November 25, 2025 • 37 mins
Reid Carter concludes the Scott Peterson case. April 13, 2003—baby Conner's body washed ashore at Point Isabel, one mile from where Scott went fishing. April 14—Laci's body found nearby. Scott arrested April 18 near San Diego with blonde hair, $15,000 cash, survival gear. November 2004 trial—six months, no physical evidence, all circumstantial. Jury convicted him: first-degree murder for Laci, second-degree for Conner. March 2005—death penalty. August 2020—California Supreme Court overturned death sentence but upheld conviction. December 2021—re-sentenced to life without parole. January 2024—LA Innocence Project took his case, claims new evidence proves innocence.
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Join our new FB groups page here. Take the poll!
Join the Celebrity Trials community on social media! We're building a passionate group of true crime enthusiasts who love diving deep into the most shocking cases in America.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram by searching "Celebrity Trials Podcast" on either platform.
You'll get exclusive behind-the-scenes content, breaking news updates on cases we're covering, and early alerts when new episodes drop. Our social media is where Reid Carter's hottest takes live, including reactions that don't make it into the show.
But more importantly, it's where YOU come in. Share your theories, debate the verdicts, and connect with fellow listeners who are just as obsessed with justice as you are. Did the jury get it right? What questions do you still have? Your comments and insights often shape future episodes.
We cover the trials that matter, but our community makes the conversation unforgettable. Come for Reid's signature cynical commentary, stay for the incredible discussions with thousands of true crime fans who get it.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Callerogus Shark Media. Good morning, I'm Red Carter. Tuesday, November
twenty sixth, twenty twenty five. Yesterday we covered the disappearance
of Lacy Peterson on Christmas Eve two thousand and two,
eight months pregnant, vanished from her Modesto home. Husband Scott
(00:26):
claimed he went fishing ninety miles away at Berkeley Marina.
Came home to empty house. But Scott had secrets an
affair with Amber. Frey told her he was single, never
been married. Told her December ninth, two weeks before Lacey disappeared,
that he was a widower, that his wife was dead,
that this would be his first Christmas without her. December thirtieth,
(00:47):
Amber saw news coverage, realized Scott lied. Called Modesto police
started recording their conversations for three months. Scott lied on
those recorded calls. Told Amber he would in Paris celebrating
New Year's Eve. He was at Lacey's candlelight vigil in Modesto,
told her he was in Brussels. He was organizing search efforts.
(01:08):
Twenty nine hours of recorded lies while his pregnant wife
was missing. January twenty fourth, two thousand and three, Amber
held a press conference revealed the affair. America turned on Scott.
Public opinion shifted completely. He was guilty. Everyone knew it.
March two thousand and three, case reclassified as homicide investigation.
(01:31):
Lacey was dead, Scott was the prime suspect, but still
no body, no physical evidence, no crime scene, no witnesses.
Prosecutors believed they could convict him anyway. Circumstantial cases had
succeeded before. They just needed the bodies, needed proof Lacy
(01:52):
and Connor were dead. April thirteenth, two thousand and three,
they got it. A couple walking their dog Point Isabel
Regional Shoreline in Richmond, California found something on the beach,
a fetus, male decomposed, no identification, but authorities had suspicions.
The location was one mile from where Scott Peterson said
(02:14):
he went fishing on December twenty fourth. The next day,
April fourteenth, a second body washed ashore, adult female, severely decomposed,
missing limbs, missing head, no identification. DNA testing confirmed the
fetus was Connor Peterson. The adult female was Lacy Peterson.
(02:36):
Both bodies found exactly where Scott said he was fishing
Christmas Eve, the same Berkeley Marina area. The same stretch
of San Francisco Bay. Coincidence or the smoking gun prosecutors needed.
April eighteenth, two thousand and three, San Diego, near the
Mexican border, police spotted Scott Peterson's truck at a golf
(02:57):
course parking lot, pulled him over. Found Scott with blonde
hair dyed from brown goady bleached, carrying fifteen thousand dollars cash,
four cell phones, his brother's ID camping equipment, water purification tablets, viagra.
Mapped to his parents' house in Salona Beach. Scott claimed
he was golfing, but prosecutors saw something else, a man
(03:21):
preparing to flee to Mexico. Scott Peterson was arrested, charged
with two counts of murder, first degree murder of Lacy Peterson,
second degree murder of Connor Peterson. I'm reed, Carter. This
is Celebrity Trials today, Part two of Scott and Lacy Peterson,
the bodies, the arrest, the six month trial that captivated America,
(03:43):
the death penalty verdict, and twenty two years later, why
the La Innocence Project believes the wrong man is in prison.
