Courtroom T.V. - Scott Peterson
CJS/251
February 14, 2016

Courtroom T.V. - Scott Peterson
We chose to discuss the topic of the infamous Scott Peterson murder trial. In the next few paragraphs you will get a well rounded view of the case from start to finish. It is not chalked full of immense detail, but it is a good summary, to give an idea of the case for anyone who may not know or remember much of the case.
Scott Peterson was arrested in La Jolla, CA on April 18, 2003 by the California Department of Justice/Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement Task Force. He was arrested in the parking lot of Torrey Pines Golf Course, where he said he was meeting up with his father to play golf. He was in possession of several items not meant for golf. Peterson bleached his goatee and hair, but claimed it was from chlorine from his friends pool; later is his fried testified that Peterson had never swam or made use of his hot tub.
Before Peterson's arraignment, he had been represented by Kirk McAllister, a veteran criminal defense attorney from Modesto, CA. He told Judge Nancy Ashley at the arraignment that he could not afford a private attorney. So, Chief Deputy Public Defender Kent Faulkner was assigned to the case, and then later, Peterson changed his mind stating, “He could afford a private attorney.” That attorney’s name was, Mark Geragos, who was experienced in high profile defense cases.
The People of the state of California v. Scott Peterson began in June 2004. Peterson's defense lawyers argued that there was not enough direct evidence that Peterson was guilty, and the evidence was all circumstantial. The defense suggested Laci was kidnapped and held hostage until she gave birth to their son. Then both the bodies were dumped in the bay. Medical experts disagreed with that scenario. Medical experts thought the baby died the same time as Laci. Geragos also suggested maybe Laci was kidnapped by a satanic cult. Geragos also said, “Peterson was guilty of cheating on his wife, but not killing her.”
On November 12, the jury finally came back, convicting Peterson of 1st Degree murder for killing his wife Laci, and 2nd degree murder for his unborn child Conner. The penalty phase of the trial began November 30. December 13th, 2004 the 12 person jury returned with a verdict of death.
Members of the jury stated later, that they thought Peterson showed a lack of emotion. His relationship with Frey indicated he was guilty. They also found numerous inconsistencies in his stories, and felt he betrayed his responsibility in protecting his wife, and unborn child.
On March 16, 2005, Judge Alfred A. Delucchi sentenced Scott Peterson to death by lethal injection. The following day, Peterson arrived in San Quentin State Prison. His case was an automatic appeal to the Supreme Court of California in San Francisco. Peterson's attorney thought he did not have a fair trial.
On July 6, 2012, Peterson's attorney filed a 423 page appeal of his sentence, citing a jury affected by hostile publicity, a flimsy case, and unreliable dog-sniffing evidence. The State Attorney General's Office filed their brief on January 26, 2015. The defense argued the dog failed two-thirds of tests with similar situations. In November, 2015, the defense filed a habeas corpus petition claiming a juror lied on her jury application, and that neighbors saw Laci alive after Scott left their home.
This pretty sums up the Peterson case. He was charged and convicted with 2 counts of murder, 1st degree and 2nd degree. There was evidence enough (even though most think it to be circumstantial) to put a big doubt in the minds of the jury as far as Peterson’s innocence was concerned. The jury not only found him guilty of one murder, but both. Death row is where he would go. He was scandalous and suspicious throughout the whole process. Peterson was a habitual liar and a cheater. In fact he probably couldn’t remember when he told the truth or lie because he lied so often. He was not a good husband or father in the moment he chose to kill and definitely not as he was cheating on his pregnant wife.
This was a long and sad case to watch and/or hear the details of. It is by far one of the most heart wrenching ones as well. There have been many over the years, but this one for some reason really gripped me hard at the heart.

References http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/15/us/scott-peterson-trial-fast-facts/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Peterson
http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=90578