Scott’s defense attorneys did not have access to the Modesto Police Department tip sheet until May 2003. However, they did learn about some of the other sightings. Tony Freitas called a defense investigator on January 20, 2003. Homer Maldonado called Sharon Rocha and Brent Rocha. An article about Vivian Mitchell appeared in the Modesto Bee on February 27, 2003. Martha Aguilar lived only two blocks from the Petersons’ house on Covena. The defense also learned about Gene Pedrioli and Grace Wolf through sources other than the MPD.
The 15-Minute Time Ranges Below are Estimates; the Order is Chronological; Events with Sightings of a Strange Van are Noted in Parenthesis
The 15-Minute Time Ranges Below are Estimates; the Order is Chronological; Events with Sightings of a Strange Van are Noted in Parenthesis
8:00 AM
Scott wakes up about 8 a.m. Laci, who is 32 to 33 weeks pregnant, awakened earlier and is already showered and dressed. She is wearing black pants and a pullover white top. Laci, who ate earlier, when she first got up, also has a bowl of cereal with Scott.
Scott wakes up about 8 a.m. Laci, who is 32 to 33 weeks pregnant, awakened earlier and is already showered and dressed. She is wearing black pants and a pullover white top. Laci, who ate earlier, when she first got up, also has a bowl of cereal with Scott.
Scott is in and out of the room as Laci watches Martha Stewart, and he watches a portion with her.
Laci asks Scott to bring in the mop bucket and fill it for her.
She plans to mop the kitchen area, walk MacKenzie, and go shopping for ingredients she needs to make cookies and French toast.
4:15-4:30 PM
Based on travel time from Livermore, Scott arrives back at his warehouse at 4:30 p.m. and drops off the fishing boat.
4:45 PM
Scott arrives home and finds McKenzie in the fenced yard with his leash on (nobody ever asked the question: "If Laci was dead when Scott left around 10 a.m., why would Scott put McKenzie on a leash, put him in the yard, and leave the gate open for him to run loose in the neighborhood?).
Scott removes McKenzie's leash and puts it on the patio table. Laci's vehicle is in the driveway.
Scott, thinking Laci is home because her vehicle is in the driveway, enters the home using the French doors from which he left. The French doors are unlocked (there are two sets of French doors, both without deadbolt locks).
Laci is not home, and Scott assumes that Laci's mom picked her up and that Laci is with her mom (there is nothing out of place and no signs of a struggle or burglary).
(Speaking with his sister-in-law Janey from San Quentin State Prison, Scott said: "The only unusual things were the leash [on the dog] and the door being unlocked. I assumed she was at her mom's.")
Scott's clothes are wet, so he undresses and puts them in the washer. He first removes the dirty cleaning rags from the washer that the housekeeper had left from the day before. He adds soap and starts the washer. He often does this when he gets home because he works with chemicals.
Scott gets the pizza box out of the refrigerator (leftover from the night before), pours a glass of milk, and heads to the shower, with a piece of pizza in hand. Scott takes a shower.
After showering, Scott checks his home phone messages and hears a message from Laci's stepfather, Ron Grantski, asking Scott and Laci to bring whipped cream when they came over for the Christmas Eve gathering.
5:17 PM
Scott calls Laci's mother, Sharon. She tells him that she did not pickup
Laci and that Laci is not with her. Sharon asks if McKenzie was in the yard when he got home. Scott says yes and remembers that the leash was on the dog.
5:18 PM
The search for Laci begins.
Over the next half hour, Scott exchanges two more calls with Laci’s mother Sharon and stepfather Ron (Sharon and Ron had been together since 1977, although they actually never married).
Scott knocks on neighbors' doors, calls neighbors and friends, and heads to the park with McKenzie.
Sharon tells Scott they will begin calling hospitals so he can check the park.
5:47 PM
Laci's stepfather Ron calls 911 and reports Laci as missing.
Ron Grantski testified that he was fishing at the exact same time as Scott on December 24th, and, like Scott, it was a last minute thing. Ron didn't tell anyone he was going fishing.
Ron left home at 6:30 and drove to Lodi to pick up his paycheck, and then he went to Los Banos to check on a shopping center project that was near completion. He said from there, around 11:00 or so, he left to go fishing in Oakdale, which was after he learned Sharon was going to the movies (Sharon went to the movies with Sandy Rickard, and they didn't invite Laci, assuming she would be too uncomfortable). He said he got home from fishing in Oakdale around 3:00 or 3:30. He said Sharon was already home, and she asked Ron to call Laci to bring whipping cream to the Christmas Eve gathering at Sharon and Ron's house.
Jon Evers: "I came through the courtyard, through the front door. I stood right here. I stood right here, watched this hallway while Officer Spurlock and Officer Letsinger went this direction, and cleared this part of the house. When they were done, they came up. We then went up the hallway towards the rear of the house, looked in the bathroom, looked in the master bedroom, looked in this, in the second bedroom, and then the third bedroom, which was a nursery. Checked in there. Came back out, and then we got out here in the backyard, looked around this patio area, checked the pool, walked around the back, checked the spa (the hot tub in the backyard), and came down the side of the house and then checked around there. And then that was it."
After concluding this walk-through, the three officers had a five-minute conversation with Sergeant Duerfeldt inside the house, near the front door. Duerfeldt had not yet met Scott Peterson and didn't know who he was. Based on this discussion, Duerfeldt called Lt. Able and explained that he wanted a homicide detective to respond.
6:30 PM
Three officers perform a second walk-through of the Peterson home.
Duerfeldt calls Sgt. Carter, who is the supervisor of the crimes against persons unit. Carter gives him Brocchini's name as the next homicide detective in rotation. Duerfeldt calls Brocchini, who was in the foothills with his family.
While waiting for Brocchini, Officer Evers said he and Scott went through the house, room by room, with Evers asking, "Do you see anything unusual, anything out of place," and in all of the rooms Scott said, "No." Evers opened the refrigerator to see if there was any new food that Laci might have bought. And Scott said, "No, that it didn't look like there was anything new."
The fourth walk-through by detective Brocchini was 45-minutes. Brocchini noted Laci’s purse in the closet, with Laci's wallet, keys, sunglasses, and other items of personal property inside. Laci's cell phone was in her Range Rover (parked in the driveway). It was plugged in to the cigarette lighter, but it was not charged and would not stay powered on.
It is unclear if Laci had another house key, one not on her chain of keys, that she used when she left the home to walk the dog, or if the couple hid a key outside that Laci may have used when she left for walks. Or perhaps Laci did not always lock the side French doors when she went for a walk.
Entrance to the park that Laci could have taken if she entered the park after walking the loop from La Sombra to Buena Vista and back to La Loma (Mitchell sighting).
Laci may have left the park via the Moose Park entrance off of La Loma Avenue after being verbally assaulted by two men (Campos sighting); Campos saw three people—two medium-build men yelling at a pregnant woman with a dog on a leash—walking together along the trail, in a direction away from the Covena Avenue address.
When law enforcement presumed that Scott Peterson was guilty and did not thoroughly investigate evidence that would point to other individuals, a wrongful conviction was probable. This became a certainty because of a biased media and a prosecutor bent on a conviction no matter what dishonest tactics he had to use. Rick Distaso made false, misleading and improper statements in the trial of Scott Lee Peterson.
If you do not believe the defense witnesses saw Laci walking in the neighborhood, who do you think they saw? There are 11 people who said they saw someone who looked like Laci walking a dog who looked like McKenzie sometime between 10 and 11 a.m. on December 24. These sightings form a well defined route within a mile of her home.
The prosecution for the most part did not interview the witnesses who claimed to have seen Laci.
Scott told Amber Frey in a January 8th taped phone conversation that Laci was going to walk McKenzie, go to the store to get ingredients to make gingerbread cookies for that day and the Cordon Blue [sic] French Toast for Christmas brunch the next day, and then they would meet at 4:00 p.m. to go to Laci's parent's home for Christmas Eve dinner.
Laci uses one of the computers in the Peterson home to go online.
At exactly 8:40 a.m., Laci used the home laptop to look at a five-day weather forecast for San Jose and a Yahoo shopping site featuring a garden weather vane.
8:40-8:45 AM
Laci uses one of the computers in the Peterson home to go online.
At exactly 8:40 a.m., Laci used the home laptop to look at a five-day weather forecast for San Jose and a Yahoo shopping site featuring a garden weather vane.
At 8:44 a.m., a Gap fleece scarf, priced at $6.99, was viewed, as well as a sunflower motif umbrella stand for $29.99 (the sunflower motif umbrella is interesting because Laci had a sunflower tattoo on her ankle).
At 8:45 a.m. Laci accessed an e-mail account and viewed an e-mail regarding a Ping Staff golf bag that Scott was auctioning on eBay, but no e-mails were sent.
Detective Lydell Wall testified that he was never asked to review web-surfing habits for Scott and Laci to try and determine which of them was using the computer.
9:20-9:40 AM (VAN)
Kristen Dempework sees Scott standing in the bed of his truck, parked in the driveway, loading umbrellas.
Kristen Dempework sees Scott standing in the bed of his truck, parked in the driveway, loading umbrellas.
Parked in front of the home of Randy and Susan Medina, directly across the street from the Peterson home, Dempework sees an unusually long, older, white utility van without the rear side windows. The other windows are tinted, and the upper portion of the van looks oxidized and dull, like someone used a scouring pad on it. She has never seen the van in the neighborhood before.
9:30 AM (VAN)
While building inspector Nickerson is still present at their home to look at their new patio, Mrs. Medina hands her cell phone to her husband and tells him to call their son. He places the call at 9:32 p.m.
9:30 AM (VAN)
While building inspector Nickerson is still present at their home to look at their new patio, Mrs. Medina hands her cell phone to her husband and tells him to call their son. He places the call at 9:32 p.m.
Nickerson leaves the Medina home at about this time. As he leaves he has to drive around a white Ford van that is blocking his way. The van has two back doors and the paint is chipping away around the window, revealing the gray primer. There is a crude rack on top with wooden cross supports.
9:48 AM
Scott is with Laci as she watches Martha Stewart on TV talk about meringue cookies.
Scott told Detective Brocchini that he and Laci were watching The Today Show and then Martha Stewart. Scott remembered seeing something about meringue and cookies on the Martha Stewart segment. Martha Stewart did, in fact, mention cookies and meringue at 9:48 on December 24th.
9:30-10:30 AM
The Medinas load their vehicle with groceries, vacuum cleaners, etc. for a three-day holiday trip.
9:48 AM
Scott is with Laci as she watches Martha Stewart on TV talk about meringue cookies.
Scott told Detective Brocchini that he and Laci were watching The Today Show and then Martha Stewart. Scott remembered seeing something about meringue and cookies on the Martha Stewart segment. Martha Stewart did, in fact, mention cookies and meringue at 9:48 on December 24th.
9:30-10:30 AM
The Medinas load their vehicle with groceries, vacuum cleaners, etc. for a three-day holiday trip.
The Medinas do not notice the van parked in front of their home.
9:30-10:00 AM (VAN)
The men in the van parked in front of the Medina home (image above) watch the Medinas load items into their vehicle for their trip.
After being spotted by building inspector Nickerson, the men drive off and go to the gas station at the corner of Miller Avenue and Camellia Way.
The men are expecting the Medinas to be leaving soon for their holiday trip. The men in the van leave the area with the intent to return shortly, after enough time has passed for the Medinas to have left home for their trip.
9:45-10:00 AM
Homer Maldonado and his wife, who live on Phoenix Avenue, leave their home and drop off a Christmas gift.
9:50-10:05 AM
While Laci is mopping the floor in front of the French doors, Scott leaves through the French doors, which open onto the patio and pool area of the side yard. Scott goes out the side gate, which opens onto the driveway. As he leaves, Scott forgets to latch the side gate or doesn't ensure that it is securely latched.
Laci has plans to walk the dog and go shopping.
In a recorded phone call with Laci’s mom, Scott described Laci the morning of December 24. He said, "that she (Laci) looked so cute because she was sitting on her bench in front of the mirror styling her hair the way Amy (her half-sister, the hair dresser) had shown her (the evening before)."
On the evening of December 23, Scott and Laci went to Salon Salon where Laci's half-sister, Amy Rocha, worked. Amy gave Scott a haircut. Amy confirmed this and added that she showed Laci how to "fun flip" her hair with a straightener. Amy testified that Scott invited her over for pizza that night, but she already had plans. Amy said Scott mentioned plans to golf in the morning and offered to pick up a gift basket for Amy's mother and stepfather at a store called Vella Farms. Amy told police that Laci was wearing tan pants and a black blouse with small flowers. Scott said they then left the salon and picked up Mountain Mike’s pizza on the way home. Once home, they ate the pizza and watched Monday night football.
The photo below, taken the evening of December 24, shows Laci's curling iron on the bathroom counter with the cord extended toward the outlet near the toilet. The housekeeper, Margarita Nava, who was there the day before, testified that nothing was out on the bathroom counter and no bench was in the bathroom when she left. This is evidence that Laci was still alive and curling her hair on the morning of December 24, before Scott left.
9:55-10:20 AM
Next-door neighbor Karen Servas finds the Peterson's dog McKenzie on a leash in the street in front of their home. The leash has leaves and grass clippings on it and is moist, according to Servas.
9:30-10:00 AM (VAN)
The men in the van parked in front of the Medina home (image above) watch the Medinas load items into their vehicle for their trip.
After being spotted by building inspector Nickerson, the men drive off and go to the gas station at the corner of Miller Avenue and Camellia Way.
The men are expecting the Medinas to be leaving soon for their holiday trip. The men in the van leave the area with the intent to return shortly, after enough time has passed for the Medinas to have left home for their trip.
9:45-10:00 AM
Homer Maldonado and his wife, who live on Phoenix Avenue, leave their home and drop off a Christmas gift.
9:50-10:05 AM
While Laci is mopping the floor in front of the French doors, Scott leaves through the French doors, which open onto the patio and pool area of the side yard. Scott goes out the side gate, which opens onto the driveway. As he leaves, Scott forgets to latch the side gate or doesn't ensure that it is securely latched.
Laci has plans to walk the dog and go shopping.
In a recorded phone call with Laci’s mom, Scott described Laci the morning of December 24. He said, "that she (Laci) looked so cute because she was sitting on her bench in front of the mirror styling her hair the way Amy (her half-sister, the hair dresser) had shown her (the evening before)."
On the evening of December 23, Scott and Laci went to Salon Salon where Laci's half-sister, Amy Rocha, worked. Amy gave Scott a haircut. Amy confirmed this and added that she showed Laci how to "fun flip" her hair with a straightener. Amy testified that Scott invited her over for pizza that night, but she already had plans. Amy said Scott mentioned plans to golf in the morning and offered to pick up a gift basket for Amy's mother and stepfather at a store called Vella Farms. Amy told police that Laci was wearing tan pants and a black blouse with small flowers. Scott said they then left the salon and picked up Mountain Mike’s pizza on the way home. Once home, they ate the pizza and watched Monday night football.
9:55-10:20 AM
Next-door neighbor Karen Servas finds the Peterson's dog McKenzie on a leash in the street in front of their home. The leash has leaves and grass clippings on it and is moist, according to Servas.
The front gate to the Peterson home is locked and a side gate that opens to the driveway is open at least 90 degrees. She leads McKenzie through the side gate, which Scott left open when he left, and closes the gate.
She goes back home to wash her hands, and she leaves home again for the bank and other errands. At the bank she circles the parking lot and can't find a spot, so she goes to a local store and makes a purchase after shopping for about five minutes (the store is a 10-minute drive from Servas' home; her receipt is stamped 10:34).
10:08 AM
Scott checks his voicemail as he makes the 10-minute drive to his warehouse at 1027 N. Emerald in Modesto.
9:55-10:20 AM
Laci leaves home and takes McKenzie for a walk in the neighborhood.
The police repeatedly stated in their press conferences that they were unable to confirm that Laci was walking her dog. However, the police didn't even make an effort to follow up on most of these leads (they were unwilling, not unable).
10:15 AM (VAN)
The Maldonados, after dropping off a Christmas gift, stop for gas at the station on the corner of Miller Avenue and Camellia Way. They see a yellowish-tan van at the adjacent pump, but they aren't getting any gas, "they are just there." One man comes out of the gas station's store and they hear a male voice from the van ask the man if he "got the cigs." The van reeks of cigarette smoke. The van has white curtains on the side and rear windows and a roof rack and chrome ladder.
The Maldonados pull out of the gas station and head west on Miller Ave. Mr. Maldonados sees Laci and McKenzie walking south down Covena Avenue. She is almost to the corner of Covena and Miller. He continues westward on Miller Avenue and looks in the rear view mirror. He sees Laci and McKenzie turn right onto Miller Avenue, heading westward on Miller toward La Loma Avenue (in the same direction
as the Moldonados).
Maldonado says he first saw Laci in the morning about two weeks earlier, walking her dog by a bridge across Dry Creek (the park by the Petersons' home is referred to as Dry Creek, and the area is divided into different parks, which includes La Loma, Moose, Kewin and Thousand Oaks parks). He spotted her and her dog again on December 22 between 10:30 and 11 a.m. near a small park at Miller and La Loma Avenues (according to an April 17, 2004 article in the Modesto Bee).
10:15 AM
Tony Freitas sees Laci and McKenzie on La Loma Avenue. He is driving his regular delivery route northwest on La Loma Avenue when he sees Laci and McKenzie near the intersection where there is a small, grassy triangular park, located on La Loma between Santa Barbara and N. Santa Ana.
10:15-10:30 AM
Gene Pedrioli sees Laci and McKenzie on La Loma Avenue. He notices McKenzie because he has a dog the same color. Laci and McKenzie walk around some branches that are on the sidewalk.
10:15-10:30 AM
From the kitchen window of her house near the corner of La Sombra and Buena Vista, Vivian Mitchell, as she is doing dishes, sees Laci and McKenzie walking east down La Sombra and turning north onto Buena Vista, heading toward La Loma Avenue. She "had seen Laci walk by the house several times before." When Laci walks by around 10:15 on Christmas Eve, she hollers to her husband Bill: "Oh look, it’s the lady with the golden retriever.”
Laci was walking McKenzie, east on La Sombra Avenue, Vivian originally told the Modesto Bee. And then Vivian saw her go north on Buena Vista Avenue.
10:08 AM
Scott checks his voicemail as he makes the 10-minute drive to his warehouse at 1027 N. Emerald in Modesto.
9:55-10:20 AM
Laci leaves home and takes McKenzie for a walk in the neighborhood.
The police repeatedly stated in their press conferences that they were unable to confirm that Laci was walking her dog. However, the police didn't even make an effort to follow up on most of these leads (they were unwilling, not unable).
10:15 AM (VAN)
The Maldonados, after dropping off a Christmas gift, stop for gas at the station on the corner of Miller Avenue and Camellia Way. They see a yellowish-tan van at the adjacent pump, but they aren't getting any gas, "they are just there." One man comes out of the gas station's store and they hear a male voice from the van ask the man if he "got the cigs." The van reeks of cigarette smoke. The van has white curtains on the side and rear windows and a roof rack and chrome ladder.
The Maldonados pull out of the gas station and head west on Miller Ave. Mr. Maldonados sees Laci and McKenzie walking south down Covena Avenue. She is almost to the corner of Covena and Miller. He continues westward on Miller Avenue and looks in the rear view mirror. He sees Laci and McKenzie turn right onto Miller Avenue, heading westward on Miller toward La Loma Avenue (in the same direction
as the Moldonados).Maldonado says he first saw Laci in the morning about two weeks earlier, walking her dog by a bridge across Dry Creek (the park by the Petersons' home is referred to as Dry Creek, and the area is divided into different parks, which includes La Loma, Moose, Kewin and Thousand Oaks parks). He spotted her and her dog again on December 22 between 10:30 and 11 a.m. near a small park at Miller and La Loma Avenues (according to an April 17, 2004 article in the Modesto Bee).
10:15 AM
Tony Freitas sees Laci and McKenzie on La Loma Avenue. He is driving his regular delivery route northwest on La Loma Avenue when he sees Laci and McKenzie near the intersection where there is a small, grassy triangular park, located on La Loma between Santa Barbara and N. Santa Ana.
10:15-10:30 AM
Gene Pedrioli sees Laci and McKenzie on La Loma Avenue. He notices McKenzie because he has a dog the same color. Laci and McKenzie walk around some branches that are on the sidewalk.
10:15-10:30 AM
From the kitchen window of her house near the corner of La Sombra and Buena Vista, Vivian Mitchell, as she is doing dishes, sees Laci and McKenzie walking east down La Sombra and turning north onto Buena Vista, heading toward La Loma Avenue. She "had seen Laci walk by the house several times before." When Laci walks by around 10:15 on Christmas Eve, she hollers to her husband Bill: "Oh look, it’s the lady with the golden retriever.”
Laci was walking McKenzie, east on La Sombra Avenue, Vivian originally told the Modesto Bee. And then Vivian saw her go north on Buena Vista Avenue.
Bill said that, at the time, his wife casually mentioned, "There's the pregnant woman with the beautiful smile." Bill looked out the living room window, but only caught a glimpse of the dog. The walker seemed to be headed toward La Loma Avenue.
Later, the couple saw television news accounts that Laci had mysteriously disappeared.
Later, the couple saw television news accounts that Laci had mysteriously disappeared.
Bill, a former city councilman, told The Chronicle: "I was city-oriented, and I told her to call the police. We didn't know the Petersons before or since."
But Bill said the police never called his wife back. "They had a theory, and it didn't fit their theory," he said. Bill said he finally got fed up and contacted the city manager to complain that there wasn't any follow-up by police.
The Mitchells had seen Laci walking her dog on several prior occasions. A neighbor across the street also had previously seen Laci walking the dog. The Mitchells told this neighbor about their sighting of Laci on Christmas Eve.
"How can you duplicate a woman that looked like her?," Mrs. Mitchell said. "She was so magnetic. She was so pretty."
Vivian Mitchell died before Scott's trial began in June 2004.
10:30 AM
The Medinas leave their home for their three-day trip. They make a call at 10:32, right after they leave home (this time is not listed as a time-range of 15 minutes since it is verified by cell records).
10:30 AM
Scott logs onto his computer at work and sends an email reply to his boss. Computer forensics show Scott continuously logged onto his work computer for 26 minutes between 10:30 and 10:56.
He checks e-mail, sends e-mail, and looks up instructions on how to assemble a wood working tool called a mortiser that he just received via UPS. He works on building the mortising woodworking machine. Because the temperature is only 40 degrees, rather than golf, Scott decides to go fishing in his 14-foot Gamefisher aluminum fishing boat, which he bought used from a private owner on December 8th (it was the fourth boat that Scott had owned). This is his first time putting the boat, which he stored at his warehouse, on the water.
10:35-10:50 AM
Mail carrier Russell Graybill delivers a package to the Peterson home, and he notices that their side gate is open.
The Mitchells had seen Laci walking her dog on several prior occasions. A neighbor across the street also had previously seen Laci walking the dog. The Mitchells told this neighbor about their sighting of Laci on Christmas Eve.
"How can you duplicate a woman that looked like her?," Mrs. Mitchell said. "She was so magnetic. She was so pretty."
Vivian Mitchell died before Scott's trial began in June 2004.
10:30 AM
The Medinas leave their home for their three-day trip. They make a call at 10:32, right after they leave home (this time is not listed as a time-range of 15 minutes since it is verified by cell records).
10:30 AM
Scott logs onto his computer at work and sends an email reply to his boss. Computer forensics show Scott continuously logged onto his work computer for 26 minutes between 10:30 and 10:56.
He checks e-mail, sends e-mail, and looks up instructions on how to assemble a wood working tool called a mortiser that he just received via UPS. He works on building the mortising woodworking machine. Because the temperature is only 40 degrees, rather than golf, Scott decides to go fishing in his 14-foot Gamefisher aluminum fishing boat, which he bought used from a private owner on December 8th (it was the fourth boat that Scott had owned). This is his first time putting the boat, which he stored at his warehouse, on the water.10:35-10:50 AM
Mail carrier Russell Graybill delivers a package to the Peterson home, and he notices that their side gate is open.
Graybill doesn't hear McKenzie barking, which the dog does every day he delivers mail if, of course, the dog is home (whether the dog is inside or outside the home).
Some packages that Graybill delivered on December 24th were tracked via bar code (the Petersons' package was not), so he was able to narrow down the time he arrived at the Peterson home to the specific time frame of 10:35-10:50 a.m.
Some packages that Graybill delivered on December 24th were tracked via bar code (the Petersons' package was not), so he was able to narrow down the time he arrived at the Peterson home to the specific time frame of 10:35-10:50 a.m.
Several neighbors reported seeing this package sticking out of the Petersons' mailbox on the afternoon of December 24th (their mailbox was on their front gate).
Graybill made handwritten notes about his route on December 24th, which he started earlier than normal because it was a holiday.
Graybill gave his statement and turned over his handwritten notes to police on the morning of December 27th.
In discovery materials given to them by the prosecution in 2003-2004, Scott's trial defense team failed to find Graybill's handwritten notes about the side gate being open and McKenzie not barking when he arrived at the Peterson home between 10:35 and 10:50 a.m. on December 24th, so this was not brought up by the defense team at trial, and the prosecution avoided questioning Graybill about it. [The first 5,000 pages of discovery were given to trial defense counsel in May of 2003, and the discovery material continued to come in bit by bit for the next year, and was still coming in up until the end of the trial (there were more than 40,000 pages of discovery).]
In 2015, Scott's post-conviction counsel found Graybill's handwritten notes among discovery materials and included them in the Habeas petition filed in November 2015.
10:45 AM (VAN)
As Stanislaus County Hospital employee Diana Campos is taking a smoke break, she sees a pregnant women with a medium-size Golden Retriever (with a white mark across its chest) on a leash being verbal assaulted by two men on the trail around Moose Park and Kewin Park.
Graybill made handwritten notes about his route on December 24th, which he started earlier than normal because it was a holiday.
Graybill gave his statement and turned over his handwritten notes to police on the morning of December 27th.
In discovery materials given to them by the prosecution in 2003-2004, Scott's trial defense team failed to find Graybill's handwritten notes about the side gate being open and McKenzie not barking when he arrived at the Peterson home between 10:35 and 10:50 a.m. on December 24th, so this was not brought up by the defense team at trial, and the prosecution avoided questioning Graybill about it. [The first 5,000 pages of discovery were given to trial defense counsel in May of 2003, and the discovery material continued to come in bit by bit for the next year, and was still coming in up until the end of the trial (there were more than 40,000 pages of discovery).]
In 2015, Scott's post-conviction counsel found Graybill's handwritten notes among discovery materials and included them in the Habeas petition filed in November 2015.
10:45 AM (VAN)
As Stanislaus County Hospital employee Diana Campos is taking a smoke break, she sees a pregnant women with a medium-size Golden Retriever (with a white mark across its chest) on a leash being verbal assaulted by two men on the trail around Moose Park and Kewin Park.
The three people she sees together on the trail are walking in a direction away from Covena Avenue. The dog is barking constantly, and the woman has to pull at the dog with the leash. One of the men, wearing a beanie cap, tells the woman, "Shut the fucking dog up."
The woman has short, dark, straight shoulder-length hair and is about 6-7 months pregnant. She is wearing a white top and what appears to be stretch pants.
One of the males is in his late thirties, 5' 7", medium build, wearing a dark beanie, dirty dark shirt, and dirty blue jeans. The second man is also late thirties, 5' 7", medium build, short brown hair, wearing a Levi jacket with a tear and blue jeans.
Campos watches them for about five minutes but doesn't think too much of it until she sees the flyer on December 26th and recognizes Laci as the woman.
10:45 AM
Frank and Martha Aguilar are driving from their home at 215 Covena Avenue and heading north on La Loma Avenue.
10:45 AM
Frank and Martha Aguilar are driving from their home at 215 Covena Avenue and heading north on La Loma Avenue.
As they are driving, they see a pregnant woman walking towards them with a dog on a leash. The woman is walking a mid-sized dog, long hair dog.
Mrs. Aguilar goes to the same doctor as Laci, and she is sure it is Laci and McKenzie that she sees walking on La Loma.
Laci may have left the park via the Moose Park entrance off of La Loma Avenue after being verbally assaulted by the two men.
10:45-11:00 AM (VAN)
Perhaps because of the verbal assault by the two men in the park, Laci walks back out of the park via the Moose Park entrance off of La Loma Avenue (she also may have chosen this entrance because there is a restroom there).
Laci turned around and exited the park via the Moore Park entrance after being confronted by the two men (Campos said Laci and the two men were heading in a direction away from Covena Avenue). This would explain why the Aguilars saw Laci walking south on La Loma as they were driving northward on La Loma, toward downtown Modesto, from their home, also on Covena Avenue.
Scott leaves his warehouse about 11:18 to drive to the Berkeley Marina.
Scott thought it took him an hour and a half to get to the marina, maybe a little longer because he was pulling a trailer. Supporting Scott’s statement, Yahoo maps shows it is one hour and 36-minute drive to the Berkeley Marina from Scott's warehouse.
11:40 AM (VAN)
Diane Jackson sees three men with a safe standing by an older tan van parked in front of the Medina home. One rear van door is open, the other ajar.
The burglars themselves said (37:30 mark in episode 6 of A&E's six-part series, The Murder of Laci Peterson) they put the safe in the front yard using the Medinas' hand truck.
12:45-1:00 PM
Scott arrives at Berkeley Marina. Scott purchases a boat launch ticket at 12:54 and launches his boat.
On the evening of December 24, Scott gave the receipt to the police when they asked him if he had any proof he had been at the marina. On December 27, the police interviewed a city worker who had seen Scott at the marina on December 24.
Scott told police he motored north for probably two miles, and that he was near a little island that had a bunch of trash on it. He saw a big sign that said "No Landing" and there were some broken piers. He assumed it would be a decent shallow area. He had forgotten some new lures he had purchased from Big 5 in his truck, so he used some fresh water jigs from his tackle box. He trolled a bit and then headed back to the marina because he was getting wet.
Scott's Big 5 bag containing his new lures was found by the police in his truck the evening of December 24, confirming his statement that he had left them there. The fishing pole Scott purchased on December 20 had a fresh water jig on it, and the tag for the pole was in the bottom of the boat. Scott was, in fact, fishing while out on the bay.
When Scott arrived back at the marina, he said he talked to a couple of guys about fishing and that a couple maintenance guys got a good laugh from him trying to back his trailer down the ramp to load the boat.
Detective Rick Armendariz interviewed maintenance worker Mike Ilvestri on December 27. He confirmed seeing Scott’s vehicle and that the driver was having trouble backing the trailer in to get the boat out of the water.
Fitting Scott's description, the island described turned out to be Brooks Island. Evidence photos show the trash, the piers and the "No Landing" sign. Prosecution witnesses also confirmed the area to be shallow.
Using the media, the Modesto Police Department widely publicized this fishing trip from Berkeley Marina to Brooks Island as Scott's alibi.
2:00-4:00 PM (VAN)
Tom Harshman, a former reserve police offer who lives in Modesto, sees something that really concerns him near the corner of Scenic Drive and Claus Road as he is driving with his wife between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. on December 24.
Scott pulls over for gas at a Chevron in Livermore. Bank records show this purchase was at 3:25 p.m.
It is a 50-minute drive from the Chevron to his warehouse per Yahoo maps (2186 Las Positas Court, Livermore to 1027 Emerald, Modesto) placing him back at the warehouse around 4:15 p.m.Laci may have left the park via the Moose Park entrance off of La Loma Avenue after being verbally assaulted by the two men.
10:45-11:00 AM (VAN)
Perhaps because of the verbal assault by the two men in the park, Laci walks back out of the park via the Moose Park entrance off of La Loma Avenue (she also may have chosen this entrance because there is a restroom there).
Laci turned around and exited the park via the Moore Park entrance after being confronted by the two men (Campos said Laci and the two men were heading in a direction away from Covena Avenue). This would explain why the Aguilars saw Laci walking south on La Loma as they were driving northward on La Loma, toward downtown Modesto, from their home, also on Covena Avenue.
(Laci, spooked by the men, could have decided it would be safer for her to return to the street and finish her walk from there.)
Laci heads in the direction of her home on Covena Avenue via Encina Avenue and Edgebrook Drive (she left the park trail and returned to the street to finish the walk back home).
Driving school instructor Leora Garcia was driving around Laci's neighborhood, training a student driver the morning of December 24th. She saw a van pulled to the side of the road. She saw it near the parking lot for Moose Park that is located underneath Stanislaus County Hospital (where Campos worked).
Laci heads in the direction of her home on Covena Avenue via Encina Avenue and Edgebrook Drive (she left the park trail and returned to the street to finish the walk back home).
Driving school instructor Leora Garcia was driving around Laci's neighborhood, training a student driver the morning of December 24th. She saw a van pulled to the side of the road. She saw it near the parking lot for Moose Park that is located underneath Stanislaus County Hospital (where Campos worked).
It was a white van with paint peeling off the sides near the roof and a weird wooden rack on top. She was able to read part of the partial license plate. It had Texas plates with a rainbow frame. Something about the van frightened her. When she saw the van she was making the loop underneath the bridge on La Loma Avenue. As the van sped off in front of her, she stopped her car. It was then that she saw a women's coat caught in the passenger door. A strange feeling came over her and she was very scared.
11:00 AM
Mike Chiavetta sees McKenzie near the park's edge at Edgebrook Drive and Covena Avenue, where he often lets his dog off his leash so he can run around. He is not certain the women he sees with McKenzie is Laci, or not, because his focus is on the dog, and he remembers it is a Golden Retriever and Lab mix (he described the women with McKenzie as "a round person with black leggings and a white smock").
Laci had gone back onto the trail from the trail head between 1125 and 1205 Edgewood Drive or at the trail head on Covena Avenue to let McKenzie run around, which is when Chiavetti would have seen them.
11:00 - 11:15 AM (VAN)
Laci and McKenzie return home as the burglary is in progress at the Medina home, directly across the street from the Peterson home at 523 Covena Avenue.
Apparently, after walking McKensie around the neighborhood and then putting him in the side yard and closing the gate upon arriving home, Laci did not make it back inside her house. She may have noticed the large package protruding from the mailbox and decided to retrieve it before going inside. And, before getting to the mailbox, she must have noticed the activity across the street at the Medina home and walked across the street to inquire about what was going on, which resulted in her abduction to prevent her from calling the police about the burglary in progress.
It is important to note that when Scott arrived home around 4:45 p.m.:
1. The gates to the yard (front and side) were closed,
2. McKenzie was still on his leash in the fenced yard, and
3. The French doors from which both Scott and Laci left earlier (Scott between 9:50 and 10:05 a.m. and Laci between 9:55 and 10:20 a.m.) were unlocked.
Also, when Scott arrived home, the large package delivered by the mail carrier between 10:35 and 10:50 a.m. still was protruding out of the mailbox on the front gate (Scott retrieved it after he got home).
Scott's post-conviction counsel came to the conclusion that Scott likely accidentally left the side gate open when he left around 10:00 a.m.
Laci, just before she finished mopping the area in front of the French doors, put the leash on the dog and opened the French doors to let him go outside (so he wouldn't leave tracks in the wet floor in front of the door), or she may have gone outside with the dog, and ran back inside for some reason, leaving the dog in the yard.
The dog wandered out of the open side gate.
The next-door neighbor saw the dog standing in the road in front of the Peterson home and returned the dog to the fenced yard using the side gate, which was ajar.
Then Laci came out and took the dog for a walk.
When Laci returned from her walk, she put the dog back in the yard using the side gate, closed the gate, and walked toward the front gate to retrieve the large package the mail carrier had delivered.
At this point, before getting the mail, she walked across the street and had some kind of confrontation with the burglars.
What happened to Laci is directly linked to this confrontation with the burglars on December 24.
The cops say the burglary took place around 6 a.m. on December 26 (when reporters and news trucks lined Covena Avenue) because that's what the burglars told them. They changed the date so that nobody would think the burglary was connected to the disappearance of Laci Peterson.
When first questioned, some of the first words out of Steven Wayne Todd's mouth, without being asked about Laci Peterson, was "I had nothing to do with the pregnant women" (39-minute mark in episode 6 of A&E's six-part series, The Murder of Laci Peterson). Rather than follow-up and ask the burglar about the statement he just volunteered, the detective told him he wasn't there to talk to him about the pregnant girl; he was there to talk to him about the burglary. This was because tunnel vision had convinced the Modesto Police Department that Scott was responsible for the disappearance of his wife, and the cops didn't want the media or anyone else focused on the possible burglary connection to this missing person's case.
A couple of weeks before Scott's trial ended, the defense team received a letter from an inmate at the Modesto county jail (who they refer to simply as "Mr. R"). The inmate said Steven Todd was involved in Laci's disappearance. He wrote: "I heard Laci confronted Steven Todd during the burglary, and he responded angrily and she was kidnapped" (39-minute mark in episode 6 of A&E's six-part series, The Murder of Laci Peterson).
On January 2, 2003, Steven Wayne Todd, 36, and Donald Glenn Pearce, 44, were arrested for the burglary committed at the Medina home, directly across the street from the Peterson home [police received a tip from a confidential informant]. They stole two handguns, power tools, a Gucci watch, a 2 1/2" x 2' 1/2" safe containing cash, at least $50,000 worth of jewelry – including large-carat rubies and diamonds – and other belongings.
11:20 AM
11:00 AM
Mike Chiavetta sees McKenzie near the park's edge at Edgebrook Drive and Covena Avenue, where he often lets his dog off his leash so he can run around. He is not certain the women he sees with McKenzie is Laci, or not, because his focus is on the dog, and he remembers it is a Golden Retriever and Lab mix (he described the women with McKenzie as "a round person with black leggings and a white smock").
Laci had gone back onto the trail from the trail head between 1125 and 1205 Edgewood Drive or at the trail head on Covena Avenue to let McKenzie run around, which is when Chiavetti would have seen them.
11:00 - 11:15 AM (VAN)
Laci and McKenzie return home as the burglary is in progress at the Medina home, directly across the street from the Peterson home at 523 Covena Avenue.
Apparently, after walking McKensie around the neighborhood and then putting him in the side yard and closing the gate upon arriving home, Laci did not make it back inside her house. She may have noticed the large package protruding from the mailbox and decided to retrieve it before going inside. And, before getting to the mailbox, she must have noticed the activity across the street at the Medina home and walked across the street to inquire about what was going on, which resulted in her abduction to prevent her from calling the police about the burglary in progress.
It is important to note that when Scott arrived home around 4:45 p.m.:
1. The gates to the yard (front and side) were closed,
2. McKenzie was still on his leash in the fenced yard, and
3. The French doors from which both Scott and Laci left earlier (Scott between 9:50 and 10:05 a.m. and Laci between 9:55 and 10:20 a.m.) were unlocked.
Also, when Scott arrived home, the large package delivered by the mail carrier between 10:35 and 10:50 a.m. still was protruding out of the mailbox on the front gate (Scott retrieved it after he got home).
Scott's post-conviction counsel came to the conclusion that Scott likely accidentally left the side gate open when he left around 10:00 a.m.
Laci, just before she finished mopping the area in front of the French doors, put the leash on the dog and opened the French doors to let him go outside (so he wouldn't leave tracks in the wet floor in front of the door), or she may have gone outside with the dog, and ran back inside for some reason, leaving the dog in the yard.
The dog wandered out of the open side gate.
The next-door neighbor saw the dog standing in the road in front of the Peterson home and returned the dog to the fenced yard using the side gate, which was ajar.
Then Laci came out and took the dog for a walk.
When Laci returned from her walk, she put the dog back in the yard using the side gate, closed the gate, and walked toward the front gate to retrieve the large package the mail carrier had delivered.
At this point, before getting the mail, she walked across the street and had some kind of confrontation with the burglars.
What happened to Laci is directly linked to this confrontation with the burglars on December 24.
The cops say the burglary took place around 6 a.m. on December 26 (when reporters and news trucks lined Covena Avenue) because that's what the burglars told them. They changed the date so that nobody would think the burglary was connected to the disappearance of Laci Peterson.
When first questioned, some of the first words out of Steven Wayne Todd's mouth, without being asked about Laci Peterson, was "I had nothing to do with the pregnant women" (39-minute mark in episode 6 of A&E's six-part series, The Murder of Laci Peterson). Rather than follow-up and ask the burglar about the statement he just volunteered, the detective told him he wasn't there to talk to him about the pregnant girl; he was there to talk to him about the burglary. This was because tunnel vision had convinced the Modesto Police Department that Scott was responsible for the disappearance of his wife, and the cops didn't want the media or anyone else focused on the possible burglary connection to this missing person's case.
A couple of weeks before Scott's trial ended, the defense team received a letter from an inmate at the Modesto county jail (who they refer to simply as "Mr. R"). The inmate said Steven Todd was involved in Laci's disappearance. He wrote: "I heard Laci confronted Steven Todd during the burglary, and he responded angrily and she was kidnapped" (39-minute mark in episode 6 of A&E's six-part series, The Murder of Laci Peterson).
On January 2, 2003, Steven Wayne Todd, 36, and Donald Glenn Pearce, 44, were arrested for the burglary committed at the Medina home, directly across the street from the Peterson home [police received a tip from a confidential informant]. They stole two handguns, power tools, a Gucci watch, a 2 1/2" x 2' 1/2" safe containing cash, at least $50,000 worth of jewelry – including large-carat rubies and diamonds – and other belongings.
Both men were charged with two felony burglary counts. Pearce pleaded no contest in February 2003 to a reduced charge of receiving stolen property. He was sentenced to 180 days in jail. Todd pleaded guilty to one burglary count in February 2003 and was sentenced to eight years and eight months in prison for that charge and two other burglary counts from a separate incident.
In January 2003, Adam Tenbrink, during a phone conversation with his brother Shawn Tenbrink, who was incarcerated in a California state prison (California Rehabilitation Institute at Norco east of Los Angeles), said that his close friend, Steven Todd, one of two men convicted of the burglary of the Medina home, admitted that on December 24th Laci walked across the street, confronted Steven Todd and the other men during the burglary, and they threatened her. Before Adam could say anything more, Shawn stopped him from talking. Shawn responded: "Shut up! Shut up! This could be monitored. We're not going to talk about that."
This conversation was being recorded by a watch commander at the prison, Lt. Aponte. Aponte called in the tip to the Modesto Police Department on January 22, 2003. He had to call twice before he got a phone call back. Aponte said he gave the Modesto Police Department a copy of the tape (he couldn't remember the name of the officer). The Modesto Police Department denies ever talking to Aponte or receiving the tape.
In January 2003, Adam Tenbrink, during a phone conversation with his brother Shawn Tenbrink, who was incarcerated in a California state prison (California Rehabilitation Institute at Norco east of Los Angeles), said that his close friend, Steven Todd, one of two men convicted of the burglary of the Medina home, admitted that on December 24th Laci walked across the street, confronted Steven Todd and the other men during the burglary, and they threatened her. Before Adam could say anything more, Shawn stopped him from talking. Shawn responded: "Shut up! Shut up! This could be monitored. We're not going to talk about that."
This conversation was being recorded by a watch commander at the prison, Lt. Aponte. Aponte called in the tip to the Modesto Police Department on January 22, 2003. He had to call twice before he got a phone call back. Aponte said he gave the Modesto Police Department a copy of the tape (he couldn't remember the name of the officer). The Modesto Police Department denies ever talking to Aponte or receiving the tape.
The Aponte Tip:
The MPD "lost" the recording of the phone call between the two brothers, Adam and Shawn Tenbrink, that Lt. Aponte turned over to them.
Lt. Aponte gave a signed statement to defense investigators which said the prisoner had been interviewed by MPD, and that MPD had received a copy of the taped phone conversation.
From the DMNT: Lt. Aponte said a detective called him back and arrangements were made for the detective to interview Shawn. Lt. Aponte believes that it was after he spoke to the detective that he listened to the recorded conversation between Shawn and his brother Adam. To the best of his recollection, Shawn/Adam talked to Adam/Shawn about Laci Peterson missing and Adam mentioned that Laci happened to walk up while Steven Todd was doing the burglary and Steven Todd made some type of verbal threat to Laci.
Lt. Aponte did not recall the name of the detective; however, when asked about the names Craig Grogan, Al Brocchini, Mark Smith and Owens, Lt. Aponte said Grogan sounded familiar. Lt. Aponte said he recalls the names [blacked out] and Steven Todd from the recorded telephone conversation. The telephone call lasted about 3-4 minutes.
The detective from MPD came down to Norco [California] Rehabilitation Center and interviewed Shawn within the first couple of weeks from his first call to the MPD hotline.
Post-conviction counsel’s investigator Jacqi Tully attempted to interview Steven Todd over the telephone. He was angry and said, “Fuck Scott Peterson.”
Tully also attempted to interview Adam Tenbrink. At one point, Adam Tenbrink agreed to speak with Tully at a later date, but then refused to come to the door.
Tully interviewed Shawn Tenbrink. He confirmed he was an inmate at CDC Norco in January 2003. He also confirmed having a phone conversation with his brother Adam in which Adam told him he knew who burglarized the house across the street from the Petersons' home. Shawn could not recall whether Adam informed him that Steven Todd had burglarized the house with other people.
Tully also attempted to interview Adam Tenbrink. At one point, Adam Tenbrink agreed to speak with Tully at a later date, but then refused to come to the door.
Tully interviewed Shawn Tenbrink. He confirmed he was an inmate at CDC Norco in January 2003. He also confirmed having a phone conversation with his brother Adam in which Adam told him he knew who burglarized the house across the street from the Petersons' home. Shawn could not recall whether Adam informed him that Steven Todd had burglarized the house with other people.
11:20 AM
Scott leaves his warehouse about 11:18 to drive to the Berkeley Marina.
Scott thought it took him an hour and a half to get to the marina, maybe a little longer because he was pulling a trailer. Supporting Scott’s statement, Yahoo maps shows it is one hour and 36-minute drive to the Berkeley Marina from Scott's warehouse.
11:40 AM (VAN)
Diane Jackson sees three men with a safe standing by an older tan van parked in front of the Medina home. One rear van door is open, the other ajar.
The burglars themselves said (37:30 mark in episode 6 of A&E's six-part series, The Murder of Laci Peterson) they put the safe in the front yard using the Medinas' hand truck.
Evidence proving Diane Jackson witnessed the burglary, along with other supporting facts, would most likely have raised a substantial amount of reasonable doubt in the minds of the jurors. But because Diane Jackson was prohibited from taking the stand, or no other solid documentation was provided, the premise couldn’t be presented as fact.
And going back to the early days of the investigation, it’s clear that this evidence was leading in a direction other than Scott Peterson. For whatever reason, the evidence was not being followed, ignored by the investigators – either negligently or purposefully – and forcing them to explain the two events as unrelated, separate incidences. In the process, unnecessary details were introduced and accepted – details that should have been shaved off by Occam’s Razor.
And going back to the early days of the investigation, it’s clear that this evidence was leading in a direction other than Scott Peterson. For whatever reason, the evidence was not being followed, ignored by the investigators – either negligently or purposefully – and forcing them to explain the two events as unrelated, separate incidences. In the process, unnecessary details were introduced and accepted – details that should have been shaved off by Occam’s Razor.
12:45-1:00 PM
Scott arrives at Berkeley Marina. Scott purchases a boat launch ticket at 12:54 and launches his boat.
On the evening of December 24, Scott gave the receipt to the police when they asked him if he had any proof he had been at the marina. On December 27, the police interviewed a city worker who had seen Scott at the marina on December 24.
Scott told police he motored north for probably two miles, and that he was near a little island that had a bunch of trash on it. He saw a big sign that said "No Landing" and there were some broken piers. He assumed it would be a decent shallow area. He had forgotten some new lures he had purchased from Big 5 in his truck, so he used some fresh water jigs from his tackle box. He trolled a bit and then headed back to the marina because he was getting wet.