This is Celebrity Trials. April thirteenth, two thousand and three,
Sunday morning, Point Isabel Regional Shoreline, Richmond, California, north shore
(04:05):
of San Francisco Bay. Couple walking their dog along the
beach saw something in the debris, thought it was a
doll at first, got closer, realized not a doll, a fetus.
They called police. East Bay Regional Park Police responded, recovered
the remains male fetus, full term or near full term,
(04:25):
umbilical cord attached body wrapped in plastic sheeting with nylon tape.
The location immediately raised suspicions. Point Isabel was approximately one
mile from the Berkeley Marina boat launch where Scott Peterson
claimed he launched his fourteen foot aluminum boat on December
twenty fourth, same stretch of San Francisco Bay. Authorities sent
(04:46):
the remains to the Contra Costa County Coroner's Office. DNA
testing required no immediate identification, but the timing, location, description
everything pointed to Connor Peterson. Tril fourteenth, Monday, one day
after Connor's body was found. Another discovery a second body
washed ashore about two miles north of where the fetus
(05:09):
was found near Brooks Island. Adult female severely decomposed four
months in the water. The body was missing its head, hands,
and left leg. Torso was intact, right arm and right
leg attached clothing mostly disintegrated, concrete like material attached to
one leg, potentially cement anchor residue duct tape on the torso.
(05:34):
Fetus no longer present. Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department recovered
the remains, the size, location, timing almost certainly Lacy Peterson,
but confirmation required DNA. April fifteenth, Modesto Police Chief Roy
Wosden held press conference announced remains believed to be Lacy
(05:55):
and Connor had been recovered. DNA testing underway results within days.
Investigation now focused on Scott Peterson as sole suspect. Sharon Racha,
Lacey's mother, released statement through police. If these are the
bodies of Lacy and Connor, we can now lay them
to rest and begin the grieving process. We asked for
(06:16):
privacy during this difficult time. Scott Peterson's attorney, Kirk McAllister,
claimed Scott was devastated by the news, said Scott hoped
the bodies weren't Lacy and Connor, maintained his innocence, said
he had nothing to do with their deaths. But prosecutors
had been building their case for months. The affair, the lies,
(06:37):
the behavior, the financial motive, the concrete anchors Scott made
in his workshop weeks before Lacey disappeared, the boat he
bought in December, the searches on his computer for San
Francisco Bay currents and tides, all circumstantial but compelling. April seventeenth,
DNA results confirmed the fetus was Connor Peterson. The adult
(06:59):
female was Lacy Peterson. Both bodies found within two miles
of the Berkeley Marina boat launch, where Scott said he
went fishing. December twenty fourth, two thousand and two. Stanislaus
County District Attorney James Brazlton filed charges two counts of
murder first degree murder with special circumstances for Lacey, premeditated
intentional killing, second degree murder for Connor unlawful killing of
(07:23):
a fetus. Special circumstances made Scott eligible for the death
penalty under California law if convicted, prosecutors would seek execution.
Scott was scheduled to surrender April twenty first, but on
April eighteenth, San Diego police spotted his Mercedes SUV at
the Torrey Pines golf Course parking lot near La Joya,
(07:43):
about twenty miles from the Mexican border, near Scott's parents' house.
Officers approached, Scott was sitting in the vehicle alone. He
looked different. His brown hair was dyed, blonde, goateee, bleached,
wearing khaki pants and white shirt. But it was definitely
Scott p. Peterson. Officers detained him. Searched the vehicle, found
(08:04):
fifteen thousand dollars in cash, four cell phones, multiple credit cards,
his brother's ID, camping gear, rope, water purification tablets, knives, tape,
map to his father's house, Viagra receipts showing Scott had
been at a store buying camping supplies earlier that day.
Scott claimed he was just golfing, that's why he was
(08:25):
at Torry Pines, But prosecutors saw a man about to flee, hair, dyed, cash,
fake ID camping gear, twenty miles from Mexico. This wasn't golfing,
This was preparation for escape. Scott was arrested no bond,
held at San Diego County Jail, Extradited to Stanislaus County
(08:46):
within days. Held at the county jail, in Modesto, charged
with capital murder death penalty case. His defense attorneys immediately
claimed the evidence was circumstantial. No physical evidence linking Scott
the murders, no crime scene, no witnesses, no confession, no
murder weapon, no proof of how Lacey died, no proof
(09:07):
Scott killed her. All prosecutors had was location. Bodies found
where Scott went fishing. But San Francisco Bay is massive,
hundreds of square miles boats launched from Berkeley Marina constantly.
