Posted on 05/31/2003 8:41:50 AM PDT by runningbear
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.
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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.
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MOM'S MOVING MOMENT
By HOWARD BREUER and MARSHA KRANES
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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 ...
"What I've garnered from the various press reports was that the "defense" set that Tuesday date for Sharon to enter the home under strict guidelines set by the *defense*. Press reports indicated that the *defense* team would accompany Sharon and videotape her visit to the home and record everything she did and every item she touched or wanted removed from the home."
The articles say that there was an agreement upon the date by the parties. It does not state that the defense dictated the date, especially for some nefarious reason. I believe that there was an intent to document what was removed from the home. This is not surprising nor objectionable considering that there is a capital murder case involved. It is also not unusual. In other criminal and civil cases that I am aware of, there have been times that this has been done by both by the prosecution or complainants and the defense or respondants.
"...I this were me....this would have been an unacceptable scenario! How on earth could she have walked into her dead daughter's home with *defense* cameras recording her heartbreak?"
And if it were you and you objected then you or your attorney would be free to reject the agreement. There was no intent to document her grief, besides her grief has already been documented by the press with Sharon Rocha's permission and cooperation. As to the camera phobia, the press was clearly informed prior to the entry. The press was on site before the Rochas arrived and have described the trucks arrival at the Peterson residence. Clearly Geragos and the defense did not call the press. They knew nothing about the impending break in. It is doubtful that the attorneys for the Rochas called the press, they advised her earlier not to enter the home and by informing they press the would be in ethical breach. Besides they deny it. I for one, believe them. That leaves only the Rochas themselves.
"I'm quite sure that cameras were not present when the Peterson's entered. Why should the Rocha's be subjected to such a humiliating injustice?"
True, but then there would be no reason to believe that the Petersons bear any angst or rancor toward the defendant in this case. The same cannot be said for the Rocha family. They have openly displayed their feelings for the defendant, understandably so. However, the defense was doing what it is required to do by the Bar's Code of Ethics and the law---acting in the best interest of their client.
"The defense team is now stating that there was a "deal"...perhaps the defense said: this is the deal take it or leave it...and the Rocha's chose to leave it".
Actually the Rocha's attorneys are stating the there was a deal and complaining that Geragos and the defense withdrew the deal. I suppose you can say the "Rochas chose to leave it", but if that was their choice they should not have agreed to it in the first place. To unilaterally revoke it with no notice to the other party involved, is a breech of ehics, an affront to honest negotiation and smacks of a deliberate deception by the Rochas.
Sharon Rocha had an opportunity to revoke or "leave" the deal as you put it on the Greta program. She did not. Instead she deliberately chose not to mention the deal at all. She chose to claim that she was being denied any entry by Jackie Peterson, making Mrs. Peterson out to be callous, indifferent and vindictive. The record clearly shows that this was not true and Mrs. Rocha knew it.
"Al Clark(One of two of the Rocha's attorneys): "We thought we had it worked out with Geragos that Sharon could come in Laci's home next Tuesday". "He (Geragos)called...on Thursday and said he's not going to allow anyone in the house...."
And I've stated no different.
What you are ignoring is the Greta program appearance by Sharon Rocha on Wednesday night effectively denying that any access was being provided to her. That was the precipitant for the Geragos withdrawl of the deal Thursday morning.
Again, what Jackie says the jewelry was doing there....don't mind me if I wait to hear a disintersted party confirm first before I believe her. Too many of her statements have been outright lies to take this at face value.
I think the jeweler just may have contacted the Rochas. Modesto isn't Los Angeles, and public sympathy for Laci's family is running pretty high. I'd be interested to learn when the jewelry was turned over to the jewelry store.
Jackie has a real problem with the truth. In fact she has character issues. Yeah, duuuuh...
Who is Janey married to? Besides Maw and Pa, she seems to be the only other Peterson speaking out. In some families there is a "code of silence". They know where the skeletons are buried, so to speak, but they stick together and keep their mouths shut. Quite common in dysfunctional families...
With everything else being talked about, I forgot all about this. Aiding and abetting, acomplices after the crime? I think maybe Jackie and Lee might want to think about dying their hair and making a run for the border??? Maybe that's why most of the family is laying low...
"We want those," Peterson said. She said the Rochas picked them up from the jeweler.
The Rocha family could not be reached for comment.
Above from post #84, this thread. I could not determine by whom nor when the rings were taken to the jeweler, but just saw a Fox reporter on Tony Snow's program, suggest that the rings were taken in by the Petersons at Scott's request. I took that to mean "Jackie/Lee". No hint as to when.
don't we wish we could have warned her ...
She probably wouldn't have listened : (
This is when the Rochas went on Greta. Bowing to pressure from that appearance Geragos tosses them a bone for the next Tuesday.
Defense lawyer Mark Geragos says he has worked out an agreement to let Laci Peterson's family visit the house and remove her journals, a food processor and a watering can that said "Laci's Garden."
So Geragos tells Clark the Rochas can go in the following Tuesday, failing to mention that they will only be allowed to take three items. Then Clark hears, possibly through the media, about the reduction in the number of items that they will be allowed to take. An argument ensues between the attorneys on Thursday about the "agreement".
Further agitating the situation is the defense leaking of the autopsy. Geragos makes his "wanting war" statement and cancels his token agreement with the Rocha's attorney.
Sharon Rocha, having access to the home and no order restraining her from doing so, decides to retrieve certain items already outlined in the previous 22 point list. Geragos has the list. And Sharon had a key.
The Rochas played it straight up. It was Geragos who was playing games. IMO...
"The[y] said they had faxed the Peterson's and their attorney four times with no response."
The night Sharon Rocha was on Greta, she knew that a deal had been made to allow her to enter the Peterson home. How can she say that they were upset that they were not allowed inside Laci's house and in the same breath say that they have tried repeatedly to contact the Peterson's and their attorney with no response?
The agreement was infact in place at the very moment she was making these claims and had been prior to her appearance. She was a participant in the negotiations that resulted in the agreement. She knew an agreement to enter Laci's home had already been made. A better example of a disengenuous statement would be hard to find.
The morning following her appearance on Greta, Rocha's own attorney says that she was upset that Gergaros had withdrawn the defense's agreement that very morning.
Just as a point of interest, it seems to me that this sentiment got lost somewhere along the way.
That there was an agreeement is not even a question. Rocha's own attorneys say so. They also say that Gergaros backed out of the agreement the day after Rochas appearance on Gretas show.
Your statement that Gergaros "failed to mention that they will only be allowed to take three items" is unadulterated garbage. Rochas attorneys have stated that Sharon Rocha had originally submitted a list of 22 items that she would like from the home. During the negotiations to arrive at the agreement, this list was reduced by Sharon Rocha to 11 items.
You must be living in a cave or only get your news from these threads.
It was a token agreement that didn't last a day. Geragos canceled it. Show me where anything exists that reflects an agreement was made prior to the Greta show. Don't bother with the fax/email thing, that was from Sharon with no response from the defense. No response means just that . How you comprehend that to mean that they were negotiating is ludicrous.
Rochas attorneys have stated that Sharon Rocha had originally submitted a list of 22 items that she would like from the home.
Yeah I said that and Geragos said NO! That's a matter of record.
Your statement that Gergaros "failed to mention that they will only be allowed to take three items" is unadulterated garbage.
Geragos made the statement regarding the three items not me.
You must be living in a cave or only get your news from these threads.
I'll take my cave over your vacuum anyday.
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