Scott's Big 5 bag containing his new lures was found by the police in his truck the evening of December 24, confirming his statement that he had left them there. The fishing pole Scott purchased on December 20 had a fresh water jig on it, and the tag for the pole was in the bottom of the boat. Scott was, in fact, fishing while out on the bay.
When Scott arrived back at the marina, he said he talked to a couple of guys about fishing and that a couple maintenance guys got a good laugh from him trying to back his trailer down the ramp to load the boat.
Detective Rick Armendariz interviewed maintenance worker Mike Ilvestri on December 27. He confirmed seeing Scott’s vehicle and that the driver was having trouble backing the trailer in to get the boat out of the water.
Fitting Scott's description, the island described turned out to be Brooks Island. Evidence photos show the trash, the piers and the "No Landing" sign. Prosecution witnesses also confirmed the area to be shallow.
Using the media, the Modesto Police Department widely publicized this fishing trip from Berkeley Marina to Brooks Island as Scott's alibi.
2:00-4:00 PM (VAN)
Tom Harshman, a former reserve police offer who lives in Modesto, sees something that really concerns him near the corner of Scenic Drive and Claus Road as he is driving with his wife between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. on December 24.
He sees a young pregnant woman who closely resembles Laci squatting by a fence, urinating, with a tall white man hovering over her. Harshman sees the woman’s face when she is up against the fence – that’s what he is concentrating on – and he sees a scared look on her face. The man then forces the woman into a tan van, and someone else is inside the vehicle.
Harshman's description of the van is similar to Jackson's description of the van used in the commission of the Medina burglary. He describes the van as an older white van with three windows and a tan stripe on the side, approximately a foot wide.
The woman Harshman sees has dark hair and is wearing black pants and a red shirt (perhaps a jacket?).
Harshman's description of the van is similar to Jackson's description of the van used in the commission of the Medina burglary. He describes the van as an older white van with three windows and a tan stripe on the side, approximately a foot wide.
The woman Harshman sees has dark hair and is wearing black pants and a red shirt (perhaps a jacket?).
The man he sees with the pregnant woman is a white male, in his forties, and is wearing a ball cap.
After driving past this scene, Harshman is so upset that he turns around and goes back to the spot, hoping to find the van still there and hoping to get more information about the license plate number, but the van is gone.
2:15-3:25 PM
Scott leaves the marina and calls Laci at home and on her cell phone. He also calls friend Greg Reid and his parents (he is stuck in some traffic).
Scott estimated being at the bay for about 90 minutes. From the time Scott bought the ticket to when his cell phone records show him leaving the area is about 78 minutes.
Confirming his statements, Scott’s message was retrieved from Laci’s voicemail by detective Al Brocchini the evening of December 24:
"Hey, Beautiful. I just left you a message at home. It's 2:15. I'm leaving Berkeley. I won't be able to get to Vella Farms to get the basket for Papa. I was hoping you would get this message and go on out there. I'll see you in a bit, sweetie. Love you. Bye."
Scott’s cell phone records confirm all of the calls.
Kristen and Greg Reid, friends of the Petersons, said the couple seemed happy even five years into their marriage. Greg met Scott Peterson about a year earlier through the Rotary Club. The two men became friends, and they would talk a few times a week and periodically meet for drinks. Kristen and Laci, who were both pregnant, developed a friendship through their husbands. Greg said he never saw anything that would indicate the Petersons were having any kind of marital trouble, and he said Scott never mentioned his affair with Amber Frey, a single mom from Fresno. "They were fun to be around," Greg said on ABCNEWS' Good Morning America on April 23, 2003. "They both seemed extremely excited, as we were. We were both having our first babies at the same time or quite close to the same time. We were both planning on basically raising them together since we both lived here in Modesto and in the same neighborhood."
3:25-4:15 PM
After driving past this scene, Harshman is so upset that he turns around and goes back to the spot, hoping to find the van still there and hoping to get more information about the license plate number, but the van is gone.
2:15-3:25 PM
Scott leaves the marina and calls Laci at home and on her cell phone. He also calls friend Greg Reid and his parents (he is stuck in some traffic).
Scott estimated being at the bay for about 90 minutes. From the time Scott bought the ticket to when his cell phone records show him leaving the area is about 78 minutes.
Confirming his statements, Scott’s message was retrieved from Laci’s voicemail by detective Al Brocchini the evening of December 24:
"Hey, Beautiful. I just left you a message at home. It's 2:15. I'm leaving Berkeley. I won't be able to get to Vella Farms to get the basket for Papa. I was hoping you would get this message and go on out there. I'll see you in a bit, sweetie. Love you. Bye."
Scott’s cell phone records confirm all of the calls.
Kristen and Greg Reid, friends of the Petersons, said the couple seemed happy even five years into their marriage. Greg met Scott Peterson about a year earlier through the Rotary Club. The two men became friends, and they would talk a few times a week and periodically meet for drinks. Kristen and Laci, who were both pregnant, developed a friendship through their husbands. Greg said he never saw anything that would indicate the Petersons were having any kind of marital trouble, and he said Scott never mentioned his affair with Amber Frey, a single mom from Fresno. "They were fun to be around," Greg said on ABCNEWS' Good Morning America on April 23, 2003. "They both seemed extremely excited, as we were. We were both having our first babies at the same time or quite close to the same time. We were both planning on basically raising them together since we both lived here in Modesto and in the same neighborhood."
3:25-4:15 PM
Scott pulls over for gas at a Chevron in Livermore. Bank records show this purchase was at 3:25 p.m.
Scott makes another call to Laci's cell phone at 3:52 p.m. but does not leave a message.
4:15-4:30 PM
Based on travel time from Livermore, Scott arrives back at his warehouse at 4:30 p.m. and drops off the fishing boat.
4:45 PM
Scott arrives home and finds McKenzie in the fenced yard with his leash on (nobody ever asked the question: "If Laci was dead when Scott left around 10 a.m., why would Scott put McKenzie on a leash, put him in the yard, and leave the gate open for him to run loose in the neighborhood?).
Scott removes McKenzie's leash and puts it on the patio table. Laci's vehicle is in the driveway.
Scott, thinking Laci is home because her vehicle is in the driveway, enters the home using the French doors from which he left. The French doors are unlocked (there are two sets of French doors, both without deadbolt locks).
Laci is not home, and Scott assumes that Laci's mom picked her up and that Laci is with her mom (there is nothing out of place and no signs of a struggle or burglary).
(Speaking with his sister-in-law Janey from San Quentin State Prison, Scott said: "The only unusual things were the leash [on the dog] and the door being unlocked. I assumed she was at her mom's.")
Scott's clothes are wet, so he undresses and puts them in the washer. He first removes the dirty cleaning rags from the washer that the housekeeper had left from the day before. He adds soap and starts the washer. He often does this when he gets home because he works with chemicals.
Scott gets the pizza box out of the refrigerator (leftover from the night before), pours a glass of milk, and heads to the shower, with a piece of pizza in hand. Scott takes a shower.
After showering, Scott checks his home phone messages and hears a message from Laci's stepfather, Ron Grantski, asking Scott and Laci to bring whipped cream when they came over for the Christmas Eve gathering.
5:17 PM
Scott calls Laci's mother, Sharon. She tells him that she did not pickup
Laci and that Laci is not with her. Sharon asks if McKenzie was in the yard when he got home. Scott says yes and remembers that the leash was on the dog.5:18 PM
The search for Laci begins.
Over the next half hour, Scott exchanges two more calls with Laci’s mother Sharon and stepfather Ron (Sharon and Ron had been together since 1977, although they actually never married).
Scott knocks on neighbors' doors, calls neighbors and friends, and heads to the park with McKenzie.
Sharon tells Scott they will begin calling hospitals so he can check the park.
5:47 PM
Laci's stepfather Ron calls 911 and reports Laci as missing.
Ron Grantski testified that he was fishing at the exact same time as Scott on December 24th, and, like Scott, it was a last minute thing. Ron didn't tell anyone he was going fishing.
Ron left home at 6:30 and drove to Lodi to pick up his paycheck, and then he went to Los Banos to check on a shopping center project that was near completion. He said from there, around 11:00 or so, he left to go fishing in Oakdale, which was after he learned Sharon was going to the movies (Sharon went to the movies with Sandy Rickard, and they didn't invite Laci, assuming she would be too uncomfortable). He said he got home from fishing in Oakdale around 3:00 or 3:30. He said Sharon was already home, and she asked Ron to call Laci to bring whipping cream to the Christmas Eve gathering at Sharon and Ron's house.
GRANTSKI: from Lodi to,
DISTASO: So,
GRANTSKI: I drive a lot, so I keep track of stuff like that.
DISTASO: So basically Modesto is right in the middle of these two places?
GRANTSKI: Right.
DISTASO: More or less. And you swung by Los Banos, you checked the job site there.
GRANTSKI: Yeah.
DISTASO: What time do you think that that was? If you don't know the exact time, that's okay, but,
GRANTSKI: Probably around 11:00, 11:30, 12:00. I wished everybody a Merry Christmas and said I would see them afterwards.Ron admitted that Scott could have been offended by what he asked him in the driveway at the house on December 24th, about it being so late to go fishing, when Ron left about the same time as Scott did (Scott wanted to test his new boat on the bay and do a little fishing).
DISTASO: And then you left the job site. And on the way home did you do any fishing?
GRANTSKI: Yeah. I, I believe I called Sharon and, you know, that was a Tuesday. A lot of people had to kind of work part of the day or you had to get things ready, and I, I told her I was getting ready, and she said she was going to the show, I believe with Sandy, so I figured well, I've got a few hours, so I decided to drive and go fishing.
DISTASO: While you were there [at Scott and Laci's home on December 24th], did you have any contact with Scott Peterson?
GRANTSKI: Only very briefly. I, we were standing out in the front under a tree, and I was talking with a couple officers and Scott come walking up. And I said, you know, said, "Hi." Scott said, "Hi." I said, "How was your golf today?" He said, "No, I didn't play golf, I went fishing." And I, being the smart behind I am, I said, "Well, what time did you go fishing?" He said, "Oh, about 9:30." And I said, I said, "9:30?" I said, "That's when I come home from fishing, that's not when I go." And he turned around and walked away. I was just kidding, but I felt bad that I had said that.
Ron said neither Scott nor Laci mentioned that Scott had purchased a fishing boat when Sharon and Ron had dinner at their house on December 15th, even though the topic of fishing came up (Sharon, for the first time, had gone fishing with Ron earlier that day).
Ron testified that he told Scott, "If you have anything to do with this, you'd better tell," and Scott said: "My world is done without Laci and my
child. We all want her back. I'm sorry you guys think I had something to do with it. The only important thing is getting her back."
Geragos referred to a report, but Grantski said he didn't remember Scott saying that.
Ron said Scott was a very non-emotional person, never lost his temper, never got angry, but he was extremely emotional on more than one occasion after Laci disappeared.
Geragos asked Ron about the fishing places he went to: Ron said they were private and secluded because a fisherman like him doesn't want others to know his fishing spot.
Geragos asked if someone was going to dump a body, wouldn't he pick someplace secluded and private rather than public like the Berkeley Marina with boats and people around. Ron Grantski gave no response.
6:11 PM
Detective Evers arrives at the park, where Scott is with McKenzie, looking for Laci.
6:20 PM
Officers Letsinger, Spurlock and Evers perform the first walk-through of the Peterson home.
DISTASO: So you went over to Laci's house and the Sopranos came on at 6:00 because they have satellite, right?
GRANTSKI: Right.
DISTASO: Okay. And did you, did you talk, or did either you or Sharon talk about going fishing that day?
GRANTSKI: She, I brought it up. You know, I like to kid quite a bit. I brought it up That can you believe it, I finally got Sharon to go fishing with me. Well, not really fishing. She went watching with me. And that's pretty much, I might have said a few other things, but I don't remember.
DISTASO: Okay. And did, at that time a, were Laci and Scott Peterson, the defendant, were they present during this conversation?
GRANTSKI: Yes.
DISTASO: Okay. Did either, while you were talking about fishing that night, did either party mention that Scott Peterson had just recently bought a boat?
GRANTSKI: Not, not a thing.
DISTASO: Okay. Did, did, at any time up until the 24th of December, did either Scott Peterson or Laci Peterson talk to you or mention that Scott Peterson had bought a boat there in the month of December?
GRANTSKI: No. Not at all. I, I mentioned at times I wished I had a boat, but I couldn't really afford one, so I had a float tube. That's what I have.
DISTASO: All right. Let me ask you about that. So had you mentioned to Laci or Scott that, because you're fishing, that you would like to have some kind of boat to use?
GRANTSKI: Yeah. There are times I would like,
DISTASO: Okay.
GRANTSKI: to catch some better fish, probably different areas, so
DISTASO: And the type of fishing you do is either from the bank,
GRANTSKI: It's always pretty much from a bank. Once in a while, you know, I go out with a friend with a boat or in a float tube. I go out in a float tube.
DISTASO: All right. Just for, I know what a float tube is because we've talked, but just for the jury, who are not fisher people, a float tube is, you know, a, like a big rubber ring and you kind of fit it in and you wear fins and you kick out in the water.
GRANTSKI: I wear fins and a wet suit and I mean,
DISTASO: Waders?
GRANTSKI: Waders. And you put your fins on and it's got a place to put your gear.
DISTASO: And you can kind of kick out off shore?
GRANTSKI: Yeah, just kick out off shore.
DISTASO: Okay.
GRANTSKI: It's very relaxing.
DISTASO: So was the fact that you were a very avid fisherman, was that fact known to Scott Peterson and Laci?
GRANTSKI: Oh, yeah.
DISTASO: I mean, that wasn't a secret?
GRANTSKI: Oh, no. Scott knew.
DISTASO: What was that?
GRANTSKI: Scott knew.
DISTASO: Okay. And, now, as part of your, of fishing, you said that you keep a, how many fishing poles do you have? Do you have any idea?
GRANTSKI: Eight or ten.
DISTASO: Okay.
GRANTSKI: Different, depending on the type of fishing I go, so
DISTASO: All right. Do you do all types of fishing?
GRANTSKI: I do. I have some heavy gear for ocean or big fish, but,
DISTASO: Like for saltwater fishing?
GRANTSKI: Yes.
DISTASO: What's the main type of fishing that you do, though?
GRANTSKI: Freshwater. I go reasonably close to the house, so within an hour and 20 minutes at the farthest, I would guess.
Ron had asked Scott on numerous occasions if he wanted to go fishing with him, but only once did Scott accept the invitation, and that was in 2000 or 2001 (Ron did not have a fishing boat; he only had a float tube, so he primarily fished from the shoreline).
Scott never asked Ron to join him on a fishing trip. Apparently, Scott and Ron were cordial with one another but not close by any means and, because of this, Scott didn't want Ron to know he had bought a fishing boat since he didn't plan to ask him to join him on any fishing trips.
Scott never asked Ron to join him on a fishing trip. Apparently, Scott and Ron were cordial with one another but not close by any means and, because of this, Scott didn't want Ron to know he had bought a fishing boat since he didn't plan to ask him to join him on any fishing trips.
GERAGOS: Okay. Now, the, you had, Mr. Distaso had asked you some questions. You went fishing on Christmas, on December 24th, the same day?The police met with the Sharon and Ron on January 15. On the 16th, they provided Sharon with tape recording equipment from Radio Shack. Sharon and Ron talked to Scott by phone that same day.
GRANTSKI: Correct.
GERAGOS: Okay. And you went at what time?
GRANTSKI: Probably about, like I said, somewhere around 12:00, 12:30 in the afternoon.
GERAGOS: Almost exactly the time that Scott Peterson went fishing?
GRANTSKI: Correct.
GERAGOS: Okay. And,
GRANTSKI: 90 miles closer, but,
GERAGOS: It was closer to your work, but you were working that day, he wasn't, as far as you know, right?
GRANTSKI: That's correct.
GERAGOS: Okay. And he had a boat and you did not, correct?
GRANTSKI: Correct.
GERAGOS: Okay. And you went fishing, did you tell anybody in advance that you were going fishing?
GRANTSKI: I can't remember. I don't know if I did.
GERAGOS: Did you tell anybody at work that you were going fishing?
GRANTSKI: No.
GERAGOS: Okay. Did you tell anybody the night before, Hey, I'm going fishing tomorrow?
GRANTSKI: No.
GERAGOS: Did you call up anybody and say, well, did you call up Scott and say, Do you want to go fishing with me tomorrow?
GRANTSKI: No, I got tired of doing that.
GERAGOS: Okay. Well, he had gone fishing with you once, correct?
GRANTSKI: Correct.
GERAGOS: And you were aware that he had gone fishing as recently as Thanksgiving, a month before?
GRANTSKI: I believe.
GERAGOS: Okay. And you knew he had gone to Mammoth with his family and had gone fishing?
GRANTSKI: Yes.
GERAGOS: You knew that he had gone, actually, you knew that he had an interest in fishing before you did, isn't that correct?
GRANTSKI: Well, I don't know what that means. What do you mean before I did?
GERAGOS: When, when did you start fishing?
GRANTSKI: Oh, I was probably 15.
GERAGOS: Okay. And when did you start going on a regular basis?
GRANTSKI: About ten years ago.
GERAGOS: About ten years ago?
GRANTSKI: Yeah.
GERAGOS: And were you aware that Scott had fished virtually his entire life?
GRANTSKI: No. I was aware that he had been fishing. I, you know, I didn't get into the, you know, time frame, so
GERAGOS: Okay. How much time would you say, in the year 2002, how many times would you say you saw Scott?
GRANTSKI: In 2002? Maybe 50.
GERAGOS: Okay. How much, and how many of those times did just you and he do something together?
GRANTSKI: Probably about ten or 15 times. I mean not, him and I together?
GERAGOS: Just the two of you.
GRANTSKI: Oh, no. Only once.
GERAGOS: Only once. The fishing?
GRANTSKI: Right.
Ron testified that he told Scott, "If you have anything to do with this, you'd better tell," and Scott said: "My world is done without Laci and my
child. We all want her back. I'm sorry you guys think I had something to do with it. The only important thing is getting her back."Geragos referred to a report, but Grantski said he didn't remember Scott saying that.
Ron said Scott was a very non-emotional person, never lost his temper, never got angry, but he was extremely emotional on more than one occasion after Laci disappeared.
Geragos asked Ron about the fishing places he went to: Ron said they were private and secluded because a fisherman like him doesn't want others to know his fishing spot.
Geragos asked if someone was going to dump a body, wouldn't he pick someplace secluded and private rather than public like the Berkeley Marina with boats and people around. Ron Grantski gave no response.
6:11 PM
Detective Evers arrives at the park, where Scott is with McKenzie, looking for Laci.
6:20 PM
Officers Letsinger, Spurlock and Evers perform the first walk-through of the Peterson home.
Summary of Letsinger's Description: Going into the courtyard, he noticed the mops and bucket next to the door, and it looked like water had dripped recently on the stone. He saw the pizza box on the counter still with some pieces in it and a rug scrunched accordion-style against the doorjamb of the door in the living room. He noticed several dirty, wet rags on the washing machine. The rest of the room almost was like a model home. Everything was in place. The chairs and rugs were all set. The magazines on the coffee table were all laid out. He said that's what made the rug and the rags stick out. He went into the second bedroom and noticed some duffel bags on the closet shelf and one on the floor, upside down.
Jon Evers: "I came through the courtyard, through the front door. I stood right here. I stood right here, watched this hallway while Officer Spurlock and Officer Letsinger went this direction, and cleared this part of the house. When they were done, they came up. We then went up the hallway towards the rear of the house, looked in the bathroom, looked in the master bedroom, looked in this, in the second bedroom, and then the third bedroom, which was a nursery. Checked in there. Came back out, and then we got out here in the backyard, looked around this patio area, checked the pool, walked around the back, checked the spa (the hot tub in the backyard), and came down the side of the house and then checked around there. And then that was it."
After concluding this walk-through, the three officers had a five-minute conversation with Sergeant Duerfeldt inside the house, near the front door. Duerfeldt had not yet met Scott Peterson and didn't know who he was. Based on this discussion, Duerfeldt called Lt. Able and explained that he wanted a homicide detective to respond.
6:30 PM
Three officers perform a second walk-through of the Peterson home.
Duerfeldt calls Sgt. Carter, who is the supervisor of the crimes against persons unit. Carter gives him Brocchini's name as the next homicide detective in rotation. Duerfeldt calls Brocchini, who was in the foothills with his family.
While waiting for Brocchini, Officer Evers said he and Scott went through the house, room by room, with Evers asking, "Do you see anything unusual, anything out of place," and in all of the rooms Scott said, "No." Evers opened the refrigerator to see if there was any new food that Laci might have bought. And Scott said, "No, that it didn't look like there was anything new."
The three officers noted that the rug in front of the family room door that leads to the backyard was pushed all the way against the door. Scott said the dog or cat must have been playing there, and he used his toe to pull it away from the door and straighten it out.
Spurlock said he asked Scott what type of fish he went fishing for that day, and Scott didn't say, but held up his hands about 7-8 inches apart. Spurlock asked him what kind of bait he used, and Scott said a silver lure. Spurlock asked Scott where he keeps his fishing equipment, and Scott said at the shop (the warehouse). Spurlock testified that when he questioned Scott about the fishing, Scott threw down his flashlight and said the "f word." However, none of the officers reported this behavior in their reports, and it didn't appear in any of the discovery materials given to the defense team. Scott did give Evers the marina parking receipt, which was subsequently given to Brocchini and booked into evidence.
9:30 PM
Detective Brocchini and Officer Evers perform a third walk-through of the Peterson home.
Detective Brocchini and Officer Evers perform a third walk-through of the Peterson home.
Detective Allen Brocchini, the responding detective, arrived at the Peterson home about 9:30 p.m. (9:55 according to Sgt. Duerfeldt). Scott was outside with some family and neighbors. After being briefed by Evers and other police officers at the scene, Brocchini did a 10-minute walk through with Evers, who pointed out things that were suspicious to him.
10:00 PM
Detective Brocchini, Officer Evers and Scott perform a fourth walk-through of the Peterson home.
Detective Brocchini, Officer Evers and Scott perform a fourth walk-through of the Peterson home.
The fourth walk-through by detective Brocchini was 45-minutes. Brocchini noted Laci’s purse in the closet, with Laci's wallet, keys, sunglasses, and other items of personal property inside. Laci's cell phone was in her Range Rover (parked in the driveway). It was plugged in to the cigarette lighter, but it was not charged and would not stay powered on.
It is unclear if Laci had another house key, one not on her chain of keys, that she used when she left the home to walk the dog, or if the couple hid a key outside that Laci may have used when she left for walks. Or perhaps Laci did not always lock the side French doors when she went for a walk.
Entrance to the park that Laci could have taken if she entered the park after walking the loop from La Sombra to Buena Vista and back to La Loma (Mitchell sighting).
Laci may have left the park via the Moose Park entrance off of La Loma Avenue after being verbally assaulted by two men (Campos sighting); Campos saw three people—two medium-build men yelling at a pregnant woman with a dog on a leash—walking together along the trail, in a direction away from the Covena Avenue address.
When law enforcement presumed that Scott Peterson was guilty and did not thoroughly investigate evidence that would point to other individuals, a wrongful conviction was probable. This became a certainty because of a biased media and a prosecutor bent on a conviction no matter what dishonest tactics he had to use. Rick Distaso made false, misleading and improper statements in the trial of Scott Lee Peterson.
If you do not believe the defense witnesses saw Laci walking in the neighborhood, who do you think they saw? There are 11 people who said they saw someone who looked like Laci walking a dog who looked like McKenzie sometime between 10 and 11 a.m. on December 24. These sightings form a well defined route within a mile of her home.
The prosecution for the most part did not interview the witnesses who claimed to have seen Laci.
Instead, they interviewed other dog walkers in the neighborhood, trying to imply that anyone who said they saw Laci must have seen someone else.
The following are neighborhood dog walkers who were interviewed by the prosecution (most of them testified at trial).
Scott Peterson Trial - Gloria Gomez Interview January 29th, 2003
“Laci sightings were not a priority.” This shocking statement was made by lead detective Craig Grogan during his testimony in the case against Scott Peterson. Unfortunately, the statement is very accurate. The only Laci and/or McKenzie sightings followed up by the Modesto Police were completed within the first 72 hours after Laci went missing. All tips regarding sightings of Laci and/or McKenzie were ignored by MPD after December 27, 2002.
The investigation and prosecution of Scott Peterson cost Stanislaus County CA $4.13 million dollars.
The following are neighborhood dog walkers who were interviewed by the prosecution (most of them testified at trial).
- Elizabeth Guptill, pregnant walker with son in jogging stroller, no dog, didn’t walk in December
- Janet Kenworthy, Park walker with white Huskie mix (she didn’t testify), worked on 24th, thinks husband walked the dog that day
- Jill Lear, pregnant walker with Australian Shepherd, didn’t walk 24th
- Joan Lee, pregnant walker with chocolate Lab and Husband, didn’t walk 24th
- Melba Martinez, La Loma walker with 2 Golden Retrievers, didn’t remember if she walked 24th
- Dianne Merenda, blond, not pregnant, Park walker with Golden Retriever, didn’t walk 24th
- Patricia Mewhinney, long blonde hair, Park walker w/German Shepherd/Black Lab mix, drove and then walked on 24th east from Phoenix
- Amy Neumann, pregnant walker with apricot standard Poodle, not walking in December
- Jordan Visola-Prescott, pregnant neighborhood walker with black/white Border Collie/Lab mix and Red Flyer red wagon with daughter in it, 99% sure she didn’t walk on the 24th
- Kim Westphal, not pregnant, long brown hair, neighborhood walker with Golden Retriever and a friend, 14766 : Kim Westfall (Westphal); she was walking with a friend on 12-24 at 11:30
- Michelle Dean (Merced Co. DA, Laci look-alike with Golden Retriever named McKenzie), did not walk on December 24
Scott Peterson Trial - Gloria Gomez Interview January 29th, 2003
“Laci sightings were not a priority.” This shocking statement was made by lead detective Craig Grogan during his testimony in the case against Scott Peterson. Unfortunately, the statement is very accurate. The only Laci and/or McKenzie sightings followed up by the Modesto Police were completed within the first 72 hours after Laci went missing. All tips regarding sightings of Laci and/or McKenzie were ignored by MPD after December 27, 2002.
The investigation and prosecution of Scott Peterson cost Stanislaus County CA $4.13 million dollars.
It is impossible to understand why virtually none of this money was spent following leads to find Laci while she was still alive.
Within three days after they were notified that Laci was missing, the MPD detectives decided that Laci was dead and that Scott had murdered her.
Approximately 24 hours after the Laci Peterson tipline opened on December 26, the MPD was ignoring tips that proved Laci was alive at the time Scott Peterson left home on December 24.
These were the only people contacted by MPD about the sightings:
Mike Chiavetta
• Interviewed by motorcycle policeman (Officer Nicolai) on 12/25/02
Victoria Pouches
• Contacted by Officer Beffa 12/25/02
Chris Van Sandt
• Spoke with Detective Brocchini by phone 12/25/02
John and Karma Souza
• Interviewed by Detective Phil Owen on 12/27/02 (taped phone call)
Diane Campos
• Personal interview with Phil Owen on 12/27/02
Scott’s defense attorneys did not have access to the Modesto Police Department tip sheet until May 2003. However, they did learn about some of the other sightings. Tony Freitas called a defense investigator on January 20, 2003. Homer Maldonado called Sharon Rocha and Brent Rocha. An article about Vivian Mitchell appeared in the Modesto Bee on February 27, 2003. Martha Aguilar lived only two blocks from the Petersons’ house on Covena. The defense also learned about Gene Pedrioli and Grace Wolf through sources other than the MPD.
Grogan’s testimony and the questions asked by Birgit Fladager imply that following up on the sightings was an impossible task. Take a good look at People’s Exhibit 267-3.
The following are the questions asked of mail carrier Graybill by the prosecutor. They were very carefully worded to avoid mention of the open gate.
HARRIS: Had you had any interactions with McKenzie prior to the 24th?
GRAYBILL: I, as I remember it, there were times when the dog was out with her owner and he would take control of the dog and put the dog in the backyard whenever the mailman came by.
[...]
HARRIS: Okay. So just to go back through that, there would be times where the defendant or someone would be out with the dog as you're walking down the street towards 523. Can you describe what would happen as you would walk down there and if the dog was out?
GRAYBILL: The dog would guard the territory. The dog knew its boundaries, so . . .
HARRIS: Let me stop you. What do you mean by that?
GRAYBILL: Well, like one day there was no one there. The dog knew its boundaries, so . . .
HARRIS: What do you mean by that?
GRAYBILL: Well, like one day there was no one there, okay? The dog was out, all right? And the dog would not let me cross the property. Because you walk, there's no sidewalks. You skirt the grass, on all the houses. So as I would walk up to the house, the dog would be out, and it would be barking at me. But if I stayed in the middle of the street and kept walking right down the middle of the street, the dog would not come off the edge of the property. It would stay on its grass and let me proceed. And I could go up to the next house, at 517, and deliver the mail and the dog didn't have a problem with that. But Golden Retrievers are like that. They'll stay in their territory.
HARRIS: Specifically on December 24th of 2002, did you have any problem with the dog or the dog come out and keep you off the property?
GRAYBILL: No. I had no problems on December the 24th. It was a normal day.
HARRIS: And as far as you can recall were you able to deliver the mail at 523 Covena?
GRAYBILL: Yes, I was.
HARRIS: So you continued down the route, and at some point in time you get back to your truck?
GRAYBILL: Yes.
HARRIS: As you, since you're talking to us about it, being aware of dogs and stuff, as a postman do you try to pay attention to what's going on in the street for your safety?
GRAYBILL: You're constantly on guard for what might come out at you at any given moment, yes.
HARRIS: Was there anything out of the ordinary or anything out of the usual or anything that caused you to pay attention?
GRAYBILL: There was nothing out of the ordinary.
HARRIS: No other questions.
On January 2, 2003, about a day before Connor died, according to Dr. Phillipe Jeanty, Steven Wayne Todd and Donald Glenn Pearce were arrested for the burglary of the Medina home, directly across the street from the Peterson home.
On April 17, 2003, four days after Connor's body was discovered along a shoreline area of Bayside Court in the city of Richmond, Steven Wayne Todd and Donald Glenn Pearce were booked into Stanislaus County Jail, as reported on April 21, 2003 (Laci's body was found on April 14th, on the beach, near the water, at Point Isabel park):
On April 13 and April 14, 2003, the remains of Connor and Laci were found on two different beaches along San Francisco Bay.
In the image above, the star marks the area near Brooks Island where Scott went fishing on December 24, the heart with the yellow strip marks the spot where Connor's body was found, and the heart near Point Isabel marks the spot where Laci's body was found:
The Albany Bulb may have been the location where the bodies were first placed at the Bay in the second or third week of January 2003.
In the image above, you can see the location of the Albany Bulb and Point Isabel where Laci's body was found (the Bay Trail runs for miles along the shoreline).
Matt Dalton conducted a flotation experiment in the summer of 2003 (see green insert in the image above). Items let go from Albany Bulb ended up almost exactly where Laci's body was found at Point Isabel.
However, it is probable Connor's body and Laci's body didn't float to where they were found but were placed there.
No waterway existed from any direction to carry Conner to where he was found. Connor's body could have been placed there by the killers, who drove there in a vehicle and carried it to the marshy area by the beach.
Laci's body (covered by a yellow tarp in the images below) could have floated from Albany Bulb to where it was found at Point Isabel, but that's not the only possibility: her body could have been placed there by the killers, who drove there in a vehicle and carried it to the rocks near the shoreline.
On February 11, 2003, a "suspicious man on raft south of Bay Bridge" was reported to the U.S. Coast Guard by the captain of the Alameda-based tugboat Polaris:
The State of California argued that Scott strangled or suffocated Laci either on the night of December 23 or the morning of December 24, 2002, in their home at 523 Covena, Modesto, CA.
He wrapped her in a blue tarp, removed her from the house to his Ford pickup truck, put some market umbrellas on top of her, and transported her to his warehouse.
Once at the warehouse, he unwrapped her from the tarp and put her into the boat, tied weights around her, and attached the boat cover so she could not be seen.
His next stop was the Berkeley Marina, the small boat launch ramp. He stuffed the boat cover around Laci and motored out towards Brooks Island. There he dumped Laci's pregnant body into the Bay, expecting it to never surface.
Then, on April 13 and April 14, respectively, Conner and Laci "washed ashore" near the same spot where Scott said he was fishing. Their bodies were found near the shoreline.
The Berkeley Marina and the route Scott took to go fishing is a popular area for boating, sailing, wind surfing and fishing. It is shallow water.
No evidence that Laci and Conner were ever in the Bay
The MPD and multiple other agencies spent 30 or more days searching in the Bay before the bodies were found and 25 days after, using the most sophisticated diving teams and sonar detection systems, and still did not produce a single piece of evidence that Laci and Conner were ever in the Bay. The Ralston theory was rejected by other experts and not presented as evidence at Trial.
Laci's clothes
Contrary to the State's argument, Laci was not found in the clothes she was wearing the day before. The tan pants, the blouse, and the shoes were all found in the house and identified by Amy Rocha.
Geragos stripped the State of another piece of "evidence." In his direct examination of Dodge Hendee, Harris emphasized the two pair of black maternity stretch pants that were found in a bag in the nursery. The search warrant included black stretch maternity pants, authorizing the officers to seize every pair they found. These were the only two pair seized.
Laci's Walk
Credible witnesses independently reported seeing Laci walking in the neighborhood along the same route and during the same time period. These sightings are corroborated in time and location by McKenzie's aggressive barking and the McKenzie sighting in the park.
Laci Sightings Were not a Priority
The truth is, the lead detectives were not looking for a live Laci – Al Brocchini concluded she was dead on the night of the 24th, and Craig Grogan arrived at the same conclusion on Christmas Day.
These were the only people contacted by MPD about the sightings:
Mike Chiavetta
• Interviewed by motorcycle policeman (Officer Nicolai) on 12/25/02
Victoria Pouches
• Contacted by Officer Beffa 12/25/02
Chris Van Sandt
• Spoke with Detective Brocchini by phone 12/25/02
John and Karma Souza
• Interviewed by Detective Phil Owen on 12/27/02 (taped phone call)
Diane Campos
• Personal interview with Phil Owen on 12/27/02
Scott’s defense attorneys did not have access to the Modesto Police Department tip sheet until May 2003. However, they did learn about some of the other sightings. Tony Freitas called a defense investigator on January 20, 2003. Homer Maldonado called Sharon Rocha and Brent Rocha. An article about Vivian Mitchell appeared in the Modesto Bee on February 27, 2003. Martha Aguilar lived only two blocks from the Petersons’ house on Covena. The defense also learned about Gene Pedrioli and Grace Wolf through sources other than the MPD.
Grogan’s testimony and the questions asked by Birgit Fladager imply that following up on the sightings was an impossible task. Take a good look at People’s Exhibit 267-3.
The following are the questions asked of mail carrier Graybill by the prosecutor. They were very carefully worded to avoid mention of the open gate.
HARRIS: Had you had any interactions with McKenzie prior to the 24th?
GRAYBILL: I, as I remember it, there were times when the dog was out with her owner and he would take control of the dog and put the dog in the backyard whenever the mailman came by.
[...]
HARRIS: Okay. So just to go back through that, there would be times where the defendant or someone would be out with the dog as you're walking down the street towards 523. Can you describe what would happen as you would walk down there and if the dog was out?
GRAYBILL: The dog would guard the territory. The dog knew its boundaries, so . . .
HARRIS: Let me stop you. What do you mean by that?
GRAYBILL: Well, like one day there was no one there. The dog knew its boundaries, so . . .
HARRIS: What do you mean by that?
GRAYBILL: Well, like one day there was no one there, okay? The dog was out, all right? And the dog would not let me cross the property. Because you walk, there's no sidewalks. You skirt the grass, on all the houses. So as I would walk up to the house, the dog would be out, and it would be barking at me. But if I stayed in the middle of the street and kept walking right down the middle of the street, the dog would not come off the edge of the property. It would stay on its grass and let me proceed. And I could go up to the next house, at 517, and deliver the mail and the dog didn't have a problem with that. But Golden Retrievers are like that. They'll stay in their territory.
HARRIS: Specifically on December 24th of 2002, did you have any problem with the dog or the dog come out and keep you off the property?
GRAYBILL: No. I had no problems on December the 24th. It was a normal day.
HARRIS: And as far as you can recall were you able to deliver the mail at 523 Covena?
GRAYBILL: Yes, I was.
HARRIS: So you continued down the route, and at some point in time you get back to your truck?
GRAYBILL: Yes.
HARRIS: As you, since you're talking to us about it, being aware of dogs and stuff, as a postman do you try to pay attention to what's going on in the street for your safety?
GRAYBILL: You're constantly on guard for what might come out at you at any given moment, yes.
HARRIS: Was there anything out of the ordinary or anything out of the usual or anything that caused you to pay attention?
GRAYBILL: There was nothing out of the ordinary.
HARRIS: No other questions.
On January 2, 2003, about a day before Connor died, according to Dr. Phillipe Jeanty, Steven Wayne Todd and Donald Glenn Pearce were arrested for the burglary of the Medina home, directly across the street from the Peterson home.
On April 17, 2003, four days after Connor's body was discovered along a shoreline area of Bayside Court in the city of Richmond, Steven Wayne Todd and Donald Glenn Pearce were booked into Stanislaus County Jail, as reported on April 21, 2003 (Laci's body was found on April 14th, on the beach, near the water, at Point Isabel park):
A burglary across the street from Laci Peterson's home had nothing to do with the Modesto woman's disappearance, police confirmed Friday. The announcement coincided with police saying they had arrested two suspects in the burglary and determined that they were not involved in the missing-person case.
Detective Doug Ridenour said the men were booked late Thursday, April 17, at Stanislaus County Jail. Chief Deputy District Attorney John Goold would not comment on whether the two men who pleaded guilty to charges related to a burglary at a home in the Petersons' neighborhood would be called to testify.
Police arrested burglary suspects Steven Wayne Todd, 36, and Donald Glenn Pearce, 44, on Jan. 2 after receiving an anonymous tip [from a confidential informant], according to police documents and the two were far more cooperative than suspects usually are with police.
"It was bad luck on their part," Det. George Stough said. (Steven Todd) said he was scared that he was going to be associated with Laci's disappearance."
State parole officers received a tip from someone who directed police to Todd and Pearce, Stough said. They gave numerous statements and facts that checked out, convincing police that the two men were telling the truth.
Todd told investigators that he traveled the La Loma area often and recognized a home that looked empty the morning after Christmas. He said he and Pearce entered the home about 4 a.m. and stayed for about 3 1/2 hours, Stough said. Police listed the time of the burglary at the home of Susan Medina on Covena Avenue in the La Loma neighborhood at 6:30 a.m. Dec. 26.
Attorneys for both sides refused to say whether there was evidence Todd and Pearce were in the neighborhood before that.
Both men were charged with two felony burglary counts.
Pearce pleaded no contest in February to a reduced charge of receiving stolen property. He was sentenced to 180 days in jail.
Todd pleaded guilty to one burglary count in February and was sentenced to eight years and eight months in prison for that charge and two other burglary counts from a separate incident.
One of the "Case Facts" on the Peterson Family website is "Opportunity."
The following is what they have to say:
The following is what they have to say:
We cannot address all the other facts of this case until we first address where Laci and Conner's bodies were found. No matter how many facts we feature that point toward Scott's innocence, the question will always be asked, "But what about the bodies?" The following quotes from jurors show how critical this topic is:
Juror #1, Greg Beratlis on Larry King Live, December 14, 2004:
"There's no bodies, it don't work. I spoke yesterday and I explained that if these bodies had been found any where else other than San Francisco Bay and, for that matter, right where Scott Peterson had described he had been fishing on Christmas Eve, we wouldn't be having this conversation."
Juror #9, Julie Zanartu on Hannity and Colmes with guest host Beckel, March 17, 2005:
BECKEL: What was the single most important piece of evidence that made you decide that he was guilty?
ZANARTU: Exactly where he was fishing was where the bodies turned up. That was the bottom line.
Juror #8, John Guinasso on Larry King Live, March 16, 2005:
KING: What, if anything, was the determining factor in this case, John?
GUINASSO: It's probably the most obvious, and that is where the bodies washed up. I can personally say for myself, if they would never have washed up, I could never have convicted Scott Peterson.
Scott's family wrote on the website:
Searches of Other Bodies of Water
Kevin Bertalotto, DA's Office, testified about the various waterways in the Modesto area with boat launch ramps where Scott could have gone fishing on December 24. He was asked to identify the distance for about a dozen places, all much shorter than the 90-mile jaunt to Berkeley Marina.
However, Scott, who preferred saltwater fishing, had wanted to test out his fishing boat on the Bay – December 24th was the first time he had the boat on the water (he purchased it used from a private owner about two weeks earlier, and the owner had told him that he hadn't run the motor in a while so he couldn't guarantee that it worked).
The following is an excerpt of the testimony of Kevin Bertalotta, an investigator for the district attorney's office of Stanislaus County, regarding freshwater bodies of water in the area, two which were searched (Don Pedro Reservoir and Lake Tulloch).
The Bodies Were Discovered on the Shore, Not Floating in the Bay
Almost four months after Laci disappeared, Laci and Conner were found by pedestrians on the shores of the San Francisco Bay.
Scott's family wrote:
The following are summaries of the autopsies of Connor and Laci based on the trial testimony of Medical Examiner Dr. Brian Peterson.
Conner's Autopsy
History: The history provided to Peterson was that of a body found on the shore. Peterson did not know this was Conner and the female body had not yet been found. Consequently, the typical forensic pathology question in this type of case is: is this a stillborn baby or a live-born baby? Initially, then, Peterson was not concerned with explaining Conner's state of decomposition compared to Laci's because Laci wasn't yet known about.
External Exam: The external exam revealed no clothing, since it was a fetus. There was some material associated with the body, particularly some clear plastic tape (a lot like wrapping tape or boxing tape), one and a half loops of plastic tape around the neck of the fetus, with a knot near the left shoulder. The skin beneath the tape was not injured, and there was approximately a 2-centimeter gap between the neck and the tape when pulling the tape so it was firm against one side of the neck. Peterson removed the tape by cutting it and gave it to a criminalist. Peterson concluded the association between the body and the tape was coincidental – the tape simply ended up on the body. There was also some material over the left ear, adhering to the head, which Peterson believed to be kelp or other vegetative material. However, when it was removed, the ear remained folded over and there was a purple discoloration on Conner, which Peterson said is more consistent with the iodine in kelp than with bruising. (Peterson is not the person who removed this material from Conner's ear). Conner was decomposing, in general terms. He weighed 1160 grams (approximately 2. 5 pounds). A crown-of-head measurement could not be taking because the head was collapsing. Crown-heel length was 48 centimeters (approximately 19 inches). Based on these measurements, Conner could have reached full-term [full-term is defined as 38-41 weeks]. The skin was quite soft, in keeping with maceration, an effect on tissue soaking in fluid. No vernix on the body. The bones in the skull were overriding, which happens as the brain liquefies. There was a tear near the right shoulder that exposed skeletal muscle and the structures beneath. The tear extended onto the abdominal wall and portions of the small and large intestines protruded through the tear. There was no scalloping, no curved marks around the edges. Concluded it was simply from tissue falling apart or being pulled apart due to tidal action, it wasn't due to animal feeding. A portion of the colon protruded from the anus. There was a portion of the umbilical cord present, measuring a half centimeter (less than a 1/4 inch), and the edge was ragged, like it fell apart or pulled apart. It was not cut.
Internal Exam: There were no specific changes of either congenital abnormality or disease. The organs, in general, were soft and liquefied, in keeping with decomposition. The spleen and kidney could not be weighed because they were liquefied. There was more liquefaction inside the right side of the chest as opposed to the left because of the tear. The changes were simply the result of decomposition and immersion.
Estimated gestational age: Nine months, based on the crown to heel and the crown to rump measurement. However, the body was soft and decomposing. As tissues decompose, they tend to expand, and expanding tissues can affect the whole body. Peterson left the gestational age determination to Dr. Galloway, an anthropologist.
Live birth: Peterson could not rule out live birth.
Plastic bag found near Conner: Under cross, Peterson was asked if Conner had been placed in a bag and the tape was around the neck having been looped around once and knotted so that once placed in the water, the baby would have been in a protected environment – if that was consistent with Conner's decomposition and the tape around his neck. Admitted it was possible that Conner's body was protected in some other way, but did not consider it likely. Peterson was not aware of the plastic found near Conner when he did the autopsy.
Float test not performed: The float test is used to determine live birth, with the idea that if a baby is stillborn, it has never had a chance to draw a breath, and thus the lungs are heavy and simply will not float in water. On the other hand, if the baby is live born and has drawn breath, lungs are expanded, there is air, and they will float. Problem is there can be postmortem gas formation in the lung due to decomposition. Peterson does not rely on the float test and did not perform one.
Estimated time in water unprotected: Not more than a couple of days.
Estimate of Gestational Age
As part of the autopsy, Peterson took two measurements, the crown-rump length and crown-heel length. The crown-rump measurement of 32 cm indicated Conner's gestational age was 9 months. Peterson did not give the details of the crown-heel length in his testimony.*
*Peterson did provide both measurements in his preliminary testimony.
Laci's Autopsy
History: x-rays were taken prior to Peterson's arrival, which he examined, looking for evidence of foreign material, such as bullets, blades, that sort of thing. There were none.
External–Body: Peterson received the body in the prone position, which is unusual. The body consisted of a torso, portions of both upper extremities, portions of the lower extremities. Missing were the head and neck, the forearms and hands, and the left lower leg, the tibia, the fibula, and the foot.
In terms of the chest, the skin, the tissue beneath the skin, the fat, the muscle, all that was absent, and the collarbones, the clavicles, the breastbone, the sternum, the ribs were all exposed. The organs normally associated with the chest, the hear, the lungs, etc., were all absent. From the umbilicus (bellybutton) up, the abdominal wall was absent upward, exposing the bones of the chest, and a portion of the soft tissue was absent down to about the level of the umbilicus. From the waist down, beginning about the level of the umbilicus, the skin was absent, the fat was still present, and the fat had undergone a postmortem change called adipocere, which is a soap-like substance that's formed when fat is soaked in cold water. Her external genitalia were unremarkable, there was no evidence of injury. Much of the skin, subcutaneous tissue was present on the upper arms and on the thighs. The joints were exposed but no evidence of injury, no marks on the bones, such as a saw blade or knife might leave. Neither was there evidence of chewing. There were barnacles on the clothing, but none on the body.
External–Clothing: The clothing consisted of an underwire brassiere, with a label that said Bali 3630 C 40/90. The brassiere was in place and intact, secured by two hook-and-loop-type fasteners, and, as best as Peterson could tell, had not been disturbed. Additional clothing consisted of khaki-colored trousers, with a label that had the brand name Motherhood, size S for small. Beneath the trousers were panties, with a label with Jockey 7. The trousers had a peculiar shredding effect. The legs were basically reduced to thread, and within those threads, the calcification, or stone-like material, was deposited. The button closure was intact, the zipper was intact, and there were cloth draw cords inside, also intact. The buttocks of the panties was missing, and the front portion was intact. There was some duct tape on the left thigh. When Peterson turned the body over, he observed the duct tape was sticking to the front waistband of the trousers.
