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Laci's things in tug of war
The Modesto Bee ^ | May 31, 2003 | Garth Stapely and John Cote'

Posted on 05/31/2003 8:41:50 AM PDT by runningbear

Laci's things in tug of war


Laci Peterson's brother Brent Rocha loads a rocking chair from her Modesto home into the back of a truck Friday morning.

Laci's things in tug of war

By GARTH STAPLEY and JOHN COTÉ

BEE STAFF WRITERS

Published: May 31, 2003, 07:16:10 AM PDT

Laci Peterson's family and friends removed truckloads of items from the slain Modesto woman's house on Friday, touching off controversy between her family and that of her husband.

Police responded to the Covena Avenue home at about 10 a.m. after a security company reported that the alarm had been triggered, Capt. Greg Savelli said.

Officers determined that Laci Peterson's family and friends were removing items that belonged to Laci, said Savelli, who added that officers documented what was taken.

"We're treating this as a civil dispute over property," he said. "It was clear to the Police Department that this was not a burglary.

Peterson's husband, Scott, 30, has been charged with double murder and faces the death penalty in the killings of his 27-year-old wife and their unborn son, Conner.

Savelli said the fallout from Friday's property removal "was best handled between the families and their attorneys."

Adam Stewart, an attorney for Laci Peterson's family, said the family had been in contact with Scott Peterson's defense team, who had agreed to allow Laci's mother, Sharon Rocha, to go through the house on Tuesday. She was to be accompanied by representatives of the defense team, and all items taken were to be photographed and videotaped.

Scott Peterson's parents and lawyers expressed outrage that the Rochas did not follow the agreement.

Jackie Peterson said the people who went into the home Friday had "absolutely no permission to be in that house. I have a lot of empathy for Sharon, but she does not have a right to go in our house and take what she wants."

Rocha did not appear to be among the packers. Calls placed to the Rocha home were not accepted.

Seven vehicles loaded

Among the items loaded into seven vehicles were a crib, a rocking chair and a box with Graco printed on the outside. Graco makes such products as strollers, highchairs and car seats.

Laci Peterson's family announced Wednesday that it had hired attorneys to help recover items from the house. A list included her wedding dress, jewelry and Conner's crib.

Jackie Peterson told The Bee that the security company notified her by telephone in San Diego County that the house alarm had been tripped.

The property removal appeared to take Scott Peterson's defense team by surprise.

Matthew Dalton, an attorney with lead defense attorney Mark Geragos' law firm, drove to the house and asked reporters if someone had reported a burglary.

Dalton went to Stewart's Modesto law office Friday morning and dropped off some items requested by the Rocha family, Stewart said.

Monday, the defense team moved other items, including what appeared to be gifts, to the Modesto office of defense co-counsel Kirk McAllister, for transfer to Laci Peterson's family. But the items had not been picked up by Friday morning, McAllister said.

Stewart said in front of the home that it would be "ridiculous" to suggest that the Rochas broke into the home.

"I apologize for it coming down to this," he said. "This is not the way we operate. This is for Laci, for Conner and Laci's family. It is not for the media or Mr. Scott Peterson's defense in any way, shape or form. It's depressing that it's come down to this."

Stanislaus County Chief Deputy District Attorney John Goold said prosecutors had no legal authority over the house.

"It's not a crime scene," Goold said. " This is a civil problem between the Rochas and the Petersons."

The house title is in Laci and Scott Petersons' names, county records show. In such a joint tenancy, when one titleholder dies, the title goes to the other.

------------------------------------------------------------

Incident brings Peterson case close to home
Victim's family moves items from house, raising the issue of ownership.

Incident brings Peterson case close to home
Victim's family moves items from house, raising the issue of ownership.

By Garth Stapley and John Coté
The Modesto Bee

(Published Saturday, May 31, 2003, 4:47 AM)

MODESTO -- Laci Peterson's family and friends removed truckloads of items from the slain Modesto woman's house Friday, touching off controversy between her family and that of her husband.

Police officers were dispatched after a security company notified them that the alarm at the Covena Avenue home had been triggered, Capt. Greg Savelli said.

Officers determined that members of the Rocha family and friends of Laci Peterson were removing items that belonged to the slain woman and documented what was taken, Savelli said.

"We're treating this as a civil dispute over property," he said. "It was clear to the police department that this was not a burglary. It was a dispute over property and was best handled between the families and their attorneys."