Just because Scott was there December twenty fourth doesn't prove
he dumped bodies there. Defense argued that someone else killed Lacey,
(09:28):
that the real killer dumped her body in the bay
to frame Scott. That Scott was an easy target because
of the affair, the lies, the suspicious behavior, but he
didn't kill anyone. Prosecutors countered Scott lied about everything, told
Amber his wife was dead two weeks before she disappeared,
bought a boat in December, his first boat ever, right
(09:50):
before his pregnant wife vanished, made cement anchors in his warehouse,
searched online for Berkeley Marina and San Francisco Bay tides.
Told the police he went fishing Christmas eve the same
area where bodies washed ashore. Four months later, and when
bodies were finally found, Scott dyed his hair and headed
toward Mexico with cash and camping gear. Not the behavior
(10:13):
of an innocent man. Preliminary hearing scheduled for October two
thousand and three. Trial date set for two thousand and four.
Scott pleaded not guilty to both charges. The case that
captivated America was heading to trial. The question could prosecutors
convict Scott Peterson of murder without direct physical evidence, without
(10:35):
a crime scene, without a murder weapon, without a single
witness who saw Scott harm lacy. Circumstantial cases are always risky.
Juries want smoking, guns, want DNA, want video, want confession.
This case had none of that, but it had something else,
a pattern of lies, a motive, a timeline, and two
(10:56):
bodies that washed ashore exactly where the suspect said he
was fishing. Sometimes circumstantial evidence is enough, the jury would decide.
June first, two thousand and four, trial began. Not in modesto.
(11:18):
Change of venue granted too much pre trial publicity In
Stanislaus County. Surveys showed over ninety percent of potential jurors
believed Scott was guilty, fair trial impossible there venue moved
to San Mateo County, Redwood City, about one hundred miles
north of Modesto, still Bay area, still saturated with publicity,
(11:39):
but marginally better than Modesto. Judge Alfred de Luki presiding
Alameda County judge assigned to the case. District Attorney James
Brazlton prosecuting with Deputy d A. Rick Destasso and DA
investigator Steve Jacobson. Defense team led by Mark Garagos, high
profile Los Angeles attorney with Pat Harris and Matt Dalton.
(12:02):
Jury selection took months. Hundreds of potential jurors questioned, most
had heard of the case, most had opinions, but they
found twelve eight men, four women, plus six alternates. The
trial lasted six months, Testimony from over one hundred eighty witnesses,
hundreds of exhibits, media circus outside the courthouse, daily Nancy
(12:25):
Grace covering it obsessively, Court TV broadcasting portions America riveted.
Opening statements laid out completely different narratives. Prosecution. Scott Peterson
murdered his wife on or around December twenty fourth, two
thousand and two. Loaded her body, waited with cement anchors
into his boat, drove to Berkeley Marina, launched his boat
(12:47):
into San Francisco Bay, dumped Lacey's body in the water,
returned home, cleaned up, called Sharon at five seventeen PM,
asking if Lacey was there, reported her missing at five
forty seven peas all part of his plan motive. Scott
wanted to be single, wanted to be with Amber Frey,
wanted the bachelor lifestyle without the burden of a pregnant wife.
(13:10):
Life insurance on Lacey worth two hundred and fifty thousand dollars,
financial pressure, affair, unwanted pregnancy. He didn't want to be
a father, told multiple people he dreaded fatherhood, told a
friend he hoped for infertility when discussing having children. Prosecution
didn't have a crime scene, didn't know exactly how Lacey died,
(13:30):
No physical evidence of murder in the house, no blood,
no signs of struggle. But they had the bodies, they
had the location, they had the lies, they had the
behavior defense. Scott Peterson is innocent. Someone else killed Lacey.
Burglary occurred across the street from the Peterson home on
(13:51):
December twenty sixth, two days after Lacey disappeared. Defense argued
burglars broke in December twenty fourth, encountered Lassie, kidnapp or
killed her, dumped her body to cover their crimes. Defense
pointed to witnesses who claimed they saw Lacey walking Mackenzie
in the neighborhood after Scott left for his fishing trip.