Explanation–Condition of Laci's body: Laci's body being in prone position and the damage to her body is consistent with a body that's free to move in the water or float – it's going to float face down. It's the center of gravity issue, due to the fact that the extremities are rather heavy and they are going to hang down. Left to its own devices, the body will float in the prone (face down) position. Bodies tend to sink, and at some point they tend to float up. This depends on the postmortem change, gas formation, etc. Bodies typically spend some of their time near the bottom and some of their time near the top. If they are near the bottom, they are open to effect by physical phenomenon, such as tides, currents, those sorts of things. A body will then be pulled over the bottom structures, rocks, sand, whatever else might be down there, which are destructive – an abrasive-type action on the body that will cause some of the changes Peterson observed in Laci. The forearms were absent, the lower leg was absent on the left because those portions were hanging down and more subject to that damage. Since the uterus is relatively heavy, the anterior abdominal wall and that upper portion, the fundus of the uterus, are also exposed to that type of damage.
Explanation–Condition of Conner compared to condition of Laci: Laci's body showed evidence of animal feeding, associated with exposure to the environment, while Conner's did not. Conner was decomposed, but no evidence of animal feeding. Conner was inside Laci when Laci's body was deposited in the water or ended up in the water, but over time the tidal action and animal feeding, as the abdominal wall wore away, eventually the upper part of the fundus of the uterus wore away, and at that time, the fetus was released. Peterson said it would be hard to provide the level of protection the uterus would provide through another means, such as a plastic bag.
Explanation–Cause of disarticulation: No bite marks or other positive evidence that animal feeding caused the disarticulation.
Explanation–mineral deposits on the pants: These were discrete deposits. How a body acts in the water, how it tends to submerge and then resurface, if this happened over a period of time, with alternate layers of wetting and drying, it could account for the minerals building up.
Estimate of time in the water: Months.
Cause of death: Undetermined. With respect to the body that was present, there were nothing to indicate cause of death: no tool marks, no bullets, no evidences of injury, nothing helpful from the toxicology report – nothing to indicate anatomic or chemical cause of death.
Toxicology report: Skeletal muscle tissue was tested for toxins. Caffeine was detected. Peterson did not know how long caffeine can remain in the skeletal tissue.
CourtTV obtained a copy of the autopsy report on Laci, which can be found at this link:
http://www.inreview.com/archive/topic/25517.html
The amount of misinterpretation in regards to this topic remains somewhat of a mystery to our family. When Laci went missing on December 24th we were alarmed to hear the police announce Scott's alibi to the public within 24 hours. We did not know where Laci was, who had her, or what their intent was. Within two days of Laci's disappearance, Scott's alibi had been so widely publicized that while we had great hope that Laci would be coming home, a small part of us feared that if someone had the intent to kill Laci they were being told right where to put her body.By December 28th, both the Modesto Police and the media were at the Berkeley Marina. Water searches of the San Francisco Bay began by December 30th. The search teams included the Coast Guard, Navy, agencies from at least four different counties, the FBI, dogs trained to smell the surface of the water for gases being emitted from decomposing bodies, in excess of 200 side-scan sonar searches, a robotic vehicle that drove along the bottom of the water, scuba divers and helicopters.
On February 3, helicopter searches were conducted around Brooks Island and along the shoreline of the Bay.
GERAGOS: Okay. One of the reasons that you were hovering with the helicopter over this area is because you thought you would be able to see anything or do a visual check and search by being ten feet above the water, correct?
CLOWARD: Correct. We wanted to check the banks of Brooks Island, which is why we were hovering along the water's edge.
GERAGOS: Okay. Then you went back up, did you go back up that afternoon after you did the first search of the banks of the island?
CLOWARD: Yes. We ended in, up in Napa, and then came back from Napa, working along the shoreline again, and then went out to Treasure Island.
In February Dr. Cheng was asked to determine where the bodies would have gone if they had been placed in the water along Scott’s fishing route.
GERAGOS: Okay. And could you point, or could you write on the map with red pen where they suggested that they thought the body may have been placed in the water?
JUDGE: Put an "X", Doctor Cheng. And draw a line to the margin and it put C1. Just put an X. Okay. Do you want to put just draw a line out to the margin?
CHENG: Somewhere over here.
GERAGOS: Okay and was that over off of the tip of Brooks Island?
CHENG: That's correct.
The most damning (and only) evidence against Peterson is the fact the bodies washed up near where he was fishing that day and the fact he told Amber Frey he “lost” his wife before she disappeared.
The police leaked his alibi to the media and then the media broadcast it to the world.
Anybody could have possibly planted the body there to frame him.
There is no blood splatter, no transfer DNA, no fluids, no fibers anywhere in his truck, his house, or his boat that indicates he murdered her and/or transported her body.
When someone is strangled to death the body will usually release the bladder. This causes urine to be transferred on the floor, clothing, and any any surface the body comes in contact with from then on. In the cases where the urine is cleaned up from a floor or carpet, there is then a much greater concentrated area of cleaner.
The police found no evidence of this whatsoever in his truck, boat, or the house.
Either the police did a terrible job searching for and collecting evidence or Scott did an exceptional job of making sure there was nothing for them to find.
Also, the prosecution presented no witnesses stating that Scott was abusive to Laci in any way or to any other woman for that matter.
The police like to make up stuff and railroad people because of what they think happened (confirmation bias).
It's clear that Lacy was a victim. She went out on her walk with the dog. She arrived home and put the dog in the fenced yard. She confronted the burglars across the street. She was taken by the men as they were loading the stolen safe into the van.
Searches of the shallow waters in the Bay turned up nothing.
During extensive searches of the Bay using divers, sophisticated side-scan sonar equipment and a REMUS, there was nothing of any evidentiary value recovered. They found a pier piling, buoy chain, anchor, broken crab trap, and a six-inch broken one-inch by one-inch wooden stick.
The water around Brooks Island is extremely shallow. At times it is three feet or less. The average depth in this area at low tide would be six to eight feet. Maybe at high tide you're talking about twelve feet, possibly. So you could navigate in this area fairly well with all the boats, but you couldn't get too close to the shoreline or certain areas around Brooks Island because the water is so shallow.
In spite of exhaustive searches of the bay before and after the bodies were found, there was no evidence whatsoever that the bodies had ever been in the bay along Scott’s fishing route before they were found on the shore.
The Modesto Police Department expended numerous resources to locate Laci's dead body in the Bay. The 51 total searches were divided into two phases: before and after the bodies were found.
During extensive searches of the Bay using divers, sophisticated side-scan sonar equipment and a REMUS, there was nothing of any evidentiary value recovered. They found a pier piling, buoy chain, anchor, broken crab trap, and a six-inch broken one-inch by one-inch wooden stick.
The water around Brooks Island is extremely shallow. At times it is three feet or less. The average depth in this area at low tide would be six to eight feet. Maybe at high tide you're talking about twelve feet, possibly. So you could navigate in this area fairly well with all the boats, but you couldn't get too close to the shoreline or certain areas around Brooks Island because the water is so shallow.
In spite of exhaustive searches of the bay before and after the bodies were found, there was no evidence whatsoever that the bodies had ever been in the bay along Scott’s fishing route before they were found on the shore.
The Modesto Police Department expended numerous resources to locate Laci's dead body in the Bay. The 51 total searches were divided into two phases: before and after the bodies were found.
Bay Searches
The Bay searches involved several agencies besides the MPD and utilized divers, side-scan sonars, and a REMUS device. Based on expert opinion, MPD developed a rectangular highest probability section of the Bay and set out to literally map that entire area. Many say that the sites where the bodies were found is the strongest evidence against Scott, but the testimony certainly raises reasonable doubt that Laci could have been in the Bay those four months and not been detected.
Witnesses who testified about the Bay searches were convinced that a very thorough search was completed, and yet no homemade anchors (the State claimed Scott made homemade anchors and used them to weight down Laci's body), body parts, or other evidence of Laci's presence were found.
The Prosecution tried to steer the jury away from this obvious conclusion, that Laci's body was never in the Bay before it was discovered along the shoreline, by pointing out the poor visibility. However, as Geragos noted, if the sophisticated equipment could locate items as small as beer bottles, why couldn't it find the evidence necessary to prove Scott dumped Laci in that Bay?
Dates of searches of the Bay before the bodies were discovered were under the direction of Ron Cloward:
December 28, 30
January 2, 4, 8, 9, 11, 18, 24, 28
February 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 20, 21, 23, 26
March 1, 2, 3, 4, 11, 12, 13, 26, 27, 29
Geoffrey Baehr, Head Diver, marina search and rescue team, was captain of one of the boats with the side-scan sonar that conducted 15-17 searches of the Bay in late December, January, February, March, April, and May. His boat conducted searches in the areas of the pier pilings in the Berkeley Marina, from Brooks Island to Point Isabel (had to discontinue that search because not enough water depth), the Richmond shipping channel, and the Southamptoan Shoal. Baehr described the difficulties they faced with the black water, wind, waves, currents, and surge. He also described the process of searching a grid.
Geragos contrasted the side-scan sonar with the Hydroid system that was used later, and which Geragos said literally mapped the Bay floor of the high probability area, finding very small items. Baehr said an 5.8 foot item showed only as an 1/4 inch object on the screen of the side sonar computer, so it could never "see" such small items.
Baehr would not state that nothing of evidentiary value was found because he said he was not the one who determined evidentiary value.
The Bay searches involved several agencies besides the MPD and utilized divers, side-scan sonars, and a REMUS device. Based on expert opinion, MPD developed a rectangular highest probability section of the Bay and set out to literally map that entire area. Many say that the sites where the bodies were found is the strongest evidence against Scott, but the testimony certainly raises reasonable doubt that Laci could have been in the Bay those four months and not been detected.
Witnesses who testified about the Bay searches were convinced that a very thorough search was completed, and yet no homemade anchors (the State claimed Scott made homemade anchors and used them to weight down Laci's body), body parts, or other evidence of Laci's presence were found.
The Prosecution tried to steer the jury away from this obvious conclusion, that Laci's body was never in the Bay before it was discovered along the shoreline, by pointing out the poor visibility. However, as Geragos noted, if the sophisticated equipment could locate items as small as beer bottles, why couldn't it find the evidence necessary to prove Scott dumped Laci in that Bay?
Exhibits Introduced
EXHIBIT 132: PHOTO OF THE MAXIMUM CAPACITY SIGN IN THE BOAT.
EXHIBIT 133: PHOTO OF SHOPPING BAG WITH BLACK PANTS AND PAPER BAG, #37 SIGN.
EXHIBIT 134: PHOTO DET. HENDEE WITH OLIVE LEAF WREATH ON HIS HEAD.
EXHIBIT 134: PHOTO DET. HENDEE WITH OLIVE LEAF WREATH ON HIS HEAD.
EXHIBIT KKK: NOT USED.
EXHIBIT LLL: DIAGRAM OF PROPOSED SEARCH AREA
EXHIBIT MMM: DIAGRAM OF OVERALL SURVEY AREA
EXHIBIT NNN: DIAGRAM OF ENTIRE TARGET AREA
EXHIBIT OOO: MISSION 1 SURVEY AREA
EXHIBIT PPP: 2 PGS. SEARCH QUADRANTS
EXHIBIT QQQ: MISSION 1 FILTERED TARGET MAP POSITIONS
EXHIBIT RRR: MISSION 2 SURVEY AREA
EXHIBIT SSS: 2 PGS. MISSION 2 FILTERED TARGET MAP POSITIONS.
EXHIBIT LLL: DIAGRAM OF PROPOSED SEARCH AREA
EXHIBIT MMM: DIAGRAM OF OVERALL SURVEY AREA
EXHIBIT NNN: DIAGRAM OF ENTIRE TARGET AREA
EXHIBIT OOO: MISSION 1 SURVEY AREA
EXHIBIT PPP: 2 PGS. SEARCH QUADRANTS
EXHIBIT QQQ: MISSION 1 FILTERED TARGET MAP POSITIONS
EXHIBIT RRR: MISSION 2 SURVEY AREA
EXHIBIT SSS: 2 PGS. MISSION 2 FILTERED TARGET MAP POSITIONS.
EXHIBIT TTT: MISSION 3 SURVEY AREA, (5 PAGES)
EXHIBIT UUU: MISSIONS 4, 5, 6, & 7, (16 PAGES)
EXHIBIT UUU: MISSIONS 4, 5, 6, & 7, (16 PAGES)
Dates of searches of the Bay before the bodies were discovered were under the direction of Ron Cloward:
December 28, 30
January 2, 4, 8, 9, 11, 18, 24, 28
February 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 20, 21, 23, 26
March 1, 2, 3, 4, 11, 12, 13, 26, 27, 29
Geoffrey Baehr, Head Diver, marina search and rescue team, was captain of one of the boats with the side-scan sonar that conducted 15-17 searches of the Bay in late December, January, February, March, April, and May. His boat conducted searches in the areas of the pier pilings in the Berkeley Marina, from Brooks Island to Point Isabel (had to discontinue that search because not enough water depth), the Richmond shipping channel, and the Southamptoan Shoal. Baehr described the difficulties they faced with the black water, wind, waves, currents, and surge. He also described the process of searching a grid.
Geragos contrasted the side-scan sonar with the Hydroid system that was used later, and which Geragos said literally mapped the Bay floor of the high probability area, finding very small items. Baehr said an 5.8 foot item showed only as an 1/4 inch object on the screen of the side sonar computer, so it could never "see" such small items.
Baehr would not state that nothing of evidentiary value was found because he said he was not the one who determined evidentiary value.
Dates of searches of the Bay after the bodies were discovered were under the direction of Dodge Hendee:
April 13, 14
May 5, 6, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23
July 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13
September 11, 12, 18 19
October 3, 4, 17
The searches discussed in most detail were after April 14, when Laci was found at Point Isabel.
April 13, 14
May 5, 6, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23
July 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13
September 11, 12, 18 19
October 3, 4, 17
The searches discussed in most detail were after April 14, when Laci was found at Point Isabel.
Hendee testified to a meticulously thorough search of the Bay in the high probability area, using special dive teams and sophisticated sonar equipment. He is to be commended for this very thorough search and for the way he sought out the best resources available, all over the nation. But, no anchors were found and no body parts (an anchor was found on January 9th, but not an anchor that like anchors the State claimed Scott made and used to weight down Laci's body).
The Prosecution spent considerable time establishing with Hendee that the anchor Scott had in his boat was made using the plastic pitcher on the trailer, including showing the picture of Brocchini putting the boat anchor into the pitcher in an apparently perfect fit. With that established as "fact," D. Harris had Hendee testify about the five circular void spots in the white powder on the trailer – all intended to convince the Jury that Scott made four other anchors, and those four anchors were used to weight down Laci.
The Prosecution spent considerable time establishing with Hendee that the anchor Scott had in his boat was made using the plastic pitcher on the trailer, including showing the picture of Brocchini putting the boat anchor into the pitcher in an apparently perfect fit. With that established as "fact," D. Harris had Hendee testify about the five circular void spots in the white powder on the trailer – all intended to convince the Jury that Scott made four other anchors, and those four anchors were used to weight down Laci.
Geragos disabused the jury of any such idea. He showed how the anchor did not perfectly fit into the pitcher, and he demonstrated the finger-width gap between the anchor and the pitcher. He noted the dimple on the inside bottom of the pitcher that was noticeably missing from the bottom of the anchor. He asked Hendee to verify that the experts confirmed that the anchor was not made in that pitcher. He suggested Hendee "saw" the circular rings because he believed the boat anchor was made in that pitcher.
Searches of Other Bodies of Water
Kevin Bertalotto, DA's Office, testified about the various waterways in the Modesto area with boat launch ramps where Scott could have gone fishing on December 24. He was asked to identify the distance for about a dozen places, all much shorter than the 90-mile jaunt to Berkeley Marina.
However, Scott, who preferred saltwater fishing, had wanted to test out his fishing boat on the Bay – December 24th was the first time he had the boat on the water (he purchased it used from a private owner about two weeks earlier, and the owner had told him that he hadn't run the motor in a while so he couldn't guarantee that it worked).
The following is an excerpt of the testimony of Kevin Bertalotta, an investigator for the district attorney's office of Stanislaus County, regarding freshwater bodies of water in the area, two which were searched (Don Pedro Reservoir and Lake Tulloch).
DISTASO: Let me show you a map of People's 217. Do you recognize what's depicted on the map, those particular waterways?
BERTALOTTO: Yes, I do.
DISTASO: And are those the waterways that you drove out to and measured the distance from Mr. Peterson's home to each of those individual locations?
BERTALOTTO: Yes, I did.
DISTASO: Did you go from his home to the boat launching facilities at each of those locations?
BERTALOTTO: Yes, I did.
DISTASO: Let me just put this up on the screen. And how is it that you measured, how is it that you measured the distance? Did you
BERTALOTTO: Well
DISTASO: Yeah, go ahead.
BERTALOTTO: I just used the tripometer in my assigned work car, so obviously it's an approximation, but that's the way I did it.
DISTASO: And let's just kind of go through them, go through them, starting on the left-hand side. From, Mr. Peterson's home to the Mossdale launching or crossing launch ramp, where is that located?
BERTALOTTO: That's on Highway 120 where it merges into Highway 205 where it crosses the San Joaquin River, there's, excuse me, a launch access there.
DISTASO: Okay. And there's somewhere you can launch a boat?
BERTALOTTO: Yes.
DISTASO: And how far in miles just from your car driving out there was it?
BERTALOTTO: 26.4.
DISTASO: And if you go up, going up to the top of the map there, how far from Mr. Peterson's home to the Woodward Reservoir launch ramp?
BERTALOTTO: 23.7.
DISTASO: And let's go straight, straight east. Straight east from Mr. Peterson's home, if you were to drive down Highway 132, can you come to a place called the Fox Grove fishing access to the Tuolumne River?
BERTALOTTO: Yes, it's off Albers Road.
DISTASO: Does that have a boat launching ramp there?
BERTALOTTO: Yes, it does.
DISTASO: How far was that from Mr. Peterson's home?
BERTALOTTO: 9.8 miles.
DISTASO: Is there another location at Turlock Lake in that area of Stanislaus County?
BERTALOTTO: Yes, sir, there is.
DISTASO: How far is that from Mr. Peterson's home?
BERTALOTTO: 23.7 miles. Same distance.
DISTASO: And again, looking straight above that, the Modesto Reservoir, that's another lake there in Stanislaus County?
BERTALOTTO: Yes.
DISTASO: Does that have a boat launching area there?
BERTALOTTO: Yes, it does.
DISTASO: How far is that from Mr. Peterson's home?
BERTALOTTO: 19.2 miles.
DISTASO: Going down fairly far south, in Merced County, is there another lake, Yosemite Lake, a small lake?
BERTALOTTO: Yes, there's a small lake there.
DISTASO: Does that have a boat launch?
BERTALOTTO: Yes, it does.
DISTASO: How far is that from Mr. Peterson's home?
BERTALOTTO: 58 miles.
DISTASO: And keep, keep going east there. It looks like Lake McSwain is another location?
BERTALOTTO: Yes.
DISTASO: How far is that from Mr. Peterson's home?
BERTALOTTO: To the boat launch there is 49.7.
DISTASO: And going up to Lake McClure, that's another lake right across the county line; is that right?
BERTALOTTO: It's in Merced County.
DISTASO: Okay. How far is that from Mr. Peterson's home to the boat launch ramp at that facility?
BERTALOTTO: At Barrett's Cove, which is the nearest one on that lake, is 45.4.
DISTASO: And Don Pedro Reservoir, another lake in the area, how far was it to the closest boat launch ramp?
BERTALOTTO: Yeah, that was Blue Oak. That was the closest.
DISTASO: Says on there 37.2; is that correct?
BERTALOTTO: That's correct.
DISTASO: Okay. And Lake Tulloch, which is right across the Tuolumne County line from Stanislaus County to the north, if I can read that right it looks like it says 37.1 miles?
BERTALOTTO: Yes. That's to the south shore launch ramp. And it was 47.2 to the north shore launch ramp.
DISTASO: There's two launch ramps at that particular –
BERTALOTTO: Yes. They're accessed off different roads.
DISTASO: And the last one that's on the map there is Tuttletown Reservoir, New Melones. How far is that from Mr. Peterson's home?
BERTALOTTO: I believe it was 58.8 miles.
DISTASO: And is that every single possible place you could go fishing –
BERTALOTTO: No.
DISTASO: in Stanislaus County?
BERTALOTTO: No.
DISTASO: Or the surrounding counties?
BERTALOTTO: No.
DISTASO: Okay. Is this a sample of the boat launch ramps and facilities that are available near Mr. Peterson's home?
BERTALOTTO: It's pretty, pretty much just a random sampling of east, slightly north, slightly south, popular fishing areas for people in the Modesto area, Stanislaus County.
DISTASO: Nothing further, your Honor.
[...]
HARRIS: You are also aware that on the day of the 24th, Mr. Grantski had gone fishing; is that correct?
DISTASO: Objection, your Honor. That is beyond the scope of direct.
JUDGE: It's beyond the scope.
HARRIS: The distance Mr. Grantski went to go fishing that day is relevant.
JUDGE: No, I don't think so. Where Mr. Grantski went fishing I don't think is relevant. The issue is, the issue is how far these other alternative places to go fishing are from the Covena residence. I'm going to sustain the objection.
HARRIS: The different areas around here, the different places you went, these are the different lakes? These are all freshwater lakes?
BERTALOTTO: They are.
HARRIS: There aren't any saltwater lakes in the area, right?
BERTALOTTO: No.
HARRIS: So if you want to go to a salt water, to go saltwater fishing, the Berkeley Marina and The Bay would be the closest saltwater area, correct?
BERTALOTTO: Yeah probably.
HARRIS: And, in fact, have you ever gone saltwater fishing?
BERTALOTTO: A few times.
HARRIS: You have gone?
BERTALOTTO: Un-hun.
HARRIS: Did you drive over to The Bay to go saltwater fishing?
BERTALOTTO: No.
HARRIS: You have gone saltwater fishing other places?
BERTALOTTO: Yes, sir.
HARRIS: So just because the lakes were closest, that didn't necessarily mean to choose your fishing spot you chose to go further than the closest possible place to go fishing, correct?
DISTASO: Objection, your Honor. Relevance as to what the investigator did.
JUDGE: Sustained.
HARRIS: The specific lakes that you are talking about here that are in the area, which is the largest one?
BERTALOTTO: The Don Pedro probably has the largest shoreline. But, you know, there is a lot of arms, and so forth. You can see the distance around that lake is probably –
HARRIS: This is Don Pedro?
BERTALOTTO: Yeah. I think it's about a hundred eighty miles when it's up at spillway level.
HARRIS: How many boat launch ramps does that have?
BERTALOTTO: Blue Oak, Flaming Meadow, Moccasin. That's all.
HARRIS: There is three that you can launch from?
BERTALOTTO: Yes.
HARRIS: Fairly large lake?
BERTALOTTO: Un-hun.
HARRIS: On that lake is a marina?
BERTALOTTO: Yes, sir.
HARRIS: How large is the marina?
BERTALOTTO: Four docks. Probably berths around 200 boats there.
HARRIS: This is, this would be the largest area lake close to Modesto?
BERTALOTTO: Well, talking about shoreline. I don't know, you know, acre feet and so forth. I don't know how much area.
HARRIS: Don Pedro, Don Pedro and Lake Tulloch?
JUDGE: Tulloch.
HARRIS: Got it.
HARRIS: Tulloch [and Don Pedro] were both places that were searched in the effort to find Miss Peterson, correct?
BERTALOTTO: I'm not certain of that. I wasn't involved in the search aspect of the investigation.
HARRIS: Okay. Are you familiar with the depths of these lakes at all?
BERTALOTTO: I know Don Pedro is over 600 feet deep in the main channel by the dam. That's the only one I know about.
HARRIS: In fact, Don Pedro is deeper, itself, is deeper than The Bay, the bay area, specifically around the Berkeley Marina?
BERTALOTTO: I don't know how deep The Bay is. I understand it's pretty deep out by the bridge.
HARRIS: But it's not anywhere near 600 feet deep?
BERTALOTTO: I don't know that, sir.
HARRIS: The places that we're dealing with, most of these lakes around here that you are dealing with, specifically the, point you to a couple. The lakes here, the Reservoir Launch Ramp, which is the closest, I believe. 19.2. I'm sorry. There is actually one from Fox Grove Fishing Access. Did you recall the mileage?
BERTALOTTO: Tuolumne River, Fox Grove Fishing Access.
HARRIS: That's about 9.5 miles?
BERTALOTTO: Uh-huh.
HARRIS: The one we are dealing with the Reservoir Launch Ramp is about 19.2?
BERTALOTTO: Yes, sir.
HARRIS: Is that right? Okay. And there is one, if I'm right, this is Turlock, right?
BERTALOTTO: That is Turlock. That's actually
HARRIS: That's about 23.7?
BERTALOTTO: Yes, sir.
HARRIS: Do any of those lakes that are the closest to Modesto, do any of those lakes have marinas?
BERTALOTTO: No. They have launch ramps. I think Modesto Reservoir might have a little bait shop and store near the launch ramp. As far as a marina per se, I don't think so.
HARRIS: Okay. Any of those lakes, any of the lakes that I just pointed out have hotels near them, large hotels near them?
BERTALOTTO: Talking about all the lakes, or just those three?
HARRIS: Just the ones I pointed out.
BERTALOTTO: No.
HARRIS: Any of them have large, let's say about four mile jogging and walking areas for dogs?
BERTALOTTO: I don't know about that.
HARRIS: They are fairly remote, are they not?
BERTALOTTO: They are rural. They are in the country.
HARRIS: And they are not anywhere nearly as crowded as the Berkeley Marina. You have been to the Berkeley Marina, correct?
BERTALOTTO: I have been there.
HARRIS: None of these places are anywhere nearly as crowded as the Berkeley Marina, are they?
BERTALOTTO: They are pretty crowded with fishermen, so forth. Depends on the time of the year. I mean the traffic backs up to those launch ramps for a long time during the summer with watercraft, and skiers, and so forth.
HARRIS: Would that be similar on December 24th?
BERTALOTTO: I doubt it.
HARRIS: None of them have, for example, about 400, 500 berths, boat berths to keep a boat at, do they?
BERTALOTTO: Not at those lakes, no.
HARRIS: And you have been to the Berkeley Marina. You have, you, are you aware of the traffic driving around, just the people driving around, none of them have near the traffic, I'm talking about car traffic, around, do they?
BERTALOTTO: Well, I have been over there where, it was pretty isolated. I mean there is very few trailers in the parking lot, and very few people. Just depends on the time of the year, what people are fishing for, and so forth.
HARRIS: Okay. That's all I have.
JUDGE: Any redirect?
DISTASO: No, your Honor.
JUDGE: All right, Inspector Bertalotto, thank you.
The Bodies Were Discovered on the Shore, Not Floating in the Bay
Almost four months after Laci disappeared, Laci and Conner were found by pedestrians on the shores of the San Francisco Bay.
Scott's family wrote:
Before their bodies were positively identified, our family was contemplating that our worst fears may have come true: Laci and Conner may be dead and if so, someone had placed their bodies where Scott had been the day she went missing. With their bodies being found at the bay, where Scott was, the police had probable cause to arrest him.
Scott's arrest, the jury verdict and the prosecution's ever changing theories hinged on this one thing: that Laci and baby Conner were eventually found in the vicinity of where Scott had been the day she disappeared.
What was so obvious to our family seemed to evade some of the most sought after legal minds on television. These brilliant legal minds deduced that Scott must be guilty because there was no other logical explanation for how Laci and Conner could have been found at the bay unless Scott put them there. They scoffed at the idea that someone would plan to kill Laci and frame Scott, and they found it highly unlikely that if Laci were a random victim of murder that she would be coincidentally disposed of where her husband was fishing that day. Their theories seemed to focus on the assumption that Laci had been murdered on December 24th and her body disposed of the same day.
Had so much time gone by that no one remembered how quickly Scott's alibi had been publicized?
Why were people assuming that she had been murdered on Christmas Eve? Why were people assuming her body was put in the bay on Christmas Eve?
No one in our family felt it likely that someone premeditated Laci's murder with the intent to frame Scott. We also did not think it likely that someone had murdered her on Christmas Eve and coincidentally drove to the bay to dump her body.
We saw other more logical options, but these seemed to escape discussion.
What was obvious to our family and friends was confirmed by countless others. One individual wrote our family and commented that when he heard Scott's Christmas Eve location publicized on TV he thought to himself, "The guy doesn't stand a chance now." Others yet called the Modesto Police tip line and indicated that publicizing Scott's whereabouts could result in the perpetrators dumping her body there in an effort to frame him.
The prosecution, in their rebuttal closing argument, argued that Laci would have to have been alive for a day for someone to take advantage of knowing Scott's alibi and dumping her in the bay.
Is there some evidence that she was not alive December 25th?
If she was killed on the 24th, is it not possible that her body could have been moved to the bay?
The prosecution also asked, "Who would drive 90 miles to dump a body?," like it made total sense for Scott to drive 90 miles, but not anyone else.
Well we would ask, "Would the sales manager of a fertilizer company, who knew the farm land of the central valley like the back of his hand, drive 90 miles to the busiest marina on the San Francisco Bay, where he'd never been before, go dump his pregnant wife's body out of a boat he'd never had in the water before in broad daylight? Or would someone who had the chance to get away with murder drive 90 miles to do so?"
The San Jose Mercury News reported on December 14, 2004 that Juror Greg Beratlis tried to grasp the defense theory that Peterson was framed, but he couldn't believe that any one else would have gone to such trouble to hide her body. Why is this so unbelievable? If someone is evil enough to commit murder, wouldn't they be evil enough to go to the trouble of blaming someone else?
Is that the real problem, that it's unbelievable? Well we'd have to agree. The last three years have been quite unbelievable. But why is it easier to believe that a man with no history of violence, much less anger, is capable of murdering his wife and unborn son and leaving no evidence than it is to believe that Laci was abducted and murdered?
Statistically, it is not likely that (1) someone with no history of anger or violence would commit this type of crime, and (2) it is not statistically likely that someone could commit this crime and leave no evidence in the home, the yard, the truck, the boat, the warehouse, or on himself and do it in broad daylight with no eye witnesses. What are the chances that both of these things could happen in the same crime? If you are one to focus on statistics, Scott would be the least likely suspect.
There is much evidence associated with Laci and Conner's bodies that suggests Scott is innocent, but we will address that in later issues. The one thing we want to point out in this issue is that Laci was alive Christmas Eve morning and was found dead on the shoreline on April 14th. Where she was in between those dates, and how she and Conner got where they were found is unknown.
The medical examiner, Dr. Peterson, estimated she had been dead “months,” placing Laci's time of death between December 24, 2002 and mid February 2003.
The search for Laci's body in the San Francisco Bay did not result in the bay being secured as a crime scene. Countless people were free to come and go from the bay at all hours of the day and night. Meanwhile, Scott's alibi and the fact that the bay was being searched was publicized almost daily. There was ample opportunity to place their bodies in the water or along the shoreline. So we submit to you:
It is a fact that someone other than Scott had the opportunity to put Laci and baby Conner's bodies where they were.
The following are summaries of the autopsies of Connor and Laci based on the trial testimony of Medical Examiner Dr. Brian Peterson.
History: The history provided to Peterson was that of a body found on the shore. Peterson did not know this was Conner and the female body had not yet been found. Consequently, the typical forensic pathology question in this type of case is: is this a stillborn baby or a live-born baby? Initially, then, Peterson was not concerned with explaining Conner's state of decomposition compared to Laci's because Laci wasn't yet known about.
External Exam: The external exam revealed no clothing, since it was a fetus. There was some material associated with the body, particularly some clear plastic tape (a lot like wrapping tape or boxing tape), one and a half loops of plastic tape around the neck of the fetus, with a knot near the left shoulder. The skin beneath the tape was not injured, and there was approximately a 2-centimeter gap between the neck and the tape when pulling the tape so it was firm against one side of the neck. Peterson removed the tape by cutting it and gave it to a criminalist. Peterson concluded the association between the body and the tape was coincidental – the tape simply ended up on the body. There was also some material over the left ear, adhering to the head, which Peterson believed to be kelp or other vegetative material. However, when it was removed, the ear remained folded over and there was a purple discoloration on Conner, which Peterson said is more consistent with the iodine in kelp than with bruising. (Peterson is not the person who removed this material from Conner's ear). Conner was decomposing, in general terms. He weighed 1160 grams (approximately 2. 5 pounds). A crown-of-head measurement could not be taking because the head was collapsing. Crown-heel length was 48 centimeters (approximately 19 inches). Based on these measurements, Conner could have reached full-term [full-term is defined as 38-41 weeks]. The skin was quite soft, in keeping with maceration, an effect on tissue soaking in fluid. No vernix on the body. The bones in the skull were overriding, which happens as the brain liquefies. There was a tear near the right shoulder that exposed skeletal muscle and the structures beneath. The tear extended onto the abdominal wall and portions of the small and large intestines protruded through the tear. There was no scalloping, no curved marks around the edges. Concluded it was simply from tissue falling apart or being pulled apart due to tidal action, it wasn't due to animal feeding. A portion of the colon protruded from the anus. There was a portion of the umbilical cord present, measuring a half centimeter (less than a 1/4 inch), and the edge was ragged, like it fell apart or pulled apart. It was not cut.
Internal Exam: There were no specific changes of either congenital abnormality or disease. The organs, in general, were soft and liquefied, in keeping with decomposition. The spleen and kidney could not be weighed because they were liquefied. There was more liquefaction inside the right side of the chest as opposed to the left because of the tear. The changes were simply the result of decomposition and immersion.
Estimated gestational age: Nine months, based on the crown to heel and the crown to rump measurement. However, the body was soft and decomposing. As tissues decompose, they tend to expand, and expanding tissues can affect the whole body. Peterson left the gestational age determination to Dr. Galloway, an anthropologist.
Live birth: Peterson could not rule out live birth.
Plastic bag found near Conner: Under cross, Peterson was asked if Conner had been placed in a bag and the tape was around the neck having been looped around once and knotted so that once placed in the water, the baby would have been in a protected environment – if that was consistent with Conner's decomposition and the tape around his neck. Admitted it was possible that Conner's body was protected in some other way, but did not consider it likely. Peterson was not aware of the plastic found near Conner when he did the autopsy.
Float test not performed: The float test is used to determine live birth, with the idea that if a baby is stillborn, it has never had a chance to draw a breath, and thus the lungs are heavy and simply will not float in water. On the other hand, if the baby is live born and has drawn breath, lungs are expanded, there is air, and they will float. Problem is there can be postmortem gas formation in the lung due to decomposition. Peterson does not rely on the float test and did not perform one.
Estimated time in water unprotected: Not more than a couple of days.
Estimate of Gestational Age
As part of the autopsy, Peterson took two measurements, the crown-rump length and crown-heel length. The crown-rump measurement of 32 cm indicated Conner's gestational age was 9 months. Peterson did not give the details of the crown-heel length in his testimony.*
*Peterson did provide both measurements in his preliminary testimony.
Laci's Autopsy
History: x-rays were taken prior to Peterson's arrival, which he examined, looking for evidence of foreign material, such as bullets, blades, that sort of thing. There were none.
External–Body: Peterson received the body in the prone position, which is unusual. The body consisted of a torso, portions of both upper extremities, portions of the lower extremities. Missing were the head and neck, the forearms and hands, and the left lower leg, the tibia, the fibula, and the foot.
In terms of the chest, the skin, the tissue beneath the skin, the fat, the muscle, all that was absent, and the collarbones, the clavicles, the breastbone, the sternum, the ribs were all exposed. The organs normally associated with the chest, the hear, the lungs, etc., were all absent. From the umbilicus (bellybutton) up, the abdominal wall was absent upward, exposing the bones of the chest, and a portion of the soft tissue was absent down to about the level of the umbilicus. From the waist down, beginning about the level of the umbilicus, the skin was absent, the fat was still present, and the fat had undergone a postmortem change called adipocere, which is a soap-like substance that's formed when fat is soaked in cold water. Her external genitalia were unremarkable, there was no evidence of injury. Much of the skin, subcutaneous tissue was present on the upper arms and on the thighs. The joints were exposed but no evidence of injury, no marks on the bones, such as a saw blade or knife might leave. Neither was there evidence of chewing. There were barnacles on the clothing, but none on the body.External–Clothing: The clothing consisted of an underwire brassiere, with a label that said Bali 3630 C 40/90. The brassiere was in place and intact, secured by two hook-and-loop-type fasteners, and, as best as Peterson could tell, had not been disturbed. Additional clothing consisted of khaki-colored trousers, with a label that had the brand name Motherhood, size S for small. Beneath the trousers were panties, with a label with Jockey 7. The trousers had a peculiar shredding effect. The legs were basically reduced to thread, and within those threads, the calcification, or stone-like material, was deposited. The button closure was intact, the zipper was intact, and there were cloth draw cords inside, also intact. The buttocks of the panties was missing, and the front portion was intact. There was some duct tape on the left thigh. When Peterson turned the body over, he observed the duct tape was sticking to the front waistband of the trousers.
On April 14, 2003, Laci's body was discovered wearing khaki capri pants. The pants were identical to those shown in Prosecution Exhibit 15-C (photo #3 in the image above). The specific pants on Laci's body when she was discovered were only known by the police.
On February 18, 2003, before Laci's body was discovered, Laci's half-sister Amy was brought to Scott and Laci's home by the Modesto Police Department as they executed the second search warrant. The police asked Amy to select the clothing Laci was wearing the evening of December 23rd, when she came to the salon. The police report states the following: "Amy looked in the closet at that location and selected a pair of tan or cream colored pants that were hanging in the closet. Those pants were clipped at the cuffs and hanging upside down. They did show evidence of being worn but were not soiled."
These pants were photographed during the search warrant – the two pair of pants laying on the bed in the image above (evidence marker "30"). Amy selected the pair on the left.Internal: Besides missing the chest organs, there was no liver, spleen, kidneys, pancreas, intestines. The uterus was present, the fetus, placenta and umbilical cord were absent. The uterus was still in normal anatomic position, its attachments to the pelvis still intact. It measured 23 centimeters (little over 9 inches) and weighed 263 grams (little more than 1/2 lb.). It was quite thin, measuring 2 millimeters in thickness at most. The fundus, or top part of the uterus, was essentially abraded and friable, which means soft and crumbly, with no evidence of animal feeding. No evidence of cut marks, not evidence of other specific tool marks, but what was there was thin and it had been more or less rubbed away, and it was empty. Down at the base of the uterus, in the pelvis, the birth canal was closed and appeared normal. There was some fraying of the right rib number 9 and the inner portions of the bone were exposed. There were also lateral fractures on the sides of left ribs 5 and 6. Peterson could not say with confidence whether these were antemortem (before death) or postmortem (after death) fractures.
On July 23, 2003, Amy was brought to the Modesto Police Headquarters to view a "pant line-up." She was asked to view three photographs of pants (Prosecution Exhibits 15-A, 15-B and 15-C in the image above). The pair identical to the pair Laci was wearing when her body was discovered was offered as a choice (Prosecution Exhibit 15-C) – not offered as a choice was the pair Amy selected at the house on February 18th.
On January 14, 2004, Prosecutor Rick Distaso claimed during Scott's 995 hearing that Laci was found in the pants that she was wearing the night before she disappeared. There were cameras in the court room that day and this false statement was widely broadcast.
On June 1, 2004, in his opening statement, Distaso insinuated that Laci was found in the pants she was wearing the night before she disappeared: "While they were there she (Laci) was wearing that black coat that we saw before, that cream colored scarf, and a pair of khaki maternity pants that you'll see in a minute. That's what Amy has always said, that's always the description that she's given that she was wearing ... You're going to hear that her body was recovered on April 14th wearing khaki colored pants."
On June 3, 2004, Amy Rocha testified under cross examination that all the clothes Laci was wearing on the evening of December 23rd were in the Petersons' home on February 18th and, therefore, not missing and not on her body when she was found.
This, as well as other evidence, shows that Laci got undressed the evening of December 23rd, went to bed, then got up the morning of December 24th and got dressed, but not in the khaki pants she wore the night before. All the witnesses who saw her walking the dog between 10:00 and 11:00 AM on December 24th said she was wearing black pants and a white top (Scott also told police on December 24th that Laci was wearing black pants and a white top when he left that morning).
Explanation–Condition of Laci's body: Laci's body being in prone position and the damage to her body is consistent with a body that's free to move in the water or float – it's going to float face down. It's the center of gravity issue, due to the fact that the extremities are rather heavy and they are going to hang down. Left to its own devices, the body will float in the prone (face down) position. Bodies tend to sink, and at some point they tend to float up. This depends on the postmortem change, gas formation, etc. Bodies typically spend some of their time near the bottom and some of their time near the top. If they are near the bottom, they are open to effect by physical phenomenon, such as tides, currents, those sorts of things. A body will then be pulled over the bottom structures, rocks, sand, whatever else might be down there, which are destructive – an abrasive-type action on the body that will cause some of the changes Peterson observed in Laci. The forearms were absent, the lower leg was absent on the left because those portions were hanging down and more subject to that damage. Since the uterus is relatively heavy, the anterior abdominal wall and that upper portion, the fundus of the uterus, are also exposed to that type of damage.
Explanation–Condition of Conner compared to condition of Laci: Laci's body showed evidence of animal feeding, associated with exposure to the environment, while Conner's did not. Conner was decomposed, but no evidence of animal feeding. Conner was inside Laci when Laci's body was deposited in the water or ended up in the water, but over time the tidal action and animal feeding, as the abdominal wall wore away, eventually the upper part of the fundus of the uterus wore away, and at that time, the fetus was released. Peterson said it would be hard to provide the level of protection the uterus would provide through another means, such as a plastic bag.
Explanation–Cause of disarticulation: No bite marks or other positive evidence that animal feeding caused the disarticulation.
Explanation–mineral deposits on the pants: These were discrete deposits. How a body acts in the water, how it tends to submerge and then resurface, if this happened over a period of time, with alternate layers of wetting and drying, it could account for the minerals building up.
Estimate of time in the water: Months.
Cause of death: Undetermined. With respect to the body that was present, there were nothing to indicate cause of death: no tool marks, no bullets, no evidences of injury, nothing helpful from the toxicology report – nothing to indicate anatomic or chemical cause of death.
Toxicology report: Skeletal muscle tissue was tested for toxins. Caffeine was detected. Peterson did not know how long caffeine can remain in the skeletal tissue.
CourtTV obtained a copy of the autopsy report on Laci, which can be found at this link:
http://www.inreview.com/archive/topic/25517.html
On April 13 and April 14, 2003, the remains of Connor and Laci were found on two different beaches along San Francisco Bay.
In the image above, the star marks the area near Brooks Island where Scott went fishing on December 24, the heart with the yellow strip marks the spot where Connor's body was found, and the heart near Point Isabel marks the spot where Laci's body was found:
On April 13, 2003, Michael Looby and his wife were walking their dog along the shoreline area of Bayside Court in the city of Richmond. They were looking for a place where their dog could swim. It was low tide and as they walked along the beach and over a rocky area toward the marsh, they saw a small baby’s body on the beach. It was apparent the baby was dead. The body was later identified as that of Conner Peterson. Conner’s left arm was attached, but his right was partially severed. Conner’s head was intact. There was a twine-like substance around his neck and what appeared to be vegetation stuck to the body. Conner’s body was badly decomposed.
HARRIS: Mr. Looby, I want to direct your attention back to April 13 of the year 2003 and ask you if you happened to be in the shoreline area around Bayside Court over in Richmond.
LOOBY: Yes.
HARRIS: What were you doing down there that day?
LOOBY: We were looking for a place for our dog to go swimming.
HARRIS: Let me back up. You say "We". Got to identify that. Were you with someone else?
LOOBY: My wife.
HARRIS: So you and your wife are down there, and you are something about a dog going swimming?
LOOBY: Yes.
HARRIS: Can you explain that to us?
LOOBY: Why we went down there?
HARRIS: Well,
JUDGE: He testified they were looking for a place to take his dog swimming. I assume you are going to take him to The Bay?
LOOBY: I knew there was a beach down there.
HARRIS: Let's go through that. Had you ever been to that area before?
LOOBY: I had been by the beach area riding my bicycle. Ridden bicycles down the bay trail that goes by that beach.
HARRIS: And so this particular day you are with your wife and with your dog. You are going to take your dog someplace for it to go swimming?
LOOBY: Un-hun.
On April 14, 2003, around 11:15 a.m., Alena Gonzalez was at the dog park at Point Isabel with her family and their dogs. Point Isabel was situated along the San Francisco Bay shoreline in the city of Richmond—part of the East Bay Regional Parks District. After the dogs were let off their leashes, they ran ahead. Gonzalez and her family followed behind. On the beach, near the water, Gonzalez observed another dog that appeared to be focused on something. Gonzalez realized it was a human body. The body, which was partially clothed, was later identified as that of Laci Peterson. Gonzalez had her father and sister stay with the body while Gonzalez went to call for police. When the fire and police departments responded, Gonzalez led them to Laci’s body, which was partially submerged in the water.
HARRIS: Miss Gonzalez, I want to direct your attention back to April 14th of 2003 and ask you if you happened to be around the area of Point Isabel, the park, as part of East Bay Regional Park System?
GONZALEZ: Yes.
HARRIS: Is there a dog park there?
GONZALEZ: Yes.
HARRIS: There was a dog park there at Point Isabel. What's a dog park?
GONZALEZ: A dog park is a place where people, who probably don't have big backyards, field to run their dogs, get to enjoy watching their dog socialize with other dogs off leash, and swim in the water.
JUDGE: Go swimming too. Okay.
HARRIS: On April 14th, did you and some other people happen to end up at Point Isabel at the dog park?
GONZALEZ: Yes.
The Albany Bulb may have been the location where the bodies were first placed at the Bay in the second or third week of January 2003.
In the image above, you can see the location of the Albany Bulb and Point Isabel where Laci's body was found (the Bay Trail runs for miles along the shoreline).
Matt Dalton conducted a flotation experiment in the summer of 2003 (see green insert in the image above). Items let go from Albany Bulb ended up almost exactly where Laci's body was found at Point Isabel.
However, it is probable Connor's body and Laci's body didn't float to where they were found but were placed there.
No waterway existed from any direction to carry Conner to where he was found. Connor's body could have been placed there by the killers, who drove there in a vehicle and carried it to the marshy area by the beach.
Laci's body (covered by a yellow tarp in the images below) could have floated from Albany Bulb to where it was found at Point Isabel, but that's not the only possibility: her body could have been placed there by the killers, who drove there in a vehicle and carried it to the rocks near the shoreline.
On February 11, 2003, a "suspicious man on raft south of Bay Bridge" was reported to the U.S. Coast Guard by the captain of the Alameda-based tugboat Polaris:
A predawn sighting of a man in a wetsuit steering a motorized raft toward the Bay Bridge on Tuesday sparked a massive multi-agency effort to explain a report that raised grave homeland-security concerns. The search began soon after 3 a.m., when the captain of the Alameda-based tugboat Polaris telephoned the U.S. Coast Guard to say his boat had nearly collided with a 10-foot Zodiac-style raft about a mile south of the Bay Bridge." This raft had no lights, which looked fairly suspicious," said Dale Kline, Seaway's general manager." The guy (on the raft) is either incredibly stupid or he was trying to hide something." Investigators did not find anything "homeland security" related at either the Bay Bridge or the Golden Gate Bridge.
In this case, it should have been easy when the police searched the area from the Berkeley Marina to Brooks Island, where Scott drove his boat, to find Laci's body. They used side-scan sonar and found objects, including small objects, but they didn't find any bodies. It's basically impossible for Laci's pregnant body to have been there all along. Especially considering the prosecution alleged that eight concrete anchors were used to weigh the body down.
