal behaivor.
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