If true, Lacey was alive when Scott was already gone,
(14:14):
couldn't have killed her if he was ninety miles away.
Defense emphasized the lack of physical evidence. No crime scene
in the house, no blood, no body fluids, no signs
of violence. If Scott killed Lacey in that house, where's
the evidence. If he transported her body in his truck
or boat, where's the trace evidence nothing. Defense argued the
(14:38):
affair was irrelevant. Men cheat doesn't make them murderers. Scott
made terrible decisions, lied to his girlfriend, lied to police
about the affair, But lying about infidelity doesn't equal murdering
your wife. The trial became a battle of circumstantial evidence
versus reasonable doubt. Prosecution called Amber Fray early star witness.
(14:58):
She testified for eight days. Played excerpts from the twenty
nine hours of recorded calls. Jury heard Scott's lies, directly
heard him tell Amber he was in Paris for New
Year's Eve when he was at Lacey's vigil, heard him
say he was traveling Europe when he was in Modesto
coordinating search efforts. Amber was credible, sympathetic, came across as
(15:20):
an innocent victim manipulated by Scott. She didn't know he
was married, cooperated with police immediately upon learning, agreed to
record every conversation, did her civic duty. Sharon Roache testified
Lacey's mother, emotional described Lacey's excitement about the baby. Showed
the jury photos of Lacey's nursery, the crib, the decorations,
(15:43):
Lacey's plans for Connor made Lacey reel, made her human,
not just a victim in a trial, a daughter who
was loved. Prosecution presented Scott's behavior after Lacey disappeared, the
affair continuing, Scott calling Amber while searching for Lacey, Scott
not crying at press conferences, Scott selling Lacey's car two
(16:04):
weeks after she vanished, Scott not cooperating fully with police,
refusing polygraph, changing his story multiple times about what he did.
December twenty fourth, Prosecution showed the concrete anchors Scott made
in his warehouse in December. Showed the boat he bought
mid December, first boat he'd ever owned. Showed his computer
searches for Berkeley Marina, San Francisco Bay currents, water depth charts,
(16:28):
showed the life insurance policy on Lacey. All circumstantial. All
could be explained separately, but together pattern. Defense called witnesses
who claimed they saw Lacey alive after Scott left, walking
Mackenzie wearing the clothes Sharon Roacha said she was wearing
after ten thirty am, after Scott allegedly left for fishing.
(16:49):
If true, devastating to prosecution, Scott couldn't have killed Lacey
if she was alive after he left reasonable doubt, But
prosecution cross examined these witnesses brutally timeline inconsistencies, description inconsistencies,
most based on vague memories months after the fact, not concrete,
not reliable. Defense called experts on San Francisco Bay currents
(17:14):
and tides. Argued the body's location didn't prove Scott dumped
them there. Argued ocean currents could have carried bodies from
elsewhere to Point Isabel, that dumping a body at Berkeley
Marina wouldn't necessarily result in it washing ashore at Point Isabel.
Months later, prosecution countered with their own oceanography experts showed
computer models of where a body dumped at Berkeley Marina
(17:36):
in late December would likely surface by April Point Isabel area,
exactly where Lacey and Connor were found. The physical evidence
was minimal, but compelling. Concrete material found on Lacey's legs
similar to cement Scott used for his anchors, though not
conclusive match. Duct tape on Lacey's torso similar to duct
(17:57):
tape in Scott's warehouse and boat, though not conclusive match.
Single strand of Lacey's hair found in pliers on Scott's
boat suggested Lacey had been on that boat. Scott claimed
Lacey had never been on the boat. If true, how
did her hair get there? Defense argued contamination, cross contamination
(18:18):
during evidence collection, crime scene handling issues not reliable. Scott
Peterson never testified fifth amendment, didn't have to, but jury's
notice jurors want to hear the defendant's story, want to
judge credibility. Scott stayed silent his demeanor throughout the trial calm, emotionless,
(18:41):
no tears, no outbursts, no visible distress, smiled, occasionally, chatted
with his attorneys, appeared confident, unbothered. Jurors noticed. After trial,
multiple jurors cited Scott's demeanor as a factor in their verdict.
His lack of emotion, his indifference not definitive proof of guilt,
(19:03):
but unsettling. Closing arguments. Prosecution Scott Peterson planned to murder
his wife, made concrete anchors, bought a boat, researched the bay.