The Modesto Bee reported on January 4, 2003:
Scott's boat (images above and below) was a 13" freeboard; and the chop on San Francisco Bay was 1' on December 24, 2002. Any movement would have tipped the boat enough to allow water from the chop into the boat. Swamping! Then there are the alleged anchors. In the area around Brooks Island, you have from 3' to +5' of water, depending on the tides. That means the eight anchors the prosecution alleged Scott had would need to be fastened as close to the body as humanly possible, actually touching. Supposedly, eight anchors were tied to Laci's body. Quite a bulky package to say the least. No matter how you slice it, Scott had to have had the whole package, plus his own weight, on the side of the boat, at the point before the body was tossed overboard. This would NOT have even worked from either end of the boat. We are talking about the necessity for 400+ lbs to be in one area of that boat at once. Fishing in an aluminum boat, you do NOT rock the boat on even a calm lake, so you would certainly not do so on a choppy Bay.
The State's Theory
The Modesto Bee reported on January 4, 2003:
Police boats carrying cadaver dogs are scouring the Berkeley Marina this weekend, searching for Laci Peterson, 27, of Modesto, who has been missing since Christmas Eve. At a Saturday afternoon press conference, Sgt. Ron Cloward said 14 officers and 16 members of the California Rescue Dog Association are conducting a search, along with eight water-searching dogs, six land dogs, and six boats.
Scott's boat (images above and below) was a 13" freeboard; and the chop on San Francisco Bay was 1' on December 24, 2002. Any movement would have tipped the boat enough to allow water from the chop into the boat. Swamping! Then there are the alleged anchors. In the area around Brooks Island, you have from 3' to +5' of water, depending on the tides. That means the eight anchors the prosecution alleged Scott had would need to be fastened as close to the body as humanly possible, actually touching. Supposedly, eight anchors were tied to Laci's body. Quite a bulky package to say the least. No matter how you slice it, Scott had to have had the whole package, plus his own weight, on the side of the boat, at the point before the body was tossed overboard. This would NOT have even worked from either end of the boat. We are talking about the necessity for 400+ lbs to be in one area of that boat at once. Fishing in an aluminum boat, you do NOT rock the boat on even a calm lake, so you would certainly not do so on a choppy Bay.
The State of California argued that Scott strangled or suffocated Laci either on the night of December 23 or the morning of December 24, 2002, in their home at 523 Covena, Modesto, CA.
He wrapped her in a blue tarp, removed her from the house to his Ford pickup truck, put some market umbrellas on top of her, and transported her to his warehouse.
Once at the warehouse, he unwrapped her from the tarp and put her into the boat, tied weights around her, and attached the boat cover so she could not be seen.
His next stop was the Berkeley Marina, the small boat launch ramp. He stuffed the boat cover around Laci and motored out towards Brooks Island. There he dumped Laci's pregnant body into the Bay, expecting it to never surface.
Then, on April 13 and April 14, respectively, Conner and Laci "washed ashore" near the same spot where Scott said he was fishing. Their bodies were found near the shoreline.
The Berkeley Marina and the route Scott took to go fishing is a popular area for boating, sailing, wind surfing and fishing. It is shallow water.
In addition to the marina and pier, there is a trail that runs along the shoreline for walking and biking. There are also parks, including dog parks. Nearby attractions include Alcatraz, San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge, with boat tours to these attractions.
Nobody every reported seeing the bodies in the water or floating in water in the days leading up to them being discovered near the shoreline.
The Evidence proves Factual Innocence
More than enough evidence exists to prove that Scott had nothing to do with Laci's disappearance and did not murder Laci and Conner.
There is strong and certain evidence that Scott did not put a pregnant Laci into the Bay on December 24. Since by the State's own admission, Scott is fully accounted for at all times during the investigation, if he did not put pregnant Laci into the Bay on or before December 24, he had no opportunity to do so.
Conner did not wash ashore
Substantial evidence exists, and was available to both the State and the Defense team, that Conner did not wash ashore. This proves that Scott did not put a pregnant Laci into the Bay on December 24.
Conner lived beyond December 24, 2002
Without exception, every person who observed Conner's body described him as a full-term baby or nine-months, thus confirming that he lived beyond December 24, 2002.
Nobody every reported seeing the bodies in the water or floating in water in the days leading up to them being discovered near the shoreline.
The Evidence proves Factual Innocence
More than enough evidence exists to prove that Scott had nothing to do with Laci's disappearance and did not murder Laci and Conner.
There is strong and certain evidence that Scott did not put a pregnant Laci into the Bay on December 24. Since by the State's own admission, Scott is fully accounted for at all times during the investigation, if he did not put pregnant Laci into the Bay on or before December 24, he had no opportunity to do so.
Conner did not wash ashore
Substantial evidence exists, and was available to both the State and the Defense team, that Conner did not wash ashore. This proves that Scott did not put a pregnant Laci into the Bay on December 24.
Conner lived beyond December 24, 2002
Without exception, every person who observed Conner's body described him as a full-term baby or nine-months, thus confirming that he lived beyond December 24, 2002.
The measurements taken by Dr. Brian Peterson, the forensic pathologist who performed Conner's autopsy, confirm that Conner lived beyond December 24, 2002. The measurements taken by Dr. Alison Galloway, the forensic anthropologist tasked with determining Conner's age at the time of his death, confirm that Conner lived beyond December 24, 2002.
This proves that Scott did not put a pregnant Laci into the Bay on December 24.
Plastic Tape/Twine wrapped around Conner's neck
The twine did not wrap around Conner’s neck accidentally.
Sufficient testimony was given, from the criminologist and medical examiner, both State witnesses, to conclude that the twine could not have wrapped around Conner’s neck accidentally. As Dr. Cyril Wecht noted, "never in a million years."
Plastic Tape/Twine wrapped around Conner's neck
The twine did not wrap around Conner’s neck accidentally.
Sufficient testimony was given, from the criminologist and medical examiner, both State witnesses, to conclude that the twine could not have wrapped around Conner’s neck accidentally. As Dr. Cyril Wecht noted, "never in a million years."
This proves that Conner was handled outside the womb, and therefore, Scott did not put a pregnant Laci into the Bay on December 24.
The material over Conner's left ear
Conner's left ear was permanently flattened against the head and a rectangular piece of material was over the ear. This could not have been kelp, as argued by the State, because Conner did not wash ashore. Nor would kelp have the strength or the sticking power to permanently flatten the ear.
The material over Conner's left ear
Conner's left ear was permanently flattened against the head and a rectangular piece of material was over the ear. This could not have been kelp, as argued by the State, because Conner did not wash ashore. Nor would kelp have the strength or the sticking power to permanently flatten the ear.
This is further evidence that Conner was handled outside the womb, and therefore, Scott did not put a pregnant Laci into the Bay on December 24.
Evidence from Laci's Autopsy
Some of Laci's injuries or bodily conditions are not consistent with the State's theory: two ribs fractured at the time of death or shortly thereafter that is not consistent with a soft-kill, a shoulder bone injured well after death is not consistent with being in the Bay, and a missing neck is not consistent with any known disarticulation in aqueous environments.
No cadaver scent at any of the alleged crime scenes
Cadaver dogs did not discover any indication of Laci's dead body at any of the crime scenes, in spite of the State's argument that Laci had been dead 12 hours before Scott:
Evidence from Laci's Autopsy
Some of Laci's injuries or bodily conditions are not consistent with the State's theory: two ribs fractured at the time of death or shortly thereafter that is not consistent with a soft-kill, a shoulder bone injured well after death is not consistent with being in the Bay, and a missing neck is not consistent with any known disarticulation in aqueous environments.
Laci's body was found without her head and her first six neck vertebrae.
While the separation of her head and her first two neck vertebrae can be readily explained as due to decomposition in the Bay, the other neck vertebrae do not easily separate and generally remain with the spine while the rest of the body decomposes.
This evidence suggests the killer cut off Laci's head at the neck, prior to disposal, severing most of her neck vertebrae.
If Scott killed Laci, his removal of her head as well as her fetus complicates any prosecution scenario of the murder.
At the time of the autopsy, Dr. Peterson did not know the body was that of Laci Peterson.
There were a number of body parts missing: head, neck, forearms, and the left lower leg. Much of the soft tissue and internal organs were also absent from the body.
The only internal organ still in the body was the uterus. Peterson attributed the postmortem changes to a number of possible causes including the effects of the water, being acted on by bacteria, and feeding on the body by marine life.
During the first portion of the examination, Peterson reviewed the Xrays of Laci’s body. He looked specifically for any foreign material such as bullets or fragments of a knife. The X-rays disclosed no significant findings.
What remained of Laci’s body was clothed with a bra, underpants, and portions of what appeared to originally have been tan-colored slacks, which had deteriorated to the extent that they resembled shorts.
However, there still remained “some decayed fabric clumps” that were adhered to the lower portion of the right leg.
The clothing was in the normal position of wear. A criminalist who later examined Laci’s clothing found barnacles on what remained of Laci’s slacks. Laci’s clothing contained no rips or tears. Nor was there any blood or other biological fluids on the clothing.
As for the clothing that remained on Laci’s body, her bra was in the normal position of wear and remained secured by two hook and loop fasteners. What was left of the light-colored slacks was also in the normal position of wear. The button closure and zipper on the slacks was still in place, as was the drawstring cord in the waistband. The crotch of the slacks was shredded and stony mineral deposits were mixed in with fibers that remained.
There was duct tape on the front of the body, which adhered to the waistband of the slacks and around one leg, and which extended up to the zipper area of the slacks.
Underpants were on the body beneath the slacks, but the portion of the underwear covering the buttocks was missing.
The front portion was intact and part of the elastic band was in place around each leg.
During the course of his external examination of Laci’s body, Dr. Peterson observed that the only skin remaining was a small amount on the left thigh.
Skeletal muscle was exposed in some places; in other places there was still some fat beneath the skin.
From the waist up, there was very little soft tissue remaining, exposing bones, including ribs, vertebrae, and shoulder blades.
Body fat had undergone postmortem changes and was now adipocere. Dr. Peterson explained that adipocere resulted when body fat body was exposed to a cold, moist environment. The fat turned into a “crumbly white material” and appeared soapy.
After examining Laci’s remains, in addition to corroborating many of the findings made by Dr. Peterson, Dr. Galloway noted that the rib fractures were perimortem defects.
This meant that the two rib fractures, which Dr. Galloway described as “clean fractures” and which she distinguished from the “very frayed” portion of what remained of a third rib, could have occurred from the time period prior to Laci’s death before healing began, until the time postmortem when the bones lost their resiliency.
Cadaver dogs did not discover any indication of Laci's dead body at any of the crime scenes, in spite of the State's argument that Laci had been dead 12 hours before Scott:
1. moved her from the house,
2. wrapped her in a tarp,
3. put her into his Ford truck and then covered her with heavy patio umbrellas,
4. transported her to the warehouse,
5. put her into the boat to transport her to the Berkeley Marina and put the boat cover on to conceal her body, and
6. tucked the boat cover around her body before dumping her along the fishing route.
No evidence that Laci and Conner were ever in the Bay
The MPD and multiple other agencies spent 30 or more days searching in the Bay before the bodies were found and 25 days after, using the most sophisticated diving teams and sonar detection systems, and still did not produce a single piece of evidence that Laci and Conner were ever in the Bay. The Ralston theory was rejected by other experts and not presented as evidence at Trial.
Laci's clothes
Contrary to the State's argument, Laci was not found in the clothes she was wearing the day before. The tan pants, the blouse, and the shoes were all found in the house and identified by Amy Rocha.
Geragos stripped the State of another piece of "evidence." In his direct examination of Dodge Hendee, Harris emphasized the two pair of black maternity stretch pants that were found in a bag in the nursery. The search warrant included black stretch maternity pants, authorizing the officers to seize every pair they found. These were the only two pair seized.
Margarita Nava said Laci was wearing black pants on December 23rd, and Scott said she was wearing black pants on December 24th (as did the witnesses who saw her walking McKenzie between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. on December 24th).
However, Hendee testified today that the two pair of pants appeared to him to be clean and unused. Geragos pressed and he said they appeared new.
Geragos drove home the obvious conclusion – neither of these two pairs of pants were worn by Laci on either December 23rd or 24th.
10:08-10:18 window of opportunity for an abduction
The State argued that an abduction by any one other than Scott had to occur between 10:08-10:18 a.m. The 10:08 time comes from cell tower information for a voice-mail check, which is not reliable for indicating exact location. Multiple calls placed by Scott while standing in his front yard the night of the 24th were picked up by different towers. Karen Servas is the only witness to establish the 10:18 part of the time.
The State ignored valid leads that may have saved Laci's and Conner's lives:
The Medina Burglary
All evidence points to the Medina burglary as having occurred at the time Laci disappeared.
The State argued that an abduction by any one other than Scott had to occur between 10:08-10:18 a.m. The 10:08 time comes from cell tower information for a voice-mail check, which is not reliable for indicating exact location. Multiple calls placed by Scott while standing in his front yard the night of the 24th were picked up by different towers. Karen Servas is the only witness to establish the 10:18 part of the time.
The State ignored valid leads that may have saved Laci's and Conner's lives:
The Medina Burglary
The burglars, two who were identified and convicted after plea bargaining, Steven Todd and Donald Pearce, both lived in the airport district approximately two blocks from the Gallo Winery.
On or about December 26-27, a scent dog named Merlin led his handler from Laci Peterson’s house to the Gallo Winery property.
From Cindee Valentin's report of activity on December 26 (she owned the scent dog, Merlin):
Merlin trailed Laci's scent to the Gallo Winery in the airport district, on the night of December 26. He then continues heading west on Highland Drive. He gets to Santa Barbara Avenue. He goes several areas past that. I don't remember. It is stated in my report. And then he turned back and headed south on Santa Barbara Avenue. He crossed several intersections and came to the intersection of San Barbara Avenue and La Loma Avenue, at which point, he turned southeast on La Loma Avenue and continued to the intersection of La Loma and Yosemite Boulevard. At Yosemite Boulevard, he turned west and continued to Santa Rosa Avenue, at which point he turned south and headed down Santa Rosa Avenue. And I stopped him at the Gallo, inside of the Gallo property at the end of Santa Rosa Avenue.
Merlin, the trailing dog, led Valentin to the Gallo winery, very near the Airport district where Todd and Pearce lived and where stolen goods were recovered.
Diane Jackson reported seeing the burglary in progress on the morning of December 24.
Tom Harshman reported seeing Laci later that afternoon being forced into a van similar to the one Jackson saw.
Adam Tenbrink told his brother Shawn that Laci interrupted Todd and others during the burglary and Todd threatened her.
Todd and Pearce gave conflicting information about the timing of the burglary.
The Van
The Van
Police didn't seize the van suspected in the burglary of the home directly across the street from the Peterson home, and apparently didn't search it for forensic evidence that Laci had been inside (in fact, the police didn't say anything about the vehicle used in the burglary).
A van parked in front of the Medina home was seen by two witnesses at 9:30 AM, and was seen again, after the Medinas left at 10:30 AM, by another witness at 11:40 AM on December 24.
At 9:30 AM, the burglars were parked in front of the home, watching the Medinas load items into their vehicle for a three-day trip. They left in the van after they were spotted by two witnesses, and they then returned after the Medinas left at 10:30 AM.
Three men were seen in the front yard of the Medina home with a safe by the last witness at 11:40 AM on December 24.
Laci left for her walk with McKenzie shortly after 10:00 AM on December 24 (after Scott left and after a neighbor put McKenzie, who was on a leash, back into their yard and closed the gate – he had wandered out into the street in front of their home because Scott had left the gate open when he left a few minutes earlier).
Laci was seen by 11 witnesses talking a walk with McKenzie that day. All of them saw her in the 10:00 to 11:00 AM time period.
The route she took was about 2.5 miles long, and it would have taken her about an hour or more, depending on how long she stopped to allow McKenzie to sniff, etc.
The police said that suspects, who were charged with the burglary, were not involved in the missing-person case: "They gave numerous statements and facts that checked out, convincing police that the two men were telling the truth."
The police allowed the suspects to plead to reduced charges, and allowed them to claim they burglarized the home at 6:30 AM on December 26 (this would have been when media trucks were camped outside the area covering the missing-person's case).
Attorneys for both suspects refused to say whether there was evidence Todd and Pearce were in the neighborhood before that.
The police reported that the burglars said they used a white car in the burglary. The cops didn't investigate whether or not the burglars were linked to a van similar to the one spotted in Laci's neighborhood on December 24.
Laci's DNA and fingerprints could have been in this van.
Laci's DNA and fingerprints could have been on the safe stolen from the Medinas and put into this van.
Laci's DNA could have been on the Croton watch that was pawned six days after Laci went missing, but was never collected into evidence by the cops.
Laci's Walk
Credible witnesses independently reported seeing Laci walking in the neighborhood along the same route and during the same time period. These sightings are corroborated in time and location by McKenzie's aggressive barking and the McKenzie sighting in the park.
Laci Sightings Were not a Priority
The truth is, the lead detectives were not looking for a live Laci – Al Brocchini concluded she was dead on the night of the 24th, and Craig Grogan arrived at the same conclusion on Christmas Day.
This irresponsible and incompetent tunnel vision may well have cost Laci and Conner their lives.
People who reported sightings were not even called back. Many of them had to call their information in multiple times.
The State relied on junk science to convince the Jury of critical "facts" – facts without which the State had no case.
The State relied on junk science to convince the Jury of critical "facts" – facts without which the State had no case.
Dr. Devore used junk science to convince the Jury that Conner died on the night of December 23, and Dr. Cheng used junk science to convince the Jury that the bodies "washed ashore" from Scott's fishing location.
As with other appeals issues, the determining factor is the importance of the expert testimony to the State's case. In each of these instances, correct facts would have undoubtedly resulted in an acquittal. Each of these expert witnesses is well-qualified in his field, but not in the specific area of his testimony. Each is well published in his field, but not in the specific area of his testimony.
If it Wasn't Scott, Who Could it Have Been? Part 1
This is probably the most commonly asked question regarding Scott Peterson's case. The police sure lead us to believe that they did not receive any tips or information that would direct them anywhere other than Scott during their "investigation". The trial testimonies, however, told an entirely different story.
We will bring you an explanation from the detective's own testimonies of all the credible tips and leads that came in, which clearly point away from Scott having any involvement in Laci's disappearance. While it is not the defendant's responsibility, whatsoever, to show who did commit this crime, it was shocking to hear in trial just how many credible tips came in that, although they do not solve exactly what happened (because the "detectives" chose not to investigate these tips thoroughly, if at all), they shed light on plenty of other possibilities of what happened to Laci.
We will begin with the burglary that took place directly across the street from the Peterson house.
If it Wasn't Scott, Who Could it Have Been? Part 1
This is probably the most commonly asked question regarding Scott Peterson's case. The police sure lead us to believe that they did not receive any tips or information that would direct them anywhere other than Scott during their "investigation". The trial testimonies, however, told an entirely different story.
We will bring you an explanation from the detective's own testimonies of all the credible tips and leads that came in, which clearly point away from Scott having any involvement in Laci's disappearance. While it is not the defendant's responsibility, whatsoever, to show who did commit this crime, it was shocking to hear in trial just how many credible tips came in that, although they do not solve exactly what happened (because the "detectives" chose not to investigate these tips thoroughly, if at all), they shed light on plenty of other possibilities of what happened to Laci.
We will begin with the burglary that took place directly across the street from the Peterson house.
The neighbors were gone for two days, beginning the morning Laci disappeared.
The police and burglars would like us to believe the burglary occurred two days after she disappeared, but evidence and trial testimony clearly prove otherwise.
All of this information comes from trial testimony, mostly from "Detective" Craig Grogan.
The Medinas, who lived across the street from Laci and Scott at 516 Covena Ave, left their house around 10:32 a.m. on December 24th. They returned to their house on December 26th at around 4:30 p.m. to find that their house had been robbed while they were gone.
All of this information comes from trial testimony, mostly from "Detective" Craig Grogan.
The Medinas, who lived across the street from Laci and Scott at 516 Covena Ave, left their house around 10:32 a.m. on December 24th. They returned to their house on December 26th at around 4:30 p.m. to find that their house had been robbed while they were gone.
People immediately wondered if this burglary had something to do with Laci's disappearance, as she had been missing for two days now.
On January 2, 2003, nine days after Laci disappeared, two men, Steve Todd and Donald Pearce, were arrested for the burglary of the Medina's house.
On January 2, 2003, nine days after Laci disappeared, two men, Steve Todd and Donald Pearce, were arrested for the burglary of the Medina's house.
The men initially told the police that the burglary occurred on December 27th. When the burglars were told that the owners of the home returned the afternoon of the 26th and therefore could not have robbed the house on the 27th, they changed their story and said they actually committed the burglary between 3:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. on December 26th.
With little to no questioning about this, the "detectives" took their new statement as truth and eliminated them as suspects or having anything to do with Laci's disappearance.
One burglar's account of what happened:
Steven Todd said he was returning home from his mother's house on Christmas Day. The way he would get home from her house was riding his bike through the park, down Covena Avenue by the Peterson house.
One burglar's account of what happened:
Steven Todd said he was returning home from his mother's house on Christmas Day. The way he would get home from her house was riding his bike through the park, down Covena Avenue by the Peterson house.
He said he noticed that 516 Covena seemed empty because "there was only one car in the driveway" and he "could see the mail sticking out of the mailbox" – therefore, assuming they had not yet picked up their mail from the day before.
He said he rode his bike from his house to the Medina house later that night (morning) around 3:00 a.m., stayed until 3:30 a.m., went back to his house, went back to the Medina house between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m. (still on his bicycle), walked around the backyard and made some noises to be sure no one was home.
He said he used his foot to open the French doors and got a dolly to move the safe from the master bedroom out the front door of the residence to the porch area. He said he moved the safe behind several bushes on the porch, got on his bike and rode home.
He said he noticed an elderly female at a residence, located on the south side, outside feeding her cats.
He said he went to his friend, Donald Pearce, woke him up between 6:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., and got Pearce to drive him back to the house to get the safe, using Pearce's mom's white car. Todd said they then returned home.
There are so many problems with this story – it's not even funny. Where do we begin?
The Timeline:
Let's start with the time that the burglars said they robbed the house.
There are so many problems with this story – it's not even funny. Where do we begin?
The Timeline:
Let's start with the time that the burglars said they robbed the house.
They claim, and these "detectives" believe them, that they robbed the house on the morning of December 26th, two days after Laci disappeared. Testimony from numerous witnesses reveals that the media had already taken interest in the case by noon on the 25th and were parked in front of Scott's and Laci's house.
Brent Rocha testified that, by the 26th, the media was "encamped" around the house. The volunteer center was set up at the house and a large number of family, friends, and volunteers were in and out of the home consistently since the evening of December 24th.
Are we really supposed to believe that Todd rode his bike through the park and eventually right by the Peterson home on Covena Ave on Christmas Day, and did not happen to notice the police cars, police tape, police on horses, police searching the creek in the park, media vehicles, and family, friends, and volunteers?
Are we really supposed to believe that Todd rode his bike through the park and eventually right by the Peterson home on Covena Ave on Christmas Day, and did not happen to notice the police cars, police tape, police on horses, police searching the creek in the park, media vehicles, and family, friends, and volunteers?
We're supposed to believe, since the "detectives" did, that this burglar, who already has a criminal history and is observant enough to notice the mail sticking out of the mailbox, missed all the chaos and police activity on the street?
And while we're talking about timeline, does it really sound reasonable that an elderly woman is feeding her cats outside at 3:30 in the morning?
The Bike:
Steve Todd claims he used only his bike and backpack to transport all the items he stole, except the safe.
The Bike:
Steve Todd claims he used only his bike and backpack to transport all the items he stole, except the safe.
He claims he had his friend use his small white car to transport the safe to his house.
The police went to Todd's and Pearce's home and found some of the items that were stolen from the Medinas.
Let's take a look at a list of just the items that were never recovered:
Fire Fyter Safe 2500
Antique Ivory Hand figure
pliers set
4 cycle gas trimmer
Rolling tool box
3/5 Drill
Small pliers
32 piece airtool
Craftsman reciprocating saw
Reciprocating blade
Craftsman sabre saw
sabre blade
Polaroid camera
Canon camera
photo lens
portrait lens
regular lens
power winder
finishing sander
Black & Decker drill
Louis Vuitton bag
FF Safe 2500 $189
Linx knife
trimmer line
drill bit
Bypass pruner
grip wrench
pliers set
tool –plier
automotive tool
2 poly rope
Bostich brad nailer
clutch driver
mechanic tool set
power bit
65 pc. Bit set
recon. Edger
stud sensor
24 inch tool box
tie nipper
B&D hedge trimmer
ratchet tie down
Polaroid 600
camera bag, canvas
camera accessory
new French door keys
Binocular, Bushnell
2 sm. Binocular
gun bag for Beretta
Trimmer, speed space
Jewelry box, walnut
Jewelry box, oak
Numerous tools in the tool box
Not only does this completely discredit Todd's story and reveal that he is being anything but truthful about his story, it brings into question: How did he transport all of these items to his house? And how long would it take to load and transport all these items – plus the items that weren't recovered?
Let's take a look at a list of just the items that were never recovered:
Fire Fyter Safe 2500
Antique Ivory Hand figure
pliers set
4 cycle gas trimmer
Rolling tool box
3/5 Drill
Small pliers
32 piece airtool
Craftsman reciprocating saw
Reciprocating blade
Craftsman sabre saw
sabre blade
Polaroid camera
Canon camera
photo lens
portrait lens
regular lens
power winder
finishing sander
Black & Decker drill
Louis Vuitton bag
FF Safe 2500 $189
Linx knife
trimmer line
drill bit
Bypass pruner
grip wrench
pliers set
tool –plier
automotive tool
2 poly rope
Bostich brad nailer
clutch driver
mechanic tool set
power bit
65 pc. Bit set
recon. Edger
stud sensor
24 inch tool box
tie nipper
B&D hedge trimmer
ratchet tie down
Polaroid 600
camera bag, canvas
camera accessory
new French door keys
Binocular, Bushnell
2 sm. Binocular
gun bag for Beretta
Trimmer, speed space
Jewelry box, walnut
Jewelry box, oak
Numerous tools in the tool box
Not only does this completely discredit Todd's story and reveal that he is being anything but truthful about his story, it brings into question: How did he transport all of these items to his house? And how long would it take to load and transport all these items – plus the items that weren't recovered?
Remember, Todd says it wasn't until the morning of the 26th between 4:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. that he even entered the home, and was home by 6:30 a.m. to wake up his friend and get him to load up the safe.
We know from trial transcripts that people started arriving at the Peterson's home by 8:00 a.m. on the 26th to begin their search for Laci, and there likely was media still on the street from the night before.
We know from trial transcripts that people started arriving at the Peterson's home by 8:00 a.m. on the 26th to begin their search for Laci, and there likely was media still on the street from the night before.
How in the world did he transport all of those items without one person seeing him?
There is no doubt that a vehicle other than a bike was needed to transport this list of items – something more like a van.
There is no doubt that a vehicle other than a bike was needed to transport this list of items – something more like a van.
The "van" is a whole issue in and of itself and will be another article posted in the near future. For now, remember that a neighbor reported seeing a van at 11:40 a.m. with a dolly and three men in front of the Medina's house on December 24th, the morning Laci disappeared.
The Mailbox:
Simply, from the testimony of the Medinas and the mailman, we can actually place Steve Todd in front of Laci's house between 10:35 a.m. and 10:50 a.m. the morning she disappeared. (The "detectives" couldn't figure this out – we had to – after Scott is already sitting on death row.)
Susan Medina testified that as she and her husband were pulling out of their driveway at 10:32 a.m., on December 24th to go to Los Angeles, she had her husband put some outgoing mail in their mailbox. She testified that because she works from home, she has a special mailbox to help ensure that none of her mail would be stolen.
The outgoing letters would stick out of the mailbox, but once those were taken, the incoming mail would drop deep down into the mailbox. Incoming mail could not be seen. They had this specific mailbox due to the amount of transients walking down their street and she wanted to be sure her mail was safe (they had a problem with homeless people coming out of the park entrance on Covena Avenue and walking down Covena on their way to the Mission).
Medina testified that when she returned home on December 26th, she had 2 or 3 small letters in the mailbox which were not sticking out of the mailbox – you had to reach in and pull the mail out.
So, for Steven Todd to see mail sticking out of the mailbox would mean he saw their outgoing mail on December 24th.
The Mailbox:
Simply, from the testimony of the Medinas and the mailman, we can actually place Steve Todd in front of Laci's house between 10:35 a.m. and 10:50 a.m. the morning she disappeared. (The "detectives" couldn't figure this out – we had to – after Scott is already sitting on death row.)
Susan Medina testified that as she and her husband were pulling out of their driveway at 10:32 a.m., on December 24th to go to Los Angeles, she had her husband put some outgoing mail in their mailbox. She testified that because she works from home, she has a special mailbox to help ensure that none of her mail would be stolen.
The outgoing letters would stick out of the mailbox, but once those were taken, the incoming mail would drop deep down into the mailbox. Incoming mail could not be seen. They had this specific mailbox due to the amount of transients walking down their street and she wanted to be sure her mail was safe (they had a problem with homeless people coming out of the park entrance on Covena Avenue and walking down Covena on their way to the Mission).
Medina testified that when she returned home on December 26th, she had 2 or 3 small letters in the mailbox which were not sticking out of the mailbox – you had to reach in and pull the mail out.
So, for Steven Todd to see mail sticking out of the mailbox would mean he saw their outgoing mail on December 24th.
The mailman testified that he picked up and delivered mail to the Medinas' house sometime between 10:35 and 10:50 that day.
So, from Steven Todd's own statement, we know he absolutely did not see this "full mailbox" on Christmas Day, like he claims, but instead saw it sometime between 10:32 and 10:50 on the morning Laci disappeared, December 24, 2002.
An eye-witness to the burglary:
Perhaps the most compelling evidence that makes it obvious that the burglary occurred on December 24th is the tip from a neighbor who called to report seeing three men and a van in front of the Medinas' house at 11:40 a.m. on Christmas Eve.
An eye-witness to the burglary:
Perhaps the most compelling evidence that makes it obvious that the burglary occurred on December 24th is the tip from a neighbor who called to report seeing three men and a van in front of the Medinas' house at 11:40 a.m. on Christmas Eve.
She reported seeing a safe being removed from the house. Her information was deemed so credible by the police that that a flyer requesting information and offering a reward was made based on her information.
Laci's Jewelry and Estate:
Scott did not attempt to sell any of the jewelry that Laci inherited from her paternal grandmother, Helen Rocha, which was valued at $100,000.
Scott said Laci was wearing diamond earrings and a Croton watch the morning of December 24th.
Laci's Jewelry and Estate:
Scott did not attempt to sell any of the jewelry that Laci inherited from her paternal grandmother, Helen Rocha, which was valued at $100,000.
Scott said Laci was wearing diamond earrings and a Croton watch the morning of December 24th.
Laci's aunt, Robin Rocha, said that after Laci disappeared she inventoried Laci's jewelry and noticed the Croton watch and a pair of two-carat diamond earrings were missing.
Six days after Laci went missing, on December 31st, a Croton watch was pawned in Modesto.
Six days after Laci went missing, on December 31st, a Croton watch was pawned in Modesto.
A gold Croton watch with gems, fitting the description of the watch Laci Peterson was wearing the day she disappeared, was pawned by Deanna Renfro. The receipt from the pawn shop indicates that Deanna Renfro, who has a long criminal history, including at least one methamphetamine arrest, pawned the gold Croton watch for $20.
On December 24th, four days after Laci disappeared, a rape crisis counselor told police that an unidentified woman reported she had been raped by two men and two women in a brown van during a satanic ritual. According to the counselor's account, the victim said that, during the ritual, the group mentioned a Christmas day death, one she would read about in the papers.
On December 24th, four days after Laci disappeared, a rape crisis counselor told police that an unidentified woman reported she had been raped by two men and two women in a brown van during a satanic ritual. According to the counselor's account, the victim said that, during the ritual, the group mentioned a Christmas day death, one she would read about in the papers.
When police tracked down the van to a nearby campsite on December 30, among the four people in the van were Donny and Mary Renfrow.
The homeless family of Donnie Renfrow was living at a campsite in Woodward Reservior Park. Although their last names are spelled differently, Court TV sources indicated that Deanna Renfro is related to the Renfrows and may be Donny Renfrow's daughter.
The day after the police visited the campsite at Woodward Reservoir, Deanna Renfro pawned the Croton watch.
The day after the police visited the campsite at Woodward Reservoir, Deanna Renfro pawned the Croton watch.
The Modesto Police did not investigate Deanna's connection to the Medina burglars.
A background check would have shown links between the families of Deanna Renfro and those of Steven Todd, one of the convicted burglars, and the Tenbrink family.
During a recorded phone call in late January 2003 at California Rehabilitation Institute between brothers Adam and Shaun Tenbrink, Adam told Shawn that Steven Todd admitted that Laci had seen him breaking into the Medina home on December 24th.
In his cross examination of Robin Rocha, Geragos established that the Croton watch was not among Laci's jewelry when the police asked her to identify what was missing.
From Matt Dalton's book, Presumed Guilty (pages 69-70):
On cross examination, Geragos went into detail about the inheritance from Helen Rocha (Dennis Rocha's mother – Dennis is the father of Laci, Brent and Amy; Amy is the younger half-sister of Laci and Brent, Sharon Rocha's children – Sharon was Dennis' first wife; they separated after Laci's first birthday).
The witnesses who saw Laci and/or the van in Laci's La Loma neighborhood on December 24 all reported it as being white, tan or white with a tan stripe, not brown. But it was only a brown van owned by a homeless family that was searched by police for evidence that Laci had been inside.
The homeless family of Donnie Renfrow was living at a campsite in Woodward Reservoir Park.
The person who pawned a gold Croton identical to Laci’s watch, which she was wearing when she disappeared, was Deanna Renfro on December 31.
Although their last names are spelled differently, they are related.
DEFENSE IS FULL OF HOLESBy DAVID WRIGHT, NATIONAL ENQUIRERAugust 19, 2003Picture: Homeless family Donnie and Mary Ann Renfrow and their children, Rayoune and Sherry, at their campsite near Modesto (2 of the women and the older man have no teeth, they look really down and out)!An NE investigation has uncovered stunning info that blows a huge hole in Scott's murder defense.
On July 22, Scott's lawyers announced they had evidence in the Laci Peterson case that "totally exonerates" Scott and would lead to Laci's "true killers" – but their claims are pure fiction.
Scotty's attorney, Mark Geragos, has suggested that Laci was the victim of a Satanic cult whose members were spotted in a battered van near the Petersons' Modesto home, around the time of Laci's disappearance on Christmas Eve.But what Scott's lawyer said were bloodstains in the van is actually barbecue sauce. And a Satanic image on a window of the van is tinting that was scratched off by a child. What's more Scott's lawyers cited a "mystery woman's" claims of being abducted by a Satanic cult even though she had a history of mental problems, the NE has learned. And a source close to the case revealed that defense attorneys have been unable to locate the woman."Now that the so-called evidence in the van can be innocently explained, you can expect the defense team to abandon the Satanic cult theory faster than Liz Taylor abandons her husbands," said Craig Silverman, a former chief deputy district for Denver who has tried dozens of homicide cases.Defense attorney Geragos repossessed a 1987 van belonging to May Ann Renfrow, 64, to use as possible evidence in the case. But Mary Ann, her husband Donnie, 55, son Rayoune Miranda, 32 and daughter Sherry Moulton, 37, say that neither they nor their van had anything to do with Laci's murder."Obviously Mark Geragos was trying to clear his client – and using us to do," Mary Ann told the NE.
Cops first interviewed Mary Ann and her homeless family at their campsite at the Woodward Reservoir outside Modesto on Dec. 30. They were looking for a brown van in connection with Laci's disappearance and wanted to see the vehicle the family used to pull their trailer from one campsite to another."We told them our van had broken down on Dec. 22 and hadn't been repaired until the 29th," Rayoune told the NE. "They examined it thoroughly and, after we satisfied them that we'd never been in Laci's neighborhood, they went away. We didn't hear anything for nearly five months."Then, on May 21, police investigators came back to see Rayoune. They'd had a report that implicated him in the Dec. 14 rape of a woman, Rayoune said."The woman told a rape counselor she'd been subjected to Satanic rituals in a brown van, that her attacker had Satanic 666 tattooed on his neck, and that she overheard him talking with other people about the plans to kidnap a baby on Dec. 24th, Rayoune said. "I had to show them I didn't have a 666 tattoo, by pulling up my hair.""Eventually the police told us the woman was nuts and had accused quite a few other men of rape. But they said they had to follow up because Mark Geragos was now pushing the issue."After lead detectives in the Peterson murder case questioned family members, and cops collected hair and saliva samples, authorities took the family's van and trailer away for examination. They were eventually cleared in the murder.But the defense team's Satanic cult theory, began making the TV news, with Geragos pinning the blame for Laci's death on four or five people in a mysterious brown van.
"Mom was behind in her payments – she owed $600 – and Mark Geragos bought the van by making the payment," Rayoune recalled.One June 4 the family watched as CNN reporter Dave Mattingly declared, "a source on the defense team tells me that they are more certain than ever of their theory because of things they have found after they examined the van.""They claim to have found duct tape inside the van, as well as blood stains. They also claim to have found a Satanic image sketched in the glass of the van.""We couldn't believe our ears," Sherry said. "Of course there was duct tape – our trailer's canvas was ripped in several places and we used duct tape to hold it together to protect us form the cold. As for the bloodstains the police know the truth. When my son was helping one of the detectives move an ice chest in the van, they spilled a bottle of BBQ sauce. That's the stain the defense is talking about."And the satanic image?
"The van windows are tinted and my grandchildren tore at the tinting material with their fingers one day so they could see outside better. It left a strange pattern on the window-but there's nothing Satancic about it."The family has also been told, she said, that defense team investigators found the picture of the devil in the family trailer. Sherry showed an NE reporter a sticker of a sexy woman with bat wings and horns stuck to the trailer door."My kids got it out of a machine," she said adding that it's ridiculous for her family to be accused of being Satanists.Geragos or his investigators never talked to the family.The defense is operating under a gag order, but a source told the NE, "The defense has the van and it's being tested at a laboratory. Results are expected by the end of August."After cops returned the family's tattered trailer, a friend helped them tow it back to their campsite, where, despite the fact that they have been cleared, people drive past their campsite honking and hollering insults."Mr. Geragos has destroyed our Lives," Mary Ann said. "I don't know how he could be so cruel."
The Modesto Police did not investigate this woman or her connection to the Medina burglars.
A background check would have shown links between the families of Deanna Renfro and those of Steven Todd, one of the convicted burglars, and the Tenbrink family.
While cross examining Victoria Brooks, co-owner of Brooks Pawn & Jewelry in Modesto, Geragos introduced a pawn receipt for the Croton watch. Geragos intended to get more information about the pawn receipt into evidence, but Distaso objected. He did succeed in getting the receipt marked as an exhibit, and he posed a hypothetical question about the watch being pawned.
In his cross examination of Robin Rocha, Geragos established that the Croton watch was not among Laci's jewelry when the police asked her to identify what was missing.
From Matt Dalton's book, Presumed Guilty (pages 69-70):
Picture the Peterson neighborhood around the time of Laci’s disappearance. Six possible felonies were all occurring there between the evening of December 23 and afternoon of December 24.
We have questionable people from the airport district going door to door posing as neighbors and asking for money.
We have the burglary at the Medina home, a burglary resulting in generous plea bargains for Steven Todd and Donald Glen Pearce, both of the airport district as well.
A brown van was described in a possible attempted abduction the night of the twenty-third, a daytime burglary the morning of the twenty-fourth, and possibly the satanic rape and abduction days before Laci disappeared. The group in the van at the Woodward Reservoir was from the airport district of Modesto.
On the afternoon of December 24, a woman eight months pregnant was terrorized by two men in a car, five blocks from where Laci was last seen alive. She told me that she thought they were trying to “get” her. She got the license plate number of the vehicle, and it was registered to a residence in the airport district – a few blocks from where the other criminals lived.
That day was not calm. It was not peaceful and certainly not your typical day before Christmas in Modesto, California. However, none of what I discovered was apparently pursued as the case continued to build against Scott Peterson.Additional information about the pawning of the watch was provided by attorney Matt Dalton:
- Police were unable to find the Croton watch that, according to Scott, Laci had put on that morning.
- Police also couldn't find the earrings Scott said she was wearing.
- Police found Laci's Croton watch case, open and empty on her dresser.
- Close to Laci's house, on December 31, a woman pawned a yellow gold Croton watch, appearing to match the description of the one Laci was wearing.
- Information came from pawn ticket in discovery materials.
- Dalton noted the name on the pawn ticket (Deanna Renfro) was the same, except for the spelling, as the people who had the brown van and were camped out by the Woodward Reservoir (Donny and Mary Renfrow).
- Dalton was never able to locate the woman who had pawned the watch or determine if she was related to the people with the brown van.
- No police report was written about the pawned Croton watch: the police could quickly have obtained this information since pawnshop business is heavy regulated since – it is a conduit for stolen property.
- The pawnshop was 10 minutes from Laci's house.
- The pawnbroker wouldn't come out of the back to talk to Dalton.
- Dalton wrote the pawnbroker a note offering $300 for the watch, but the pawnbroker wouldn't respond.
- Laci had inherited the watch from her paternal grandmother.
- Laci and Scott had tried to sell it on E-bay.
- There is a video made by Laci and Scott that shows the watch.
- From the description of video in a police report: "In the images of the jewelry was the Croton gold and diamond watch, which was at this point in the investigation unaccounted for."
- Grogan watched the video for two minutes: he said the watch hand didn't move, so he concluded Laci wouldn't have been wearing it because it wasn't working.
On cross examination, Geragos went into detail about the inheritance from Helen Rocha (Dennis Rocha's mother – Dennis is the father of Laci, Brent and Amy; Amy is the younger half-sister of Laci and Brent, Sharon Rocha's children – Sharon was Dennis' first wife; they separated after Laci's first birthday).
The lion's share of the grandmother's jewelry was given to Laci and was valued at $50,000-100,000. Amy said she didn't know the total value of the jewelry. She said she and Laci went through the jewelry and decided what would be sold. Amy said Laci was in charge of the sales – some items were offered on Ebay and others sold to pawn shops.
In addition, Laci, Brent and Amy equally would be splitting the proceeds from the sale of the grandfather's house and half of the Rocha estate.
In addition, Laci, Brent and Amy equally would be splitting the proceeds from the sale of the grandfather's house and half of the Rocha estate.
Amy said Laci was aware she wouldn't receive the bulk of their inheritance until she reached age 30.
According to the testimony of Brent Rocha, Laci's Brother:
According to the testimony of Brent Rocha, Laci's Brother:
Brent was co-trustee of the Grandfather Rocha's two estates, with Dennis' sister Robin the other trustee. The house sold for approximately $485,000, and Laci's one-third share was $160,000 (split three ways among Brent, Laci and Amy).
The other estate was much more substantial. Total value was $2,367,000. It was divided 50/50 between Dennis and his sister Robin. Dennis's one-half was setup in the Dennis Rocha family trust, with Brent, Amy and Laci getting equal shares, but could not received until age 30.
There was no financial benefit to Scott without Laci and Connor. If Connor had lived, Scott, as Connor's guardian, would have overseen Connor's share.
With both Connor and Laci dead, Laci's share would be divided equally between Amy and Brent.
Brent disagreed with Geragos on the value of the jewelry Laci inherited, saying it was worth at most $20,000, and not enough to be worth insuring.
Jackie and Lee Peterson setup Scott in a packaging (shipping) business, which he sold and used the profits to set up their restaurant, The Shack, which was set up from scratch (not a purchase of an existing business).
Brent described how he and Rose (his wife) wondered how Scott and Laci could afford their lifestyle: they were buying a home, had newer vehicles, Scott had expensive liquors in his bar etc., while Brent and Rose were scraping to buy a home. However, Jackie and Lee put up the down payment for Scott and Laci's Covena home.
Brent was given tape recording equipment by the MPD in mid-January, and asked to record his conversations with Scott. One of the conversations he taped was a call on January 16, when Brent confronted Scott about Amber. Scott first denied it, and then admitted it after the National Enquirer article came out. He asked Scott, how do you know she has nothing to do with it? Scott said, no, no way, she couldn't have anything to do with it; she didn't know Laci existed. Brent asked, How do you know she didn't know Laci existed? Scott said he didn't tell her anything about Laci until after Laci went missing. He said he had called Amber to tell her Laci was missing.
Geragos asked Brent about how much work Scott had done to the house. Brent said it was already in good shape, but conceded the pool, Jacuzzi, and the barbecue were put in, as well as some remodeling on the bathroom and the floors.
In May 2003, against the advice of her attorney, Laci Peterson's mother Sharon Rocha entered the former home of her slain daughter and gathered her belongings. Sharon took everything from lamps to Christmas presents to furniture from the residence, which Scott's parents were maintaining and also paying the mortgage. Scott's family had planned to voluntarily turn over only some of the items that his wife's family wanted from the couple's home.
Sharon had submitted a 22-point list of items sought from the house. Jackie Peterson, Scott's mother, said Sharon later revised it to 16 points. Sharon also had asked for "Laci's fine china and stemware." Scott's mother said her son previously agreed to give some property to Laci's brother and half sister: for Brent Rocha, flower vase wall sconces that he had given to Laci as a gift; and for Amy Rocha, wicker furniture and lamps given to Laci by her paternal grandmother. Jackie said she and her family bought almost everything in the baby's room, including crib, rocking chair and ottoman, clothes, toys and a baby book – all given as gifts at a baby shower. She said Scott wanted to keep the baby's things.
Sharon also had asked for Laci's wedding dress. Jackie revealed that the dress was taken in a mid-January burglary at the house, during a weekend when Scott was in Los Angeles for a one-day search effort for his wife. A few days later, police said they had identified a suspect but did not report an arrest. They gave no name but described the suspect as someone known by the Petersons, and said the suspect was one of many people with access to the home. Jackie said her son got the wedding dress back, then had it cleaned and boxed. She was adamant about a glass memento box. She said she gave the glass box to her son and daughter-in-law for display of photos and seashells from their honeymoon in Tahiti. "That's a no way," Peterson said about giving the box to the Rochas.
In April 2006, Jackie lost a legal battle to Laci's parents over money from the 2005 sale of Scott and Laci’s house. Jackie said in court that she had continued to pay more than $35,000 for the mortgage and other expenses. An attorney for Sharon Rocha said creditors can only be reimbursed for debts that have accrued before a death, not after — and the probate judge agreed. Jackie suggested that Stanislaus County Superior Court Judge David Vander Wall look past the fact that she was appearing without a lawyer and that she might not have followed all the correct legal procedures. "They know I was making the payments, and the estate profited unfairly from these payments, she said. The house was neglected and rundown. I’m not looking to prolong the close of this or to profit from it. I just want to be reimbursed."
Judge Vander Wall was brief in his response. I don’t think there’s any basis for a creditor’s claim, he said. Sharon and Dennis Rochas, who are divorced, did not attend the hearing, but the decision enabled them to share $385,000 after administrative costs. The money included their $108,000 share of the profit on the couple’s house (the Petersons collected $100,000 from the sale in 2005), about $30,000 that Laci had in various savings and retirement accounts, and a $250,000 life insurance policy. Jackie Peterson had no comment after the hearing.
Jewelry plays mysterious role in Peterson murder case
By Harriet Ryan, Court TV
June 18, 2004
REDWOOD CITY, California (Court TV) – Did $100,000 in diamonds, sapphires and other gems play a role in Laci Peterson's murder?
Witnesses at her husband's capital trial suggested Thursday that, before she vanished, both Laci and her husband, Scott, were preoccupied with jewelry – not just the valuable baubles she had inherited from her grandmother, but also cheaper accessories they were pawning for quick cash.
