Peterson tackles rumors, reports

The Modesto Bee ^ | Jan 30, 2003 | Ty Phillips

[runningbear]

Peterson tackles rumors, reports
ADRIAN MENDOZA/THE BEE

At center, Los Angeles radio station KFI radio personality Ken Chiampou broadcasts live as he and other members of the media go to Scott Peterson's side gate after he arrives home Wednesday afternoon. Peterson later ordered the media off his property.

Scott Peterson talks with Modesto police officers Billy Hamilton, left, and G.E. Paglione as they arrive at his house to answer a complaint.

Peterson tackles rumors, reports

By TY PHILLIPS
BEE STAFF WRITER

Scott Peterson conducted several televised interviews at his home on Wednesday, address-ing numerous allegations and rumors surrounding the investigation into the disappearance of his wife, Laci.

By 5 p.m., more than a dozen TV trucks had set up camp near the Petersons' house on Covena Avenue in Modesto's La Loma neighborhood.

Wednesday night, Peterson called police when other reporters -- hopeful for an interview -- followed him to his back gate and remained on his property after he told them to leave. Officers arrived, stayed 10 minutes and left, making no arrests.

Peterson declined to be interviewed by The Bee, saying that he was upset with two articles the newspaper had published.

One of the articles described Peterson at a New Year's Eve vigil for his wife, saying he was laughing and smiling a good deal of the time. He did not say what the other story was.

"With the feelings I have about the newspaper right now, I am not interested in talking," Peterson said by phone. "The articles need to have more with Laci in them and not be focused on me."

Laci Peterson's family reported her missing Christmas Eve. The 27-year-old is more than eight months pregnant with her first child.

Scott Peterson, 30, said he last saw his wife at 9:30 a.m. the day before Christmas when he left for a fishing trip and she prepared to go for a walk with their dog.

Police say they have not named Scott Peterson as a suspect, nor have they ruled him out of the investigation.

Wednesday began with the second part of Peterson's videotaped interview on ABC Television's "Good Morning America," with co-host

Diane Sawyer talking not only with Peterson but with his family.

In the interview, Peterson said:

Both he and Laci have $250,000 life insurance policies, taken out two years ago. He called untrue a report that he took out such a policy on his wife only last summer.

His wife may not have opened the drapes Christmas Eve morning because it was probably 40 degrees outside, and keeping the drapes closed helps keep the house warm. Family members and neighbors have said that Laci Peterson opened the drapes every day.

He routinely cuts his hands in his work on farms. Peterson, a fertilizer salesman, made the comment and showed his hands in response to reports that police had found blood in one of his and Laci's vehicles.

He loaded large umbrellas to take to his warehouse on Christmas Eve. A neighbor reportedly saw Peterson putting something into a vehicle that day.

During the interview, Peterson described his marriage as "glorious" even though he admitted to cheating on his pregnant wife. "We took care of each other very well," he said. "She was amazing. She is amazing."

Asked about the baby boy due within weeks, he responded: "That was, it's so hard."

At his home, Peterson sat down with several news outlets. He went through the interviews alone, without an attorney.

Speaking with Gloria Gomez of Sacramento TV station KOVR, Peterson explained why he said he told his wife about his affair with Amber Frey: "It was the right thing to do. And, as you know, when you're not doing the right thing, it eats you up. You know you feel sick to your stomach and you can't function. And you have a hard time, you know, looking at someone."

Throughout Wednesday, people drove and walked by the Peterson house, apparently to get a closer look.

"It's innocent until proven guilty in a court of law," said Elvira Varse, who lives a few streets away. "But he's guilty until he's proven innocent in this neighborhood."

Among the media throng was a pair of shock jocks from a Los Angeles radio station. When Peterson came home, one of them yelled into a megaphone: "Nobody believes your story."

Lyanne Melendez, a reporter with San Francisco radio station KGO, walked up to the shock jocks' radio van and told the DJs: "That's just bad journalism."

One of them responded: "We're not journalists. We're entertainers."

Bee staff photographer Adrian Mendoza contributed to this report.

Bee staff writer Ty Phillips can be reached at 578-2331 or tphillips@modbee.com.