On Christmas Eve, he killed Lacey, loaded her body in
his truck, drove to Berkeley Marina, dumped her weighted body
in the water, went home and reported her missing. Hours later.
(19:25):
He told his girlfriend his wife was dead before she
actually disappeared. Bodies found where he was fishing. He dyed
his hair and fled toward Mexico when bodies were discovered.
He is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt defense. No physical
evidence of murder, no crime scene, no witnesses, no cause
of death. Bodies were too decomposed to determine how Lacey died.
(19:50):
Prosecution can't prove Scott killed Lacey because they can't prove
how anyone killed Lacey burglars across the street. Witnesses saw
Lacey alive after Scott left. Reasonable doubt exists. You cannot
convict based on suspicious behavior and circumstantial evidence. November three,
two thousand and four, jury began deliberations seven days fifty
(20:14):
six hours of deliberations over seven calendar days. November tenth,
drama Jurer number five, Justin Falconer, was dismissed by Judge
Deluky for misconduct. Allegedly had been conducting his own investigation
discussing case with outsiders. Replaced with alternate juror Richelle Nice,
(20:35):
later nicknamed Strawberry Shortcake by media because of her hair color.
Deliberations restarted with new juror another twenty two hours November twelfth,
two thousand and four, Friday. After eighty hours total deliberation,
the jury sent a note to Judge de Luky they
had reached verdicts on both counts. Courtroom packed, media frenzy, outside,
(20:59):
crowd's gas, Lacey's family on one side, Scott's family on
the other. The clerk read the verdict. Count one, first
degree murder of Lacy Denise Peterson. How do you find
the defendant? We the Jury in the above entitled cause
find the defendant, Scott Lee Peterson guilty of the crime
of murder of Lacy Denise Peterson in violation of Penal
(21:22):
Code Section one hundred eighty seven a a felony as
charged in Count one of the information. And further find
the degree of the murder to be that of the
first degree guilty first degree murder, premeditated intentional special circumstances,
Count two, second degree murder of Connor Peterson. We the
(21:43):
jury in the above entitled cause find the defendant, Scott
Lee Peterson guilty of the crime of murder of baby
Connor Peterson guilty, second degree murder. The courtroom erupted. Lacey's
family sobbed. Sharon Roacha collapsed into Ron Grantinsky's arms. Brent
roach A, Lacey's brother, cried openly. Scott Peterson showed no
(22:05):
visible emotion, stared straight ahead, blinked, no tears, no reaction.
Outside crowds cheered, hundreds of people who'd followed the case
for two years, celebrating the verdict. Justice for Lacey, Justice
for Connor. Scott's family sat stonefaced. His mother Jackie wept quietly.
(22:26):
His father Lee stared at the floor. The penalty phase
would begin in two weeks. The same jury would decide
life without parole or death penalty. Scott Peterson had been
convicted of murdering his pregnant wife and unborn son. Now
twelve jurors would decide if he should die for it.
(22:47):
We'll be right back with the penalty phase, the death sentence,
and twenty years later, why Scott Peterson's death penalty was overturned,
and why the la Innocence Project believes he's innocent. November thirtieth,
(23:10):
two thousand and four, penalty phase began. Prosecution presented victim
impact statements. Sharon Roacha took the stand sobbed through her testimony.
Described Lacey as a loving daughter, described the pain of
losing her described never meeting her grandson Connor, described the
whole in her family that would never be filled. Lacey
(23:32):
was the light of my life, Sharon said. She brought
joy to everyone she met, and Scott took that away.
He took my daughter, he took my grandson, He destroyed
our family. Brent Roacha, Lacey's brother, testified, described growing up
with Lacey, her dreams, her plans, her excitement about being
(23:52):
a mother, Scott took everything from us. He took Lacey,
he took Connor, he took our future. He deserves death.
Other family members testified, friends testified, painting a picture of
Lacey's life, what she meant to people, what was lost
when Scott killed her. Defense presented mitigation evidence. Called Scott's
(24:14):
family his mother, his father, his siblings, described Scott as
a good son, a loving brother. Argued he didn't deserve death.
Argued life without parole was sufficient punishment. Defense called friends
who described Scott as nonviolent, as someone who made a
terrible mistake but wasn't a monster. Argued the death penalty
(24:37):
was too extreme. December thirteenth, two thousand and four, jury
reached decision on penalty unanimous death. Judge Deluky scheduled formal
sentencing for March two thousand and five. March sixteenth, two
thousand and five, sentencing day, Scott was brought into court
in chains, orange jumpsuit, shackled, surrounded by guards. Sharon Roacha
(25:02):
addressed the court. Lacey loved Scott, She trusted him, and
he betrayed that trust in the most horrific way possible.