Prosecutors, who called the witnesses, have not said how the jewelry fits into their theory that Scott Peterson killed his wife December 23, 2002. And the testimony from two jewelers, a pair of pawn brokers and the victim's aunt seemed to raise more questions than it answered.
Laci Peterson's aunt, Robin Rocha, testified that her niece received a stash of pricey watches, rings, necklaces and other items in November 2002 as part of the settlement of her grandmother's estate.
Two jewelers, Mary Anne Felix and Jeff Schumacher, said they appraised the inheritance at their Modesto store for "in excess of $100,000."
Sharon had submitted a 22-point list of items sought from the house. Jackie Peterson, Scott's mother, said Sharon later revised it to 16 points. Sharon also had asked for "Laci's fine china and stemware." Scott's mother said her son previously agreed to give some property to Laci's brother and half sister: for Brent Rocha, flower vase wall sconces that he had given to Laci as a gift; and for Amy Rocha, wicker furniture and lamps given to Laci by her paternal grandmother. Jackie said she and her family bought almost everything in the baby's room, including crib, rocking chair and ottoman, clothes, toys and a baby book – all given as gifts at a baby shower. She said Scott wanted to keep the baby's things.
Sharon also had asked for Laci's wedding dress. Jackie revealed that the dress was taken in a mid-January burglary at the house, during a weekend when Scott was in Los Angeles for a one-day search effort for his wife. A few days later, police said they had identified a suspect but did not report an arrest. They gave no name but described the suspect as someone known by the Petersons, and said the suspect was one of many people with access to the home. Jackie said her son got the wedding dress back, then had it cleaned and boxed. She was adamant about a glass memento box. She said she gave the glass box to her son and daughter-in-law for display of photos and seashells from their honeymoon in Tahiti. "That's a no way," Peterson said about giving the box to the Rochas.
In April 2006, Jackie lost a legal battle to Laci's parents over money from the 2005 sale of Scott and Laci’s house. Jackie said in court that she had continued to pay more than $35,000 for the mortgage and other expenses. An attorney for Sharon Rocha said creditors can only be reimbursed for debts that have accrued before a death, not after — and the probate judge agreed. Jackie suggested that Stanislaus County Superior Court Judge David Vander Wall look past the fact that she was appearing without a lawyer and that she might not have followed all the correct legal procedures. "They know I was making the payments, and the estate profited unfairly from these payments, she said. The house was neglected and rundown. I’m not looking to prolong the close of this or to profit from it. I just want to be reimbursed."
Judge Vander Wall was brief in his response. I don’t think there’s any basis for a creditor’s claim, he said. Sharon and Dennis Rochas, who are divorced, did not attend the hearing, but the decision enabled them to share $385,000 after administrative costs. The money included their $108,000 share of the profit on the couple’s house (the Petersons collected $100,000 from the sale in 2005), about $30,000 that Laci had in various savings and retirement accounts, and a $250,000 life insurance policy. Jackie Peterson had no comment after the hearing.
Jewelry plays mysterious role in Peterson murder case
By Harriet Ryan, Court TV
June 18, 2004
REDWOOD CITY, California (Court TV) – Did $100,000 in diamonds, sapphires and other gems play a role in Laci Peterson's murder?
Witnesses at her husband's capital trial suggested Thursday that, before she vanished, both Laci and her husband, Scott, were preoccupied with jewelry – not just the valuable baubles she had inherited from her grandmother, but also cheaper accessories they were pawning for quick cash.
Prosecutors, who called the witnesses, have not said how the jewelry fits into their theory that Scott Peterson killed his wife December 23, 2002. And the testimony from two jewelers, a pair of pawn brokers and the victim's aunt seemed to raise more questions than it answered.
Laci Peterson's aunt, Robin Rocha, testified that her niece received a stash of pricey watches, rings, necklaces and other items in November 2002 as part of the settlement of her grandmother's estate.
Two jewelers, Mary Anne Felix and Jeff Schumacher, said they appraised the inheritance at their Modesto store for "in excess of $100,000."
Felix said Laci Peterson told her that her husband wanted to know how much the pieces were worth.
"She said he would be very happy," Felix recalled.
The jewelers told jurors that the pregnant 27-year-old commissioned them to incorporate two of her grandmother's rings into her own wedding ring. The result, the jewelers said, was to be a diamond confection worth $55,000. The 2.5-carat center stone itself was valued at $30,000.
But in December 2002, at the same time she was meeting with the jewelers about the extravagant ring, Laci Peterson also made two visits to a pawn shop where she hocked gold chains, charms and other rings for $250. Scott Peterson accompanied her on the second of those December sales, and the pawn shop owner's wife testified that, while Peterson was affectionate toward his wife, rubbing her belly, she appeared uncomfortable.
"She was hesitant toward him," Victoria Brooks recalled.
Brooks said Laci Peterson told her that she was cleaning out her jewelry box and wanted to get rid of items she received from her grandmother. But Robin Rocha said that, when she inspected her niece's jewelry at the request of the police, she found only two pieces missing: a fancy gem-encrusted watch and a 2-carat pair of diamond earrings.
The trips to the pawn shop are even more mysterious in light of their timing. Laci Peterson made the first trip to Brooks Pawn in Modesto on December 10, when she handed over a gold chain for $140. The day before, her husband had plunked down $1,400 in cash for an aluminum fishing boat prosecutors believe he later used to dispose of her body.
Her second trip to the pawn shop, this time with her husband, occurred four days later on another date highly significant to the prosecutors' case.
"She said he would be very happy," Felix recalled.
The jewelers told jurors that the pregnant 27-year-old commissioned them to incorporate two of her grandmother's rings into her own wedding ring. The result, the jewelers said, was to be a diamond confection worth $55,000. The 2.5-carat center stone itself was valued at $30,000.
But in December 2002, at the same time she was meeting with the jewelers about the extravagant ring, Laci Peterson also made two visits to a pawn shop where she hocked gold chains, charms and other rings for $250. Scott Peterson accompanied her on the second of those December sales, and the pawn shop owner's wife testified that, while Peterson was affectionate toward his wife, rubbing her belly, she appeared uncomfortable.
"She was hesitant toward him," Victoria Brooks recalled.
Brooks said Laci Peterson told her that she was cleaning out her jewelry box and wanted to get rid of items she received from her grandmother. But Robin Rocha said that, when she inspected her niece's jewelry at the request of the police, she found only two pieces missing: a fancy gem-encrusted watch and a 2-carat pair of diamond earrings.
The trips to the pawn shop are even more mysterious in light of their timing. Laci Peterson made the first trip to Brooks Pawn in Modesto on December 10, when she handed over a gold chain for $140. The day before, her husband had plunked down $1,400 in cash for an aluminum fishing boat prosecutors believe he later used to dispose of her body.
Her second trip to the pawn shop, this time with her husband, occurred four days later on another date highly significant to the prosecutors' case.
On December 14 (timeline), the Petersons were scheduled to attend a Christmas party together, but according to witnesses, Scott Peterson told his wife he had to meet a business colleague.
Instead, he took his mistress, Amber Frey, to a Christmas formal and, according to prosecutors, told her that he wanted a future with her and that he planned to get a vasectomy.
That day, the Petersons gave Brooks and her husband, David, more chains, some charms and some rings. In return, the Petersons got $110. It is unclear why the couple was selling the jewelry in a pawn shop instead of a venue where they were likely to get more money.
Peterson, 31, earned about $60,000 a year as a fertilizer salesman. His wife was a substitute teacher until late in her pregnancy.
'She always wore it'
When Laci Peterson was reported missing, police found several pieces of jewelry laid out on a bureau in the couple's bedroom as if she had removed them for the night.
That day, the Petersons gave Brooks and her husband, David, more chains, some charms and some rings. In return, the Petersons got $110. It is unclear why the couple was selling the jewelry in a pawn shop instead of a venue where they were likely to get more money.
Peterson, 31, earned about $60,000 a year as a fertilizer salesman. His wife was a substitute teacher until late in her pregnancy.
'She always wore it'
When Laci Peterson was reported missing, police found several pieces of jewelry laid out on a bureau in the couple's bedroom as if she had removed them for the night.
Arranged neatly between her jewelry box and a wedding photo of the couple were the sapphire ring she was wearing while her wedding ring was redesigned, a diamond pendant necklace, and a diamond and gold watch. All were bequests from her grandmother.
Felix said that, on the dozen or so times Laci Peterson visited her store, she was always wearing the pendant.
"Every day. She always wore it," said the jeweler.
When the jeweler recommended she have it cleaned, she refused, saying she didn't like to take it off, Felix said.
The defense contends Laci Peterson was abducted, likely while walking her dog in a nearby park the morning of Christmas Eve, but prosecutors seemed to be hinting that she would never leave the house without her watch and jewelry.
As prosecutor Dave Harris flashed photos of the jewelry onto a large projection screen, most jurors scrawled in their notebooks. At the defense table, Peterson appeared to be following the testimony closely, whispering to his lawyers and jotting down notes.
His lawyer, Mark Geragos, noted that, after Peterson's wife went missing, he never called the jewelry store asking about the diamonds they were holding. Schumacher, the jeweler, said he phoned investigators and the jewelry was later turned over to Laci Peterson's mother, Sharon Rocha.
"The only people who contacted you about getting the jewelry were the police and Mrs. Rocha?" Geragos asked.
"Yes," Schumacher said.
As the jeweler recalled giving the jewelry to Rocha, she looked on from the front row, nodding.
The baby's progress
Also testifying Thursday was one of the three obstetricians Laci Peterson saw during the course of her pregnancy. Dr. Tina Etraki said she and the baby were healthy when she came into the office in August 2002. She also recalled a November phone conversation in which Laci Peterson said she became dizzy and nauseous while taking a morning walk.
"My recommendation was either to not exercise because she was having symptoms or to exercise later in the day," said Etraki. Prosecutors have implied Laci Peterson was too weak in her eighth month of pregnancy to walk the family dog.
But on cross-examination, Etraki acknowledged that Peterson, known to be headstrong, did not follow her recommendation.
Felix said that, on the dozen or so times Laci Peterson visited her store, she was always wearing the pendant.
"Every day. She always wore it," said the jeweler.
When the jeweler recommended she have it cleaned, she refused, saying she didn't like to take it off, Felix said.
The defense contends Laci Peterson was abducted, likely while walking her dog in a nearby park the morning of Christmas Eve, but prosecutors seemed to be hinting that she would never leave the house without her watch and jewelry.
As prosecutor Dave Harris flashed photos of the jewelry onto a large projection screen, most jurors scrawled in their notebooks. At the defense table, Peterson appeared to be following the testimony closely, whispering to his lawyers and jotting down notes.
His lawyer, Mark Geragos, noted that, after Peterson's wife went missing, he never called the jewelry store asking about the diamonds they were holding. Schumacher, the jeweler, said he phoned investigators and the jewelry was later turned over to Laci Peterson's mother, Sharon Rocha.
"The only people who contacted you about getting the jewelry were the police and Mrs. Rocha?" Geragos asked.
"Yes," Schumacher said.
As the jeweler recalled giving the jewelry to Rocha, she looked on from the front row, nodding.
The baby's progress
Also testifying Thursday was one of the three obstetricians Laci Peterson saw during the course of her pregnancy. Dr. Tina Etraki said she and the baby were healthy when she came into the office in August 2002. She also recalled a November phone conversation in which Laci Peterson said she became dizzy and nauseous while taking a morning walk.
"My recommendation was either to not exercise because she was having symptoms or to exercise later in the day," said Etraki. Prosecutors have implied Laci Peterson was too weak in her eighth month of pregnancy to walk the family dog.
But on cross-examination, Etraki acknowledged that Peterson, known to be headstrong, did not follow her recommendation.
Records indicate she phoned two days after the initial call and told a nurse practitioner that she experienced shortness of breath while walking.
"She didn't listen to your don't walk advice," Geragos asked. "Right," the doctor said.
"She didn't listen to your don't walk advice," Geragos asked. "Right," the doctor said.
Etraki also said that the most accurate ultrasound, one performed in July, indicated a due date of February 10, 2003. Laci Peterson was nearly 33 weeks pregnant when she disappeared, she said.
The age of the couple's unborn son is in dispute. The defense claims his remains are those of a full-term baby born alive.
The age of the couple's unborn son is in dispute. The defense claims his remains are those of a full-term baby born alive.
Testimony in the trial resumes Monday. The proceeding, now in its third week, is expected to last about six months.
Court Documents, Exhibits and Transcripts:
https://www.scottpetersonappeal.org/court-docs.html
Recommended Reading:Court Documents, Exhibits and Transcripts:
https://www.scottpetersonappeal.org/court-docs.html
- http://www.pwc-sii.com
- http://pwc-sii.com/Research/scenes/523covena.htm
- http://www.scottpetersonappeal.org/scotts-timeline.html
- http://pwc-consulting.blogspot.com
- http://pwc-consulting.blogspot.com/2008/05/laci-sightings-were-not-priority.html
- http://www.injusticeanywhereforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=123&t=2117&start=10200
- http://www.injusticeanywhereforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=123&t=2117&sid=983a85dcc3ea9cb1bef2b770dc3ed4c4&start=10000
- http://www.forumsforjustice.org/forums/showthread.php?3241-Another-witness-saw-dog
- http://www.scottpetersonappeal.org/scotts-timeline.html
- https://books.google.com/books?id=78odKhCYo84C&pg=PA159&lpg=PA159&dq=Diana+Campos+laci+peterson&source=bl&ots=u4V6ZxWSpo&sig=MJkNoeVRe-KnlkMbMK7oR7ITf5Y&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjqwbWx9a3WAhVHVyYKHcE5AVI4ChDoAQgnMAA#v=onepage&q=Diana%20Campos%20laci%20peterson&f=false
- http://www.findlaci2003.us/alibi-witness.html
- https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2003/08/laci200308
- https://www.facebook.com/ScottPetersonAppeal/
The burglars, two who were identified and convicted after plea bargaining, Steven Todd and Donald Pearce, both lived in the airport district approximately 2 blocks from the Gallo Winery. On or about December 26-27 a trailing dog named Merlin led his handler from Laci Peterson’s house to the Gallo Winery property. Merlin, the trailing dog owned by Cindee Valentin, trailed Laci's scent to the Gallo Winery in the airport district, on the night of December 26.
ReplyDeleteHe then continues heading west on Highland Drive. He gets to Santa Barbara Avenue. He goes several areas past that. I don't remember. It is stated in my report. And then he turned back and headed south on Santa Barbara Avenue. He crossed several intersections and came to the intersection of San Barbara Avenue and La Loma Avenue, at which point, he turned southeast on La Loma Avenue and continued to the intersection of La Loma and Yosemite Boulevard. At Yosemite Boulevard, he turned west and continued to Santa Rosa Avenue, at which point he turned south and headed down Santa Rosa Avenue. And I stopped him at the Gallo, inside of the Gallo property at the end of Santa Rosa Avenue.
In fact, there were reports of a brown van in Laci Peterson’s neighborhood at the time she disappeared, and the police claimed it belonged to landscapers, but Peacock says the witnesses reported that the vehicle had had no lawn mowers or rakes in it and that the occupants were not identified. Peacock told me the defense had found out about these people from the police files and had figured that the police had not looked hard enough for them.
“The defense put out a call they are looking for this young woman who had floated through a rape-crisis center. She claimed she was raped by two women while the men [in a brown van] watched, 10 days before Laci disappeared. Anyway, during this process, what this woman has said, according to the defense theory, was If you want to see the other part of this sacrifice, keep a close look at the newspapers and read about it Christmas Day.’” Peacock added, however, that she wasn’t the only woman to make such a claim. “There was a prior point in April in Merced [a town about 40 miles away] where a woman claims to have had a similar circumstance—a similar night with a similar group of people. Police wrote her off as a kook, but the defense always needs kooks.”
Peacock also mentioned that one of the van’s occupants allegedly had a tattoo on his arm—”666,” supposedly a satanic symbol—which the defense has leaked. He said that the whole idea was “to draw attention away from Scott Peterson and give the public someone different to look for—that he’s not the person who killed his wife. They are satisfied the cult is the way to go.” Since Peacock told me this, the defense has leaked more details. They are seeking a man named Donnie with a “666” tattoo and a woman who was raped and who later reportedly told a worker at a rape center that her attackers had told her she could read about the rest of the ritual on Christmas Day.
https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2003/08/laci200308
Attorney Matt Dalton, author of “Presumed Guilty”
ReplyDeleteMr. Dalton was a member of the defense team which defended Scott Peterson.
Pages 69-70, CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AND PREGNANT WOMEN TERRORIZED ON DECEMBER 24, 2002, IN NEIGHBORHOOD OF LACI PETERSON.
Picture the Peterson neighborhood around the time of Laci’s disappearance. Six possible felonies were all occurring there between the evening of December 23 and afternoon of December 24. We have questionable people from the airport district going door to door posing as neighbors and asking for money.
We have the burglary at the Medina home, a burglary resulting in generous plea bargains for Steven Todd and Donald Glen Pearce, both of the airport district as well.
A brown van was described in a possible attempted abduction the night of the twenty-third, a daytime burglary the morning of the twenty-fourth, and possibly the satanic rape and abduction days before Laci disappeared. The group in the van at the Woodward Reservoir was from the airport district of Modesto.
On the afternoon of December 24, a woman eight months pregnant was terrorized by two men in a car, five blocks from where Laci was last seen alive. She told me that she thought they were trying to “get” her. She got the license plate number of the vehicle, and it was registered to a residence in the airport district – a few blocks from where the other criminals lived.
That day was not calm. It was not peaceful and certainly not your typical day before Christmas in Modesto, California. However, none of what I discovered was apparently pursued as the case continued to build against Scott Peterson.
CONTINUED...
Pages 71-72, WTINESSES NOT PRODUCED AT TRIAL – MODESTO POLICE IGNORED LEADS WHICH WOULD IMPLICATE OTHER KILLERS.
ReplyDeleteSix eyewitnesses I interviewed were convinced that they saw Laci Peterson alive and well after she was supposed to have disappeared. None of these witnesses testified at trial.
Geragos cross-examined the police about their knowledge of these witnesses and what they reported, but the court correctly instructed the jury that they could not consider this for the truth of what the witnesses said because it constituted hearsay. That meant that in their deliberations the jury was precluded from considering that six witnesses claimed to have seen Laci walking her dog on the morning of December 24. If even one witness had convinced the jury of this fact, Scott should have been exonerated, since it would have established that Laci was alive and well after Scott had left home.
Police testified that these sightings of Laci were not a priority for the investigation. They had, however, issued a press release asking for witnesses who may have seen Scott the day Laci disappeared, and they used the media to publicize pictures of his boat and truck. Clearly, it was not a priority to investigate any evidence that did not support their theory of the crime.
Geragos said in his opening statement that the witnesses would be called. I do not know why they were not. These are decisions that can be made only by the trial lawyer. In his final argument, the prosecutor argued that the failure to produce the witnesses was not the responsibility of the prosecution but rather that of the defense.
Pages 103-104 FOUR WOMEN HAVE DISAPPEARED – NO TRACE FOUND – TWO BODIES OF WOMEN HAVE BEEN FOUND, ALL WITHIN 80 MILES OF MODESTO.
Dena Raley McCluskey, thirty –six, disappeared from Modesto on October 10, 1999.
Also October 1999, Michelle Chan of Fremont disappeared.
Alice Sin, twenty-one, of Pinole, west of Sacramento, was reported missing on November 21, 1999. Her body was found in January 2000 in the Nevada desert.
Angelina Joy Evans of Sacramento was last seen May 21, 2001, getting into a truck in Sacramento.
In August 2002, the body of twenty-four-year-old Salvadoran immigrant Evelyn Hernandez washed up in San Francisco Bay. Neither the child Hernandez was carrying not her six-year-old son, Alex, has been found.
Rebekah Rachel Miller, thirty-three, disappeared October 15, 2002, from Modesto, twelve blocks from the Peterson home.
In interviews, jurors said that they convicted Scott for the most obvious reason, namely because the bodies were found near where he went fishing. One juror added that he never would have convicted Scott, but for this fact. However, the location of the found bodies is not as incriminating as it might first appear. Scott's whereabouts on the day Laci went missing were well publicized. If someone else killed Laci, it is plausible that the killer might dump Laci's and Connor's bodies near where Scott had gone fishing as such a location would throw any suspicion off of himself and onto Scott.
ReplyDeleteEvidence from the found bodies creates additional doubt regarding Scott's guilt. According to the prosecution, Scott strangled Laci and cleanly disposed of her intact body, leaving no blood or bodily secretions as evidence. Conner allegedly separated from Laci after decomposition opened up her abdominal cavity.
However, Connor had clearly been separated from Laci at the time he was dumped. Plastic tape/twine was found looped over his right shoulder and under his left arm. The twine was tied tight with only one inch of slack and knotted with a bow. The prosecution suggested the twine was debris that happened to slip over Conner's body, but pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht, who examined Conner, said that this could not happen in “a million years.” He also conjectured that Connor's body had been covered with a bag at the time of his disposal and that the twine had been used to hold the bag in place.
Conner's body was found in a swampy location above the normal high tide debris line of the bay, indicating it was dumped there and did not float in from the bay. The prosecution never tried to prove otherwise.
On Sept. 24, 2002, Laci had ultrasound measurements performed on her fetus indicating that Conner then had a gestational age of 19 weeks and 2 days. Thirteen weeks later, on the day of Scott's visit to the Marina, Conner would have been 32 weeks and 2 days old. However, post-mortem measurements indicated that Conner had lived till he was 35.1 to 36.3 weeks old. While measurement-based age determinations can vary, only about 5% of fetuses show a discrepancy of 4 weeks or more due to unusually fast or slow fetal growth. Since Conner's measured age was close to 4 weeks ahead, the post-mortem measurements raise a significant statistical doubt that Conner was dead at the time of Scott's Marina visit.
Laci's body was found without her head and her first six neck vertebrae. While the separation of her head and her first two neck vertebrae can be readily explained as due to decomposition in the bay, the other neck vertebrae do not easily separate and generally remain with the spine while the rest of the body decomposes. This evidence suggests the killer cut off Laci's head at the neck prior to disposal, severing most of her neck vertebrae. If Scott killed Laci, his removal of her head as well as her fetus complicates any prosecution scenario of the murder. Many books were written about the case including a 2005 pro-defense book entitled Presumed Guilty by Matt Dalton, a former Long Beach City and L.A. County prosecutor.
http://vots.altervista.org/CA/Peterson.html
On April 13, Michael Looby and his wife were walking their dog along the shoreline area of Bayside Court in the city of Richmond. They were looking for a place where their dog could swim. It was low tide and as they walked along the beach and over a rocky area toward the marsh, they saw a small baby’s body on the beach. It was apparent the baby was dead. The body was later identified as that of Conner Peterson. Conner’s left arm was attached, but his right was partially severed.Conner’s head was intact. There was a twine-like substance around his neck and what
ReplyDeleteappeared to be vegetation stuck to the body. Conner’s body was badly decomposed.
The following morning, around 11:15 a.m., Alena Gonzalez was at the dog park at Point Isabel with her family and their dogs. Point Isabel was situated along the San Francisco Bay
shoreline in the city of Richmond—part of the East Bay Regional Parks District. After the dogs were let off their leashes, they ran ahead. Gonzalez and her family followed behind. On the beach, near the water, Gonzalez observed another dog that appeared to be focused on something. Gonzalez realized it was a human body. The body, which was partially clothed, was later identified as that of Laci Peterson. Gonzalez had her father and sister stay with the body while Gonzalez went to call for police. When the fire and police departments responded, Gonzalez led them to Laci’s body, which was partially submerged in the water.
http://www.modbee.com/news/local/article8605133.ece/BINARY/PDF:%20Peterson%20Court%20Case%20Document
At the time of the autopsy, Dr. Peterson did not know the body was that of Laci Peterson. There were a number of body parts missing: head, neck, forearms, and the left lower leg. Much of the soft tissue and internal organs were also absent from the body. The only internal organ still in the body was the uterus. Peterson attributed the postmortem changes to a number of possible causes including the effects of the water, being acted on by bacteria, and feeding on the body by marine life. During the first portion of the examination, Peterson reviewed the xrays of Laci’s body. He looked specifically for any foreign material such as bullets or fragments of a knife. The x-rays disclosed no significant findings.
ReplyDeleteWhat remained of Laci’s body was clothed with a bra, underpants, and portions of what appeared to originally have been tan-colored slacks, which had deteriorated to the extent that they resembled shorts. However, there still remained “some decayed fabric clumps” that were adhered to the lower portion of the right leg. The clothing was in the normal position of wear. A criminalist who later examined Laci’s clothing found barnacles on what remained of Laci’s slacks. Laci’s clothing contained no rips or tears. Nor was there any blood or other biological fluids on the clothing.
As for the clothing that remained on Laci’s body, her bra was in the normal position of wear and remained secured by two hook and loop fasteners. What was left of the light-colored slacks was also in the normal position of wear. The button closure and zipper on the slacks was still in place, as was the drawstring cord in the waistband. The crotch of the slacks was shredded and stony mineral deposits were mixed in with fibers that remained. As stated, there was duct tape on the front of the body, which adhered to the waistband of the slacks and around one leg, and which extended up to the zipper area of the slacks. Underpants were on the body beneath the slacks, but the portion of the underwear covering the buttocks was missing. The front portion was intact and part of the elastic band was in place around each leg.
During the course of his external examination of Laci’s body, Dr. Peterson observed that the only skin remaining was a small amount on the left thigh. Skeletal muscle was exposed in some places; in other places there was still some fat beneath the skin. From the waist up, there was very little soft tissue remaining, exposing bones, including ribs, vertebrae, and shoulder blades. Body fat had undergone postmortem changes and was now adipocere. Dr. Peterson explained that adipocere resulted when body fat body was exposed to a cold, moist environment. The fat turned into a “crumbly white material” and appeared soapy.
After examining Laci’s remains, in addition to corroborating many of the findings made by Dr. Peterson, Dr. Galloway noted that the rib fractures were perimortem defects. This meant that the two rib fractures, which Dr. Galloway described as “clean fractures” and which she distinguished from the “very frayed” portion of what remained of a third rib, could have occurred from the time period prior to Laci’s death before healing began, until the time postmortem when the bones lost their resiliency.
Dr. Galloway, the forensic anthropologist, estimated Conner’s age to be within a range of 33 to 38 gestational weeks.
Dr. DeVore estimated the date of Conner’s death as December 23, 2002.
http://www.modbee.com/news/local/article8605133.ece/BINARY/PDF:%20Peterson%20Court%20Case%20Document
Scott Peterson's defense team hopes that stains found in a mysterious brown van that could come from duct tape and blood are the evidence they need to save Scott. That defense team strategy, details of which were obtained by ABCNEWS, stem from a Modesto police report that outlines a conversation that took place between a rape counselor and police. The report reveals that a rape crisis counselor told investigators about a woman who said she was attacked in the area a week before the young pregnant woman went missing. The counselor told police the woman she helped said she had been attacked on Dec.18, by men carrying out some sort of ritual. The rape counselor said the woman explained that the man had bragged they would murder someone on Christmas Day.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pwc-sii.com/Media/van.htm
Mystery Van: Defense Team Says Brown Van Could Be Missing Link in Laci Murder Case
ReplyDeleteABCNEWS (Taina Hernandez reported this story on Good Morning America)
June 4, 2003
Scott Peterson's defense team hopes that stains found in a mysterious brown van that could come from duct tape and blood are the evidence they need to save their client, sources close to Peterson told ABCNEWS.
Investigators at a California state crime lab are combing over the intriguing vehicle that a neighbor of the Petersons' reported seeing right around the time of Laci's disappearance, the sources said.
Police found the van, a brown 1987 Dodge, at a campsite in Madiera, Calif., about 70 miles from Modesto on Friday. It was towed to a state Justice Department crime lab in Ripon, Calif., to be examined.
Defense Ties Van to Alleged Sexual Assault?
Police only took the vehicle into custody to prove the defense is wrong in trying to connect it to the double-murder case, according to prosecutors.
Modesto police say they looked into the van's drivers early on in the investigation and cleared them.
Rumors about the van had been swirling around Modesto for months, and sources close to Scott Peterson said the defense hopes to tie the van both to Laci's Christmas Eve disappearance and an alleged sexual assault on a woman the previous week.
That defense team strategy, details of which were obtained by ABCNEWS, stem from a Modesto police report that outlines a conversation that took place between a rape counselor and police.
The report reveals that a rape crisis counselor told investigators about a woman who said she was attacked in the area a week before the young pregnant woman went missing.
The counselor told police the woman she helped said she had been attacked on Dec.18, by men carrying out some sort of ritual. The rape counselor said the woman explained that the man had bragged they would murder someone on Christmas Day.
CONTINUED...
Police have not commented on how they followed up on the tip. In the end, however, police rejected any connection between the attack and Laci Peterson's disappearance.
ReplyDeletePeterson's attorney, Mark Geragos, has suggested that members of a satanic cult were the killers. He has also hinted that a female mystery witness could lead authorities to the real killer and free his client.
Peterson was arrested on charges that he killed Laci and their unborn child, Conner, after their bodies washed up on a beach in the San Francisco Bay in April.
Autopsy reports on Laci and Conner were sealed by a judge with the initial support of the prosecutors and defense lawyers in the case. But after a page of the report showing that the unborn baby had tape around his neck was leaked to news outlets last week, prosecutors moved to have the entire report released.
Suspicious Man in Mystery Van?
Attorneys defending Scott Peterson on charges he killed his wife and unborn child have interviewed a Peterson neighbor who reported seeing a man in the neighborhood he considered suspicious on the morning Laci Peterson disappeared.
The neighbor reportedly saw the suspicious man in a tan van minutes before he saw a "very pregnant woman" walking her dog a few blocks away.
Meanwhile, investigators are holding the vehicle for testing, but the defense team actually owns the vehicle because they bought the title to it after they found the license plate number from police reports.
The defense decided it could be a big part of its case, but never took possession of the van before police found it.
The defense can hold onto the van for the trial, even if it is not ruled a crime scene.
In another development, the defense team is asking Laci's family to return a pair of shoes, implying the shoes are evidence. However, it's unclear if Laci's family, the Rochas, even have the shoes, or that they have any value to the case.
A judge in the case delayed a decision Tuesday on whether to make public some of the evidence that led to the arrest of the victim's husband.
Stanislaus County Superior Court Judge Roger Beauchesne told lawyers for media outlets pushing for the release that he would hold a private hearing with them Friday and then rule by June 12.
Lawyers for 30-year-old Scott Peterson say that releasing the material would create an atmosphere that would rob their client of a chance at a fair trial and impede efforts to find the real killer.
http://www.forumsforjustice.org/forums/showthread.php?3226-DA-Van-Spotted-at-Time-of-Peterson-s-Disappearance-Found
Vans continue to fuel mysteries
ReplyDeleteBy GARTH STAPLEY
BEE STAFF WRITER
Published: June 11, 2003, 08:41:00 AM PDT
A Newman woman believes her tip about a suspicious van two weeks ago led Scott Peterson's defense attorneys to acquire the vehicle as a possible clue in the Laci Peterson murder case.
The same day police received Vera Alizaga's tip, they examined a van and announced that there was no connection to the double-murder case. They won't say whether her tip led them to the van they towed to a crime lab.
Also, people who spotted a van in the Petersons' neighborhood about the time the pregnant woman disappeared noted that the one they saw bears little resemblance to the one Alizaga described.
And that could mean, the witnesses said, that the van they saw "is still out there."
...snip
Soon after the pregnant woman was reported missing in December, Modesto Police Chief Roy Wasden said detectives believed a brown van some residents described belonged to a landscaping crew.
Another vehicle seen by witnesses
But witnesses also described another type of vehicle in the area.
Homer and Helen Maldonado described a yellowish-tan van with curtains and a chrome ladder on the back leading to a rooftop rack. They parked next to it briefly at a gas station in the Petersons' neighborhood on Christmas Eve, the day Laci Peterson disappeared.
After driving off, Homer Maldonado said he saw Laci Peterson walking her dog about a half-block away.
...snip
"When you see something that looks so out of place, you go, 'Hmm, that's weird,'" Ali-zaga said.
She said she sped up to the dented, light-brown Chevrolet van until she and her husband, Jack, could see inside. They noted rubbish, including wrappers and used food containers. And they saw two men wearing what appeared to be stained T-shirts, she said.
Alizaga said she was amazed that the passenger didn't seem to notice her as she peered at him. "He didn't even flinch, just kept looking straight ahead," she said.
She said she spoke twice with Kirk McAllister, one of Scott Peterson's attorneys.
McAllister declined to say whether the van authorities found was the vehicle from Alizaga's tip.
...snip
If that van is the one Alizaga spotted, authorities might have the wrong one, the Maldonados said.
"They don't sound like the same van at all," Helen Maldonado said. Alizaga said the van she reported had no ladder, rack or curtains.
...snip
Chief Deputy District Attorney John Goold said police found the van in a county south of Modesto, but refused to discuss it further -- even though authorities insist it doesn't figure in the Peterson case.
http://www.modbee.com/reports/laci/story/6939864p-7874707c.html
11 Feb 2003 Suspicious Man on raft south of Bay Bridge
ReplyDeleteA predawn sighting of a man in a wetsuit steering a motorized raft toward the Bay Bridge on Tuesday sparked a massive multi-agency effort to explain a report that raised grave homeland-security concerns. The search began soon after 3 a.m., when the captain of the Alameda-based tugboat Polaris telephoned the U.S. Coast Guard to say his boat had nearly collided with a 10-foot Zodiac-style raft about a mile south of the Bay Bridge." This raft had no lights, which looked fairly suspicious," said Dale Kline, Seaway's general manager." The guy (on the raft) is either incredibly stupid or he was trying to hide something." Investigators did not find anything "homeland security" related at either the Bay Bridge or the Golden Gate Bridge.
http://www.pwc-sii.com/Timeline/search.htm
The guy in the 'Zodiac' was headed toward the Bulb when he almost collided with the Tug. This is from SII: scottisinnocent.com/The%20Other%20Suspects.htm
February 11, 2003: A predawn sighting of a man in a wetsuit steering a motorized raft toward the Bay Bridge on Tuesday sparked a massive multi-agency effort to explain a report that raised grave homeland-security concerns. The search began soon after 3 a.m., when the captain of the Alameda-based tugboat Polaris telephoned the U.S. Coast Guard to say his boat had nearly collided with a 10-foot Zodiac-style raft about a mile south of the Bay Bridge. "This raft had no lights, which looked fairly suspicious," said Dale Kline, Seaway's general manager. "The guy (on the raft) is either incredibly stupid or he was trying to hide something." Investigators did not find anything "homeland security" related at either the Bay Bridge or the Golden Gate Bridge.
The top RED X is the location where the bodies were found. The bottom RED X is the general location where the suspicious man on the raft was encountered, heading north.
http://www.inreview.com/topic-lastpost-25825.html
Scott's boat:
The boat has a 13" Freeboard and the chop was 1' that day. Any movement is going to tip the boat enough to allow water from the chop into the boat. Swamping! Then there are the supposed anchors. You have from 3' to +5' of water, depending on the tides. That means the anchors are going to have to be fastened as close to the body as humanly possible. Actually Touching. Supposedly, the Anchors were tied on before entering the boat. Quite a bulky package to say the least. No matter how you slice it, Scott had to have had the whole package, plus his own weight, on the side of the boat, at the point before she was tossed overboard. This would NOT have even worked from either end of the boat. We are talking about the necessity for 400+ lbs to be in one area of that boat at once. I have been fishing in Aluminium boats many times in my younger years. You do NOT rock the boat on a calm lake. You would certainly not do so on a choppy Bay.
What bothers me is, how come no one ever saw the body when the gasses were causing it to float? A lady that lives there said that it is a very busy Bay, with houseboats and all sorts of pleasure boats.
ReplyDeleteOne Poster on CTV was telling how they put a bunch of weight, I forget how much, on this pig carcass, and it rose to the top, weights and all.
They test pigs because they resemble humans closer than anythings else. I read an article a while back on this type of testing...they tested the pigs in the ocean (cold water...a lot colder than the bay was at the time) and weighted them down....the pigs rose after 10 weeks. They said it was the longest they had ever seen it take for this to happen. The temp they threw them in was at very low degrees (as it was done in Canada)...if I can remember...the temp was below 20 degrees. The temp in the Bay was in the fifties...
The gases are another thing that has caused me to believe the bodies could NOT have been in the Bay that long. Does Distaso want us to believe that Laci never once came to the surface, or if she did that that Bay is so far off the beaten track that no one would have noticed?
And 25 lbs worth of "supposed" weights arent gonna keep a person down once the gases kick in. People just dont realize the power in such bodily gases....its true that she would eventually go back down once expelled...but she will re-rise upon the gases appearing again...this will happen until they are gone completely. The gases would also expel out Conner...to say that he was in there for the full four months...well...doesnt seem likely. 8-10 days in warm water...and 2-3 weeks in cold...is when the onset of such gases would occur. (I'd even go 3-6 weeks tops)..but that doesnt take us into April, does it?
http://www.inreview.com/topic-lastpost-25825.html
Floaters:
ReplyDelete"Floaters" are corpses found floating in a body of water. They present special problems for the ME in determining the time of death. Water temperature of course has an effect as do local tides and predators. The general rule regarding decomposition is that one week on dry land equals two weeks for a submerged body.
To become a "floater," a body must to be in the water long enough for tissue decomposition from bacteria to begin. This process forms gas as a byproduct, which collects beneath the skin and in body cavities. Bodies tend to sink, then rise again in several days when the gas forms, adding buoyancy. They thus become "floaters."
Under these circumstances, the hands and feet swell (several days), the outer layer of skin separates from the underlying tissues (5-6 days), the skin of the hands and the nails separate (8-10 days), and entire body swells shortly thereafter. Tissues become extremely fragile and are easily damaged during removal from the water.
Timing of the "floating" depends upon several factors, including water temperature, currents, the size of the victim, and other variables. For example, a body will "float" after 8-10 days in warm water and 2-3 weeks if in colder water. Cold slows the process of decomposition.
Unless she was weighed down with the Rock of Gibralter (sp) the body would have risen to the top of the water from time to time, and NO ONE saw it in that busy Bay? Couldn't be that it was placed there after all the gases had been expelled?
I posted that I thought it was a possiblity...but then I deleted it...because if that were true (that she was put in after explusion of the gases)...she would not have come back up in order to be found...unless somehow the weather factored in by bringing her back up...but then again, I never fully believed that the "weather" issue they talked about was really much a a factor...they had some rain..not a monsoon.
Laci washed ashore. One lady, that lives there, said that the currents would have had to be coming from the Albany bulb for Laci's body to have washed up where it did. She had a map with all the current directions, and it sure looked like she was right.
http://www.inreview.com/topic-lastpost-25825.html
Robert St. James (el corazon del demonio) wrote on 2/19/03:
ReplyDeleteIf that tarp was never found, I can see why the police would be very interested in a blue tarp
fished out of SF Bay. I've read they they took it away for testing, but nothing about what (if anything) they discovered.
So, I guess the theory would be that he killed his wife, took her body out in the tarp, headed over to Berkeley with his boat, and dumped her body in the bay. Sounds like a helluva lot of effort/risk. I don't know a lot about the area around Modesto, but I do know the roads over to Berkeley, and both 580 and 24 go through some low hills with lots of winding roads leading off them. Seems like a better place to dump a body than going to a public marina like Berkeley, going out in the water in full view of lots of houses near the shore, and dumping a body over the side in the middle of the day.
Not to mention launching your boat, getting the body into it, etc.
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/alt.true-crime/8hoCTSKqMoE%5B1-25%5D
Police didn't seize the van suspected in the burglary of the home directly across the street from the Peterson home, and apparently didn't search it for forensic evidence that Laci had been inside (in fact, the police didn't say anything about the vehicle used in the burglary).
ReplyDeleteA van parked in front of the Medina home was seen by two witnesses at 9:30 AM, and was seen again, after the Medinas left at 10:30 AM, by another witness at 11:40 AM on December 24.
At 9:30 AM, the burglars were parked in front of the home, watching the Medinas load items into their vehicle for a three-day trip. They left in the van after they were spotted by two witnesses, and they then returned after the Medinas left at 10:30 AM. Three men were seen in the front yard of the Medina home with a safe by the last witness at 11:40 AM on December 24.
Laci left for her walk with McKenzie shortly after 10 AM on December 24 (after Scott left and after a neighbor put McKenzie, who was on a leash, back into their yard and closed the gate -- he had wondered out into the street in front of their home because Scott had left the gate open when he left a few minutes earlier).
Laci was seen my about 10 witnesses talking a walk with McKenzie that day. All of them saw her in the 10 to 11 AM time period. The route she took was about 2.5 miles long, and it would have taken her about an hour or more, depending on how long she stopped to allow McKenzie to sniff, etc.
The police said that suspects, who were charged with the burglary, were not involved in the missing-person case: "they gave numerous statements and facts that checked out, convincing police that the two men were telling the truth." The police allowed the suspects to plead to reduced charges, and allowed them to claim they burglarized the home at 6:30 AM on December 26 (this would have been when media trucks were camped outside the area covering the missing-person's case). Attorneys for both suspects refused to say whether there was evidence Todd and Pearce were in the neighborhood before that.
The following is the report in the Modesto Bee.
The police reported that the burglars said they used a white car in the burglary. The cops didn't investigate whether or not the burglars were linked to a van similar to the one spotted in Laci's neighborhood on December 24.
DeleteLaci's DNA and fingerprints could have been in this van.
Laci's DNA and fingerprints could have been on the safe stolen from the Medinas and put into this van.
Laci's DNA could have been on the Croton watch that was pawned six days after Laci went missing, but was never collected into evidence by the cops.
The witnesses who saw Laci and/or the van in Laci's La Loma neighborhood on December 24 all reported it as being white, tan or white with a tan stripe, not brown. But it was only a brown van owned by a homeless family that was searched by police for evidence that Laci had been inside.
ReplyDeleteThe homeless family of Donnie Renfrow was living at a campsite in Woodward Reservior Park.
The person who pawned a gold Croton identical to Laci’s watch, which she was wearing when she disappeared, was pawned by Deanna Renfro on December 31.
Although their last names are spelled differently, they are related.
The Modesto Police did not investigate this woman or her connection to the Medina burglars. A background check would have shown links between the families of Deanna Renfro and those of Steven Todd, one of the convicted burglars, and the Tenbrink family.
During a recorded phone call in late January 2003 at California Rehabilitation Institute between brothers Adam and Shaun Tenbrink, Adam told Shawn that Steven Todd admitted Laci had seen him breaking into the Medina home on December 24th.
The following is the report from the National Enquirer.
NATIONAL ENQUIRER
ReplyDeleteAugust 19, 2003
SCOTT"S "SATANIC CULT"
DEFENSE IS FULL OF HOLES
by DAVID WRIGHT
new picture: Homeless family: Donnie and Mary Ann Renfrow and their children Rayoune and Sherry at their campsite near Modesto. (2 of the women and the older man have no teeth, they look really down and out)!
An NE investigation has uncovered stunning info that blows a huge hole in Scott's murder defense. On July 22, Scott's lawyers announced they had evidence in the Laci Peterson case that "totally exonerates" Scott and would lead to Laci's "true killers"- but their claims are pure fiction. Scotty's attorney, Mark Geragos, has suggested that Laci was the victim of a Satanic cult whose members were spotted in a battered van near the Petersons' Modesto home, around the time of Laci's disappearance on Christmas Eve.
But what Scott's lawyer said were bloodstains in the van is actually barbecue sauce. And a Satanic image on a window of the van is tinting that was scratched off by a child. What's more Scott's lawyers cited a "mystery woman's" claims of being abducted by a Satanic cult even though she had a history of mental problems, the NE has learned. And a source close to the case revealed that defense attorneys have been unable to locate the woman.
"Now that the so-called evidence in the van can be innocently explained, you can expect the defense team to abandon the Satanic cult theory faster than Liz Taylor abandons her husbands," said Craig Silverman, a former chief deputy district for Denver who has tried dozens of homicide cases.
Defense attorney Geragos repossessed a 1987 van belonging to May Ann Renfrow, 64, to use as possible evidence in the case. But Mary Ann, her husband Donnie, 55, son Rayoune Miranda, 32 and daughter Sherry Moulton, 37, say that neither they nor their van had anything to do with Laci's murder.
"Obviously Mark Geragos was trying to clear his client- and using us to do," Mary Ann told the NE. Cops first interviewed Mary Ann and her homeless family at their campsite at the Woodward Reservoir outside Modesto on Dec. 30. They were looking for a brown van in connection with Laci's disappearance and wanted to see the vehicle the family used to pull their trailer from one campsite to another.
"We told them our van had broken down on Dec.22 and hadn't been repaired until the 29th," Rayoune told the NE. "They examined it thoroughly and after we satisfied them that we'd never been in Laci's neighborhood, they went away. We didn't hear anything for nearly five months."
Then on May 21, police investigators came back to see Rayoune. They'd had a report that implicated him in the Dec. 14 rape of a woman, Rayoune said. "The woman told a rape counselor she'd been subjected to Satanic rituals in a brown van, that her attacker had Satanic 666 tattooed on his neck, and that she overheard him talking with other people about the plans to kidnap a baby on Dec. 24th, Rayoune said. "I had to show them I didn't have a 666 tattoo, by pulling up my hair."
CONTINUED...
"Eventually the police told us the woman was nuts and had accused quite a few other men of rape." "But they said they had to follow up because Mark Geragos was now pushing the issue." After lead detectives in the Peterson murder case questioned family members, and cops collected hair and saliva samples, authorities took the family's van and trailer away for examination. They were eventually cleared in the murder.
ReplyDeleteBut the defense team's Satanic cult theory, began making the TV news, with Geragos pinning the blame for Laci's death on four or five people in a mysterious brown van. "Mom was behind in her payments- she owed $600- and Mark Geragos bought the van by making the payment," Rayoune recalled.
One June 4 the family watched as CNN reporter Dave Mattingly declared, "a source on the defense team tells me that they are more certain than ever of their theory because of things they have found after they examined the van. "They claim to have found duct tape inside the van, as well as blood stains. They also claim to have found a Satanic image sketched in the glas of the van."
"We couldn't believe our ears," Sherry said. "Of course there was duct tape - our trailer's canvas was ripped in several places and we used duct tape to hold it together to protect us form the cold."
"As for the bloodstains the police know the truth. When my son was helping one of the detectives move an ice chest in the van, they spilled a bottle of BBQ sauce. That's the stain the defense is talking about." And the satanic image? "The van windows are tinted and my grandchildren tore at the tinting material with their fingers one day so they could see outside better."
It left a strange pattern on the window-but there's nothing Satancic about it."
The family has also been told, she said that defense team investigators found the picture of the devil in the family trailer. Sherry showed an NE reporter a sticker of a sexy woman with bat wings and horns stuck to the trailer door.
"My kids got it out of a machine," she said adding that it's ridiculous for her family to be accused of being Satanists. Gergagos or his investigators never talked to the family.
The defense is operating under a gag order, but a source told the NE, "The defense has the van and it's being tested at a laboratory. Results are expected by the end of August."
After cops returned the family's tattered trailer, a friend helped them tow it back to their campsite, where despite the fact that they have been cleared and people drive past their campsite honking and hollering insults. "Mr. Geragos has destroyed our Lives," Mary Ann said. "I don't know how he could be so cruel."
http://www.findlaci2003.us/ne-8-19-03-homeless.html
"MYSTERY WOMAN PAWNS WATCH?"
