posted on April 18, 2003 04:02:44 PM new
Scott Peterson has been arrested in the death of his wife Laci Peterson. Live news conference @ 6:00 PM paciffic time
posted on April 18, 2003 07:04:40 PM new
MODESTO, Calif. - Scott Peterson was arrested Friday for investigation of murdering his pregnant wife, who vanished on Christmas Eve, authorities said.
Prosecutors announced the arrest after telling reporters that they had confirmed that the bodies of Laci Peterson and her baby had washed ashore in Northern California this week.
Prosecutors said Peterson was expected to be arraigned early next week and charged with capital murder. They said they would seek a special circumstance of double homicide, which could carry the death penalty upon conviction. However, they hadn't decided whether they would seek the death penalty.
Peterson was arrested in San Diego, where his parents live, and police said they would transport him to Modesto.
His attorney, Kirk McAllister, had refused to disclose his client's whereabouts this week. McAllister did not immediately return a telephone message Friday from The Associated Press.
The badly decomposed bodies of Laci Peterson, 27, and her son were found within a mile of each other early this week, washed up on the rocky shore of San Francisco Bay about three miles from where Scott Peterson said he went fishing the day his wife disappeared.
They were identified Friday evening through a comparison with DNA samples from Scott Peterson and Laci Peterson's parents.
"We're scientifically convinced the match is one in billions," Attorney General Bill Lockyer said.
posted on April 18, 2003 10:54:28 PM new
He definately is a sociopath. CNN reported that while they were doing autopsies on his wife & child, he was playing cat & mouse with the police helicopter on the freeway.
posted on April 19, 2003 09:30:54 AM new
But he still hasn't been convicted. In any murder investigation the spouse is always the primary suspect. The fact that he hasn't acted in a logical manner doesn't make him guilty, just stupid.
posted on April 19, 2003 10:56:40 AM new
Of course blatantly lying to the police..."I didn't have an affair...... oh wait.....you found my mistress? OK.....I did have an affair but Lacy was cool with it." doesn't help.
Bear this guy is either flat out guilty or the most unlucky sociopath in criminal history. Selling her car just a couple weeks after her disappearance. Trying to sell the house.... very few missing persons family members ever sell the home they lived in at the time out of a desperate hope that their loved one will someday return to that familiar place. They certainly don't try to sell it within the first month. I have a feeling we are going to find out about some more evidenciary screw-ups he's made s well. His actions scream arrogance which usually leads to carelessness. This is definately Court TV material.
posted on April 19, 2003 11:27:20 AM newIn any murder investigation the spouse is always the primary suspect.
Of course, you're right bear. The evidence we've heard, plus his actions since her disappearence sure don't look favorable to his case though.
There are many of these cases reported....husband suspected of killing his wife; wife suspected of killing her husband...or of them hiring it done. I always wonder why these people can't just get a divorce rather than taking such drastic actions. Actions that most likely will end with them spending the rest of their lives in jail anyway. And it does appear to me that it ends up being the spouse that did/hired the murder.
The question is not what a man can scorn, or disparage, or find fault with, but what he can love, and value, and appreciate. J. Ruskin
posted on April 19, 2003 11:53:39 AM new
It's just there's no other suspects or evidence that points away from Scott... nothing. He made 4 cement anchors for his new boat. 2 of them are missing. I wonder where they went? I agree he's stupid, but he's also guity as sin.
posted on April 19, 2003 03:22:49 PM new
Maybe - It always amazes me that people can come to such a definate conclusion from news stories.
You don't trust the press to give you the straight stuff on anything else but you are quick to believe them for a crime.
We had a guy here in Michigan 3 - 4 years ago everyone was sure was guilty because he didn'y moan and cry for the press conference. Then they found out out he was innocent. Plenty of people would have been happy top throw the switch and fry him because he was not as publically emotional as they demanded.
posted on April 19, 2003 03:58:44 PM new
Nobody has accused Scott of being guilty except me. I know I probably sound like an old, gossiping bitty and I'm usually not so definate gravid, but imo, this guy is guilty. I knew it with Susan Smith and I know it now. His on camera appearances have little to do with it. People grieve in different ways, so it's not just that, it's everything else and that. I hope I'm wrong.
posted on April 19, 2003 04:16:00 PM new
Gravid I'm basing my opinion on a large number of factors.
He lied to the police and the family about his affair and denied it right up until the woman herself came forward, then suddenly he not only admitted to it, but claimed that Lacy knew.
He has been largely uncooperative with police thru-out the investigation, refused polygraphs, etc.
His underlying actions are those of one following the death of a loved one, not the disappearance. Selling of belongings, leaving the area, etc.
His dispassion and hideous acting were not deciding factors in my decision, they just gave it credence.
posted on April 20, 2003 08:31:59 AM new
Oh give me a break!!!
04/20/03 - Posted 11:52:10 PM from the Daily Record newsroom
Laci Peterson case tied to Roe debate
By Rob Jennings, Daily Record
The head of the National Organization for Women's Morris County chapter is opposing a double-murder charge in the Laci Peterson case, saying it could provide ammunition to the pro-life lobby.