Posted: January 30, 2003 @ 05:30:15 AM PST

[homeschool mama]

**I never saw The Modesto Bee assert that that cup in his hand was a drink**

Maybe it was the Sacramento Bee. Both are called The Bee for short.

[Devil_Anse]

Oh, so that's it! I was wondering about the airport scenes, too. But that makes perfect sense.

Isn't it nice that Scott still had someone to meet him at the airport? (Journalists with cameras?)

[Howlin]

As I understand it and have heard it discussed, the law in California, as instructed to a jury, is that if you tell ONE LIE everything else you say can be considered a lie.

He is so over.

[jdontom]

Thanks to Registered for this Picture, we will use it often..........

[uncitizen]

Every time he opens his mouth he's playing right into the cops hands. It's all about "inconsistent statements" at this point.

[homeschool mama]

I read that too, sunshine. Sooooo sad.

[Howlin]

All he really accomplished with this new revelation, was to give himself less time to actually fish

I guess that answers the question about why he never stopped for gas or food (supposedly). There just wasn't time, was there? :-)

[homeschool mama]

I wonder if plain clothes law enforcement took the same flights and followed him around in NYC.

[uncitizen]

My mouth dropped on that umbrella thing too. I thought he wrapped her body in it. And funny how he never said anything about any umbrella's or going to his office until a neighbor reported seeing him leave the house carrying that big blue tarp.

[Velveeta]

Jay Leno: "On Good Morning America...this slimy Scott Peterson...the husband of that poor missing woman there in Modesto...said that his missing wife knew he was having an affair, but they never even had a fight about it. He called it an 'inappropriate romantic relationship while married.' Stop the presses, I think the Democrats have found their 2004 presidential nominee!"

[uncitizen]

I can't imagine that the Scott we see talking on TV is the same person Laci's family knew and was defending that first week. "Oh Scott is a wonderful husband...perfect relationship...doting on her all the time..." Now he comes off like a totally selfish prick. That can't be the same person they knew. Scott must be a psychopath.

[homeschool mama]

bump

[uncitizen]

Yes, it seems like every excuse Scott and his family make, makes no sense. Like they expect us to buy arguments that are illogical. Like when Greta asked Scotts friend "does it bother you that Scott's blood was found in the truck?" and he said "No". And Greta followed up with "Well would you be bothered if you found out Laci's blood was in the truck" and he said "No".

[uncitizen]

Judging by the way Scotts family is "defending" him. (They're doing a sh***y job btw), they don't believe he's innocent anymore. They're just trying to keep him out of jail at this point.

[Wednesday's Child]

Maybe he was happy that he still had the receipt. And if he does still have it, I wonder at what point he'll try to return it? Probably not too soon though, afterall, he still has so many things to do like arrange interviews, "possibly" play a few rounds of golf, AND search for Laci....... he's just so, so busy.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

He can always keep and and give it to his next paramour.

" Beware scuzzy men bearing Louis Vuitton Wallets".

[bonfire]

Sorry if this has been answered: I believe Jeffrey MacDonald sitting in jail now. The author who wrote a book about this case went into it thinking MacDonald was innocent. By the time he was done interviewing him, he had changed his mind. The book, much to MacDonald's suprise, was slanted towards his guilt.

[Freedom2specul8]

I apologize for not addressing that post to you too. I was thinking florida and valleygal were the only oranizers. my bad!!

This thing is really taking off..totally awesome. I hope that Donna Raley et al will partner up with you guys. I can see this getting big.

I had some ideas..... maybe you guys could start some kind of an online newsletter..one that is just sent out to people via their emails if they posted one. you could update the progress, give ideas and suggestiosn for what they could do in their local states... request suggestions.

Topica.com is free and you can fix it so the recipients are not able to reply except to you guys only.

A small one page webpage with a link to the petition and a link to sign up for the newsletter could even increase exposure..maybe put it on some webrings..

Just some thoughts!

[Freedom2specul8]

oranizers = organizers

[spectre]

LOL. Guess he didn't have to make any "potty stops either.

Unless he just P'd over the side of the boat? He WAS invisible, ya know.

sw