He deserves death. Lacey's friends addressed the court described the
pain of losing her, described the brutality of what Scott did,
asked the judge to impose the maximum sentence. Scott's family
(25:27):
pleaded for mercy. His mother begged the judge not to
sentence her son to death. Please don't take my son
from me, but Scott Scott said nothing, exercised his right
to remain silent, offered no apology, no explanation, no remorse.
Judge de Luky followed the jury's recommendation, sentenced Scott to
(25:49):
death by lethal injection, ordered him to pay ten thousand
dollars towards Lacey's funeral costs. Deluki described the murder as cruel, uncaring, artless,
and callous. Scott was transferred to San Quentin State Prison,
California's only death row for men. Would spend twenty three
hours a day in a cell, one hour for exercise,
(26:12):
waiting for appeals, waiting for execution, but California hasn't executed
anyone since two thousand and six. Death row inmates spend
decades appealing. Many die of natural causes before execution. Scott's
death sentence was essentially life imprisonment, with extra legal procedures.
His appellate attorney Cliff Gardner immediately filed appeals. Argued multiple
(26:34):
errors during trial, jury selection issues, pre trial publicity, juror misconduct,
insufficient evidence, claimed Scott didn't receive a fair trial. Years passed,
appeals moved slowly through the system. August twenty fourth, twenty
twenty sixteen, years after conviction, California Supreme Court issued ruling
(26:56):
upheld Scott's murder convictions. Rejected claims that pre trial publicity
denied him a fair trial, rejected claims that evidence was insufficient,
found Scott was fairly convicted of murdering Lacy and Connor,
but and this is important, overturned his death sentence. The
court found that Judge de Luki made clear and significant
(27:18):
errors in jury selection during the penalty phase. Specifically, de
Luki dismissed prospective jurors who expressed opposition to the death
penalty without determining if they could set aside their personal
views and follow the law. Supreme Court precedent since nineteen
sixty eight says you cannot dismiss jurors merely for opposing
the death penalty. You can only dismiss them if their
(27:40):
views prevent them from following the law Deluki didn't make
that determination, just dismissed anyone who said they opposed capital punishment.
Result death penalty reversed, murder conviction upheld. Stanislaus County prosecutors
had two options, retry the penalty phase and seek death again,
(28:01):
or accept life without parole. June twenty twenty one, prosecutors
announced they wouldn't retry the penalty phase too expensive, two
time consuming, Lacy's family had been through enough they'd accept
life without parole. December eighth, twenty twenty one, Scott was
formally resentenced life in prison without possibility of parole, removed
(28:24):
from death row, transferred to general population at Mule Creek
State Prison. But the appeals weren't over. Scott's defense team
filed new motion arguing juror misconduct, specifically juror Richelle Nice
Strawberry Shortcake. During jury selection, Nice filled out a questionnaire.
One question, have you ever been involved in a lawsuit?
(28:46):
Nice answered no? Another question, have you ever been a
victim of a crime? Nice answered no, But defense investigators
discovered Nice had been involved in two domestic violence incidents
years before the trial, had restraining orders filed had been
allegedly threatened by her boyfriend's ex girlfriend while pregnant. None
of this disclosed during jury selection. Defense argued Nice lied
(29:11):
to get on the jury, that she was biased against
Scott because of her own experiences, that she wanted to
convict him because she identified with Lacey. December twenty twenty two,
Judge Ann Christine Massulo held evidentiary hearing, heard testimony from Nice,
heard arguments from both sides. Judge ruled Nice didn't lie intentionally,
(29:35):
She misunderstood the questions, thought the questions referred to recent events,
not events from years ago, thought her experiences weren't relevant.
No evidence of intentional bias. Motion for new trial denied.
Scott remained in prison life without parole. Appeals exhausted at
state level, could still appeal in federal court, but unlikely
(29:57):
to succeed then. Janu Ruary twenty twenty four, new development,
the Los Angeles Innocence Project took Scott's case. Major shift.