"If this is murder, well, then any time a late-term fetus is aborted, they could call it murder," Morris County NOW President Mavra Stark said on Saturday.
Prosecutors in California announced Friday their intention to charge Scott Peterson, 30, of Modesto, both with killing his wife and their unborn son. Laci Peterson was eight months pregnant when she disappeared Dec. 24.
Both bodies were identified on Friday after washing up on the shore of San Francisco Bay.
More than two dozen states, including California, have adopted "fetal homicide" statutes, and prosecutors often will seek a double-murder charge when a pregnant woman is killed.
Marie Tasy, public and legislative affairs director for New Jersey Right To Life, countered that a double-murder charge against Scott Peterson is appropriate. She assailed pro-choice activists for opposing fetal homicide statutes.
"Obviously he was wanted by the mother," Tasy said.
"Clearly groups like NOW are doing a great injustice to women by opposing these laws. It just shows you how extreme, and to what lengths, these groups will go to protect the right to abortion."
Fetal homicide laws have been opposed by some pro-choice organizations that fear they will undermine a woman's right to choose an abortion, even though the statues exempt legal abortions.
After watching news reports of Peterson's arrest, Stark expressed concern with the tone of the coverage.
"There's something about this that bothers me a little bit," Stark said. "Was it born, or was it unborn? If it was unborn, then I can't see charging (Peterson) with a double-murder."
Some pro-lifers hope fetal homicide laws will establish a precedent that fetuses are human beings, thereby fueling efforts to reverse the U.S. Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion.
Laci Peterson's due date was Feb. 10, and she already had picked out a name -- Connor -- for her unborn son. Stark said that added to the tragedy of the case, but shouldn't result in an additional murder charge.
"He was wanted and expected, and (Laci Peterson) had a name for him, but if he wasn't born, he wasn't born. It sets a kind of precedent," Stark said, adding that the issue was "just something I've been ruminating on."
There is no fetal homicide statute in New Jersey, considered one of the nation's most pro-choice states. Under California law, murder charges can result if the fetus is older than seven weeks.
To convict Peterson of murdering his unborn son, prosecutors would have to prove either that he intended to kill the fetus or knew that it would die as a result of Laci Peterson's death.
"The argument that (fetal homicide statutes) would interfere with abortion rights is ridiculous," Tasy said. "These groups are so radical that they would deny recourse to a family for the loss of a wanted child."
The second murder charge against Peterson is crucial because he otherwise would not be eligible for the death penalty. The double-murder charge qualifies as a "special circumstance" for which capital punishment may be sought.
Prosecutors have not said whether they will seek the death penalty against Peterson, who will be arraigned on Monday. He is being held in the Stanislaus County Jail.
Stark said that despite her opposition to the double-murder charge, she is not sympathetic to Scott Peterson. "I'd like to see them string him up," Stark said, "any way they can."
"Be kind. Remember everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." - Harry Thompson
"I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it." - A Few Good Men
posted on April 20, 2003 09:03:11 AM new
I do have to say that I find Californias Fetal Homicde classification to be flat out dangerous. Most states which have fetal homicide statutes require viability and specify an age which varies but generally falls in the third trimester. Californias statute states any fetus over 8 weeks which could be used to as a tool to prosecute abortion providers under murder charges.
That said - I think this is absolutely the wrong case to try to tie to abortion issues. A 8 month old murdered fetus should not be turned into a torch bearer for either side of the arguement. He should simply be remembered, mourned and laid to rest.
What I don't understand is why bring this up now and with the case. This statue has existed in this form since 1994 and this is hardly the first time someone has been charged in the death of a fetus during the murder of a mother.
posted on April 20, 2003 11:52:26 AM new
This is a bit of a read, but check out the story written on the Laci Peterson website. Sheds a whole lot more light on her husband. Especially how he kept changing his story about the affair.
posted on April 20, 2003 02:02:29 PM new
Regarding Californias law, it does give the age requirement but it also does have a stipulation that legalized abortion can not be pursued under this law. It is just a publicity stunt by NOW.
As for Scott, someone should send him a copy of the Guns N' Roses song I used to love her. It seems to fit him perfectly now
posted on April 20, 2003 06:49:55 PM new
Good evening forum, Scott Peterson parent's interview may shed some light on his behavior and character. They are accusing the Modesto police of missing leads, bungling the investigation; even hinting they planted the bodies near the fishing area.
posted on April 21, 2003 10:20:48 AM new
I can accept his reason for changing his appearance. People just kept recognizing him and he wanted to be left alone.
However, I suspect his prior trips to Mexico were scouting expeditions for eventual run across the border.
Was it rumor or did the police really find searches on his computer about tides and currents in the bay on his computer?
posted on April 21, 2003 10:56:52 AM new
He was a suspect in another female's disappearnce years ago. I'll bet if he murdered his wife, they may find him to be the explanation for other missing women in CA.
posted on April 21, 2003 12:11:10 PM new
Helen, they're reporting that Laci was killed at home either on the 23rd or the 24th. They must have luminol evidence or more because they reported earlier that they felt she died violently. I'll never forget her smile.
- Harry Thompson