ReplyDeletehttp://www.findlaci2003.us/ne-8-19-03-homeless.html
July 7, 2004
Pawn shop receipt for watch
This pawn shop slip, issued to Deanna Renfro on Dec. 31, 2002, was for a watch similar to the
one being sold by Laci on eBay just weeks before she disappeared.
DEANNA RENFRO
What do a gold watch, brown van and an eBay auction have in common?
According to documents obtained by Court TV's Catherine Crier, they resurrect defense attorney Mark Geragos' theory that Satanists in a brown van were involved in the murders of Laci and her unborn son.
The host of Court TV's "Crier Live" obtained a pawn shop receipt revealing the identity of a
"mystery woman" cited by Scott Peterson's lawyer and her possible connection to the owners
of a brown van allegedly spotted in the Petersons' neighborhood before her disappearance.
The document indicates that Deanna Renfro pawned a gold Croton watch six days after Laci Peterson's disappearance — a gold watch almost identical to one Laci tried to auction on eBay weeks earlier, according to the records of the Petersons' eBay account.
Laci Peterson, 27, disappeared Dec. 24, 2002. Four days later, a rape crisis counselor told police that an unidentified woman reported she had been raped by two men and two women in a brown van during a satanic ritual.
According to the counselor's account, the victim said that, during the ritual, the group mentioned a Christmas day death, one she would read about in the papers.
When police tracked down the van to a nearby campsite on Dec. 30, among the four people in the van were Donny and Mary Renfrow. Court TV sources indicated that Deanna Renfro (despite a different spelling in documents) is related to the Renfrows and may be Donny Renfrow's daughter.
The receipt from the pawn shop indicates that, the day after the police visit to the campsite, Deanna Renfro, who has a long criminal history including at least one methamphetamine arrest, pawned the gold Croton watch for $20.
"Is the pawned watch the same as Laci's? Are the Renfrows related?" Crier said. "Court TV is
working to resolve these unanswered questions, but in the meantime, a conspiracy theory is born."
http://www.findlaci2003.us/evidence-pawnshop-receipt.html
In the Habeas petition, there is excupatory information from the Peterson's mail carrier that didn't make it into trial.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.scottpetersonappeal.org/uploads/2/4/8/2/24829415/petersonhabeas.pdf
The Aponte Tip:
The MPD "lost" the recording of the phone call between the two brothers, Adam and Shawn, that Lt. Aponte turned over to them.
Lt. Aponte gave a signed statement to defense investigators which said the prisoner had been interviewed by MPD, and that MPD had received a copy of the taped phone conversation.
From the DMNT: Lt. Aponte said a detective called him back and arrangements were made for the detective to interview [Shawn]. Lt. Aponte believes that it was after he spoke to the detective that he listened to the recorded conversation between [Shawn] and his brother [Adam]. To the best of his recollection, [Shawn/Adam] talked to [Adam/Shawn] about Laci Peterson missing and [Adam] mentioned that Laci happened to walk up while ST was doing the burglary and ST made some type of verbal threat to Laci.
Lt. Aponte did not recall the name of the detective, however when asked about the names Craig Grogan, Al Brocchini, Mark Smith and Owens, Lt. Aponte said Grogan sounded familiar. Lt. Aponte said he recalls the names [blacked out] and ST from the recorded telephone conversation. The telephone call lasted about 3-4 minutes.
The detective from MPD came down to Norco [California] Rehabilitation Center and interviewed [Shawn] within the first couple of weeks from his first call to the MPD hotline.
More at:
http://pwc-sii.com/Research/burglary/apontetip.htm
The burglars stole two handguns, power tools, a Gucci watch, a safe containing $3,000 in cash, at least $50,000 worth of jewelry -- including large-carat rubies and diamonds -- and other belongings from the home directly across from the Petersons. Both men, Donald Glenn Pearce and Steven Wayne Todd, were charged with two felony burglary counts.
ReplyDeleteDonald Pearce pleaded no contest in February 2003 to a reduced charge of receiving stolen property. He was sentenced to 180 days in jail. Steven Todd pleaded guilty to one burglary count in February 2003 and was sentenced to eight years and eight months in prison for that charge and two other burglary counts from a separate incident.
Adam told his brother that Steven Todd, one of two men convicted of the burglary, admitted that Laci had seen him breaking into the home on December 24th.
This came from a recorded phone call between two brothers, one a friend of Steven Todd, in late January 2003 at California Rehabilitation Institute at Norco east of Los Angeles.
From the Habeas petition filed by Scott Peterson's post-conviction defense counsel in November 2015:
Lieutenant Xavier Aponte recorded a phone call between Steven Todd’s friend, Adam Tenbrink, and Adam’s brother, Shawn Tenbrink. Lt. Aponte immediately called the Modesto Police Department and informed it that Adam told his brother that Steven Todd admitted that Laci had seen him breaking into the xxx’s home. (Exhibit 28 [Hotline Telephone Log].)
Of course, if Steven Todd saw Laci alive while he was burglarizing the xxx home on December 24, 2002, then there is reasonable doubt as to Scott’s guilt. Scott left home to go fishing at 10:08 a.m. Steven Todd’s burglary would have been committed after the xxx left their home at 10:35 a.m.. DJ saw evidence of the burglary at 11:40 a.m. Thus, Steven Todd would have seen Laci alive in Modesto more than an hour after Scott left the house.
Post-conviction counsel’s investigator JT attempted to interview Adam Tenbrink and Steven Todd.
At one point, Adam agreed to speak with the investigator at a later date, but then refused to come to the door.
When the investigator spoke to Steven Todd over the telephone, he was angry and said, “Fuck Scott Peterson.”
The investigator was also able to contact Shawn Tenbrink, who confirmed he was an inmate at CDC Norco in January 2003.
Shawn confirmed having a phone conversation with his brother in which the latter told him he knew who burglarized the house across the street from the Petersons.
Adam indicated that Laci Peterson had seen Steven Todd commit the burglary.
Shawn could not recall whether Adam informed him that Steven Todd had burglarized the house with other people.
Source:
http://www.scottpetersonappeal.org/uploads/2/4/8/2/24829415/petersonhabeas.pdf
hayhauler
ReplyDeletePetty Officer 2nd Class
November 12th, 2004, 11:45 AM
Re: Peterson Jury Verdict Reached
Sorry to disagree with so many iboats members. I'm no where near convinced that Scott Peterson was guilty. The boat in and of itself is hard enough to figure out. He wasn't an experienced boater, but he managed to take a small boat out in San Francisco Bay, without being seen, and throw a heavy body, probably at least 200 lbs by the time you add in the anchors. I know for a fact I couldn't do that out of a fourteen foot aluminum boat.My wife was a forensic chemist for years and one thing I learned is that forensic evidence is not that easy to hide. They don't even know where she was murdered or when. There is no evidence that he moved her from where ever she was killed to the boat. No blood evidence anywhere. One hair was found, you can find my wife's hair all over anytime, I'd be more surprised if no hair was found. I'm convinced Scott is a scummy dude, but I'm no where near convinced he is a murderer.He'll have several opportunities to appeal, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if he prevails in his appeals.
Ralph 123
Captain
November 12th, 2004, 12:54 PM
Re: Peterson Jury Verdict Reached
I am with hayhauler. That boat has no freeboard at all. It is very small and unstable - meant for a pond or lake, not the ocean. Any weight on the side and that boat would flip. I would not even put that boat in the ocean unless it was from a dock to a mooring 100 yards away.On the other side, there is plenty of things pointing to guilt. For example, I don't think even the really frugal iBoats members have made their own cement anchors!I just want to figure out if he used that boat in what I would guess is a choppy bay, how he threw her over w/o flipping the boat.
http://forums.iboats.com/forum/other/dockside-chat/25414-peterson-jury-verdict-reached/page2
Copespitter
ReplyDeletePetty Officer 3rd Class
November 13th, 2004, 12:26 PM
Re: Peterson Jury Verdict Reached
His actions after the incident and the media was what got him convicted.I don't think there was any evidence that proved he did it except a shaky alibis and his stupid actions after the murder.Outside his house was a circus for along time. The media was camped out as well as a couple DJ's with bullhorns shouting at him.Maybe he was the type of guy that didn't know how to handle all the negative publicity he was receiving and just wanted out of town.If he didn't do the crime maybe having to deal with the death of his wife/child and the negative publicity was enough to drive him out of town and hide.The media threw out stuff all the time that made him look guilty and rarely publicized anything that made him look innocent.The boat wasn't much but a person could dump a body out the stern without much of a problem. As far as the body's washing up in the Bay, well if I was the killer that would be the first place I dumped her so Scott would look guilty.The info through the media sure made him look guilty. I hope he was.The thing that bothers me is that someone can be convicted of murder without any physical evidence.If I was innocent I sure would hate to have my freedom and life in the hands of a jury.Over zealous cops and prosecutors can convict just about anybody they want.
mrbscott19
Chief Petty Officer
November 13th, 2004, 02:05 PM
Re: Peterson Jury Verdict Reached
Maybe he did it, maybe he didn't. But the evidence, or lack of, doesn't prove that he did anything, so I don't agree with the verdict. It's a sad day for the justice system when you can be convicted of such a heinous crime with nothing but circumstancial evidence. It also seemed to me that the judge was going for a guilty verdict, and didn't want anything but a guilty verdict, which is probably why the jury Foreman was dismissed with no apparent reason. Then the next day, a guilty verdict is handed in. Looks to me like the judge dismissed the jurors that were leaning towards "not guilty". Now I can understand the juror that did some independent research, but there was no reason for the dismissal of the jury foreman, who is a lawyer/doctor, and who took more notes than any other juror. I personally think the decision will be overturned during the appeals process.
hayhauler
Petty Officer 2nd Class
November 13th, 2004, 03:53 PM
Re: Peterson Jury Verdict Reached
I think that our system has been corrupted to only require that 12 people think he did it. I think that their thinking he did it was at one time required to be based on evidence. I agree that blood, hair and fingerprints can fall into the realm of circumstancial evidence, but they didn't even really have much if any physical/circumstancial evidence. They could find some of my wife's hair anywhere I've ever been, it's always on my clothes. I think there was insufficient evidence to find him guilty, so they found him guilty based on the fact that he looked like a guilty kind of guy.I don't think we know why the judge dismissed the foreman. There could have been a perfectly good reason.
http://forums.iboats.com/forum/other/dockside-chat/25414-peterson-jury-verdict-reached/page2
The State's theory
ReplyDeleteLaci spoke to her mother by phone at 8:30 p.m. on the night of December 23, and cell phone records prove that Scott left home for the warehouse no later than 10:08 a.m. on the 24th.
Therefore, the State had to prove that the murder happened in that time frame from 8:30 p.m. on December 23rd to 10:08 a.m. on December 24th.
The State argued that Laci and Conner were killed during the time period of 8:30 p.m. December 23 to 10:08 a.m. December 24.
The prosecution said that Laci could not have been walking before 10:08 or after 10:18 on December 24. (The walking witness estimates are before and after that time period.) The prosecution completely ignored the Graybill statement in their presentation of the case. Geragos did not find it in the discovery material that was given to him.
The State of California argued that Scott strangled or suffocated Laci either on the night of December 23 or the morning of December 24, 2002, in their home at 523 Covena, Modesto, CA, prior to him leaving for his warehouse around 10 AM.
The State argued that Scott wrapped her in a blue tarp, removed her from the house to his Ford pickup truck, put some market umbrellas on top of her, and transported her to the warehouse.
The State argued that once at the warehouse, Scott unwrapped her from the tarp and put her into the boat, tied weights around her, and attached the boat cover so she could not be seen.
The State argued that Scott's next stop was the Berkeley Marina. From the small boat launch ramp he motored out towards Brooks Island, where he dumped Laci's pregnant body into the Bay.
Then, on April 13 and April 14, respectively, Conner and Laci "washed ashore" in the same area where Scott said he was had gone fishing.
http://www.pwc-sii.com/Research/death/death.htm
Laci left for her walk with McKenzie shortly after Scott left, leaving the side gate ajar. This would have been between 10:00 and 10:15 AM. The mail carrier delivered a package to the Peterson's, sticking it in their mailbox on the front gate, between 10:35 and 10:50. Neighbors reported seeing it still in the mailbox at 4 or 5 PM. The mail carrier said the side gate was open and that McKenzie must have not been inside or outside the home because the dog always barked when the mail carrier delivered mail.
ReplyDeleteThere is overwhelming evidence that Laci was alive after Scott left that day. The confrontation with the burglars, the people who saw Laci walking the dog, the new information in the habeas that said the mail carrier told police early on that when he delivered the mail that morning (between 10:35 and 10:50 that morning) he is sure the gate was open and the dog was not on the property (indicating that Laci was out walking the dog). However when Scott returned home that evening, the dog was in the backyard with his leash still attached. A neighbor had found the dog in the street with his leash attached that morning -- and had returned the dog to the yard -- but based on multiple receipts and phone records -- she determined that she returned the dog between 10:10 and 10:18 that morning. Confirming this time is the fact that a large package that had been delivered to the Peterson home that morning by the mailman, was not yet in the mailbox when she returned the dog. The neighbor saw this very large package in the mailbox when she returned from her errands later in the day -- and two other neighbors mentioned noticing the package from across the street.....however despite having to walk directly up to the mailbox that morning when returning the dog, she did not see the package.
It was earlier, around 10 or 10:15, that neighbor Karen Servas found the dog in the street with his leash attached that morning -- and had returned the dog to the yard, before Laci left to walk the dog. This was shortly after Scott left for his warehouse and shortly before Laci left to take the dog for a walk.
The large package that had been delivered to the Peterson home between 10:35 and 10:50 that morning by the mail carrier was not yet in the mailbox when Servas returned the dog.
Servas saw this very large package in the mailbox when she returned from her errands later in the day -- and two other neighbors mentioned noticing the package from across the street.....however despite having to walk directly up to the mailbox that morning when returning the dog, Servas did not see the package.
When Scott returned home that evening, the dog was in the backyard with his leash still attached (which would mean that Laci made it home, at least to the backyard and side entry gate).
Scott's habeas attorneys came to the conclusion that Scott likely accidentally left the gate open when he left that morning around 10:00 -- Laci finished mopping and went outside and put the leash on the dog then ran back inside for some reason. The dog wandered out of the gate, the neighbor returned the dog to the yard. Laci came out, and took the dog for a walk. When she returned from her walk, she put the dog back in the yard and went to retrieve the large package the mailman had delivered and was abducted (probably by the burglars who had been casing the neigbhorhood and were spotted parked in front of the Median home around 9:30 and again at 11:40 that morning).
There was much police misconduct in this case. Tunnelvision, excising of information from police reports, a missing police report on the prison guard info....and with the way the media fueled the hatred for Scott Peterson by putting out false information and half-truths to boost their ratings..this guy didn't have a chance.
http://www.scottpetersonappeal.org/uploads/2/4/8/2/24829415/petersonhabeas.pdf
Why didn't LE seize the Croton watch that looked liked Laci's, which was pawned six days after Laci disappeared?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pwc-sii.com/Media/pawn.htm
Why did LE destroy the safe that was stolen from the Medinas' home (it was collected into evidence when they apprehended two of the burglars)?
http://pwc-sii.com/CourtDocs/Transcripts/Grogan-pros.htm
Picture of that model safe, small, less than 2 feet high, 175 lbs -- hand truck (the burglars used the Medina's hand truck), piece of cake. Some of the stolen items were obviously in the safe.
http://www.firefyter.com/FF2500.html
I do not believe it was a kidnapping......it was an abduction. Do you believe Todd when he says he spirited away all of those items on his bicycle? A rolling tool chest full of tools, lawn equipment such as weed wackers, multiple power tools, etc., etc. How many trips do you think a guy would have to make on his bicycle to transport all of those items? All the while not being seen by anyone in a neighborhood on high alert and crawling with cops? Remember - Pearce only came in to play to transport the safe. No......Todd was not alone and that burglary happened before anyone knew Laci was missing.
ReplyDeleteIs everyone here familiar with methamphetamine and the affects it can have on people?
Let me ask you a question-- do you find it suspect that there is nothing in discovery on the police follow up of the Aponte tip?
Is it possible that they wanted to bury the information because it showed Laci was alive after Scott left?
Something weird about the Medina burglary that hasn't been mentioned is that some expensive jewelry was left laying out in plain sight.
This suggests that some event triggered a quick get away.... unless someone can think of another reason this jewelry was left behind?
David Harris: Okay. Now you were asked about the guns that were taken in your burglary. Were those guns locked in the safe?
Susan Medina: One was locked. One was in the camera bag.
David Harris: Were there items that were also, items of value that were also left in your house?
Susan Medina: Yes.
David Harris: So the burglar or burglars didn't take everything?
Susan Medina: Correct.
David Harris: Did they leave some expensive things there?
Susan Medina: Correct.
David Harris: Jewelry?
Susan Medina: Yes.
David Harris: Electronics?
Susan Medina: Yes.
David Harris: In fact, the safe that was taken, was this the kind that has a turn dial or does it work with a lock or both?
Susan Medina: It has a key and then you have the combination to lock it, I mean to open it.
David Harris: And did the burglars actually get that key and combination?
Susan Medina: They, they got a hold of it, but they didn't take the key and the combination.
David Harris: Was, was the key and the combination someplace, like in an envelope or something?
Susan Medina: Yeah, it was in an envelope labeled "monthly allowance."
David Harris: Did it have some money in it?
Susan Medina: Yes.
David Harris: Who's allowance is that?
Susan Medina: I give my husband his weekly allowance. But it's a lot, though, you know. And then I pay for the gas, too, so that's not included.
David Harris: So in this envelope the combination, the key to the safe were there?
Susan Medina: Yeah.
David Harris: The burglar or burglars took the money, but they didn't take the key and they didn't take the combination?
Susan Medina: Not all the money. He left me some, two $20 bills.
http://www.injusticeanywhereforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=59347&sid=cdbb29766f5b166fae6ea111c9a27e17
More info on the safe:
ReplyDeleteMark Geragos: Okay. What else did your investigation entail as far as this burglary?
Craig Wend: Well, it was a pretty typical door-kick, grab what you can and take off with it. I mean, it wasn't, there was only one room that was really ransacked, and that was the master bedroom. And it wasn't ransacked a lot. Some things were taken off the top shelf in the bedroom, in the bathroom. In the master bedroom a drawer had been opened and a jewelry box had been laid, laid out.
Mark Geragos: So a lot of, was there a lot of jewelry that was left in the location?
Craig Wend: There was some. This lady had a lot of jewelry. Some of it was costume, I would assume, and some was not.
Mark Geragos: Was the safe described to you? A weight or size of this safe?
Craig Wend: Yes.
Mark Geragos: And what was that?
Craig Wend: If I could refer to my report, I'll give you the dimension that they told me.
Mark Geragos: Yes.
Rick Distaso: Actually, your Honor, I'm going to object as hearsay at this point.
Mark Geragos: He's looking at his report to refresh his recollection.
Judge Delucchi: As regards the safe?
Rick Distaso: Right. But he didn't see the safe. I have no problem with him testifying.
Judge Delucchi: He's going, he's going, this is his report. It's an official document results of an investigation. Are you objecting to that?
Rick Distaso: Okay. That's fine.
Craig Wend: They told me that it was approximately three feet tall by two and a half feet wide by two and a half feet deep.
Mark Geragos: Okay. Did you ever, was that safe ever recovered? To the best of your knowledge?
Craig Wend: I don't know. It may have been through later investigation, but I don't know for sure.
http://www.injusticeanywhereforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=59347&sid=cdbb29766f5b166fae6ea111c9a27e17
At some point, the defense has contended, there was a robbery that morning at the home of Rudy and Susan Medina, who lived across the street from the Petersons. The timing and significance of the robbery have long been a matter of sharp dispute, with the defense insisting that the robbers could have also been involved in Laci’s killing and the police viewing the incident as nothing but a red herring. After the robbery suspects were picked up on Jan. 2 and charged with staging the break-in at the Medinas’—during which a safe containing $50,000 in jewelry was carted off—the police determined it had happened during the day on Dec. 26.
ReplyDeleteBut a TV anchor in Modesto insists it could not have happened on the 26th because he was parked with his news truck outside the Medina home starting early in the morning to cover what was then the breaking story of Laci’s disappearance. Rudy Medina, who believes the robbery took place on the 24th, also remains perplexed by the fact that the robbers seemed to have other things on their minds. For example, he says, the thieves ignored expensive rings that had been left lying on the kitchen counter, a fact that he reported to authorities. “The police said my wife and I were watching too much CSI,” recalls Rudy.
http://people.com/archive/cover-story-justice-for-laci-vol-60-no-10/
From the Modbee article Jan 4, 2003:
Burglary suspects didn't take woman
By TY PHILLIPS
BEE STAFF WRITER
Last Updated: April 21, 2003, 03:34:04 PM PDT
Detective George Stough said Steven Wayne Todd, 35, and Donald Glen Pearce, 44, were far more cooperative than suspects usually are with police.
"It was bad luck on their part," Stough said. (Steven Todd) said he was scared that he was going to be associated with Laci's disappearance."
Thursday, state parole officers received a tip from someone who directed police to Todd and Pearce, Stough said. They gave numerous statements and facts that checked out, convincing police that the two men were telling the truth.
Todd told investigators that he traveled the La Loma area often and recognized a home that looked empty the morning after Christmas. He said he and Pearce entered the home about
4 a.m. and stayed for about 3 1/2 hours, Stough said.
Police had not yet sealed off the house as part of their search, and officers had not taken up positions in the neighborhood at that early hour.
Todd said he saw several TV news trucks in the area, so he picked a different entry into the home. Police said the burglars carried a large safe out the front door and onto the front lawn. The safe contained $50,000 worth of jewelry and other items, according to police.
None of the reporters or crews in those trucks reported seeing or hearing anything suspicious, Stough said.
Testimony about the media presence on Covena:
ReplyDelete*******
D. HARRIS: When you were talking about the number of hundreds of people that were there, was this a daily occurrence that you had hundreds of people there every day for months?
MEDINA: I would say for several months, yes.
D. HARRIS: And as this happened, since we're talking a lot of this was news crews, did you see then that they would set up at different times of the day and then at the end of the day most of them would go away?
MEDINA: No, it's a consistent. Sometimes it's past midnight.
D. HARRIS: And after the past midnight, excuse me, did they leave at some point this time?
MEDINA: They would and I would see some come back again like at 4:00 in the morning, 5:00 in the morning, and start all over again.
********
McALLISTER: How about the 26th of December, the day after Christmas, did you see any unusual vehicles that day in the immediate neighborhood there of your house?
KRIGBAUM: Our neighborhood was filled with cars. So every vehicle in the neighborhood was unusual. It was packed.
McALLISTER: Okay. Are we talking police? Are we talking media? Are we talking both?
KRIGBAUM: Both.
McALLISTER: Both?
KRIGBAUM: Yes.
McALLISTER: So it was just like a parking lot?
KRIGBAUM: Yes, for months afterwards.
McALLISTER: And for months, that we know, for months afterwards?
KRIGBAUM: Yes.
******
GERAGOS: Now, the, how long before the media started camping out in the street?
KRIGBAUM: Man, I think it was when we got up that next day there were, there were cars just up and down the whole neighborhood, so
GERAGOS: How long before all the satellite trucks and everything else started in?
KRIGBAUM: I believe that next day.
GERAGOS: Okay. Pretty much blocked off the whole block?
KRIGBAUM: Yeah.
GERAGOS: And that continued for how long?
KRIGBAUM: I don't know. Five months?
******
P. HARRIS: And as you, as the weeks wore on and the months wore on there continued to be a large number of people out in the street at all times?
MEDINA: Correct.
P. HARRIS: You saw, for example, whenever Scott Peterson would walk out of his home, the media would just rush to the house, you've seen that actually, right?
MEDINA: Yes.
P. HARRIS: You were present when in fact some media people came with a bull horn and started screaming at his house, "you murdered your wife, you murdered your child," yelling and screaming and so forth at Scott Peterson, did they not?
MEDINA: Yes.
P. HARRIS: In fact, you were scared for your own safety at that point?
MEDINA: Yes.
P. HARRIS: You also were present at different times when people would drive by Scott's house and scream "murderer"?
MEDINA: Yes.
P. HARRIS: You were also aware that people were literally breaking into his house and taking things, correct?
MEDINA: I witnessed one.
P. HARRIS: You actually witnessed one, didn't you?
MEDINA: Yes.
P. HARRIS: In fact, you were the person that actually caught somebody?
MEDINA: Made the report.
P. HARRIS: Made the report. Is it a fair to say that life at Scott Peterson's could be described as chaotic?
MEDINA: Yes.
P. HARRIS: And that would be a mild term to use, wouldn't it?
MEDINA: Yes.
Rose said: "So for me, to have reasonable doubt, the witnesses that report seeing Laci before 10AM, including one that also had receipts and another that had to pick up a prescription before 10AM are all wrong, and the receipt also wrong. Servas is also wrong and her receipt is of course, wrong. The cell phone data is unreliable and also wrong when it shows Scott leaving, he was already on his way. That's a lot of wrong people, receipts, and cell phone data.''
ReplyDeleteThe people who reported seeing Laci are not wrong, but the times were not recorded to the minute. Servas' receipt likely was wrong; the recepts taken from the store later had the wrong times. But it really doesn't make any difference. No one knows whether Laci was alive, dead, home or away when Servas put the dog in the yard. Laci could have been in her house; no one checked. It was the cell phone guy who testified that you cannot pinpoint exact locations by cell tower. Scott made three calls from his front yard later that day, and all three were handled by different towers.
Rose wrote: “We also know Scott is wrong about golfing, wrong to think it was a great day to go fishing, wrong about the time he left, wrong about not using his new lures, and his story about umbrellas to the warehouse, he forgot to leave them there, wouldn't he have seen them when he unhooked the boat from the truck and dropped them on his way home, I mean because rain and all, I guess.''
The golf vs. fishing argument is dumb. Scott told everyone he had been fishing. Two neighbors thought he told them he had been golfing, but they testified that he and they were so distraught at the time that they might have misunderstood. When virtually everyone hears one story and some peripheral persons think they heard another, most of us would dismiss the peripheral account as mistaken.
Rose wrote: “The experts are wrong about Connor's development, wrong about the time the body was in the water, wrong about the possibility of a body washing up on the mudflats, wrong about the hair on the pliers in the boat that Laci has not seen (or maybe that's wrong also).''
Four medical experts testified about Connor's development. Three said he was older than 32 weeks. Only one insisted that he did not live beyond Dec. 23, and that person was not an expert in the field and used methods that were not scientifically accepted. Scott's supporters believe the other three experts. (The hair had no significance.)
CONTINUED...
Rose wrote: “Maybe it's just a coincidence that the bodies were discovered just as if they were dumped where Scott was that day.''
ReplyDeleteThe bodies were found more than a mile away from where he was fishing. The area where he was fishing was repeatedly searched, and nothing was found. The water expert testified that he would expect to find Connor's body at its location if Scott had dumped it in the area where he was fishing, but the location of Laci's body didn't fit.
Rose wrote: “This chasing after Amber and the calls on New Years, the man just was in grief and needed a shoulder to cry on, after all he was in Paris of Moscow or somewhere (no that's wrong also).''
Amber chased Scott, as is readily substantiated with even a brief look at the record of the telephone calls. Both prosecution and jury agreed that Amber was not a motive for anything.
Rose wrote: “And of course, all the dogs involved are just wrong as well, especially the sniffing dog.''
In fact, only one dog, with a history of being inaccurate, sort of alerted to Laci's scent at the marina. All of the other dogs, tracking and cadaver, who were used to find her scent in the truck, tool box, boat, etc., failed to find anything. So did the other dog at the marina. Why would anyone insist one dog is correct but not any of the others, including the ones who followed a scent leading away from the direction of Scott's warehouse? (The police ended that search because the dogs were not going what they considered to be the right way.)
http://www.injusticeanywhereforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=123&t=2117&start=4600
by gpeterson133 » Sat Sep 22, 2012 12:32 pm:
Delete1) They were estimates.
2) You are assuming it was before Scott left, based on cell phone towers. An incredibly stupid thing to do.
3) The area where he was fishing was shallower than his back yard pool. The feds went up and down that area with the best sonar and divers money can buy. They came up with nothing. In fact, they were so sure the bodies weren't there, that they stopped searching that area and moved on to the shipping channel.
4) 3 out of 4 medical experts are NOT in line with the prosecution's theory! You stated that they all were, which is just a blatant lie! In fact, the one who was in line with the prosecution's theory used a method that is rejected by his peers.
5) Your statement that Scott was a lying cheater is redundant. Every cheater is a liar. If you disagree, I suggest you tell me who was the last person to have an HONEST extramarital affair? The answer is no one. Because it's not frickin' possible, and is not, IN ANY WAY, evidence of murder.
by gpeterson133 » Sat Sep 22, 2012 12:33 pm:
DeleteBy the way, the DOGS traced Laci's scent the opposite direction from Scott's warehouse, within a couple BLOCKS of where the burglars live. In order for Scott to be guilty, they must be wrong.
by gpeterson133 » Sat Sep 22, 2012 5:11 pm:
Delete1. They are estimates giving an early and late time as in between 9AM and 10AM, before 10AM, between 9:45 and 10AM, between 9:30 and 10AM, and then the dog found by Servas at 10:18 which kind of fits, btw.
2. Scott left shortly after the Martha Stewart thing and before Servas saw the dog regardless.
The cell phone information, is not always wrong btw, but again it would have to be in this case for Scott to be innocent. Wrong receipts, wrong witnesses, wrong experts, wrong cell phone towers. That is the argument for innocence.
3. That's an exaggeration, I won't call it a lie.
4. Sorry, the prosecution witnesses supported the prosecution theory.
You can call me a liar all you want, it will not change that fact.
5. Just listen to those New Years EVE and New Years calls again. Scott could care less about Laci, his missing wife of a week. What a complete jerk.
a) That's completely untrue. Both Dr. Peterson and Dr. Galloway (the prosecution's witnesses) contradicted their case.
b) You showed your true colors with no. 5. You've ignored that everyone who knew them said Scott cared deeply for Laci and would do anything for her. For God's sake, he uprooted his entire life just so Laci could move closer to her family, and never complained once. You're just offended by the fact that he cheated.
c) EVERYONE who knew them said he loved her and never did anything but try and make her happy.
How do you justify the failure of the MPD to promptly investigate:
ReplyDelete1. the sightings of Laci walking in the neighborhood on the morning of Dec. 24?
2. the Harshman tip?
3. the Aponte tip?
4. the 3 men with the van seen by Diane Jackson?
5. the Croton watch and the woman who pawned it?
6. the use of the home computer between 8:40-8:45 on the morning of Dec. 24?
Had they been investigated, they would have led to confirmation that Laci was alive on the morning of December 24, that she was alive after Scott left the house, that she was alive at the time Scott was on the computer at the warehouse. They would have shown a connection between Laci's disappearance and the Medina burglary.
by Cindi Burkey » Thu Sep 27, 2012 6:33 pm
ReplyDeleteOK, here is a long one-----
It is a good question what happened to the bodies for all those months, and it's not a given that they would be found in the bay by the searches---but they sure did a lot of searches at great expense. Has anyone checked out this post at pwc-sii.com? There is a photo of a cistern on the Albany Bulb near the bottom of the page.
http://www.pwc-sii.com/Research/editorials/tarp.htm
It's impossible to know what happened, but it really is a mystery. To me. I would like to know what happened to Laci. I don't think Scott did it just because there are too many things that don't add up.
I doubt anyone dumped the bodies right away. I can see where they might have kept the bodies elsewhere. The condition of Conner's remains does not make sense when one views the rocks he supposedly washed up over.
When I think about the Peterson case, there are a lot of coincidences, and I'm not real fond of coincidences when it comes to trying to explain something. Sure, they exist, but they become suspicious when you start adding them up, and calculating the odds (as VOS has done at this link which I find very interesting).
https://sites.google.com/site/another9912/theodds
For example, the people who saw Laci walking who also saw her having trouble controlling the dog--that to me is a little much for coincidence.
Matt Dalton found six people he deemed credible who saw Laci walking, including a neighbor who knew her. I'm sure this was only possible because there was so much publicity about the case and it was Christmas Eve, a semi-holiday. Dalton felt the witnesses were good and credible and without motivation to make their stories up.
CONTINUED...
When I consider the terrible mistakes made in this investigation (neglecting to call back witnesses, for example), and then put those realities together with what was, I'm sure, not a mistake--the Modesto police department "losing" the cassette Lt. Aponte said he made of the conversation between the Tenbrink brothers---I start to become less fond of the idea that these things are just coincidental.
ReplyDeletePut these things together with that Tom Harshman says he saw (a former law enforcement officer), I like the coincidences less.
Add it together with the development of baby Conner as described by the prosecution's own expert which indicated he lived in the womb beyond December 24th---and I like it less.
On this one, I think people don't fully understand the scientific processes used by the experts and it took me many, many reads of the printed-out article from Marlene's site to get a handle on it. The link is here and after I read this link I felt even more strongly that we do not know what happened to Laci.
http://www.pwc-sii.com/Research/death/death.htm
Galloway's testimony, to me, says Laci was alive after December 24th. Trying to imagine what might have happened to her is horrifying, and I can understand why her loved ones might be more open to thinking it was 'soft kill' by someone she knew, in her own home--the idea of that, anyway, might be less horrifying than the other---or the wondering and not knowing.
I began reading the books about this case in the summer of 09 after I ran out of Anne Rule books to read. I bought Anne Bird's book because I had always sort of wondered about the Peterson case, and I think it's important to get the pov of people close to the case, or who knew some of the actors. I read Bird's book from 12 am to 5:30 am one night and was just fascinated. I was fascinated because she really seemed to LIKE him and to think that he and Laci had a good relationship. She used words like "wildly in love" and described the two of them enjoying a gourmet dinner at a restaurant looking at each other and rolling their eyes at how good the food was....she seemed to enjoy Scott and trust him with the kids...
But her husband hated him and kept bugging her to kick him out, and he was getting death threats, so finally she kicked him out. LSmith or Jane posted a really interesting piece of testimony I hadn't read about Grogan's conversation with Anne Bird. Need to check that out.
Anyway, Anne Bird's book really sucked me in, and before I knew it I was buying other books about the case. It's the only case of this sort I've really been interested in..I don't think I could contemplate this stuff too much, and it is so personal. I do like reading police procedurals and true crime books, however...just not really huge on any case, except for this one. Lots of bad people out there who do bad things...and yes, it's true, that lots of women are killed by spouses.
The books, written by people who thought he did it, only raised questions for me. And the overall impression I got from the books was the opposite of the one that has been repeated over and over by Laci's family. I did not get the impression that the Petersons were terrible people, that they were rude, or unsupportive, or any of the things that get said. Similarly, I didn't get a sense that Scott Peterson was a murderer. He came across in the books, actually, as considerate and reasonable, and very remorseful for cheating on Laci. No, of course he doesn't get a pass for that, it's disgusting behavior. It does not amount to murder, however. Laci's mother's book, where many of their conversations are reprinted and where she points out that he calls back when she tries to reach him, a number of times, which made me think he wasn't avoiding everyone as it had been said.
http://www.injusticeanywhereforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=123&t=2117&start=4900
Featured Fact: An Opportunity to Get Away With Murder
ReplyDeleteWe cannot address all the other facts of this case until we first address where Laci and Conner's bodies were found.
No matter how many facts we feature that point toward Scott's innocence, the question will always be asked, "But what about the bodies?"
The following quotes from jurors show how critical this topic is:
Juror #1, Greg Beratlis on Larry King Live, December 14, 2004:
"There's no bodies, it don't work. I spoke yesterday and I explained that if these bodies had been found any where else other than San Francisco Bay and, for that matter, right where Scott Peterson had described he had been fishing on Christmas Eve, we wouldn't be having this conversation."
Juror #9, Julie Zanartu on Hannity and Colmes with guest host Beckel, March 17, 2005 :
BECKEL: What was the single most important piece of evidence that made you decide that he was guilty?
ZANARTU: Exactly where he was fishing was where the bodies turned up. That was the bottom line.
Juror #8, John Guinasso on Larry King Live, March 16, 2005 :
KING: What, if anything, was the determining factor in this case, John?
GUINASSO: It's probably the most obvious, and that is where the bodies washed up. I can personally say for myself, if they would never have washed up, I could never have convicted Scott Peterson.
Truth from the SP Appeal site:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.scottpetersonappeal.org/SPA1/Opportunity.html
The amount of misinterpretation in regards to this topic remains somewhat of a mystery to our family. When Laci went missing on December 24th we were alarmed to hear the police announce Scott's alibi to the public within 24 hours. We did not know where Laci was, who had her, or what their intent was. Within two days of Laci's disappearance, Scott's alibi had been so widely publicized that while we had great hope that Laci would be coming home, a small part of us feared that if someone had the intent to kill Laci they were being told right where to put her body.
By December 28 th , both the Modesto Police and the media were at the Berkeley Marina. Water searches of the San Francisco Bay began by December 30th . The search teams included the Coast Guard, Navy, agencies from at least four different counties, the FBI, dogs trained to smell the surface of the water for gases being emitted from decomposing bodies, in excess of 200 side scan sonar searches, a robotic vehicle that drove along the bottom of the water, scuba divers and helicopters. Their 26 search days of the shallow waters turned up nothing.
Almost four months after Laci disappeared, Laci and Conner were found by pedestrians on the shores of the San Francisco Bay . Before their bodies were positively identified, our family was contemplating that our worst fears may have come true: Laci and Conner may be dead and if so, someone had placed their bodies where Scott had been the day she went missing. With their bodies being found at the bay, where Scott was, the police had probable cause to arrest him.
Scott's arrest, the jury verdict and the prosecution's ever changing theories hinged on this one thing: that Laci and baby Conner were eventually found in the vicinity of where Scott had been the day she disappeared.
What was so obvious to our family seemed to evade some of the most sought after legal minds on television. These brilliant legal minds deduced that Scott must be guilty because there was no other logical explanation for how Laci and Conner could have been found at the bay unless Scott put them there. They scoffed at the idea that someone would plan to kill Laci and frame Scott, and they found it highly unlikely that if Laci were a random victim of murder that she would be coincidentally disposed of where her husband was fishing that day. Their theories seemed to focus on the assumption that Laci had been murdered on December 24th and her body disposed of the same day.
Had so much time gone by that no one remembered how quickly Scott's alibi had been publicized? Why were people assuming that she had been murdered on Christmas Eve? Why were people assuming her body was put in the bay on Christmas Eve? No one in our family felt it likely that someone premeditated Laci's murder with the intent to frame Scott. We also did not think it likely that someone had murdered her on Christmas Eve and coincidentally drove to the bay to dump her body. We saw other more logical options, but these seemed to escape discussion.
What was obvious to our family and friends was confirmed by countless others. One individual wrote our family and commented that when he heard Scott's Christmas Eve location publicized on TV he thought to himself, "The guy doesn't stand a chance now." Others yet called the Modesto Police tip line and indicated that publicizing Scott's whereabouts could result in the perpetrators dumping her body there in an effort to frame him.
CONTINUED...
The prosecution, in their rebuttal closing argument, argued that Laci would have to have been alive for a day for someone to take advantage of knowing Scott's alibi and dumping her in the bay. Is there some evidence that she was not alive December 25th? If she was killed on the 24th, is it not possible that her body could have been moved to the bay? The prosecution also asked, "Who would drive 90 miles to dump a body?", like it made total sense for Scott to drive 90 miles, but not anyone else. Well we would ask, "Would the sales manager of a fertilizer company, who knew the farm land of the central valley like the back of his hand, drive 90 miles to the busiest marina on the San Francisco Bay, where he'd never been before, go dump his pregnant wife's body out of a boat he'd never had in the water before in broad daylight? Or would someone who had the chance to get away with murder drive 90 miles to do so?"
ReplyDeleteThe San Jose Mercury News reported on December 14, 2004 that Juror Greg Beratlis tried to grasp the defense theory that Peterson was framed, but he couldn't believe that any one else would have gone to such trouble to hide her body. Why is this so unbelievable? If someone is evil enough to commit murder, wouldn't they be evil enough to go to the trouble of blaming someone else?
Is that the real problem, that it's unbelievable? Well we'd have to agree. The last three years have been quite unbelievable. But why is it easier to believe that a man with no history of violence, much less anger, is capable of murdering his wife and unborn son and leaving no evidence than it is to believe that Laci was abducted and murdered?
Statistically, it is not likely that 1) someone with no history of anger or violence would commit this type of crime. And 2) it is not statistically likely that someone could commit this crime and leave no evidence in the home, the yard, the truck, the boat, the warehouse, or on himself and do it in broad daylight with no eye witnesses. What are the chances that both of these things could happen in the same crime? If you are one to focus on statistics, Scott would be the least likely suspect.
The search for Laci's body in the San Francisco Bay did not result in the bay being secured as a crime scene. Countless people were free to come and go from the bay at all hours of the day and night. Meanwhile, Scott's alibi and the fact that the bay was being searched was publicized almost daily. There was ample opportunity to place their bodies in the water or along the shoreline. So we submit to you:
It is a fact that someone other than Scott had the opportunity to put Laci and baby Conner's bodies where they were.
Erasmus 44 posted:
ReplyDeleteSo if I am the perp and I have not disposed of her body by December 29, then, if I have half a brain, I dump it in SF Bay so that the police will continue to focus on Scott and put the "case closed" stamp on the file. If I dispose of the body anywhere else and it turns up, it would immediately lead the police to investigate other possible perps and might lead to me. So the fact that the body turned up in the Bay really proves only that either 1. Scott did it, or 2. it was done by a perp who disposed of the body on or after December 29 and who had an IQ of more than 85.
Bill Williams posted:
About the transport of cadaver.... see: "Dog Handler's Testimony" in the index link above...
What I am quoting is why Judge Delucchi accepted the "cadaver dog testimony" from the marina (actually the jury's job as the trier of fact) but also does not accept that same testimony about the house and the warehouse... where the dogs found nothing:
Quote:
So we have a scent, ostensibly the scent of Miss Peterson at the marina. This is a question now for the jury to decide; but the corroboration that the Court finds is that within months, the body of Miss Peterson and her young son were found washed up in the Bay. And the evidence is that this is two to two and a half miles from the marina. So now we have independent corroborating evidence of the dog trailing at the marina, because bodies were actually found in the water, or washed ashore within a few months, within two and a half miles from the marina. The Court's of the opinion that this evidence by Trimble that was indicated, or drawn out, or shown to have occurred at the Berkeley Marina, I think there is sufficient supporting corroborative evidence for that evidence to be admissible. With the rest of it, it's very iffy to admit it. So the Court's going to rule that the only dog tracking evidence that the Court will allow in this particular case is the dog tracking evidence by Mrs. Anderson and Trimble that took place at the Berkeley Marina on December the 28th for the reasons I stated. I think that that evidence has sufficient independent corroboration. Plus the fact that the defendant admits that he went to the marina, and that also corroborates the scent of the dog. There is -- the inference the jury can draw is that Miss Peterson somehow or other was at the marina on or about the day she disappeared. The rest of this evidence I feel, for the reasons I have given, is difficult for corroboration. I think it would be foolhardy for the judge to -- for the Court to admit that evidence inn this particular case, because it would be injecting a cancer into the record. So the Court's going to find under 352 that the evidence, with the exception of the dog tracking evidence at the Berkeley pier, would be too confusing to the jury, would require an undue consumption of time compared to its probative value. So the evidence -- all the dog tracking evidence will be excluded with the exception of the dog tracking evidence that took place at the Berkeley Marina by Trimble and Miss Anderson for the reasons I have stated. And that's the Court's ruling.
In short, the cadaver dogs ultimately acquit Peterson, because they do not find anything at the warehouse or in the boat - the sole place is at the marina. And that is based on the suspiciously circular reasoning about the location of the bodies when found.... which is, after all, the bone of contention itself. The place where everyone though SP dumped the bodies was known for months before they were found, and the police actively search for months and found nothing.
So it is circular reasoning at best - based on assuming something to be correct which is at best contentious.
http://www.injusticeanywhereforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=123&t=2117&start=5000
This is definitely a confusing case and the confusion is intensified by some of the advocates (Laci's Voice insisting that the body wasn't dumped but that Scott dumped the body???) -
ReplyDeleteI think there are two lines of evidence that would pretty much clear him if true -
1. The bodies - if there is proof that they either were not in the water or were put in the water significantly after December 24, this would (I believe) pretty much exonerate him - I really have no idea about the merits of this argument but an examination by competent impartial forensic analysts is probably in order,
2. Sightings of Laci - if someone really saw Laci walking around after 10:08, that would also pretty much do it,
3.In the absence of those, I think a lot of his behavior is suspicious. In addition, roughly half of the women who are murdered are murder by husbands, former husbands, boyfriends or former boyfriends, so this case fits into a plausible "genre." In these cases, there is frequently not a rational "motive" in the sense that a financial analyst would describe the homicide as having a high return on invested capital but the homicides nevertheless occur, so I do not put much weight on the "absence of motive" argument. The fishing trip is "fishy" as is buying a boat right before your wife is about to deliver. The affair puts him in the company of a large number of married men and is not particularly incriminating. He really does not seem "obsessed" with Amber.
4. On the other hand, there is a somewhat plausible alternative explanation given that there was a burglary across the street (this, I guess, is a neighborhood in which crime was not unthinkable: the street that the Medinas and Petersons lived on, Covena Avenue, was a cut-through for the transients). It is also very hard to reconstruct him doing everything he had to do on the 24th in a plausible time line. There is a dramatic absence of forensic traces of the victim. There does not appear to have been a history of domestic violence (but in many marital homicides there is not).
5. If this were an easy case, it would not attract this volume of interest. If I were Czar, I would hire the best forensic team I could and be sure they had no connection with either side and try to get them to answer question 1 above.
6. From Scott's point of view, I think he virtually has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that someone else did it in order to walk or else answer question 1 so conclusively that there is no longer any reasonable debate. It was a long trial and lots of arguments can be made about procedure but "the system" is probably reluctant to put this through a retrial.
7. I know that the emotions run high on this and I cannot even imagine what it would be like to be a relative or friend of either the victim or Scott. But there are some of us who are sincerely trying to figure out what actually happened and focused, rational arguments based on the facts are much more useful than invective.
http://www.injusticeanywhereforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=123&t=2117&start=5000
by geebee2 » Sun Sep 24, 2017 11:27 am:
ReplyDeleteIt was clear that Scott watched the Martha Stewart show (about cooking), as he knew what was on it.
That is not a program you would expect Scott to watch unless Laci were present, especially if he had the dead body of his pregnant wife still to be disposed of.
Then there are the Laci sightings, detailed in the Habeas appeal, and the postman seeing the gate open, and no barking dog, soon after Servas put the dog back into the backyard.
For me though, Scott's total lack of secrecy about his fishing trip, and use of his computer at the warehouse, make it totally implausible that he is guilty.
There is also a total lack of proof offered by the State, and no reason whatsoever to think it was Scott that took Laci to Berkeley marina rather than someone else.
I also feel it's extremely implausible that the searches of the bay turned up nothing at all, if the State's case is true.
by erasmus44 » Sun Sep 24, 2017 12:50 pm:
As to the Laci sightings, the way the law of probabilities works is important to understand. If 3 people claim independently that they saw her, and each of them as a 50% chance of being correct, then the chance that all three of them are wrong is 12.5%. Admittedly, these witnesses should be subject to the acid test of cross-examination. Also my calculations depend on the probabilities being independent, so that if all three were bribed by the same source or all three saw Laci identical twin sister who was also 9 months pregnant, the combined probability would have to be adjusted. Scott's lawyer was overconfident that he had beaten the prosecution's case and did not put on as much evidence as he should have but I have real trouble getting to the BARD standard on this case.