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Judge cites Peterson right to fair trial in denying report access

Judge cites Peterson right to fair trial in denying report access

By JOHN COTÉ
BEE STAFF WRITER

Published: May 31, 2003, 07:16:56 AM PDT

A Stanislaus County judge on Friday ordered that arrest and search warrants remain sealed in the case against Scott Peterson, who is accused of murdering his pregnant wife and unborn son.

Superior Court Judge Al Giro-lami's ruling also ordered the autopsy reports for Laci and Conner to stay sealed.

Thursday, District Attorney James Brazelton reversed his position and asked to have the autopsy reports made public, and the matter is set for hearing June 6.

Brazelton's about-face came after part of the fetus's autopsy report was leaked to the media. Prosecutors said that portion was clearly "skewed in favor of the defense."

Defense attorneys, coroner's officials, police and prosecutors have denied leaking the information.

Friday, in his ruling on all the documents, Girolami said releasing them "might irreparably harm the continued investigation into this criminal matter."

"Despite the fact that the complaint has been issued and a suspect has been arrested, the investigation and search for both incriminating and exonerating evidence in this matter continues," Girolami wrote.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys argued that releasing the documents could impede Peterson's right to a fair trial and damage an ongoing investigation.

Girolami agreed, saying in his ruling that releasing the documents "might result in the evidence being destroyed and witnesses being reluctant to step forward."

A group of newspapers, including The Bee, are seeking to have the documents unsealed.

Right to view reports argued

Charity Kenyon, an attorney representing the newspapers, argued that the public's right to view court documents was fundamental in an open legal system.

Other means exist for ensuring

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Judge orders Laci Peterson autopsy report sealed

Judge orders Laci Peterson autopsy report sealed

The Modesto Bee

The Associated Press

Published: May 31, 2003, 06:49:17 AM PDT

MODESTO, Calif. (AP) - A judge ruled Friday that an autopsy report on the deaths of Laci Peterson and her unborn son should remain sealed along with other search warrant and arrest records.

Superior Court Judge Al Girolami said releasing the information could hamper the murder investigation and prejudice public opinion before a trial begins.

Girolami is scheduled to hear more arguments June 6 from prosecutors preparing a murder case against Peterson's husband, Scott Peterson. Prosecutors on Thursday asked that the autopsy reports be released to the public. They argued that media leaks of the reports are biased toward the defense.

Girolami also ordered that leaks of sealed information stop and indicated he would consider a gag order to stop the prosecution and defense teams from talking to the media.

Scott Peterson, 30, is accused of killing his wife and unborn son, whom the couple had planned to name Conner, last December in their home. Laci, 27, was eight months pregnant at the time. The bodies washed ashore in San Francisco Bay last month.

Contra Costa County authorities concluded their autopsy report earlier this month, but did not disclose the cause of death.

Several media outlets have released details of the coroner's report, and a spokeswoman for Laci Peterson's family members said Thursday they were "devastated" at hearing autopsy reports without warning on television.

The leaked reports indicated the unborn son had plastic tape wrapped around his neck and a significant cut across the shoulders.

Meanwhile, friends of Laci Peterson removed several personal articles Friday from the single-story Modesto home where she and Scott Peterson lived.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

MOM'S MOVING MOMENT

MOM'S MOVING MOMENT

By HOWARD BREUER and MARSHA KRANES

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

May 31, 2003 -- Laci Peterson's mother - shattered by the graphic details leaked from the 25-page autopsy of her unborn grandson - yesterday began removing her slain daughter's belongings from the home she had shared with her accused murderer husband, Scott.

Sharon Rocha, accompanied by several friends and relatives, was seen at the Modesto, Calif., house removing the rocking chair Laci had bought to use when she nursed her infant son, as well as unopened Christmas gifts, clothing, chairs, lamps and artwork.

In doing so, she ignored the advice of her lawyer, Al Clark, that she wait until he, Scott Peterson's lawyers and court officials work out the procedures to be followed when she entered the house.

Modesto police arrived while Rocha was there, and she and her entourage left a short time later after packing seven cars full of Laci's belongings.

Hours later, lawyers representing Laci's family and Scott Peterson started haggling over whether removing the items was legal.

Scott Peterson's mother, Jackie, expressed outrage that the items had been removed since Laci's family had "absolutely no permission to be in that house."