The Innocence Project takes cases only when they believe there's
credible evidence of actual innocence, not just legal technicalities, not
just trial errors, actual innocence. The Innocence Project filed court
(30:20):
papers claiming new evidence supports Scott's innocence requested access to
evidence from original trial claimed prosecutors withheld exculpatory evidence claimed
new scientific analysis proved Scott couldn't have dumped Lacey's body
where prosecutors said. October seventh, twenty twenty four, judge granted
Innocence Project's request for post conviction discovery, allowed them to
(30:43):
review evidence held by authorities, allowed new DNA testing, allowed
examination of previously undisclosed materials. April twenty second, twenty twenty five,
four months ago, the Innocence Project filed a nearly four
hundred page petition in California Court of Appeals argued Scott
is actually innocent, claimed new scientific evidence undermines prosecution's entire case.
(31:08):
Key claims. One new forensic analysis shows Connor died later
than December twenty fourth, two thousand and two. Fetus was
more developed than prosecutors claimed at trial. If Connor died
after December twenty fourth, Scott couldn't have killed him. On
December twenty fourth, someone else killed Lacy and Connor after
(31:29):
Scott was already under surveillance. New expert analysis of San
Francisco Bay currents proves Lacey's body couldn't have washed ashore
at Point Isabel if dumped where prosecutors said in December
two thousand and two, ocean currents wouldn't have carried the
body there. Suggests body was dumped elsewhere or at a
different time, by someone else. Three new evidence about the
(31:54):
burglary across the street. Defense always argued Burglars encountered Lacey
d December twenty fourth new witnesses, new evidence linking Burglars
to Lacey's disappearance. Four burned van found in Modesto around
time of Lacey's disappearance. New evidence suggests connection to her murder.
Van never fully investigated by police. The Innocence Project argues
(32:19):
every aspect of the prosecution's theory as to how the
crimes in this case were committed has now been shown
to be false. Mister Peterson is actually innocent. Scott submitted
a one hundred and twenty six page declaration, first time
he's publicly detailed his version of events. Maintains he didn't
kill Lacey, didn't kill Connor once the real killer found
(32:43):
Once his name cleared June TEWOD twenty twenty five, five
months ago, California Court of Appeals denied. The Innocence Project's
petition found the new evidence insufficient to overturn the conviction,
found the scientific analysis unconvincing, found the claims about the
burglary and burned van speculative. Scott remains in prison. The
(33:05):
Innocence Project continues fighting can appeal to California Supreme Court,
can file in federal court. The battle continues. So here's
where we are in November twenty twenty five. Scott Peterson
was convicted in two thousand and four of first degree
murder of Lacy and second degree murder of Connor. Sentenced
to death in two thousand and five. Death sentence overturned
(33:29):
in twenty twenty due to jury selection errors. Resentance to
life without parole in twenty twenty one. The La Innocence
Project took his case in twenty twenty four, claiming new
evidence proves his innocence. Courts have so far rejected those claims.
Scott sits in Mule Creek State Prison, fifty two years old,
(33:49):
now will die there unless appeals succeed, maintains his innocence.
His family supports him. His sister in law, Janie Peterson,
runs a website dedicated to proving his innocence, argues the
evidence doesn't support guilt, argues Scott was railroaded by media
coverage and public opinion, but Lacey's family believes justice was served.
(34:12):
Sharon Roache has never wavered. Scott killed her daughter. Scott
killed her grandson. The jury got it right, the conviction
should stand. America remains divided. Some believe Scott is guilty
beyond doubt. Some believe he was wrongly convicted. The Innocence
Project's involvement has reignited debate if they believe he's innocent
(34:33):
an organization with credible track record of exonerations. Maybe there's
something to it, or maybe Scott Peterson is exactly what
he appears to be. A man who murdered his pregnant
wife to avoid the responsibilities of fatherhood. A man who
lied repeatedly, a man whose bodies were found exactly where
he said he was fishing. A man who dyed his
(34:54):
hair and fled toward Mexico when those bodies were discovered.
Make it make sense? That's Part two of Scott and
Lacy Peterson. April thirteenth, two thousand and three. Connor's body
washed ashore at point Isabelle, one mile from Berkeley Marina,
where Scott went fishing April fourteenth. Lacey's body found nearby.
(35:17):
April eighteenth, Scott arrested near Mexico with dyed blonde hair,
fifteen thousand dollars cash camping gear. November twelfth, two thousand
and four. Jury convicted him first degree murder for Lacey,
second degree murder for Connor. March sixteenth, two thousand and five.