As I understand it (and I may be wrong) there was a disagreement among the experts. What I am saying is that if the evidence shows the body entered the water significantly after December 24, it would mean he did not dump the body into the bay on the 24th and would tend to show innocence. It is possible that even if the evidence shows that it was dumped into the bay on December 24, it was dumped by someone else, but I concede that this is a slim possibility. So the time the body entered the water is a key issue and it was my impression that there was a disagreement among the expert on this issue at the trial. I was suggesting that the resolution of this issue is really key to determining guilt or innocence.
ReplyDeleteDoes the forensic evidence suggest whether they were kept alive for a certain amount of time after Dec 24, were immediately immersed in water shortly after being killed or something else? There are a lot of possibilities depending upon what the forensic evidence shows about whether the bodies were ever buried, ever dead on land for an extended period of time, etc.
Also the sightings of Laci and the evidence that the burglars said they confronted her.
Against that we have primarily the fact that the bodies are in the Bay and its hard to construct a scenario in which an alternate perp put the bodies in the Bay - that's really the best argument that Scott is guilty and there's not a helluva lot besides that. So if we have substantial evidence that she was still alive after he left that we don't have to worry about how someone else got her body into the Bay - we have evidence that it may well have happened. I guess the argument on the other side boils down to - "it is so implausible that someone else put her in the Bay that the people who said they saw her just have to be wrong about the date or about who they saw, that there just has to be another explanation for the dog evidence and the burglars must not have really said what the prison authorities said they were told they said". I guess I just don't think it is all that improbable that someone else put her in the Bay. My sense from reading the comments is that some of the commenters feel it was virtually impossible for someone else to put her in the Bay and that, even if confronted with time-stamped surveillance cam evidence that Laci was walking around at 11:30 that morning, they would simply conclude that the cam was defective rather than consider the possibility that someone else put her in the Bay.
1. It was Peterson who told the cops he went to the Berkeley Marina on December 24, 2002.
2. It was Peterson who told the cops he was out on San Francisco Bay that day.
3. The bodies of Laci and Connor were found four months later on San Francisco Bay.
I do believe that these matters are not subject to dispute.
I thought this was compelling at first. But there is the argument that it became publicly known fairly early in the game that this was the case and so if the perp was someone other than Peterson, the perp would have realized that disposing of the bodies anywhere else would get potentially get Peterson off the hook(sorry for that piscine metaphor) and trigger an investigation that might lead in the perp's direction. Better to dispose of the bodies in a way which allows the police to say, "case closed" and pin it on Peterson. Of course, this theory depends upon when the bodies went into the bay, but I believe that the word was out in the media fairly early that the police suspected that he disposed of them in the bay.
MPD press release and Modesto Bee articles gave the location for Scott's fishing trip almost immediately. They became very specific within a few days.
CONTINUED...
Very public knowledge. That would include the Medina burglars and their accomplices who abducted Laci to prevent her from reporting the burglary in progress.
ReplyDeleteOK, I'm game. You conclude that the Medina burglars and their accomplices abducted Laci to prevent her from reporting a burglary in process. What I don't understand is why they would dump the bodies in San Francisco Bay despite knowledge that the authorities were watching the area. I cannot make the jump in my mind. Please elucidate.
I think we have established that there was one advantage and possibly two disadvantages to dumping the bodies in the Bay. The advantage of dumping the bodies in the bay is that when the bodies are discovered it would cast suspicion on Scott, the authorities would abandon any effort to investigate alternate theories of the crime and the perps would be home free. The two disadvantages are: 1. you might get caught in the act of dumping the body because the area is under close scrutiny and 2. the body will likely be discovered and so you lose the possibility of disposing of the body in such a way that it would never be discovered. And of course if the body isn't discovered it is very hard to prosecute anyone for murder regardless of what other evidence comes out. So that's the trade off - so far I am agnostic on this one never having had this problem to deal with. I grew up in a Mob town near New York and there was a strong preference to making the body disappear forever unless it was a killing in which they wanted to convey a message but I think that experience is irrelevant here because this does not look like organized crime.
They announced when they were searching and when they weren't. They also weren't searching at night. If they went at night, they had virtually no chance of being caught.
If Todd and Pearce were involved in the kidnapping they already knew they were in the clear having passed the polygraphs and got passed down the line to be processed for burglary (and being in jail they were hardly in a position to do any dumping). Or did Todd and Pearce kidnap Laci and then hand her over to someone else and those persons were afraid they would be fingered and so these other persons decided to dump the bodies where the police were actively searching but somehow dodging between the raindrops so as not to get caught doing it? Is that really credible?
They weren't searching at night, and they announced every time they stopped searching. Everyone knew exactly when they were searching and when they were not.
The point is they knew when the cops wouldn't be there. If you dump the body in that area at night, there's virtually no risk you get caught. Second, your argument that the body never surfacing would've been better is faulty. If the bodies never surfaced, the police would start looking at other suspects.
The BEGINNING of the deeper water was 4 miles out. How does he do 8 miles round trip, doing 5 MPH?
The testimony of the Marina people confirm it was pretty much deserted that day. Maybe because it was Christmas Eve? Cold and rainy and a bit late to be going out.
I doubt anyone dumped the bodies right away. I can see where they might have kept the bodies elsewhere. The condition of Conner's remains does not make sense when one views the rocks he supposedly washed up over.
Vivian Mitchell saw Laci and her dog pass by on the morning of December 24. She said, ”I had seen Laci walk by the house several times before. When she walked by on Christmas Eve, I hollered to Bill, Oh look, it’s the lady with the golden retriever.”
ReplyDeleteShe was shamelessly ignored by the cops and reporters like Nancy Grace, who was canvassing the neighborhood to find anyone willing to say something negative about Peterson and reaffirm that the neighborhood was ‘safe’ in spite of the constant problems reported by local residents. She died before the trial, but her interview with ABC was very compelling.
"How can you duplicate a woman that looked like her?" Mitchell, 79, said. "She was so magnetic. She was so pretty."
She called police, and got no call back for several weeks.
From Scott Peterson's November 2015 Habeas petition about the Mitchell sighting:
21. William Mitchell has lived in Modesto since 1949. (Exh. 14 at HCP-000339.) He is a graduate of Stanford Law School, served as assistant county counsel, and was in private practice for several decades. Mr. Mitchell served three terms as a member of the city counsel and acted as vice mayor. He was president of the Stanislaus County YMCA and was the first president of the county family services agency. (Ibid.) Though Mr. Mitchell is 90 years old, he is in good health and has good distance vision. (Id. at HCP-000339, HCP-000343.)
22. Mr. Mitchell recalls Christmas Eve morning “very well.” (Id. at HCP-000339.) He was at home with his now-deceased wife, Vivian. Vivian was doing the dishes at the kitchen sink, which is at a window facing La Sombra Ave. Vivian drew Mr. Mitchell’s attention to a “beautiful lady ... going by with a nice dog.” (Id. at HCP-000340.) Mr. Mitchell looked out the living room window, but only caught a glimpse of the dog. The walker seemed to be headed toward La Loma Avenue.
23. The Mitchells had seen Laci walking her dog on several prior occasions. A neighbor across the street had also previously seen Laci walking the dog. The Mitchells told this neighbor about their sighting of Laci on Christmas Eve. (Id. at HCP-000342-43.)
24. Several days later, the Mitchells saw articles in the newspapers about Laci’s disappearance. The articles contained a photograph of Laci. Mrs. Mitchell “knew right away that this was the same woman she had seen that Christmas morning.” (Id. at HCP-000341.) The dog Mr. Mitchell saw “matched the description of Laci’s dog.” (Id. at HCP-000343.) The Mitchells called the police to report what Mrs. Mitchell had seen, but they did not receive a call back. (Id. at HCP-000341.)
http://www.scottpetersonappeal.org/uploads/2/4/8/2/24829415/petersonhabeas.pdf
[–]Lby54229
ReplyDeleteThe show is definitely interesting. I was never sure about his innocence or guilt; that was for the jury to decide. However, I never thought he was guilty just because he had an affair but his phone calls to Amber Frey were definitely weird and seemed almost desperate. And, the statement that he said to her at the beginning of Decemeber that this would be the first Christmas without his wife was pretty damning. More interesting facts include:
1) He and Amber Frey only saw each other a total of 4 times during their 6 month romance. The media played it like a whirlwind romance.
2) The house across the street from the Peterson's was robbed on the 24th of December which was verified by a neighbor. While police say that it was the 26th, the reporters even say that can't be because they were staked out in front of the Peterson's home on the 26th of December and never saw anything at the house.
3) The kind-of-sort-of confession caught on tape by a prison guard that was given to the police but the police say they never received it. This "almost confession" was between the people who robbed the house across the street from the Peterson's home.
4) Learning about so many more witnesses (some can even provide time frames) that saw Laci the morning of the 24th after Scott left for his warehouse. People saw her walking around her dog; people saw the gate was open even after the neighbor said she has put the dog back up; people saw a lady standing with a group of guys across the street.
5) And, for me, the most shocking thing that I learned from the show was that when baby Conner was found on the shore, he had twine wrapped around his neck. That really makes me think that it's very possible the baby was handled outside of Laci Peterson's body.
I know I'll think of more facts later but these were the ones that stuck in my mind after watching the show last night. The show is very interesting. Whoever is responsible for this crime should pay. I hope we are not letting an innocent man sit on death row. But, I don't know.
[–]violet_sunday
I think the mailman's time scan and testimony are pretty convincing. More convincing than the neighbor's memory + receipts from shopping. The mailman was there, at the gate at the time stamped time. This means, the dog was likely not there (no barking) and the rest of the timeline and eyewitness testimony falls into place perfectly. Nancy Grace is a PIECE OF WORK! She took no responsibility for convicting him in her mind and publicly (and convincing others of his guilt) before all of the evidence was presented. People are so impressionable and biased. Sure, he's not a character that many would empathize with but that doesn't make him a cold blooded killer of his own wife and child? He's weird, yeah. Emotionally stunted? Possibly. Stoic? Yes. A person capable of lying and having an affair? Yep. Young, overwhelmed, scared, and possibly bored with his Martha Stewart wife? Sure. But I don't think the evidence was there to convict him. He did not have a fair trial and deserves another.
https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/70rkn6/could_scott_peterson_be_innocent/
[–]hamsatan
ReplyDeleteNo smoking gun. Just a mistress he saw a total of 4 times, and then she called him and recorded their conversations for the police, which meant the police pretty much just built a case around SP without following any other leads. Its pretty insane. When this happened I always thought he was guilty but never thought they had proven his guilt without a doubt, just proved he was a terrible husband, and watching this just shows how he was presumed guilty from the very beginning.
[–]porksandwich9113
I'm not convinced either way at this point, but I'll try to answer a few questions.
I think the burglary theory has real potential. If we are to believe the mailman logs (which are quite meticulous), we now know the dog somehow was out of the house after 10:18 - which was when the neighbor put her in the back yard. I can't see how that dog got out without Laci letting her out. That coupled with the "lost" prison tape recording from the robbers, along with the eye-witness who claimed he saw Laci confront the robbers gives a pretty reasonable alternate theory.
He changed his looks to try to avoid the paparazzi/overbearing news. As for appearing to flee, I don't have an answer for that one.
Did he lie about fishing? I thought he told the police?
Serial killer? I don't know. It's possible, there are some outlandish Edward Wayne Edward theories, who was well known for taking his Victims at holidays. I don't believe this one, but lots of conspiracy people find it quite coincidental that she disappeared on Christmas and was found around Easter.
https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/70rkn6/could_scott_peterson_be_innocent/
Jane Hamilton wrote:
ReplyDeleteProvenzano says that none of the Laci sightings were ever corroborated. This is the reason.
On the day that the Laci Peterson tipline opened, December 26, 2002, the Modesto Police Department received a tip that Laci had been seen walking on La Loma Avenue. This tip was ignored. The witness was never contacted.
Within a few days, the tipline received calls about 2 more sightings of Laci walking with McKenzie on/near La Loma Avenue. These witnesses were not contacted by DA investigators until a year and half later, during the trial.
Another witness who lived one block from La Loma Avenue called in on January 1. She was never contacted by MPD or the DA, although one of the detectives contacted neighbors and relatives trying to discredit her.
During this same time period, another witness went to the Modesto Police Department to report that he had seen Laci walking with her dog on La Loma Avenue. The person to whom he spoke did not seem interested; and he was not contacted by a DA investigator until February 2004, more than a year later.
On January 7, two more witnesses provided information consistent with the La Loma Avenue route. One woman saw McKenzie by himself with leash attached, and the other saw Laci catch up to McKenzie and take hold of his leash. These witnesses were contacted on January 10 and January 11 by MPD, cursory reports were written, and no further investigation was done.
All of these sightings were within a mile of the Peterson home and occurred sometime between 10 and 11 a.m. on December 24.
However, as Craig Grogan explained during his testimony,” Laci sightings were not a priority.” Within 3 days of the time they were notified that Laci was missing, the MPD detectives had decided that Laci was dead and that Scott had murdered her. Tips that proved Laci was alive after Scott left home were dismissed.
http://www.modbee.com/news/local/crime/scott-peterson-case/article166834837.html
Scott Peterson murder investigation under fire as neighbor and reporter dispute the police version of events and suggest Laci may have been killed by robbers and NOT her husband
ReplyDeleteBy Chris Spargo For Dailymail.com
PUBLISHED: 12:09 EDT, 17 August 2017 | UPDATED: 14:41 EDT, 17 August 2017
Diane Jackson, a neighbor of Laci and Scott Peterson, saw three men outside the home of Randy and Susan Medina on December 24
The Medinas lived across the street from the Petersons, and when she learned that they had been robbed she told police about the men
Police questioned her but ultimately determined that her eyewitness account was not relevant to the investigation
Two men were eventually arrested for robbing the Medina household, a crime that police said was committed on December 26 at 6:30am
That claim was outright dismissed by television reporter Ted Rowlands, who pointed out that he was being filmed in front of the house from 5am on that day
'If the burglars were there I would have interviewed them, because there was nobody outside the front of that house,' said Rowlands
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4799900/Police-Laci-Peterson-murder-investigation-fire.html
The following are the wounds found on Laci's remains.
ReplyDelete1. Two fractured ribs on her left, frontal side, near the armpit, which occurred before death - Laci could have suffered the fractures from a beating.
For example, if she were laying on the ground, being beaten, and had her arms up protecting her head, then she could have been kicked in the side, under the armpit, causing the fractures. The hits to the head would not be known because she was decapitated.
2. Puncture wound to the right shoulder blade, which occurred after death - the puncture wound and fraying is more logically explained by a single attack by an animal after she was dead.
3. Frayed 9th rib and frayed fundus occurred after death - they may have occurred at the same time.
The fundus is "the large upper end of the uterus."
Laci's uterus only measured 23 cm, according to the doctor who performed the autopies. At Laci's December 23 appointment, however, her uterus measured 33 cm. This means that Laci was missing at least 10 cm (3.9 inches) of her uterus (remember, the uterus is rounded, with much of it extending in front). This was not addressed with the doctor; rather, the doctor described it simply as the fundus wearing away.
Dave Harris and Mark Geragos debated, through questions posed to the doctor, whether the fundus opening was caused by a c-section. The doctor said that would not be where a "normal" c-section would be done. The doctor did not see any incision on Laci's stomach because he totally missed the point. The incision on a 32+week pregnant woman, performed by an amateur, would likely have been at the top of the belly, at the fundus, not below the belly button. The doctor did, however, admit that the fundus would be in the area of the 9th rib: it wasn't a cut mark in the rib; it was frayed, and the uterus was long enough that it, looked like the uterus was up around that 9th rib.
CONTINUED...
4. The doctor noted that part of Laci's 9th rib was missing, and that the end was frayed, but labeled the injury postmortem.
ReplyDeleteOn the postmortem defects we have a section of the right 9th rib is missing, and the end is very frayed. This is characteristic of a postmortem defect.
The injury to the 9th rib certainly could have occurred during an amateur c-section. If this is the case, then the c-section was performed after Laci was dead for some period of time, as postmortem injuries occur only after the bones have lost their resiliency. Laci's death would have caused Conner's death, and Conner remaining in the womb for some time explains his macerated condition.
5. The limbs missing from Laci's remains from decompostion in aqueous environment are expected - according to the experts, the body usually would disarticulate in the following order:
"Disappearance of body parts followed the general sequence: bones of the hands and wrists, bones of the feet and ankles, and the mandible and cranium. The lower legs, forearms, and upper arms are the next units to separate from the body" (Haglund, WD. Disappearance of Soft Tissue and the Disarticulation of Human Remains from Aqueous Environments. Abstract.)
This is the diagram showing where Laci disarticulated.
Also missing was the most of the neck. There are six vertebrae in the neck -- or seven vertebrae in the neck. The seventh one was present. And the top six were missing. And then the cranium and the mandible, which are the head and the jaw, were also missing.
It is not common for the neck to disarticulate. As noted by Haglund, the "less flexible joints such as those of the vertebral column, with their complex interlocking nature and ligamentous bindings," are the last to disarticulate.
In Forensic Taphonomy: The Postmortem Fate of Human Remains, the authors state: "Finally, there is disarticulation of the entire skeleton with the exception of the vertebral column."
The exceptions are the first and second cervical vertebrae.
Laci allegedly disarticulated, between the sixth and seventh vertebrae. This is not what would have occurred had Laci disarticulated in the Bay. She would have disarticulated at the atlas or axis, the first and second cervical vertebrae.
The State produced no credible evidence to explain disarticulation of the neck contrary to the experts who say that, with the exception of the atlas and axis, the vertebrae column will not disarticulate, or if it does, will do so last in the sequence.
Why Laci's 4th, 5th, and 6th cervical vertebrae were missing is yet to be explained.
http://www.pwc-sii.com/Research/death/ribs.htm
NEIGHBOR: BURGLARS STOLE GUNS AROUND TIME OF LACI PETERSON'S DISAPPEARANCE
ReplyDeleteBy Harriet Ryan, Court TV
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. (Court TV) — A woman who lived across the street from Scott Peterson told jurors in his murder trial Thursday that her home was burglarized about the same time his pregnant wife disappeared and that the thieves made off with guns and expensive jewelry not unlike the baubles the mother-to-be had recently inherited.
The neighbor, Susan Medina, was called by prosecutors to establish ancillary parts of a timeline of the Petersons' activities on Dec. 24, 2002, the day Laci Peterson was reported missing.
But her testimony appeared primarily to bolster defense suggestions that a third party abducted his wife.
In addition to a detailed account of the burglary, Medina also said vagrants trooped through the neighborhood daily and sometimes caused problems, including going through her garbage and perhaps even stealing a potted plant from her yard.
She further testified that she glanced out the window at Peterson's house several times Christmas Eve morning and never saw any suspicious behavior.
"You didn't see anybody drag anything out of the house?" asked defense lawyer Pat Harris, referring to prosecutors' theory that Peterson killed his wife in their home and then drove her body to the San Francisco Bay for disposal.
"You didn't see anybody loading anything into a truck?" he asked.
Medina answered no to both questions.
Her testimony hardly established a link between the transients, the burglary and the murder of Laci Peterson the defense hoped to impart to jurors.
Prosecutors believe she was dead before the break-in occurred and will presumably introduce evidence that the thieves are two men who have nothing to do with her death.
In February 2003, one man entered a no-contest plea in connection with the burglary and another pleaded guilty. But the defense will surely return to the idea that the Petersons' neighborhood was crime-infested as they try to establish reasonable doubt.
CONTINUED...
Jewel thieves
ReplyDeleteThe bulk of Medina's testimony concerned the burglary, which occurred while she and her husband paid a holiday visit to their children in Los Angeles.
Medina said her cell phone records indicate they left Modesto at 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 24 and came back at about 4 p.m. on Dec. 26. Upon return, they found their French doors kicked open, several rooms ransacked, and many valuables stolen.
Among the items missing was a safe containing jewelry and a handgun. A second gun stored in a camera bag was also removed from the home. Medina said there appeared to be little logic to what was stolen. A tool box was taken, but hundreds of dollars in cash and the family's Mercedes were left behind. She noted that the perpetrator took more than 75 pieces of jewelry.
Laci Peterson's half-sister and brother previously testified that the 27-year-old was trying to sell jewelry bequeathed to her by her grandmother to pawn shops and on Ebay.
When police arrested the pair for burglary in January 2003, they recovered the safe and the guns.
Homeless factor
Although other witnesses have described the Peterson's neighborhood as a nice, middle-class area, Medina said her street had a problem with homeless people, or as she termed them the "home-challenged." She said about five to 10 homeless people passed by her house each day on their way to a park at the end of the street.
Medina testified, however, that she saw no homeless people on Dec. 24.
Peterson, who faces the death penalty if convicted of two counts of murder, seemed to follow Medina's testimony closely. He laughed along with jurors as Medina confessed that she kept her husband on a weekly allowance, and he stared directly at her as she described her interactions with him.
Medina said Peterson seemed distraught when he spoke to her after his wife vanished.
"He was crying and was really upset at that time," she told jurors.
Prosecutor Dave Harris implied that the tears were an act and pointed to the fact that Peterson was accompanied by a private detective he had hired.
"So, Mr. Peterson comes to your house with a defense investigator and starts to cry for you," he said tartly.
http://news.findlaw.com/court_tv/s/20040610/10jun2004230442.html
Peterson Weeps at Photos of Fetus
ReplyDeleteThursday, September 16, 2004
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — Scott Peterson wept Thursday, his chin to his neck, dabbing his eyes with tissues, while jurors at his murder trial looked at autopsy photos of the fetus his wife had been carrying before her death.
Images of the fetus were displayed on a large white-wall screen on the same day that a forensic pathologist testified the fetus was expelled from Laci Peterson's decaying body after her death.
Dr. Brian Peterson, who performed autopsies on Laci and the couple's fetus said there was no evidence Laci had given birth before her death.
Her uterus had not returned to normal size as is typical after a woman gives birth, said Peterson, who is not related to the defendant or his late wife.
"That means Ms. Peterson was pregnant and the baby had not been delivered when she died?" prosecutor Dave Harris asked.
"That is my opinion," Peterson replied.
Peterson said no cause of death could be determined for Laci or the couple's fetus, a boy they planned to name Conner.
At times, the pathologist's testimony seemed contradictory.
"It was her death that caused Conner's death while he was still in the uterus," Dr. Peterson said under questioning from prosecutors.
However, on cross-examination, Peterson acknowledged he could not determine whether the fetus had been born alive. He estimated its age as nine months.
Prosecutors claim the fetus was expelled from Laci's decaying corpse, while defense attorneys say the baby was born alive and murdered later, which they say proves their client could not be the killer.
CONTINUED...
Laci Peterson's autopsy photographs were displayed to jurors Wednesday, while photos of her fetus were shown Thursday.
ReplyDeleteHer family has not been in court all week. Scott Peterson's mother, Jackie, used a small notebook to shield her face from the larger-than-life images. His father, Lee, simply looked away.
Several jurors were visibly shaken. A few cried. Others squirmed in their seats or covered their mouths.
The fetus was discovered with a tape-like twine wrapped around its neck. Prosecutors claim the material attached to the body while it floated in San Francisco Bay. Defense lawyers have implied it may have been used to strangle the fetus after birth.
The pathologist testified there was no indication the tape had been used in such a way. "I could see neither external nor internal damage that could have been caused by this material," he said.
Peterson said the fetus' body was much better preserved than its mother's and still had all its limbs and organs. The remains showed no signs of severe damage from currents, tides action or feeding fish, he said.
"If he had spent substantial unprotected time in the water like Laci did, he would have been eaten. There simply wouldn't have been anything left," Peterson said.
"My conclusion ... is that Conner had likely been protected by the uterus" and expelled possibly weeks after Laci's body was put in the water, he added.
Prosecutors are trying to prove that Peterson killed his pregnant wife on or around Dec. 24, 2002, then dumped her weighted body into the bay.
The remains of Laci Peterson and her fetus washed up along a bay shore in April 2003, not far from where Scott Peterson says he launched his boat that Christmas Eve morning for a solo fishing trip.
Defense lawyers maintain that someone else abducted and killed Laci as she walked the couple's dog around the neighborhood after Peterson had left for his fishing trip.
The pathologist also said the fetus' umbilical cord had not been cut and there was no food in its stomach. The presence of food would have indicated a live birth.
Prosecutors then worked to provide an explanation for why police have never found any of Laci's blood or any signs of a struggle.
The pathologist speculated she may have died from strangulation or smothering, which could leave behind no forensic evidence, but it was impossible to be sure because her head and neck were missing, as well as her forearms, most of both legs, and all internal organs, except for the uterus.
On cross-examination, defense lawyer Mark Geragos questioned the doctor's findings, implying that because the remains were so badly decomposed, nothing could be certain about the deaths.
Peterson acknowledged there "might be other scenarios."
Later, a forensic anthropologist testified that Laci's body had been in the water for three to six months.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,132556,00.html
The following are the wounds found on Laci's remains.
ReplyDelete1. Two fractured ribs on her left, frontal side, near the armpit, which occurred before death - Laci could have suffered the fractures from a beating.
For example, if she were laying on the ground, being beaten, and had her arms up protecting her head, then she could have been kicked in the side, under the armpit, causing the fractures. The hits to the head would not be known because she was decapitated.
2. Puncture wound to the right shoulder blade, which occurred after death - the puncture wound and fraying is more logically explained by a single attack by an animal after she was dead.
3. Frayed 9th rib and frayed fundus occurred after death - they may have occurred at the same time.
The fundus is "the large upper end of the uterus."
Laci's uterus only measured 23 cm, according to the doctor who performed the autopies. At Laci's December 23 appointment, however, her uterus measured 33 cm. This means that Laci was missing at least 10 cm (3.9 inches) of her uterus (remember, the uterus is rounded, with much of it extending in front). This was not addressed with the doctor; rather, the doctor described it simply as the fundus wearing away.
Dave Harris and Mark Geragos debated, through questions posed to the doctor, whether the fundus opening was caused by a c-section. The doctor said that would not be where a "normal" c-section would be done. The doctor did not see any incision on Laci's stomach because he totally missed the point. The incision on a 32+week pregnant woman, performed by an amateur, would likely have been at the top of the belly, at the fundus, not below the belly button. The doctor did, however, admit that the fundus would be in the area of the 9th rib: it wasn't a cut mark in the rib; it was frayed, and the uterus was long enough that it, looked like the uterus was up around that 9th rib.
Laci was 32 weeks pregnant on December 23, and with the evidence that Conner lived beyond December 24, she would have been closer to 36 weeks when she died.
4. The doctor noted that part of Laci's 9th rib was missing, and that the end was frayed, but labeled the injury postmortem.
On the postmortem defects we have a section of the right 9th rib is missing, and the end is very frayed. This is characteristic of a postmortem defect.
The injury to the 9th rib certainly could have occurred during an amateur c-section. If this is the case, then the c-section was performed after Laci was dead for some period of time, as postmortem injuries occur only after the bones have lost their resiliency. Laci's death would have caused Conner's death, and Conner remaining in the womb for some time explains his macerated condition.
5. The limbs missing from Laci's remains from decompostion in aqueous environment are expected - according to the experts, the body usually would disarticulate in the following order:
"Disappearance of body parts followed the general sequence: bones of the hands and wrists, bones of the feet and ankles, and the mandible and cranium. The lower legs, forearms, and upper arms are the next units to separate from the body" (Haglund, WD. Disappearance of Soft Tissue and the Disarticulation of Human Remains from Aqueous Environments. Abstract.)
This is the diagram showing where Laci disarticulated.
CONTINUED...
Also missing was the most of the neck. There are six vertebrae in the neck -- or seven vertebrae in the neck. The seventh one was present. And the top six were missing. And then the cranium and the mandible, which are the head and the jaw, were also missing.
ReplyDeleteIt is not common for the neck to disarticulate. As noted by Haglund, the "less flexible joints such as those of the vertebral column, with their complex interlocking nature and ligamentous bindings," are the last to disarticulate.
In Forensic Taphonomy: The Postmortem Fate of Human Remains, the authors state: "Finally, there is disarticulation of the entire skeleton with the exception of the vertebral column."
The exceptions are the first and second cervical vertebrae.
Laci allegedly disarticulated, between the sixth and seventh vertebrae. This is not what would have occurred had Laci disarticulated in the Bay. She would have disarticulated at the atlas or axis, the first and second cervical vertebrae.
The State produced no credible evidence to explain disarticulation of the neck contrary to the experts who say that, with the exception of the atlas and axis, the vertebrae column will not disarticulate, or if it does, will do so last in the sequence.
Why Laci's 4th, 5th, and 6th cervical vertebrae were missing is yet to be explained.
http://www.pwc-sii.com/Research/death/ribs.htm
An examination of Laci's medical record and consultation with fetal biometry studies establishes well beyond reasonable doubt that Conner lived at least a week beyond December 23, and that fact fully exonerates Scott Peterson.
Laci's own doctors determined the gestational age long before it became a matter of evidence in a capital murder trial. Her doctors had nothing but Laci's and Conner's well-being in mind when they made their age estimations. For that reason, their observations are totally objective and not biased towards either the State or Scott Peterson. Conner's GA on December 23 was 33w1d.
The State had no rational reason for rejecting the judgment of Laci's doctors, which is that Conner was 32w1d gestational age on December 23, 2002, not 33w1d, as the State's witness testified.
The State did not accept 32w1d as Conner's gestational age on the 23rd because, as we shall see, every indicator showed that Conner was older than 32 weeks when he died, automatically excluding Scott Peterson as the person responsible for his death.
On December 23, Conner was still at least 6 weeks from full-term. However, without exception, every person who observed Conner, described him as a full-term baby or nine-months.
The discovery of the woman's remains came one day after a passerby spotted a tiny body near the Richmond Marina, about a mile to the north. Police identified it as a "full-term" fetus.
Newsday.com
LA Times
April 15, 2003
A full-term, decaying male fetus with the umbilical cord still attached was found Sunday, about a mile away, according to the Contra Costa County coroner. Police sources told ABCNEWS the amount of decomposition and size of the remains are consistent with the time frame of Peterson's disappearance and her physical description, and that a nursing bra typically worn by women during late-term pregnancy was found on the remains.
http://www.kesq.com/
CONTINUED...
Laci was known to be alive at 8:30 p.m. on the night of December 23, and Scott is known to have left home for the Warehouse at no later than 10:08 a.m. on the 24th. Therefore, the State had to prove that the murder happened in that time frame: 8:30 p.m. --> 10:08 a.m. In his Closing Argument, Rick Distaso identified the time of death on which the State rested its case:
ReplyDeleteIt's very simple. The defendant strangled or smothered Laci Peterson the night of February, January, December 23rd, or in the morning while she was getting dressed on the 24th. I can't tell you when he did it. I can't tell you if he did it at night. I can't tell you if he did it in the morning. I'm not going to try to convince you of something that I can't prove. I don't have to prove that to you. I only have to prove that he did it.
LE stopped looking for Laci by December 27th, if ever at all. Their efforts from the beginning were focused on Scott Peterson, especially after Amber Frey informed them of their affair, which began three weeks before Laci's disappearance (they saw each other four times). All the media attention was on Amber Frey and not on finding Laci. And LE made sure of that when they had her continuously call Scott to solicit from him incriminating statements while surrepticiously recording their conversations, and then her much publicized press conference announcing their affair.
15 Jan 2003 Police met with Laci's family
This was the day that everything changed. Detectives Buehler and Brocchini met with Sharon Rocha and Ron Grantski at the Modesto Police Department at 5 p.m. They showed them pictures of Amber Frey with Scott and told them that Scott had taken out a $250K life insurance policy on Laci in the summer after she became pregnant. Detectives Grogan and Owen went to San Diego on this day to give similar information to Lee Peterson. At this time or sometime the following day, the detectives told the Rochas that they believed Scott was responsible for Laci's disappearance and that there was blood evidence. They told them that Scott was still seeing Amber.
The information LE gave to the Rocha family about the life insurance, however, was a lie. On January 10, Detective Owens had possession of the two insurance policies, each for $250K and one for Scott and one for Laci. The ModBee quoted a family source saying LE told them Scott had taken out the life insurance just that summer. The information they gave the Rochas about the blood evidence was a lie, too. Brent Rocha said Sharon's attitude towards Scott made a drastic 180 degree turn.
After the meeting with MPD, Sharon and Ron went home. Gwen and Harvey Kemple, Kim Peterson, Sandy Rickard, Patty Amador, Lin Wilson, Lissa McElroy, Susie and Gil Aquino came to their house that evening. Sharon said she wanted to close the Volunteer Center. Kim Peterson notified key people and Buehler about the decision. Terri Western, after a phone conversation with Kim Peterson closed the volunteer center in Modesto permanently the following day.
CONTINUED...
17 Jan 2003 Detective Brocchini called Mike Richardson
ReplyDeleteAt 6:40 am, Brocchini called Mike Richardson, a good friend of Scott's, and asked him if he read the ModBee. He wanted him to read an article running that day about Amber Frey and the $250K life insurance Scott took out on Laci. Brocchini suggested that Heather, Mike's wife, call Sharon Rocha for further information, and said that Scott was not welcome in any of Laci's friends' or families' homes. Later that day, Brocchini called Mike back to see if he had read the article and encouraged him to question Scott about Laci's disappearance. At the preliminary hearing, Brocchini said he had also contacted other friends of Scott's and Laci's with the intention of planting the seeds of suspicion and solicited their help to get answers to questions he was not legally allowed to ask Scott. He said he wanted them to let Scott know he was the one wanting the answers. Brocchini also talked to Aaron Fritz and Brian Argain, both of whom were friends of Laci. Defense attorney Kirk McAllister suggested in his cross examination that Aaron Fritz taped at least one of the calls Brocchini made to him, when Brocchini allegedly told Fritz that he would take Scott Peterson down.
17 Jan 2003 Breach between Scott and the Rochas
The Rocha family confirmed that they have seen pictures of Scott and Amber. Scott spearheaded an effort to get missing-person fliers posted in Los Angeles, setting up a search center at the Doubletree Hotel. An organizer of the new outreach effort to find Laci says that people have been calling the Doubletree Hotel in Los Angeles and blaming the staff there for "supporting a murderer."
17 Jan 2003 Brent accused Scott
In a phone conversation captured by the wiretap, Brent Rocha accused Scott of doing something to Laci. He says the evidence is stacking up and he won't get away with it. He specifically mentions Laci going to the Christmas party alone while he was at a Christmas
24 Jan 2003 Amber went public
Amber Frey admitted the affair in a news conference, accompanied by Modesto Police. The police say they brought Frey forward because the media had tracked her down. They say she is cooperating with investigators and is not a suspect. She was eliminated as a suspect, according to News 47, because she took and passed a lie detector test. This is the text of Amber's press announcement: "I met Scott Peterson November 20, 2002. I was introduced to him. I was told he was unmarried. Scott told me he was not married. We did have a romantic relationship. When I discovered he was involved in the Laci Peterson disappearance case, I immediately contacted the Modesto Police Department." After Amber spoke, Doug Ridenour made these comments: "Amber Frey had contacted the MPD on Monday, December 30th, 2002. She met with detectives and gave the information about the relationship with Scott Peterson."
25 Jan 2003 Amber called Scott
Amber and Scott exchanged 5 phone calls. According to FoxNews, a source close to Amber says Scott sometimes called her five to six times a night after she went public with details of their affair, and that he repeatedly asked to see her, offered her expensive gifts, and sent her expensive jewelry. The method and place of delivery might prove an interesting point in the case, according to the source.
Two of Scott's calls to Amber were admitted into evidence and played to the Jury. In the first, Scott tells Amber how brave she was and she has amazing character. Transcript In the second call, she talks about the media frenzy and he about his plans to do some media interviews. He referred to meeting with a "a bunch of media people" to decide what shows to do. Transcript
CONTINUED...
25 Jan 2003 Amber reached out to Laci's family & friends
ReplyDeleteThe day after publicly acknowledging her affair with Scott, Amber began reaching out to Laci's family and friends, apparently in an effort to convince them that she did not know Scott was married when she started dating him in November and to share their hopes for Laci's safe return. By March 14, Frey had reached out 53 times to people close to Laci, totaling nearly 6 1/2 hours of telephone time. More than half of these calls were with Lori Ellsworth, one of Laci's closest friends--at least 20 calls totaling nearly 3 1/2 hours of conversation. On January 28, the day Good Morning America aired Scott's public acknowledgement of the affair, Amber was on the phone with Lori for 90 minutes. Phone conversations over the six week period included 9 calls to Brent Rocha, 2 to Amy Rocha (both in February), two calls to the Grantski home phone, and two calls to Sharon Rocha's cell phone.
Dr. Alison Galloway, forensic anthropologist, is the person Dr. Brian Peterson relied on to more precisely determine Conner's GA, as that is her field of expertise: a Masters with specialization in forensic anthropology, a PhD in anthropology with specialization in skeletal biology, and certification as a forensic anthropologist on the American Board of Forensic Anthropology.
This is Galloway's table of measurements and the estimated gestational age that results from each of her measurements (Defense 6U).
This is devastating to the State's case because ALL measurements indicate a GA of at least 34 weeks, and the preferred standard puts Conner at 35.1 to 36.3 weeks. Laci's medical chart said Conner was 32w on December 23 (precise age was 32w1d). That puts Conner's death date 3-4 weeks later. That fully exonerates Scott Peterson.
If this is true, then why is part of the umbilicord still attached to Connor? It didn't appear to be cut.
There was a portion of the umbilical cord present, measuring a half centimeter (less than a 1/4 inch), and the edge was ragged, like it fell apart or pulled apart. It was not cut.
But it is the State that resolutely refused to accept Dr. Galloway's opinion, because it clearly exonerates Scott Peterson. Adding six days to the 32w1d indicated on Laci's medical chart on December 23, 2002 results in a death date no earlier than December 29, 2002.
What we have in a nutshell are three experts employing credible scientific procedures to determine Conner's gestational age:
Dr. Yip, Laci's physician, who performed a routine 2nd ultrasound on September 24 that yielded younger than expected gestational ages and adjusted Laci's due date accordingly.
Dr. Tow-Der, Laci's examining physician, who recorded 32w on December 23, 2002, based on Laci's pre-natal examination and other information on her medical chart.
Dr. Alison Galloway, who took 11 different measurements, used two different reference sources, and applied one standard deviation to the favored reference source to conclude that Conner was 33 to 38 weeks old when he died.
And the results fully exonerate Scott Peterson.
Conner, in the judgment of Laci's doctors, was 32w1d (32w written on her chart) on December 23. Several fetal biometry studies concur with Dr. Yip's decision to change Laci's due date by 6 days. In the judgment of the forensic pathologist and forensic anthropologist, Conner was from 33-38 weeks old when he died. Therefore, he lived at least one 6 days beyond December 23. That fully exonerates Scott Peterson.
To refute the irrefutable, the State employed Dr. Devore. Devore used a methodology that has never been subjected to peer review and favored a single measurement to the exclusion of 16 other measurements. Devore's favored study, that done by Jeanty, does not prove that Conner died during the critical time period -- 8:30 p.m. December 23 --> 10:08 a.m. December 24.
http://www.pwc-sii.com/Research/death/death.htm
The State's theory was that the body was weighted down with eight concrete anchors (made by Scott) in shallow water, and never moved far from where Scott supposedly dumped it until it resurfaced.
ReplyDeleteIt's important to realise that the State's "proof" that Scott made these concrete anchors is not reasonable. Have a look at the photos where the State claims to see circles. There are no circles. There is nothing there at all, other than the fevered imagination of a cop. Scott made only one concrete anchor, which was found with the boat in his warehouse.
Strong currents in deeper water are irrelevant, that's not what we are talking about.
The search area in the SF bay was 3-6 feet deep at high tide.
There are times during the day when the water is so shallow that it's possible to walk from Brooks Island to the shore. At low tide the depth of the water from the Berkeley Marina to Brooks Island is 3 feet.
There were 51 total searches of the bay.
In the first phase, before the bodies were found, they used side scan sonar, search dogs, dive teams from local law enforcement, as well as professional deep water dive teams.
Boats used side scan sonar and divers who searched grids by hand. There were helicopter flights all along the shoreline and helicopters that hovered 10 feet above the water around Brooks Island.
Dates of searches before the bodies were found: December 28, 30; Jan 2,4, 8, 9, 11, 18, 24, 28; Feb 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 20, 21, 23, 26; March 1, 2, 3, 4, 11, 12, 13, 26, 27, 29;
After the bodies were found : April 13, 14; May 5, 6, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23; July 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13; September 11, 12, 18 19; October 3, 4, 17. These searches focused on finding missing body parts and anchors.
Nothing was ever found to indicate that the bodies had ever been in the bay anywhere along Scott's fishing route.
Considering how hard they searched the shallow water, impossible to believe.
It is more reasonable that Laci and Connor's bodies had been moved from a different body of water to the shorelines of the Bay, where they were discovered.
Laci's body was somewhere in the bay near the shoreline for as little as 3 months according to the forensic pathologist, Galloway. She could have been placed there as late as mid-January. There is no evidence that the baby was ever in the bay.
No incriminating evidence was ever found in the house, the truck, the car, the warehouse, or the boat.
http://www.injusticeanywhereforum.org/viewtopic.php?f=123&t=2117&hilit=Modesto+Bee&sid=9272298896fabed4c61674167a5c3846&start=7600
Jewelry plays mysterious role in Peterson murder case
ReplyDeleteBy Harriet Ryan
Court TV
Friday, June 18, 2004 Posted: 1:37 PM EDT (1737 GMT)
REDWOOD CITY, California (Court TV) -- Did $100,000 in diamonds, sapphires and other gems play a role in Laci Peterson's murder?
Witnesses at her husband's capital trial suggested Thursday that, before she vanished, both Laci and her husband, Scott, were preoccupied with jewelry -- not just the valuable baubles she had inherited from her grandmother, but also cheaper accessories they were pawning for quick cash.
Prosecutors, who called the witnesses, have not said how the jewelry fits into their theory that Scott Peterson killed his wife December 23, 2002. And the testimony from two jewelers, a pair of pawn brokers and the victim's aunt seemed to raise more questions than it answered.
Laci Peterson's aunt, Robin Rocha, testified that her niece received a stash of pricey watches, rings, necklaces and other items in November 2002 as part of the settlement of her grandmother's estate.
Two jewelers, MaryAnne Felix and Jeff Schumacher, said they appraised the inheritance at their Modesto store for "in excess of $100,000." Felix said Laci Peterson told her that her husband wanted to know how much the pieces were worth.
"She said he would be very happy," Felix recalled.
The jewelers told jurors that the pregnant 27-year-old commissioned them to incorporate two of her grandmother's rings into her own wedding ring. The result, the jewelers said, was to be a diamond confection worth $55,000. The 2.5-carat center stone itself was valued at $30,000.
But in December 2002, at the same time she was meeting with the jewelers about the extravagant ring, Laci Peterson also made two visits to a pawn shop where she hocked gold chains, charms and other rings for $250. Scott Peterson accompanied her on the second of those December sales, and the pawn shop owner's wife testified that, while Peterson was affectionate toward his wife, rubbing her belly, she appeared uncomfortable.
"She was hesitant toward him," Victoria Brooks recalled.
Brooks said Laci Peterson told her that she was cleaning out her jewelry box and wanted to get rid of items she received from her grandmother. But Robin Rocha said that, when she inspected her niece's jewelry at the request of the police, she found only two pieces missing: a fancy gem-encrusted watch and a 2-carat pair of diamond earrings.
CONTINUED...
The trips to the pawn shop are even more mysterious in light of their timing. Laci Peterson made the first trip to Brooks Pawn in Modesto on December 10, when she handed over a gold chain for $140. The day before, her husband had plunked down $1,400 in cash for an aluminum fishing boat prosecutors believe he later used to dispose of her body.
ReplyDeleteHer second trip to the pawn shop, this time with her husband, occurred four days later on another date highly significant to the prosecutors' case. On December 14 (timeline), the Petersons were scheduled to attend a Christmas party together, but according to witnesses, Scott Peterson told his wife he had to meet a business colleague.
Instead, he took his mistress, Amber Frey, to a Christmas formal and, according to prosecutors, told her that he wanted a future with her and that he planned to get a vasectomy.
That day, the Petersons gave Brooks and her husband, David, more chains, some charms and some rings. In return, the Petersons got $110. It is unclear why the couple was selling the jewelry in a pawn shop instead of a venue where they were likely to get more money.
Peterson, 31, earned about $60,000 a year as a fertilizer salesman. His wife was a substitute teacher until late in her pregnancy.
'She always wore it'
When Laci Peterson was reported missing, police found several pieces of jewelry laid out on a bureau in the couple's bedroom as if she had removed them for the night. Arranged neatly between her jewelry box and a wedding photo of the couple were the sapphire ring she was wearing while her wedding ring was redesigned, a diamond pendant necklace, and a diamond and gold watch. All were bequests from her grandmother.
Felix said that, on the dozen or so times Laci Peterson visited her store, she was always wearing the pendant.
"Every day. She always wore it," said the jeweler.
When the jeweler recommended she have it cleaned, she refused, saying she didn't like to take it off, Felix said.
CONTINUED...
The defense contends Laci Peterson was abducted, likely while walking her dog in a nearby park the morning of Christmas Eve, but prosecutors seemed to be hinting that she would never leave the house without her watch and jewelry.
ReplyDeleteAs prosecutor Dave Harris flashed photos of the jewelry onto a large projection screen, most jurors scrawled in their notebooks. At the defense table, Peterson appeared to be following the testimony closely, whispering to his lawyers and jotting down notes.
His lawyer, Mark Geragos, noted that, after Peterson's wife went missing, he never called the jewelry store asking about the diamonds they were holding. Schumacher, the jeweler, said he phoned investigators and the jewelry was later turned over to Laci Peterson's mother, Sharon Rocha.
"The only people who contacted you about getting the jewelry were the police and Mrs. Rocha?" Geragos asked.
"Yes," Schumacher said.
As the jeweler recalled giving the jewelry to Rocha, she looked on from the front row, nodding.
The baby's progress
Also testifying Thursday was one of the three obstetricians Laci Peterson saw during the course of her pregnancy. Dr. Tina Etraki said she and the baby were healthy when she came into the office in August 2002. She also recalled a November phone conversation in which Laci Peterson said she became dizzy and nauseous while taking a morning walk.
"My recommendation was either to not exercise because she was having symptoms or to exercise later in the day," said Etraki. Prosecutors have implied Laci Peterson was too weak in her eighth month of pregnancy to walk the family dog.
But on cross-examination, Etraki acknowledged that Peterson, known to be headstrong, did not follow her recommendation. Records indicate she phoned two days after the initial call and told a nurse practitioner that she experienced shortness of breath while walking.
"She didn't listen to your don't walk advice," Geragos asked. "Right," the doctor said. Etraki also said that the most accurate ultrasound one performed in July indicated a due date of Feb. 10, 2003. Laci Peterson was nearly 33 weeks pregnant when she disappeared, she said.
The age of the couple's unborn son is in dispute. The defense claims his remains are those of a full-term baby born alive. Testimony in the trial resumes Monday. The proceeding, now in its third week, is expected to last about six months.
Peterson faces the death penalty if convicted of both counts of murder.
http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/06/18/peterson.case/
Well-Known Journalist Tells LawNewz Why Scott Peterson is Innocent
ReplyDeleteby Colin Kalmbacher | 4:15 pm, September 25th, 2017
Storied journalist Richard Cole believes Scott Peterson was framed for the murder of his wife Laci and their unborn son, Conner. During a LawNewz podcast debate with the case’s lead detective, Jon Buehler, Cole laid out his argument:
[Scott Peterson’s] conviction was based on suspicion and emotion–not on evidence. The only real evidence against Scott were the bodies of Laci and Conner showing up in the Berkeley Marina where he had gone fishing.
