Peterson continuing to stay mum

The Modesto Bee ^ | Posted: January 27, 2003 @ 04:45:12 AM PST | Patick Giblin

[runningbear]

Peterson continuing to stay mum

Peterson continuing to stay mum

By PATRICK GIBLIN
BEE STAFF WRITER

John Walsh, the host of TV's "The John Walsh Show" and "America's Most Wanted," said he has pleaded with Scott Peterson to answer questions and make a public statement.

Peterson refused, Walsh said Sunday after taping "The John Walsh Show" in Modesto.

"I talked to Scott on the phone for about 45 minutes and his parents for about an hour," Walsh said in the lobby of the DoubleTree Hotel. "I said, 'You need to show you are cooperating with the police fully, and you need to clarify the situation.'"

Peterson's wife, Laci Peterson, vanished Christmas Eve. Scott Peterson told police he went fishing that morning and his wife had plans to walk their dog in East La Loma Park.

Since then, police have said they have not been able to eliminate Peterson as a suspect in his wife's disappearance. Laci Peterson's family said two weeks ago that police told them Scott Peterson was having an affair, a report that Peterson has called "a bunch of lies."

Peterson has not given an extensive media interview since his wife disappeared, though he has talked briefly with some reporters.

A volunteer center used to coordinate efforts to find Laci Peterson was closed the day after police talked to her family.

Friday, the Modesto Police Department held a news conference where 28-year-old Fresno area resident Amber Frey said she had a recent romantic relationship with Peterson, but did not know he is married.

Walsh said he told Peterson that the affair is "old news" and the investigation needs to refocus on finding Laci. He said he reminded Peterson that the parents of Danielle van Dam, a 7-year-old who was murdered last year in San Diego County, came forward and admitted that their lifestyles didn't meet everyone's moral standards.

"That put everyone's attention back on the victim, and a man was arrested and then convicted for the murder because the parents stepped up to the plate," Walsh said he told Peterson. "That's what you need to do."

Despite the conversation, Peterson still declined to appear on Walsh's shows, which will air at 2 p.m. Thursday on KQCA-58.

"We just don't understand why he won't talk," Walsh said. "I told him that when Adam went missing, I would have stood naked in the middle of Times Square and let people shoot at me just to get my son back."

Adam, Walsh's 6-year-old son, disappeared in Florida in 1981 and was found murdered. No one was ever convicted in the case. The incident prompted Walsh to lobby for children's rights and to host the show "America's Most Wanted."

No comment from Peterson family

Peterson's parents had agreed to an interview for the show, but changed their minds after talking to Scott, Walsh said.

"Scott's father called up and said he agreed it was time for Scott to start defending himself," Walsh said.

Steve Howard, spokesman for the Peterson family, said Sunday he did not have any comments on the case.

"Nothing is pending," Howard said. "There's nothing I can say right now."

Without Peterson, Walsh spent his morning filming in front of the Peterson home on Covena Avenue.

[MaggieMay]

If she was informed she had a STD, that could certainly be a trigger event. Even more so being 8 months pregnant.

[iaf97]

The other possibility is that he gave another name and that is why Scott thought that he might not get caught especially if he stayed out of the way of the camera.

[texasbluebell]

I will stick up for that man any time, any place. A more persecuted Detective is hard to come by. Mark has met the challenge of lifting himself up to make a comeback. He has my respect and admiration. He is NOT a liar or a Racist.

Agree so much. Fuhrman was badly maligned by the media, not to mention OJ's legal team. He's an impressive guy.

[spectre]

Ping for Dan Abrams MSNBC interview with Laci's Mom at the top of the hour. 5pm Central.

sw

[spectre]

Ping for MSNBC Dan A. interview with Laci's Mom coming up at 5pm CST.

[Freedom2specul8]

I didn't like fuhrman's comments on numerous cases--he had made some factual errors and had based his opinion partly on that..however I have no opinion to the him as a person.

Regardless, getting reamed for appreciating his opinion is just wrong.

BTW, speaking of tv folks who don't always have it right, did you watch the LKL episode on nancy grace? As a prosecutor, she won ALL of the cases that she had that went to trial (100% win) the rest she settled out of court. She said she won over 100 cases. What a surprise.

I know that we can't expect fuhrman, grace et al, to have all the facts about cases they aren't prosecuting or investigating...so I can't hold this against them completely..

[Freedom2specul8]

Thanks for the heads up...

[job]

Prosecutors have a notoriously high average. Settle the close ones, try the slam dunks.

[Freedom2specul8]

I did not know that..I think it was reported that night that the defense attys said she won so many cuz she appealed to the emotions of the jury...and got emotionally involved in the cases herself. She said the defense attys labeled her as an unfair prosecutor and therefore blocked her numerous attempts to become a judge.

[spectre]

Yes, Kim...I watched a little of it...and I KNOW how much you adore her. And you know why I don't :~)

sw

[Freedom2specul8]

Honest to God, I swear I did not look up to her,quote her or use her as a reference. I normally muted the tv and listened to online radio. That was a falsehood by people who were mad about me wrt:my westerfield stance.
I will tell you that her story about her fiance was heartwrencing.

[Freedom2specul8]

PS: I know how much you like to hear her voice.. ;-)

[spectre]

Sharon Rocha, Laci's Mother, is making another plea to Scott to tell all he knows.

She feels because he has not been cleared yet, she thinks LE have information they don't have.

She spoke to Scott a week ago, Friday, and he didn't answer her questions.

What a jerk.

[spectre]

KIM!!!

[Freedom2specul8]

I couldn't resist.

I turned the tv on and kept waiting for Laci's mom to appear...then I realized I turned to the wrong channel.

Ratz..I missed the first 1/2.

[Mrs.Liberty]

I feel as if I have stepped into a bizarre universe, watching you two banter back and forth on these Laci threads ;)

[Wolfstar]

If what we have been told is correct, by Christmas Eve, Amber had known Scott for a grand total of 25 days. She met him on Nov. 30th. Christmas Eve, of course, is Dec. 24, and we know he did not spend that day with Amber. He did have a receipt for the San Francisco Bay marina, so he did go there on that day.

Fresno, where Amber is from, is roughly 80 miles from Modesto, where Scott and Laci lived. Given this distance, one has to wonder how frequently Scott even saw Amber between 11-30 and 12-23. Their relationship might have been what passes for "romantic" these days, but unless he told Amber a pack of lies along the lines that he didn't have anyone to spend Christmas with, I have to agree with you that her expectation of spending Christmas with him is unusual.

[Freedom2specul8]

I know there are a couple of others who said similar things to me. :) I'm glad we were able to not hold grudges..I think she's a sweetie off the dw threads. Ha ha ha

[Freedom2specul8]

I heard on Abrams show that sp's mom's did not know about the affair until after the press conference with Amber. She called Laci's mom Friday night about it.

[TexKat]

Kim, On the Abrams Report Mrs Rocha said that Laci and Scott was scheduled to be at the Rochas at 6 pm on Dec. 24.

What time did Scott return from his fishing trip on Dec 24?

Sharon Rocha said that Scott will not answer any of their questions.

Mrs. Rocha said that Amber was very brave coming forth with the info.

Mrs Rocha said that she had talked to Mrs. Peterson lately and that the Petersons are shocked after Ambers press conference. Dan Abrams asked Mrs. Rocha whether she felt that the Petersons were questioning Scott and Mrs. Rocha said no, she did not feel that. However Mrs. Rocha said she believed that the Peterson parents loves Laci and want her to return also.