Scott Peterson has pleaded not guilty to killing his wife and their unborn son.

Laci's family said Wednesday that they had hired lawyers to help them retrieve a baby crib and jewelry from the home.

Meanwhile, Clark told Fox News his client's anger over the grisly revelations leaked from her daughter's and grandson's sealed autopsy reports drove her to go get her daughter's possessions.

A family spokeswoman said Rocha was "devastated" by the reports describing how the near full-term fetus of her grandson Conner had plastic tape wrapped around the neck and a large cut across the chest when he was found in the shallow waters of San Francisco Bay last month.

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


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: California
KEYWORDS: avoidingchildsupport; baby; babyunborn; conner; deathpenaltytime; dontubelievemyalibi; getarope; ibefishing; laci; lacipeterson; smallbaby; smallchild; sonkiller; unborn; wifekiller
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To: runningbear
Morally., maybe they were in the right. Legally, that's anothe rcan of worms - and, since this is a nation of laws, I have to go with the law on this, regardless of personal feelings and emotions. Legally, they committed Theft. I wish they hadn't...
141 posted on 05/31/2003 10:41:12 AM PDT by Chad Fairbanks (A blind man received a cheese grater as a gift - said it was the most violent thing he had ever read)
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To: Jackie-O
Makes you wonder.....IF PICS EXISTED (which they don't)....just WHO would have paid more, NE or Geragos, as I would imagine he would NOT be happy to have such unseemly behavior exposed.
142 posted on 05/31/2003 10:41:40 AM PDT by justshe
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To: Chad Fairbanks
Apparently law enforcement didn't consider them thieves. They watched the whole thing, and they were not arrested.

SP is not just an unfaithful liar. He's a very cruel human being that was selling off Laci's things before she was found without any consideration for her family (think her car). The Rocha's were out there defending him the first few weeks, and look how he has treated them. Very cold indeed. I think that type of selfish cruel behavior says a lot about a person.

However, just because he's a jerk I wouldn't convict the guy. Unfortunately, there's a whole bunch of other things out there that points to guilt. He couldn't prove where he was that day he went fishing. He can't even remember the bait he used to go fishing. That's just one of MANY things that don't look to hot for Scott (we won't even get into unexplained cement bags, receipts for ankle weights that can't be found etc..)

143 posted on 05/31/2003 10:42:42 AM PDT by Lanza
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To: runningbear
"He (Geragos) called us in a very loud, very boisterous manner (on Thursday) and said he's not going to allow anyone in the house...I called Sharon and this is right after she heard about the autopsy report and she was very emotional as you can understand and she just said 'I've got to do something.'"

Maybe Sharon Rocha had a feeling that Jackie Peterson was planning on taking all the items beforehand, and decided to beat her to it. After all, Jackie's behavior this far has been pretty nasty, so I wouldn't put it past her to snatch the wedding dress etc out of spite.

144 posted on 05/31/2003 10:42:42 AM PDT by TheSpottedOwl (America...love it or leave it. Canada is due north-Mexico is directly south...start walking.)
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To: WellsFargo94
that is why Jackie and Petersons, are collecting as much valuables as they can to pay for sp's costs...

Wonder if any of the Peterson's refied their homes yet? ;o)

145 posted on 05/31/2003 10:43:57 AM PDT by runningbear (Lurkers beware, Freeping is public opinions based on facts, theories, and news online.......)
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To: Chad Fairbanks
I mean, they make maternity clothes for a reason - when people are pregnant, they gain weight. One could logically conclude that their fingers might ALSO get bigger...

When pregnant with all of my children I could still take my rings on and off. Don't know if this is the case with Laci or not. I'm going to check out some of the pictures at her website and see what I can find.

146 posted on 05/31/2003 10:44:17 AM PDT by WellsFargo94
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To: Chad Fairbanks
you'd be good either side at this point on the jury....lol...
147 posted on 05/31/2003 10:44:51 AM PDT by runningbear (Lurkers beware, Freeping is public opinions based on facts, theories, and news online.......)
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To: WellsFargo94
Yep, I meant witness tells untruth, but the jury is instructed they can discount the entire testimony of that person. Thanks for correcting me.
148 posted on 05/31/2003 10:44:54 AM PDT by Lanza
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To: Chad Fairbanks
I don't think they lost the high ground at all, just think about it:
#1 She dies and before the body is discovered, he sells her car and other stuff.
#2 Dad gets a hoity toity expensive lawyer who will no doubt be looking to take the home and stuff inside for pay, maybe soon.

