Scott Peterson: Difference between revisions
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{{Plagiarism|Another article copied from Wikipedia.}}[[File:Sdut-peterson2011-20160824.jpg|thumb|362x362px|Mugshot 2010]] | |||
[[File: | '''Scott Lee Peterson''' (born October 24, 1972) is an American man who is on death row for murdering his pregnant wife Laci and their unborn son after he had an affair with another woman. | ||
Peterson's arrest and subsequent trial received significant American news media coverage until 2005, when he was [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_punishment sentenced to death] by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lethal_injection lethal injection]. He remains on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_row death row] in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Quentin_State_Prison San Quentin State Prison] while his case is on appeal to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Court_of_California Supreme Court of California]. He maintains his innocence. | Peterson's arrest and subsequent trial received significant American news media coverage until 2005, when he was [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_punishment sentenced to death] by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lethal_injection lethal injection]. He remains on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_row death row] in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Quentin_State_Prison San Quentin State Prison] while his case is on appeal to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Court_of_California Supreme Court of California]. He maintains his innocence. | ||
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Frey told the police that two weeks before Laci's disappearance, Peterson had implied to her that he was a widower by saying that he had "lost his wife."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-9">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Peterson#cite_note-9 [9]]</sup> During the trial, the audio recordings of Peterson and Frey's telephone conversations were played, and the transcripts were publicized. Their contents proved to be both revealing and, ultimately, damning to Peterson's character. For example, they revealed that in the days after Laci went missing, Peterson claimed to Amber that he had traveled to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris Paris] to celebrate the holidays, in part with his new companions Pasqual and François. In reality, Peterson made one of these phone calls while attending the New Year's Eve candlelight vigil in Modesto for his missing wife.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-10">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Peterson#cite_note-10 [10]]</sup> | Frey told the police that two weeks before Laci's disappearance, Peterson had implied to her that he was a widower by saying that he had "lost his wife."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-9">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Peterson#cite_note-9 [9]]</sup> During the trial, the audio recordings of Peterson and Frey's telephone conversations were played, and the transcripts were publicized. Their contents proved to be both revealing and, ultimately, damning to Peterson's character. For example, they revealed that in the days after Laci went missing, Peterson claimed to Amber that he had traveled to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris Paris] to celebrate the holidays, in part with his new companions Pasqual and François. In reality, Peterson made one of these phone calls while attending the New Year's Eve candlelight vigil in Modesto for his missing wife.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-10">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Peterson#cite_note-10 [10]]</sup> | ||
===Recovery of body=== | ===Recovery of body=== | ||
On April 14, 2003, the remains of a fetus washed ashore from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_Bay San Francisco Bay] in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richmond,_California Richmond's] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_Isabel_Regional_Shoreline Point Isabel Regional Shoreline],<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ptisabel_11-0">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Peterson#cite_note-ptisabel-11 [11]]</sup> north of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berkeley_Marina Berkeley Marina], where Peterson had been boating the day of Laci's disappearance. The next day, a partial female torso missing its hands, feet, and head washed ashore in the same area. The body was identified as Laci Peterson, the fetus as Laci's unborn child. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autopsy Autopsies] were performed, but due to decomposition the exact cause of death could not be determined. The medical examiner did note that Laci had suffered some broken ribs (the 5th, 6th, and 9th ribs) prior to her death; these injuries were not caused by the body's dragging along the rocks in the bay. Prosecutors theorized that Laci may have been suffocated or strangled in the couple's home.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-12">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Peterson#cite_note-12 [12]]</sup> The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Bureau_of_Investigation FBI] and Modesto Police Department performed forensic searches of the couple's home, Peterson's truck, the tool box in the back of his truck, his warehouse, and his boat. | On April 14, 2003, the remains of a fetus washed ashore from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_Bay San Francisco Bay] in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richmond,_California Richmond's] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_Isabel_Regional_Shoreline Point Isabel Regional Shoreline],<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ptisabel_11-0">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Peterson#cite_note-ptisabel-11 [11]]</sup> north of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berkeley_Marina Berkeley Marina], where Peterson had been boating the day of Laci's disappearance. The next day, a partial female torso missing its hands, feet, and head washed ashore in the same area. The body was identified as Laci Peterson, the fetus as Laci's unborn child. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autopsy Autopsies] were performed, but due to decomposition the exact cause of death could not be determined. The medical examiner did note that Laci had suffered some broken ribs (the 5th, 6th, and 9th ribs) prior to her death; these injuries were not caused by the body's dragging along the rocks in the bay. Prosecutors theorized that Laci may have been suffocated or strangled in the couple's home.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-12">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Peterson#cite_note-12 [12]]</sup> The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Bureau_of_Investigation FBI] and Modesto Police Department performed forensic searches of the couple's home, Peterson's truck, the tool box in the back of his truck, his warehouse, and his boat. | ||
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Peterson changed his appearance and purchased a vehicle using his mother's name in order to avoid recognition by the press. He added two [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pornographic pornographic] television channels to his cable service only days after his wife's disappearance;<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-27">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Peterson#cite_note-27 [27]]</sup> the prosecution suggested that this meant Peterson knew his wife would not be returning home. He expressed interest in selling the house he had shared with his wife,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-28">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Peterson#cite_note-28 [28]]</sup> and he sold Laci's [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_Rover Land Rover].<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-29">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Peterson#cite_note-29 [29]]</sup> | Peterson changed his appearance and purchased a vehicle using his mother's name in order to avoid recognition by the press. He added two [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pornographic pornographic] television channels to his cable service only days after his wife's disappearance;<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-27">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Peterson#cite_note-27 [27]]</sup> the prosecution suggested that this meant Peterson knew his wife would not be returning home. He expressed interest in selling the house he had shared with his wife,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-28">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Peterson#cite_note-28 [28]]</sup> and he sold Laci's [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_Rover Land Rover].<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-29">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Peterson#cite_note-29 [29]]</sup> | ||
Testimony for the prosecution included Rick Cheng, a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrology hydrologist] with the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Geological_Survey United States Geological Survey], and an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expert_witness expert witness] on tides, particularly of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_Bay San Francisco Bay]. Cheng admitted during his cross-examination that his findings were "probable, not precise"; | Testimony for the prosecution included Rick Cheng, a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrology hydrologist] with the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Geological_Survey United States Geological Survey], and an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expert_witness expert witness] on tides, particularly of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_Bay San Francisco Bay]. Cheng admitted during his cross-examination that his findings were "probable, not precise"; tidal systems are sufficiently chaotic, and he was unable to develop an exact [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_modelling model] of the bodies' disposal and travel. The prosecution explored an affair by the defendant with Amber Frey, and the contents of their taped telephone calls. | ||
The defense suggested a prostitute accused of stealing checks from Peterson's mailbox may have murdered Laci, but Modesto police Detective Mike Hermosa did not indicate that the prostitute was ever a suspect in Laci Peterson's disappearance. Prosecutor Dave Harris noted that the checks were stolen after Laci vanished, meaning the woman was not involved in her disappearance. | The defense suggested a prostitute accused of stealing checks from Peterson's mailbox may have murdered Laci, but Modesto police Detective Mike Hermosa did not indicate that the prostitute was ever a suspect in Laci Peterson's disappearance. Prosecutor Dave Harris noted that the checks were stolen after Laci vanished, meaning the woman was not involved in her disappearance. | ||