But a look at the condition of the bodies strongly indicates, to me anyway, that they were placed there later.
Investigators with the Modesto Police Department claimed that Peterson wrapped his pregnant wife in a tarp and then sunk her body into the bottom of the Berkeley Marina by attaching four 8-lb weights.
Cole notes, “[Police] claimed her body stayed there for three months and then washed up in a storm.” The 35-year veteran reporter, who didn’t miss a day of the trial, took aim at that theory with six distinct points in favor of Peterson’s innocence:
1. The weights just don’t add up. Former San Francisco Medical Examiner Boyd Stephens told Modesto Police they were “flat-out wrong” because 30-40 pounds worth of weights would not have been enough to sink a 150-lb body covered in a tarp.
Later on, two Fox network anchors attempted to recreate the alleged sinking of Laci Peterson’s body under the same circumstances but their imitation body bobbed atop the water.
2. Pacific currents are unforgiving. Stevens also said the body would have never stayed in one place for three months because the tide and currents would have moved it far away from the Berkeley Marina during that time period–even if it had been weighted enough to sink to the ocean floor.
3. Laci’s body bore tell-tale marks. “Laci’s body had growths on it that showed it had been exposed to air and sunlight for a substantial time. And yet no one had seen a body floating on the bay or on the side of the bay.”
4. Conner’s age doesn’t fit the theory. Cole also noted multiple discrepancies between Conner’s measured age at the time of his death and how old he would have been had Scott Peterson killed Laci on the day police allege.
He said, “Laci Peterson was 33 weeks pregnant on the day she disappeared–33 weeks–but when Conner was found, not a single expert initially put the baby’s gestational age at less than 35 weeks.”
One panel of experts put his age at nine months. Another said he was a full-term male infant. Yet another said he was a “few days old.” After the body was determined to be Conner’s, one expert backtracked on her original 35-to-36-week estimate and said the baby was “possibly as early as 33-weeks.”
5. Scott’s “inexplicable” actions. Cole describes police investigators’ theory about Scott Peterson’s actions on the day of Laci’s disappearance and alleged death as “bizarre.” The order of described events bears a listen in full, but Cole’s characterization of the police theory essentially hinges upon the idea that Scott murdered Laci early in the day and left her body in plain sight more than once while he shopped online and did some work at his warehouse before tossing her into the Berkeley Marina and then telling police exactly where he had been by providing them with the marina parking ticket.
6. No forensic evidence–period. Finally, Cole notes that police contend Scott Peterson murdered his wife without leaving “a speck of Laci’s blood or forensic evidence,” anywhere in their home, his truck (where he is alleged to have stored her body during the day and while en route to the marina), or his boat–and that none of them had been cleaned the day in question.
https://lawnewz.com/high-profile/well-known-journalist-tells-lawnewz-why-scott-peterson-is-innocent/
Laci's medical chart said Conner was 32w on December 23 (precise age was 32w1d).
ReplyDeleteAdding in one standard deviation puts Conner's GA at 33w for the youngest he could be. That is one week beyond the 32w written on Laci's medical records for December 23 (the precise age was 32w1d, abbreviated to 32w).
Adding six days to the 32w1d indicated on Laci's medical chart on December 23, 2002 results in a death date no earlier than December 29, 2002.
We have three experts employing credible scientific procedures to determine Conner's gestational age:
Dr. Yip, Laci's physician, who performed a routine 2nd ultrasound on September 24 that yielded younger than expected gestational ages and adjusted Laci's due date accordingly.
Dr. Tow-Der, Laci's examining physician, who recorded 32w on December 23, 2002, based on Laci's pre-natal examination and other information on her medical chart.
Dr. Alison Galloway, who took 11 different measurements, used two different reference sources, and applied one standard deviation to the favored reference source to conclude that Conner was 33 to 38 weeks old when he died.
Dr. Yip settled on 19w2d as the gestational age, and noted a corrected EDC (due date) of February 16, 2003.
The State did not accept 32w1d as Conner's gestational age on the 23rd because every indicator showed that Conner was older than 32 weeks when he died, automatically excluding Scott Peterson as the person responsible for his death.
Full-term is characterized as between 38 weeks and 42 weeks.
On December 23, Conner was still at least 6 weeks from full-term. However, without exception, every person who observed Conner, described him as a full-term baby or nine-months.
Conner, in the judgment of Laci's doctors, was 32w1d (32w written on her chart) on December 23. Several fetal biometry studies concur with Dr. Yip's decision to change Laci's due date by 6 days. In the judgment of the forensic pathologist and forensic anthropologist, Conner was from 33-38 weeks old when he died. Therefore, he lived at least 6 days beyond December 23. That fully exonerates Scott Peterson.
To refute the irrefutable, the State employed Dr. Devore. Devore used a methodology that has never been subjected to peer review and favored a single measurement to the exclusion of 16 other measurements. Devore's favored study, that done by Jeanty, does not prove that Conner died during the critical time period -- 8:30 p.m. December 23 to 10:08 a.m. December 24.
For 3 out of the 4 measurements taken by Dr. Yip during the second ultrasound, Jeanty produces younger gestational ages than the standard Yip used. For the most critical measurement, the biparietal diameter, Jeanty produces a younger gestational age than the standard Yip used. Devore distorted the data by ignoring the 95% that does not produce the necessary results. That is junk science.
http://www.pwc-sii.com/Research/death/death.htm
Laci's doctor rebuts reports
ReplyDeleteBy GARTH STAPLEY
SEPTEMBER 04, 2003 8:50 AM
Laci Peterson's Modesto obstetrician rebutted widely discussed reports that the pregnant woman had a sonogram Dec. 23, shortly before authorities believe she was killed.
The revelation could shake a recently floated defense theory that hinges on the age of Laci Peterson's unborn son, Conner, at the time she disappeared.
Despite a court-imposed gag order on the case, a leak to People magazine last month generated hours of speculation on several TV news and talk shows. The magazine, without citing a source, reported that an unidentified doctor had performed an ultrasound on Peterson on Dec. 23.
Other leaks -- again, hashed out on TV -- suggested that Conner's body had aged a few weeks beyond the size suggested by the supposed sonogram.
Dr. James Y.K. Yip confirmed Tuesday evening that he saw Peterson on Dec. 23, but he said the visit did not include a sonogram.
"There was no ultrasound picture of the baby that day," Yip said. "It was a routine prenatal visit for her."
Peterson's husband, Scott, has been charged in the deaths of mother and son, whose bodies were recovered in April along the eastern edge of San Francisco Bay. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. A preliminary hearing is set Oct. 20.
A source close to the double-murder case said Peterson had a sonogram in September, about three months before she went missing. She would have been about five months pregnant in September.
Forensic pathologist Harry J. Bonnell of San Diego said a Dec. 23 sonogram would have been extremely valuable for comparison with Conner's body. But experts still might predict with some accuracy Conner's size at that point -- and beyond -- by using the September sonogram, Bonnell said.
That could be crucial to Peterson's defense, if experts determine that Conner lived longer than Dec. 23, said former New York City medical examiner Dr. Michael Baden. He noted that Peterson came under law enforcement scrutiny after his wife disappeared.
"The issue here is how old the baby was," Baden said. "If the baby lived, that means Laci lived also."
His comments were made before the revelation that Peterson's last sonogram was in September.
"If (a doctor) can testify that the baby grew six weeks after (Dec. 23), that gives Scott an absolute out," Baden said. But he noted that an obstetrician's estimate on fetal age could be wrong by several weeks.
From 32 weeks until birth fetuses typically double in weight, Baden said. There can be wide variations in the rate of the increase during that period, making sonograms less reliable for determining age in those cases, he said.
A more accurate method, Baden said, is X-raying bones for calcium deposits that form as cartilage hardens into bone while the fetus develops.
Peterson's defense team X-rayed Conner's remains earlier this month before coroner's deputies released the bodies to Laci Peterson's family.
Bonnell said either side could find experts to contradict the other.
"If you've got somebody that can throw big bucks at (some) experts," Bonnell said, "they'll tell you what you want to hear."
http://www.modbee.com/news/local/crime/scott-peterson-case/peterson-preliminary-trial/article3096500.html
The big question is, who gave the Modesto Police Department the tip, prior to January 3, 2003, that the burglars of the Medina home were Steven Wayne Todd and Donald Glenn Pearce? Did the defense team try to contact this tipster? Did the MPD try to locate the white van described by Diane Jackson? Did they even question Todd and Pearce about this van?
ReplyDeletePeterson case waits on DNA tests
ReplyDeleteApril 16, 2003
The two bodies -- an adult woman and a baby boy -- washed ashore at Point Isabel Regional Park, in Richmond, California, about 80 miles northwest of Modesto, where Peterson lived with her husband Scott.
Richmond Police Sgt. Enos Johnson said the woman's remains were "skeletal," and said the coroner had already determined that the baby, found Sunday about a mile-and-a-quarter north of the woman's body, was full-term and a boy.
The woman's body "was laying inshore and looked like it had been washed ashore by the tides," Johnson said.
Chief Norman Lapera of the East Bay Regional Parks Police Department described the woman's remains, saying only that the corpse was "a badly decomposed body settled among the rocks."
Using expensive sonar equipment, authorities have searched the area between the Berkeley Marina and Richmond several times over the past four months.
http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/West/04/15/remains.found/index.html
Forensic pathologist, Dr. Brian Peterson, testified he could not determine a time or cause of death for Laci or Conner Peterson, however, the determinations he WAS able make, directly contradict the State's timeline.
ReplyDelete1. He suggested the fetus' remains showed no signs of severe damage from currents, tides action or feeding fish and were much less decomposed than his mother's because he was protected inside her uterus until shortly before being expelled.
2. He said he could not determine whether Conner had been born alive.
3. He concluded that Conner died because his mother had died.
4. He estimated Conner's age to be nine months.
September 27, 2004
Fighting for Laci
The Modesto police and Stanislaus County District Attorney may have given up, but that hasn't stopped concerned citizens from continuing to fight for Laci Peterson.
Philip and Dan DeVan, two brothers from Vermont -- with no relationship to the Peterson case -- have recently been searching the San Francisco Bay, looking for missing evidence.
They're not alone.
The Fresno Bee reports that Kimberly and Joshua Collier of Stockton CA, have organized a volunteer search party to drag the bay in a "last-ditch effort" to find concrete anchors or any thing else that might reveal the truth about the death of Laci and Conner Peterson.
Kimberly Collier is quoted as saying, "The Peterson case is nearly over, and I'm afraid without any hard evidence, he'll go free. We feel that he's guilty. The last high-profile case slipped through the cracks, the O.J. case, and we just don't want to see that happen."
No doubt DA Brazelton stormed through his offices and threatened to run down his co-workers when that story broke.
The volunteers are, of course, well aware that authorities examined the bay repeatedly with very sophisticated equipment and found nothing -- yet the civilian searches go on.
"We're just going to take a chance," Kimberly Collier told reporters. "I don't know. I'm kind of consumed with this now and fighting for Laci."
http://vanceholmes.com/court/trial_sp_01.html
Dr. Brian Peterson (no relation), the forensic pathologist who performed Laci Peterson's autopsy, said her corpse was missing the head, neck and forearms. "The only internal organ that was present was the uterus. I was limited by the fact there was so much of the body absent," he told jurors.
ReplyDeleteDr. Peterson said the top of the uterus was open and there were no signs of a cesarean section. He told the jury, "I determined the baby had exited through the top of the uterus."
State criminalist Pin Kyo, took the stand and swore that the plastic twine found around Conner Peterson’s neck was tied in a very loose bow. However, under cross-examination she testified that a tight knot was found near the center of the bow.
Target Products Ltd. representative Richard Atkinson testified about the large plastic sheeting found near Laci Peterson's recovery site. Target, whose logo appears on the bag, shipped materials with the bags to a construction site in Richmond, CA.
Prosecutors argue the plastic sheeting is a random piece of garbage and unrelated to the case, but the defense has some doubts. Geragos got Mr. Atkinson to tell jurors that his company also shipped products to a construction site in -- Tracy, California.
An FBI DNA expert testified about the much debated strand(s) of hair found clamped in a pair of needle-nosed pliers on the defendant's boat. Mitochondrial DNA testing proved it isn't Peterson's but could be his wife's -- and that 1 in 112 Caucasians could possibly match the hair.
Other criminalists testified they found no signs of blood or tissue on the rusty pliers and that there were no signs of recent use. The hair is the State's single piece of potential physical evidence linking Laci Peterson to the boat police claim she never knew her husband had purchased.
A parade of women were called to the stand -- all of whom were pregnant at the same time as Laci Peterson and walked for exercise in the same area -- in an attempt to show that neighbors who initially told police they spotted Laci Peterson on Christmas Eve probably saw someone else.
http://vanceholmes.com/court/trial_sp_01.html
"Wherever someone does go to dispose of a body, it's usually an area they're familiar and comfortable with. One of the questions we ask when we find a body is, 'Why here?' Sometimes if we can answer that question, it points us in the right direction."
ReplyDelete-- Stanislaus County sheriff's Sgt. Bill Heyne, January 14, 2003
Two law enforcement officials testified to an anonymous tip about a flophouse in Tracy, California.
Immediately after Laci Peterson went missing, the MPD turned to print and electronic media outlets and desperately asked citizens to call in information they thought might be helpful. In a classic example of not being careful what you ask for, authorities were immediately overwhelmed.
Having received over 9,000 tips, there's no way police could've investigated them all, but one caller's message stood out enough to catch the MPD's attention.
The tipster wouldn't give his name, but on January 10, 2003, a hotline dispatcher noted the call: "They have a pregnant woman in there and he states he recognizes her as Laci." The possibly Hispanic man reported that Laci Peterson was being kept in a rural area of Tracy, California. He said she was in a "trailer behind two white houses" and was "being abused."
Rick Distaso, attempting to launch a pre-emptive strike against Scott Peterson's defense team, called officer Eric Beffa to the stand to explain Modesto's careful follow-up on the call.
Beffa said he and another officer went to Tracy but were unable to find the location described by the tipster and quickly turned the search over to San Joaquin County Sheriff's Deputy Paul Mears.
Distaso then called Mears who testified that he was familiar with the location in question which he described as "a bunch of shanties and shacks, old trailers that had been abandoned," and said the area was well known as a haven for drug dealing, cockfights and parole violators.
On cross-examination, Mears acknowledged that neither he nor any other officers ever actually entered the compound of flophouses, explaining that it was simply too dangerous.
GERAGOS: "They didn't even make one search?"
MEARS: "Not really, no."
Mears testified that he promptly arranged for a heat-sensing helicopter to fly over the compound and that it did in fact detect heat in several buildings, but that no further action was taken.
They never went back and the compound has been razed since, Mears said.
Presumably, DA Distaso asked officers Beffa and Mears to take the stand so he could establish the kind of investigation authorities conducted.
Be careful what you ask for.
Defender Geragos pointed out for jurors that along with other curious details offered by the anonymous caller, the tip also included mention of a van.
http://vanceholmes.com/court/trial_sp_01.html
Peterson sentence upheld; ex-in-laws vent their rage
ReplyDeleteBy JASON DEAREN | Bay Area News Group
PUBLISHED: March 17, 2005 at 3:57 am | UPDATED: August 17, 2016 at 8:17 am
REDWOOD CITY — A judge condemned Scott Peterson to death Wednesday for murdering his wife, Laci, then stepped aside to let Laci’s family condemn him verbally with a volcanic attack that wrung tears and wails from the packed courtroom.
“There was always this arrogance about you … but I never thought it would end up in murder!” said Laci’s brother Brent Rocha. Rocha said he always believed Scott was the killer.
Peterson, his face ghost-white, looked back at him, shaking his head slowly back and forth. The 32-year-old former fertilizer salesman was convicted of murdering his wife and unborn child in November, and the same jury recommended he be sentenced to death in December.
“You didn’t have the mental strength to support your family,” Rocha said through clenched teeth, adding that Peterson had once confided to him that he was worried about his ability to provide for his family.
As Rocha went on, Peterson’s father suddenly erupted from his seat in the gallery.
“You’re a liar!” Lee Peterson screamed, as Judge Alfred Delucchi asked him to keep quiet. Peterson left voluntarily with his pastor in tow.
Rocha continued, saying that he had bought a gun weeks after his sister’s disappearance and that he had planned to kill Peterson. “But I chose not to kill you myself so you would have to sweat and wait it out,” Rocha said.
“You slept next to her for weeks, knowing you were going to kill her. You ate the food she cooked for you, knowing you were going to kill her,” he said. “How does it feel to be a baby killer?”
Peterson’s mother, Jackie Peterson, exclaimed “That’s not true at all!” then left the courtroom with a bailiff. Thirteen jurors and alternates who sat through the nearly six-month trial sat in the jury box, staring down Peterson.
Dressed in a suit and shackled, Peterson writhed in his seat as Laci’s family continued.
CONTINUED...
Laci’s sister Amy Rocha; Brent’s wife, Rose Rocha; Laci’s father, Dennis Rocha; and stepfather, Ron Grantski; followed Brent to the podium. Each insulted Peterson, calling him a cowardly, arrogant man who cared for no one but himself.
ReplyDelete“You deserve to burn in hell,” Dennis Rocha exclaimed.
“How can your family look at you and say you’re such a good kid?” Grantski asked, shaking with anger. “There is something seriously wrong with you and your family.”
Scott’s half-sister Susan Caudillo shook her head at the attacks on the Peterson family.
But mostly, the Rocha family wanted answers they knew they would never get. They wanted to know why Peterson killed his wife when he could have just divorced her to live with his mistress, Amber Frey.
Sharon Rocha, Laci’s mother, spoke last. Staring nails at Peterson, she told him he is pure evil. “I know you’re nothing but an empty, hollow shell. … You have no soul,” she said.
Sharon said she wanted Laci’s dying voice to haunt Peterson as he awaits his execution.
Playing the role of Laci as she wept, Sharon Rocha said, “Scott, why are you killing me? What are you doing? Don’t you know how much I loved you? … You’re my husband, my partner, my best friend. Scott, I wanna live, I don’t wanna die!”
Wailing filled the courtroom.
She switched to the role of Peterson’s dead unborn child, whom the couple had planned to name Conner.
“Daddy, why are you killing me?” she said, crying hysterically. “Daddy, why are you killing us? Please, I don’t want to die! I never met you, but I love you.”
Jurors stared at Peterson, some hugging each other and sobbing uncontrollably. One former juror, Richelle Nice, scowled and mouthed an expletive in Peterson’s direction.
After Rocha finished, Delucchi read Peterson his order that he be sentenced to death. Delucchi called the murder “cruel, uncaring, heartless and callous. … The young boy Conner wasn’t even permitted to take a breath of air on this earth.”
Outside the Hall of Justice, a former juror who was excused amid deliberations, Fran Gorman, told a reporter: “I had unfinished business. I came to finish what I started, and I feel good about it.”
Other jurors said they came seeking closure.
Peterson will be transferred to San Quentin State Prison within the next two days. His case will automatically be appealed to the California Supreme Court, beginning a legal process that will likely take decades. Since reinstating the death penalty in 1978, California has executed only 12 of the more than 600 inmates on death row.
After Laci’s family finished, Delucchi asked Peterson if he wanted to make a statement. Peterson discussed it with his attorneys and declined.
“When you walk into the execution room, take a look out the window at Brooks Island, and you’ll know Laci and Conner are watching,” Brent Rocha said.
http://www.eastbaytimes.com/2005/03/17/peterson-sentence-upheld-ex-in-laws-vent-their-rage/
In emotional plea, mother begs jury to let her son live / Laci's mom listens impassively to testimony
ReplyDeleteSan Francisco Chronicle
December 9, 2004
Jackie Peterson entered the San Mateo Superior Court house, Redwood City in support of their son, Scott Peterson, 31, would could face the death penalty if he's convicted of two counts of murder for the deaths of is wife, Laci Peterson and their unborn son. In April, their remains washed ashore two miles from where Scott Peterson said he was fishing on Christmas Eve 2002 10/27/04 Redwood City CA Frederic Larson The San Francisco Chronicle Photo: Frederic Larson
In the end, Jackie Peterson simply begged for her son's life.
"We would lose a whole family," she said Wednesday, pivoting in the witness stand to face the 12 jurors who now must decide whether Scott Peterson should die for murdering his wife, Laci, and the couple's unborn child or spend the rest of his life in prison. "Both Sharon and I would lose a whole family. (It) would be like they never existed. (It) would be such a waste, irreversible.
"I beg you to consider that," she continued, sobbing.
At least one juror wiped tears from her eyes. Other jurors appeared unmoved.
Sharon Rocha, Laci Peterson's mother, sat in the front row of the gallery, near the jury box, flanked by her sister and son. She watched Jackie Peterson testify but showed no reaction to the words of her late daughter's mother-in- law.
Last week, Rocha was the prosecution's last witness in the penalty phase of Scott Peterson's double-murder trial. She commemorated her daughter's 27 years of life, shouted angrily at her son-in-law for taking it and left most of the jurors crying.
On Wednesday, Jackie Peterson said that as difficult as it was to sit through Rocha's testimony, "it would have been disrespectful not to. We all lost Laci. I know how much we all loved her."
Peterson's mother was the defense's 39th witness and possibly its most important.
CONTINUED...
The San Diego woman, who has attended every day of the six-month trial, walked proudly across the courtroom to the witness stand. She talked softly, sometimes almost inaudibly. Speaking in long sentences is difficult for her because she breathes through an oxygen tank.
ReplyDelete"My lungs don't function that well," she explained to the six-woman, six- man panel, saying she has been asthmatic since childhood and is on a waiting list for a new lung.
Defense lawyer Mark Geragos asked her to tell the jury about her life -- possibly hoping that her tragic upbringing might somehow persuade the jurors that she has been through enough and that they should spare her son. Although the jurors will be instructed not to consider any sympathy they feel for the defendant's family when making their sentencing recommendation, their decision is so subjective that a parent's sorrow might be factored in despite the rule.
Peterson's mother told of how her father was murdered when she was a little girl and how she never really knew him. She said her mother was broken- hearted and doctors believed that the stress from his killing made her deathly ill from a rare skin disease. Bedridden, she was incapable of taking care of her four children. So Jackie Peterson and her three siblings were sent to live in an orphanage to be raised by Catholic nuns.
She said, they "begged from door to door for food for us. Big companies would give them their outdated foods and breads. We got eggs maybe once a week for a treat.
"I felt fortunate that I had a roof over my head, three meals a day and was educated," she continued. "We knew that God loved us, and that just took over everything."
Some of the jurors seemed to avoid eye contact with Peterson's mother, who on occasion turned to her son and gave him a reassuring smile. Peterson, who has shown little emotion throughout the trial, wiped his face with a tissue.
At 13, Jackie Peterson was sent back home to care for her mother. She received a scholarship to attend a San Diego Catholic girls high school, 20 miles across town. The January after her graduation, Jackie Peterson's mother died.
CONTINUED...
With the clerical skills she'd learned from the nuns, Jackie Peterson got an office job. But what she said she really wanted was to go to college and have a family. There were two men she thought would fulfill her dreams. Both got her pregnant and then left.
ReplyDeleteThe first time she was 19. The man told her he loved her and wanted to marry her. "It just wasn't so," she said. "I was brought up very naïve."
Jackie Peterson said she knew she couldn't care for her infant son. She had been fired from her job for being an unwed pregnant woman and "was just existing," she recalled.
So she gave the child up for adoption. The second man was her brother's best friend. She said she thought he was the one. But he told her he'd fallen in love with another woman.
She had a little girl and also gave her up for adoption. Both children have since reunited with her. In 1966 she had a boy. She didn't testify about the relationship responsible for his birth, but she kept her child, John, and raised him as a single mother. John was 4 when Jackie Peterson married her husband, Lee. A year later they had Scott.
"He was a joy from the moment he was born," she said.
Although Jackie and Lee Peterson tried to give their son everything they didn't have as poor children growing up, Scott never took his privileged lifestyle for granted, she said.
"He's always been a kind and nurturing person," she said. "In high school, he tutored the homeless in the evenings. Once he came home and said, 'Mom, those kids don't have shoes that fit them.' He noticed their needs and wanted to help them."
She said that when Laci Peterson came into her son's life, it was like gaining a daughter.
"I loved Laci as much as Sharon loved Scott," she said.
CONTINUED...
She said the couple tried for three years to get pregnant and with medical treatments were finally successful.
ReplyDelete"We were all elated," Jackie Peterson remembered.
When Laci Peterson disappeared and she and the baby were found dead on the Richmond shoreline in April 2003, a part of Jackie Peterson died with her, she said.
"We feel like we're just shells in front of you -- there's nothing left inside of us," she said between sobs. "We mourn for Laci and (baby) Conner. We've lost Scott and them. I really feel if you were to take Scott away from us, it would be a whole family wiped off the face of the earth. Laci was a woman who grew with (Scott) from (the ages of) 18 to 28.
"I beg you to consider how he helps people," she continued. "In this trial you heard about his wife and baby being ripped from him, how he was stalked by the media, harassed by the police and painted as a devil to the public. He's not that and has never been that."
With that said, Jackie Peterson broke down on the stand, apologized to the judge for her burst of emotion and walked halfway across the courtroom, where her husband waited to escort her back to her seat.
The defense said it may call one more witness before resting its case today. Judge Alfred Delucchi said he expects the jurors to begin deliberating by the day's end.
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/In-emotional-plea-mother-begs-jury-to-let-her-2665707.php
Prosecution Witness #47: Debra Wolski, Laci's Yoga Instructor Testimony
ReplyDeleteThe Defense scored a point with her testimony, though, as time after time when Geragos referred her to what a police report said she said, she would reply, I didn't say that, or I never told them that. This is a recurring theme in this trial -- information put into police reports contradicted by the witnesses.
WOLSKI: She told me she had stopped walking her dog.
GERAGOS: You never mentioned that to Detective Grogan on March 20th,
WOLSKI: There were several things in there that were not correct, and I pointed it out. Like the last time I saw her was not the 13th, so I, I did not type it personally. I don't know how,
GERAGOS: Did you,
WOLSKI: the incorrect information got there.
[...]
GERAGOS: You've looked through all of their reports that are,
WOLSKI: There were some inconsistencies that I pointed out this morning.
GERAGOS: Well, there's, nowhere in any of these reports does it mention that, does it? In any of the reports that you reviewed?
WOLSKI: There were other inconsistencies that shouldn't be there.
[...]
GERAGOS: No,
JUDGE: No, Ms. Wolski. The question is is that statement that you said that she had difficulty walking on uneven surfaces, is that included in any of those reports that you reviewed prior to your testimony here today?
WOLSKI: I don't think so.
JUDGE: All right. Thank you.
GERAGOS: And on December 20th, did she talk to you about coming back from Carmel within the last couple of days before that appointment?
WOLSKI: No.
GERAGOS: Did she tell you that she had been walking in Carmel?
WOLSKI: No.
GERAGOS: Okay. And can you tell me was there anywhere in any of these reports that you saw that Laci, or that you said that Laci needed help getting to her car? Anywhere in any of those reports?
WOLSKI: No.
GERAGOS: And did you tell anybody before you got in front of this jury today about that story?
WOLSKI: Yes.
GERAGOS: Who?
WOLSKI: The first time I called the tip line.
GERAGOS: And it didn't make it into the, into the report?
WOLSKI: I don't know who I was talking with.
GERAGOS: And how about the second time when you talked to Officer Grogan?
WOLSKI: I answered,
GERAGOS: No, the second time is when you had a phone conversation.
WOLSKI: There was a phone conversation, yes.
GERAGOS: Right. And it didn't make it into that report, correct?
WOLSKI: It should have.
GERAGOS: It didn't make it into Grogan's report on the 20th of March?
WOLSKI: I told people about it.
http://pwc-sii.com/CourtDocs/Transcripts/Wolski.htm
During extensive searches of the Bay using divers, sophisticated side-scan sonar equipment and REMUS, there was nothing of any evidentiary value recovered.
ReplyDeleteThey found a pier piling, buoy chain, anchor, broken crab trap, and a six-inch broken one-inch by one-inch wooden stick.
The water around Brooks Island is extremely shallow. At times it is three feet or less. The average depth in this area at low tide would be six to eight feet. Maybe at high tide you're talking about twelve feet, possibly. So you could, you could navigate in this area fairly well with all the boats, but you couldn't get too close to the shoreline or certain areas around Brooks Island because the water is so shallow.
In spite of exhaustive searches of the bay before and after the bodies were found, there was no evidence whatsoever that the bodies had ever been in the bay along Scott’s fishing route before they were found on the shore.
The Modesto Police Department expended numerous resources to locate Laci's dead body in the Bay. The 51 total searches were divided into two phases: before and after the bodies were found. Before the bodies were found, the searches were under the direction of Ron Cloward.
In the first phase, before the bodies were found, they used side-scan sonar, search dogs, dive teams from local law enforcement, as well as professional deep water dive teams.
Dates of searches:
December 28, 30;
Jan 2, 4, 8, 9, 11, 18, 24, 28;
Feb 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 20, 21, 23, 26;
March 1, 2, 3, 4, 11, 12, 13, 26, 27, 29;
All bay searches were suspended approximately 2 weeks before the bodies were found on the shore at the bay.
(Henry Lee book Forensic Files) “Most, if not all, searches were conducted with side-scan sonar devices, boats, and search-and –rescue diving teams.. But no body was found during the three-month search period.
CONTINUED...
Additionally, on Feb 3 helicopter searches were conducted around Brooks Island and along the shoreline of the Bay.
ReplyDeleteGERAGOS: Okay. One of the reasons that you were hovering with the helicopter over this area is because you thought you would be able to see anything or do a visual check and search by being ten feet above the water, correct?
CLOWARD: Correct. We wanted to check the banks of Brooks Island, which is why we were hovering along the water's edge.
GERAGOS: Okay. Then you went back up, did you go back up that afternoon after you did the first search of the banks of the island?
CLOWARD: Yes. We ended in, up in Napa, and then came back from Napa, working along the shoreline again, and then went out to Treasure Island.
In February Dr. Cheng was asked to determine where the bodies would have gone if they had been placed in the water along Scott’s fishing route.
GERAGOS: Okay. And could you point, or could you write on the map with red pen where they suggested that they thought the body may have been placed in the water?
JUDGE: Put an "X", Doctor Cheng. And draw a line to the margin and it put C1. Just put an X. Okay. Do you want to put just draw a line out to the margin?
CHENG: Somewhere over here.
GERAGOS: Okay and was that over off of the tip of Brooks Island?
CHENG: That's correct.
CONTINUED...
After the bodies were found, the searches were under the direction of Dodge Hendee:
ReplyDeleteApril 13, 14;
May 5, 6, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23;
July 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13;
September 11, 12, 18 19;
October 3, 4, 17.
These searches focused on finding missing body parts and anchors, and were in the area designated by Dr. Ralph Cheng, USGS
HARRIS: How many divers would go out at any particular given time?
HENDEE: It all depended, on the, if we're talking about the May 16th through May 23rd operation, I'd have to check each individual officer's reports to find out how many were on their particular dive boat. The FBI dive team probably had six divers, maybe eight operating on an every day basis. The spot divers that would go down when a side-scan sonar operator found something, depending on how many were on that boat, and I don't know for sure how many were on any particular dive boat at that time, but the entire operation that we were running over this eight days was averaging about 45 to 50 people a day, total, in the operation.
JUDGE: Does that include all the divers?
HENDEE: That included the divers, the boat operators, the Coast Guard personnel. Everybody.
(Henry Lee book Forensic Files)..Highly trained six person FBI dive team arrived from New York and for nearly a week searched a theoretical target area discovering no evidence. Other crews searched on a grid-by-grid basis. A special firm was summoned and utitlizing a state-of-the art sonar device called REMUS, mapped the entire floor of the bay. The firm identified 260 targets and coordinated a diving effort with six boats and four dive teams from San Mateo Contra Costa, and the US Coast Guard. They spent more than eight days recovering items—items that later proved of no evidentiary value
http://www.injusticeanywhereforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=123&t=2117&sid=5c16cbdd78ea7f6d12b9c2d590f3bc84&start=7000
[–]Wnygirl
ReplyDeleteI just don’t know. I think he probably is guilty but I don’t think the evidence proves it beyond a reasonable doubt.
They (the prosecution) has no concrete evidence that links him to the murder, nor have they provided a clear cut explanation of how/when/where the murder took place.
The most damning (and only) evidence against Peterson is the fact the bodies washed up near where he was fishing that day and the fact he told Amber Frey he “lost” his wife before she disappeared. However the police leaked his alibi to the media and then the media broadcast it to the world. Anybody could have possibly planted the body there to frame him. While I realize this is unlikely, it’s still possible and therefore can’t be discounted. I’d also like to know which bodies of water and other bays connect to the marina he was fishing at and the bay the body washed up on.
One piece of prosecution evidence is strands of hair found twisted in pliers on his boat. It was reported that they found a single strand of hair but when the evidence envelope was opened they discovered two hairs (really?). They couldn’t test it for DNA (other than mitochondrial dna which is accepted as evidence in less than half the states) so the most they can say is it’s similar to or consistent with Laci’s hair. It’s not as if they have the bulb which would indicate that the hair had been forcibly removed (in which case they could test for DNA) so the fact that they found one (or two depending on which version you believe) hair similar to Laci’s in a pair of pliers that were rusted shut despite being found within days of the disappearance cannot be considered strong evidence. It’s possible it’s not Laci’s hair. It’s also possible it got there by being transferred from his clothing or some other means. At first the prosecution contended that Laci had no idea that her husband bought a boat and therefore her hair being present in the boat shows that her body was in fact on the boat at some point. However police ignored information from a warehouse neighbor who stated that the day before Laci disappeared she had used her bathroom because Scott’s was too cluttered with items and the boat to reach his restroom. https://www.google.com/amp/people.com/celebrity/peterson-detective-left-out-key-evidence/amp/
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/5937080/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/t/peterson-caseprosecution-focuses-hair/
CONTINUED...
Another piece of prosecution evidence is the cement. Police found one anchor and an empty 90lb bag of cement. The prosecution alleged that he made 5 anchors and used 4 of them to weigh down her body. SP’s defense claimed he poured the rest over his driveway. The prosecution provided an expert witness to say the cement was different from that in his driveway. However the defense introduced their own expert witness that stated the samples were identical. When the defense lawyer asked the prosecution why they didn’t run more conclusive tests on the concrete that would be able to identify the concrete samples more accurately, the prosecution stated that the concrete may have been contaminated by a near by construction site. This is a death penalty case and unacceptable for any possibly contaminated evidence to be entered into evidence.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nbcnews.com/id/6275436/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/t/peterson-defense-chips-away-prosecution/
Even more telling is the evidence that the prosecution didn’t present. There was no physical evidence (with the exception of the strand of hair) that corresponds with the circumstantial evidence. There is no blood splatter, no transfer DNA, no fluids, no fibers anywhere in his truck, his house, or his boat that indicates he murdered her and/or transported her body. I know some people will say “well if he strangled her there wouldn’t be blood”...but it’s not as easy to commit a murder and not leave some physical evidence behind regardless of how the murder was committed. For instance when someone is strangled to death the body will usually release the bladder. This causes urine to be transferred on the floor, clothing, and any any surface the body comes in contact with from then on. In the cases where the urine is cleaned up from a floor or carpet there is then a much greater concentrated area of cleaner. The police found no evidence of this whatsoever in his truck, boat, or the house. Either the police did a terrible job searching for and collecting evidence or SP did an exceptional job of making sure there was nothing for them to find. Also the prosecution presented no witnesses stating that Scott was abusive to Laci in any way or to any other woman for that matter. Believe me if they had such witnesses they would have had them testify to show a pattern and further attack SP’s character.
CONTINUED...
While common sense tells me that he probably did kill her, open mindedness (as the jury is supposed to have) tells me the State didn’t prove it beyond a reasonable doubt and there’s no way there should have been a conviction in this case. There is an approximately 22 hour window between the last known time Laci was alive and when SP notified her parents she was missing. Factor in the 3 hours of travel time to the Marina and it’s down to 19 hours. In that time he’d have to murder her, clean up and dispose of her body all the while leaving no traces of evidence in his truck, boat, or warehouse (where the boat was allegedly stored) or witnesses to any of the events. Also somebody accessed the home computer the morning of the 24th to briefly shop. His warehouse computer was also accessed a short time later where he answered email(s) and looked up how to build a tool he recently purchased. While he very well could have done all that himself in the time frame mentioned it would be extremely difficult to not leave more damning evidence behind and still have the presence of mind to make it look like Laci used the computer.
ReplyDeleteIf I had to guess how he murdered her I’d say he may have drowned her in the tub (either with or without the use of sleeping pills similar to the ones he had on him when arrested), wrapped her body in a tarp right from the tub, transported her body to his boat in the warehouse during the night, went home and cleaned up, and then picked up his boat (containing her body) the following day and drove it to the marina where he dumped it.... that of course is just speculation but I think it’s far more likely and believable then the prosecutions allegation that he moved and transported her body during the day when there could be any number of witnesses. The fact that this case is so open to speculation reiterates that the prosecution didn’t do its job beyond a reasonable doubt.
https://www.reddit.com/r/TrueCrime/comments/8a4a56/the_murder_of_laci_peterson_on_ae/
Jaroslaw
ReplyDelete8/18/2018 04:48:03 pm
Over 2 dozen witnesses saw Laci or a woman who looked like her later in the day. The police never followed up on any of this. There is so much more and misinformation disseminated by the police and the media. You don't have to take the family's word - info is out there now. These conflicts need to be addressed. you would want as much for yourself.
kristine
3/3/2016 01:51:46 pm
I support Scott. I am a married mother of four wonderful children. so I am not posting this because I have the some strange feelings towards scott. I read all the case notes on this page and I wrote to scott when the trial was going on and he wrote back to me thanking me for supporting him.
I could clearly see that just because you have an affair does not mean that you are a killer or that you killed your wife.
The police like to make up stuff and railroad people by what they think happened to her.
its clear that lacy was a victim. she went out on her walk and was taken by probably that men that stole the safe. Its just sounds like the time frame that those men were in the area is around the time she went missing.
my own family member was accused of a crime he did not do and police do lie.
God in the only one who really knows what happened and sometimes people suffer through no fault of their own.
God will help Scott prevail.
I pray that he will get the Justice he deserves. Freedom and his name cleared.
A Voice of Sanitylink
5/31/2016 07:46:32 pm
Before any of you claim that Scott Peterson had any involvement in the abduction and deaths of his wife and baby to be, go read the habeas petition (it's on this site). First, he must be retried because of extreme juror misconduct. No court can permit what happened in this case to pass without redress. It is a dagger in the heart of justice. This juror will almost certainly go to prison.
Second, read what the best expert on fetal development (Dr Jeanty) had to say. He is the expert used by state's witness Dr Gregory DeVore to make his calculations.
He has positively stated that Conner was alive on Jan 5th which means it is impossible that Scott was involved. As a result, a retrial is impossible.
If you disagree, come up with a scenario where the baby, and hence obviously the mother, are alive on or after Jan 5th. Until you can, Scott Peterson is an innocent man as I have said all along.
Until you do, make no claims of Scott's guilt. They are untrue.
Casey
Delete4/28/2017 09:12:21 pm
First let me say that I have no vested interest in this case, never lived in northern California, and consider myself just a casual observer to this circus. Like others, I'm not certain of his guilt or innocence either, but tend to lean toward innocence only because of lack of hard evidence. The evidence is mostly circumstantial.
I lived in Southern California during the OJ fiasco and this one. I guess what concerns me more than anything else is that the media went to extremes in both cases to draw their own conclusions without all of the facts to garner huge television and print audiences.
No doubt, coverage on this case and similar ones is hugely profitable for media outlets. How could anyone possibly receive a fair trial under these circumstances? It wouldn't matter if the trial was in Modesto or Miami, your juror pool is potentially tainted by the extreme tabloid style media coverage that was endless.
Suddenly, every person on the planet was an expert sleuth who felt qualified to judge a case they really knew nothing about. And having served as a juror myself on a couple of occasions, I know for a fact that people will do or say anything to either eliminate themselves from participation, OR to ensure that they are picked for participation. I find that incredibly disturbing too, because I learned first hand from that experience that if potential jurors are willing to lie under those circumstances, do you really want them to begin with? The attorneys that pick the jurors are just as bad.
I normally wouldn't want tax dollars to be wasted for a retrial, but in this case, I'd say this one deserves a second trial because the media attention was overly sensational, the case lacked any substantial evidence that was more than circumstantial, and too many other possibilities were not fully explored - such as the criminal activity that was taking place across the street during this exact timeline.
Blast me all you want, but you'll likely never convince me that adultery is a prime motivating factor for murder. The financial motives are poorly supported too.
Kim
10/7/2017 05:20:28 pm
Dear commenter names ASS (a more appropriate name I can’t think of)-
If the media was hunting you down night and day in the wake of your wife’s disappearance, simply to gain ratings and fill the gullible minds of those obviously without a life like you and a few others that have commented, I guarantee you that you would disguise yourself as well. It sickens me to think that our society is made up of those that are so quick to accept the word of the police, the news, gossip and dribble without truly seeking the facts. I hope with every fiber of my being that Scott gets what he deserves, and that is a new FAIR trial. He didn’t have anything close to it and I honestly believe that if the police had humbled themselves just a bit and actually LOOKED for Laci following the leads they ignored, she and Conner may be alive today. It seems that’s what everyone, caught in their mob mentality to ‘fry Scott’, forgot. Shame on all of you. You made you judge, jury and executioner? Free Scott Peterson!!
https://www.scottpetersonappeal.org/blog/2015-news#comments
California Supreme Court overturns Scott Peterson’s death penalty sentence
ReplyDeleteAUGUST 24, 2020
The California Supreme Court has rejected Scott Peterson’s claim that he received an unfair trial and affirmed his convictions for the murder of his wife, Laci, and their unborn son, Conner, in a case that brought international notoriety to Modesto.
But the court, in a unanimous opinion published Monday, said that because of errors by the trial judge during jury selection, Peterson’s right to an impartial jury during the trial’s penalty phase was undermined. It was during the penalty phase that jurors decided on death for Peterson.
Prosecutors can retry the penalty phase if they wish to seek a death sentence. If they don’t, then Peterson’s punishment becomes life in prison, according to his attorney.
The Supreme Court agreed with Peterson’s attorney that the trial judge had wrongly excluded potential jurors simply because they stated they were opposed to the death penalty without determining whether they could put their beliefs aside and follow the law.
But the court’s seven justices did not agree that the trial judge’s jury selection errors prevented Peterson from receiving a fair trial in which a jury convicted him of murder in 2004.
In 2017, she appeared in the ABC special Gone Girl. Truth & Lies: The Murder of Laci Peterson, and got very candid about the last time she saw Laci, and what life has been since finding out that her son-in-law was her daughter's killer.
ReplyDelete"You wake up from most nightmares, and they're over. Mine was different," Sharon explained. "I was awake when it started, and I've barely slept since. It was Dec. 24, 2002 -- a date when life as I'd always known it stopped forever."
As you can imagine the holidays have never been the same for Sharon, and she admitted that "if it weren't for the grandkids," she "wouldn't have a Christmas."
Sharon then recounted the last time she ever saw her daughter, and her reaction to finding out that Laci vanished.
"She said the baby was kicking, so I put my hand on her stomach, because I'd never felt him kick," Sharon recalled. "But she leaned over to me, and she said, "˜Mom... Scott doesn't like to do this. She said, "˜I've asked him about, you know -- feel my stomach when the baby kicks, and he never wants to touch my stomach.' That really, really bothered me, and that was the last time I saw her."
The next time Sharon heard from Scott, he had called to let her know that Laci never came home after her "walk." Unbeknownst to her that Scott could be capable of murder, Sharon initially supported him.
"Because in the back of my mind, I kept thinking, "˜What if he didn't have anything to do with this? Laci comes home, how is she going to feel about me if I'm suspecting that her husband had something to do with the disappearance and he didn't?' [SIC]" said Sharon.
She continued, "That's the last person you want to think had anything to do with the disappearance of your daughter "” her husband. The person that was a member of your family, somebody that you loved and cared about, and thought he felt the same way about your daughter. And knowing how she felt about him."
When asked why she thinks Scott killed Laci, Sharon said that it was his "solution" to avoid becoming a father.
Fifteen years later, Scott is still on death row at San Quentin State Prison. To this day, he denies being involved in his wife's murder.
"He denied it. He denied everything. He told me he would never hurt Laci. And I specifically remember that, "˜I would never hurt her.' I said, "˜Well you may not have hurt her, but you killed her,'" Sharon recalled.
Since his incarceration, he has had two appeals and a request for a new trial denied. Last June, during a phone call with his sister-in-law, Janey, he gave his first public statement in more than ten years.
"I wasn't the last one to see Laci that day. There were so many witnesses who saw her walking in the neighborhood after I left," he said, according to TODAY. "The police failed to find my family."
He also confessed that the "had no idea" the double murder conviction was coming, and was "staggered" when the verdict was delivered.
As for Sharon, she penned a book titled "For Laci: A Mother's Story of Love, Loss and Justice," and has been actively advocating for victims' rights. She still struggles to understand why the world became so captivated with her daughters case, but has an interesting theory.
"I believe that Laci wasn't going to allow Scott to get away with murder, so she kept the spotlight shining down on him until he was convicted," Sharon explained.
https://www.shared.com/after-her-daughter-was-murdered-by-her-husband-laci-petersons-mother-opens-up-about-her-loss/
Peterson doing this on Christmas Eve when they are expected at a party that night – it just makes so little sense. But the robbery across the street — that is the place to look, and for some reason nobody did, and evidence of that event seems to have been covered up and/or altered.
ReplyDeletehttp://thetroublewithjustice.com/2015/01/25/scott-peterson-was-not-entitled-to-a-perfect-trial-but-he-was-entitled-to-a-fair-one-he-received-neither/
The timeline doesn’t add up. If you are to believe Scotts lie about the mopping, there’s no way Laci is out of that house before 11am. Martha Stewart is on from 9am to 10am. Laci is mopping the kitchen AND the room with the French doors as Scott leaves around 10:08am. He said in his interview he filled a mop bucket and put it by the front door for her as a central location because she had a lot of places she planned to go in regards to mopping. If the Kitchen and room with 2 chairs were the only place she planned to mop, there wouldn’t be a need for Scott to move the bucket to a central location for her. Who moved that big area rug in front of the French doors? She just slop water all over it? Scott never moved it. She surely didn’t if you’re trying to shove her out the door in time for witnesses to see her. It’s obvious you want to paint a Scotts innocent narrative here and it just doesn’t work. You are confusing your readers with your jumbled times and twisted facts. Her housekeeper mopped those floors less than 24 hours earlier. Laci wasn’t ‘mopping’ and bolting down to the park. She was already dead by then.
ReplyDeleteWho would take the 2 bodies to the Richmond bay? Im gonna venture out and say. PROBABLY NOT SCOTT Since everyone In the world knew he was there. Im ithinking the medina burglers were the ones knew he had the most to lose. Even Steven said he was harassed A LOT. So you can't just put her ANYWHERE you would need to take the spot light off you so certainly taking them bodies to the Richmond bay would sign seal and deliver Scotts Conviction.
ReplyDeleteWho would take the 2 bodies to the Richmond bay? Im gonna venture out and say. PROBABLY NOT SCOTT Since everyone In the world knew he was there. Im ithinking the medina burglers were the ones knew he had the most to lose. Even Steven said he was harassed A LOT. So you can't just put her ANYWHERE you would need to take the spot light off you so certainly taking them bodies to the Richmond bay would sign seal and deliver Scotts Conviction.
ReplyDelete