So if they didn't act now, then they would be never able to have their daughter's and sister's stuff which is precious to the family.
It would go to strangers for the lawyers money.

Lawyers or her family, who should get stuff?
You don't know lawyers maybe, but if they didn't do this now, the stuff wouldn't be there later to take.

It was now or never, and with the other side in there constantly, you want to bet the neighbors had a part in telling them when to come in there?
149 posted on 05/31/2003 10:45:05 AM PDT by A CA Guy (God Bless America, God bless and keep safe our fighting men and women.)
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To: Lanza
I still see no evidence that is a slam-dunk to convict - unless you know something the rest of us don't, and if THAT is case, where were YOU on Christmas Eve???? ;0)

As I've stated, early and often, I really hate Trial By Media - I've never claimed Scott Peterson to be a good person (it's obvious he isn't), but this latest incident doesn't show anyone involved in a good light...
150 posted on 05/31/2003 10:45:08 AM PDT by Chad Fairbanks (A blind man received a cheese grater as a gift - said it was the most violent thing he had ever read)
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To: RGSpincich; Defiant; Chad Fairbanks
Scroll down, three page document. : )

Oh, they had a POA. That shoots down the "the Petersons did it so the Rocha's should be able to".

The Rochas just threw the law aside and entered someone else's house and stole things. What a dumb thing to do.

151 posted on 05/31/2003 10:45:22 AM PDT by isthisnickcool (This tag line may be closer than it appears in the mirror.)
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To: A CA Guy
I totally agree.

can you say, Ebay?

152 posted on 05/31/2003 10:45:57 AM PDT by runningbear (Lurkers beware, Freeping is public opinions based on facts, theories, and news online.......)
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To: Sandylapper
good morning..
153 posted on 05/31/2003 10:47:26 AM PDT by runningbear (Lurkers beware, Freeping is public opinions based on facts, theories, and news online.......)
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To: A CA Guy
Well, if they had taken it to court, and contested the property, isn't it possible that the property could have then been in legal limbo until it was all sorted out, emaning that no one could take the property, or claim ownership, until it was concluded?

It may not grant immediate results, but I'm assuming that there had to have been a LEGAL way for them to deal with this... if not, then I stand corrected...
154 posted on 05/31/2003 10:47:33 AM PDT by Chad Fairbanks (A blind man received a cheese grater as a gift - said it was the most violent thing he had ever read)
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To: Chad Fairbanks
By the way, the pictures show from what I can see a $59 chair and the boxspring for a crib, how horrible must that be for the family?
They are thinking of both the child still as well as their daughter.
155 posted on 05/31/2003 10:47:51 AM PDT by A CA Guy (God Bless America, God bless and keep safe our fighting men and women.)
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To: WellsFargo94
Good idea wells!

Even better is if Laci had her rings widen (like I did in pregnancy) and there is a jeweler out there that did it.
156 posted on 05/31/2003 10:48:16 AM PDT by Lanza
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To: WellsFargo94
When pregnant with all of my children I could still take my rings on and off.

Wow... you must be a lucky woman LOL (I bet other women here read that and got jealous ;0) )

157 posted on 05/31/2003 10:48:26 AM PDT by Chad Fairbanks (A blind man received a cheese grater as a gift - said it was the most violent thing he had ever read)
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To: exlibris
in answering on Clouda's post, good point!

Laci could have, and listed in the coroner's report of CoCo County...Haven't heard otherwise. So, MIA?

158 posted on 05/31/2003 10:48:59 AM PDT by runningbear (Lurkers beware, Freeping is public opinions based on facts, theories, and news online.......)
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To: runningbear
The stuff inside was smatta, so not EBAY, I think the stuff would have been spirited to his side of the family who had access all the time to that home.
159 posted on 05/31/2003 10:49:13 AM PDT by A CA Guy (God Bless America, God bless and keep safe our fighting men and women.)
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To: Jackie-O
I know how it is, my grandmother, and seen the stuff my neighbor's sister put her brother thru... not a pretty sight!

Stinks if you ask me.

What they say, a will is crap, must have a living trust... ;o)

160 posted on 05/31/2003 10:50:45 AM PDT by runningbear (Lurkers beware, Freeping is public opinions based on facts, theories, and news online.......)
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