Geragos seemed quite confident that Dr. Charles March could single-handedly [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exoneration exonerate] Peterson by showing that the fetus Laci carried died a week after prosecutors claimed. Under cross-examination, March admitted basing his findings on an anecdote from one of Laci's friends that she had taken a home pregnancy test on June 9, 2002. "Prosecutors pointed out that no medical records relied on the June 9 date and March became flustered and confused on the stand – and even asked a prosecutor to cut him 'some slack' – undermining his credibility." | Geragos seemed quite confident that Dr. Charles March could single-handedly [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exoneration exonerate] Peterson by showing that the fetus Laci carried died a week after prosecutors claimed. Under cross-examination, March admitted basing his findings on an anecdote from one of Laci's friends that she had taken a home pregnancy test on June 9, 2002. "Prosecutors pointed out that no medical records relied on the June 9 date and March became flustered and confused on the stand – and even asked a prosecutor to cut him 'some slack' – undermining his credibility."Summing up this key defense witness, Stan Goldman, a criminal law professor at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loyola_Law_School Loyola Law School] in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles Los Angeles] said, "There were moments today that reminded me of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chernobyl_disaster Chernobyl]." According to one newspaper account about Dr. March's testimony, "But by the end of his testimony Thursday, legal analysts and jurors closed their notebooks, rolled their eyes, and snickered when they thought no one was looking." | ||
===Motives=== | ===Motives=== | ||
The prosecution presented Scott Peterson's affair with Amber Frey and money as a motive for the murder. Prosecutors surmised that Peterson killed his pregnant wife due to increasing debt and a desire to be single again. | The prosecution presented Scott Peterson's affair with Amber Frey and money as a motive for the murder. Prosecutors surmised that Peterson killed his pregnant wife due to increasing debt and a desire to be single again. | ||
===Sentencing=== | ===Sentencing=== | ||
On March 16, 2005, Judge [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Delucchi Alfred A. Delucchi] formally [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sentence_%28law%29 sentenced] Scott Peterson to death, calling the murder of his wife "cruel, uncaring, heartless, and callous". | On March 16, 2005, Judge [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Delucchi Alfred A. Delucchi] formally [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sentence_%28law%29 sentenced] Scott Peterson to death, calling the murder of his wife "cruel, uncaring, heartless, and callous". The prescribed method of execution was [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lethal_injection lethal injection]. He also denied the defense's request (which was based on evidence of juror misconduct and media influence) for a new trial and ordered Peterson to pay $10,000 toward the cost of Laci Peterson's funeral. | ||
In the early morning hours of Wednesday, March 17, 2005, Peterson arrived at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Quentin_State_Prison San Quentin State Prison]. Peterson was reported not to have slept the night before, being too "jazzed" to sleep, calling some to question his state of mind.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-38">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Peterson#cite_note-38 [38]]</sup> <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-39">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Peterson#cite_note-39 [39]]</sup><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-40">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Peterson#cite_note-40 [40]]</sup> Peterson joined other inmates in California's sole [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_row death row] facility while his case is on automatic appeal to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Court_of_California Supreme Court of California] in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco,_California San Francisco]. ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Geographic_Channel National Geographic]'' made a documentary on San Quentin prison, with Scott Peterson's admission to the prison covered in its Part Two.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-41">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Peterson#cite_note-41 [41]]</sup> | In the early morning hours of Wednesday, March 17, 2005, Peterson arrived at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Quentin_State_Prison San Quentin State Prison]. Peterson was reported not to have slept the night before, being too "jazzed" to sleep, calling some to question his state of mind.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-38">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Peterson#cite_note-38 [38]]</sup> <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-39">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Peterson#cite_note-39 [39]]</sup><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-40">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Peterson#cite_note-40 [40]]</sup> Peterson joined other inmates in California's sole [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_row death row] facility while his case is on automatic appeal to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Court_of_California Supreme Court of California] in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco,_California San Francisco]. ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Geographic_Channel National Geographic]'' made a documentary on San Quentin prison, with Scott Peterson's admission to the prison covered in its Part Two.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-41">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Peterson#cite_note-41 [41]]</sup> | ||
On July 6, 2012, Peterson's lawyer, Cliff Gardner, filed a 423-page appeal of his sentence. | On July 6, 2012, Peterson's lawyer, Cliff Gardner, filed a 423-page appeal of his sentence. | ||