Sentenced to death. August twenty twenty. California Supreme Court overturned
(35:42):
death penalty, but upheld conviction December twenty twenty one. Resentance
to life without parole. January twenty twenty four, LA Innocence
Project took his case. Claims new evidence proves innocence. June
twenty twenty five. Appeal Court rejected new evidence claims. November
(36:02):
twenty twenty five. Scott remains in prison, claims he's innocent.
Lacey's family believes he's guilty. Twenty three years since Lacey disappeared,
twenty one years since Scott was convicted, the debate continues.
Lacy Denise Peterson was twenty seven years old, substitute teacher,
loved cooking, decorating, hosting parties, eight months pregnant with her
(36:26):
first child. She and Scott married December ninth, nineteen ninety seven.
Five years later, he told another woman she was dead
two weeks before she actually disappeared. Lacey should be fifty
years old today. Should have raised Connor. Should have watched
him grow up. Should have celebrated his graduations, his milestones,
(36:47):
his life. Should be a grandmother by now, should be
living the life she planned. Connor Peterson would be twenty
three years old today. Should have been born February tenth,
thousand and three. Should have graduated college by now, should
be starting his career, should be falling in love. Should
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be alive. Rest in peace, Lacy and Connor. Someone has
to say your names. I'm reed, Carter. Tomorrow we continue
the Holiday Special with the next Notorious American Trial. This
is Celebrity Trials.
Callerogus Shark Media. Good morning, I'm Red Carter. Tuesday, November
twenty sixth, twenty twenty five. Yesterday we covered the disappearance
of Lacy Peterson on Christmas Eve two thousand and two,
eight months pregnant, vanished from her Modesto home. Husband Scott
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claimed he went fishing ninety miles away at Berkeley Marina.
Came home to empty house. But Scott had secrets an
affair with Amber. Frey told her he was single, never
been married. Told her December ninth, two weeks before Lacey disappeared,
that he was a widower, that his wife was dead,
that this would be his first Christmas without her. December thirtieth,
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Amber saw news coverage, realized Scott lied. Called Modesto police
started recording their conversations for three months. Scott lied on
those recorded calls. Told Amber he would in Paris celebrating
New Year's Eve. He was at Lacey's candlelight vigil in Modesto,
told her he was in Brussels. He was organizing search efforts.
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Twenty nine hours of recorded lies while his pregnant wife
was missing. January twenty fourth, two thousand and three, Amber
held a press conference revealed the affair. America turned on Scott.
Public opinion shifted completely. He was guilty. Everyone knew it.
March two thousand and three, case reclassified as homicide investigation.
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Lacey was dead, Scott was the prime suspect, but still
no body, no physical evidence, no crime scene, no witnesses.
Prosecutors believed they could convict him anyway. Circumstantial cases had
succeeded before. They just needed the bodies, needed proof Lacy
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and Connor were dead. April thirteenth, two thousand and three,
they got it. A couple walking their dog Point Isabel
Regional Shoreline in Richmond, California found something on the beach,
a fetus, male decomposed, no identification, but authorities had suspicions.
The location was one mile from where Scott Peterson said
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he went fishing on December twenty fourth. The next day,
April fourteenth, a second body washed ashore, adult female, severely decomposed,
missing limbs, missing head, no identification. DNA testing confirmed the
fetus was Connor Peterson. The adult female was Lacy Peterson.
(02:36):
Both bodies found exactly where Scott said he was fishing
Christmas Eve, the same Berkeley Marina area. The same stretch
of San Francisco Bay. Coincidence or the smoking gun prosecutors needed.
April eighteenth, two thousand and three, San Diego, near the
Mexican border, police spotted Scott Peterson's truck at a golf
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course parking lot, pulled him over. Found Scott with blonde
hair dyed from brown goady bleached, carrying fifteen thousand dollars cash,
four cell phones, his brother's ID camping equipment, water purification tablets, viagra.
Mapped to his parents' house in Salona Beach. Scott claimed
he was golfing, but prosecutors saw something else, a man
(03:21):
preparing to flee to Mexico. Scott Peterson was arrested, charged
with two counts of murder, first degree murder of Lacy Peterson,
second degree murder of Connor Peterson. I'm reed, Carter. This
is Celebrity Trials today, Part two of Scott and Lacy Peterson,
the bodies, the arrest, the six month trial that captivated America,
(03:43):
the death penalty verdict, and twenty two years later, why
the La Innocence Project believes the wrong man is in prison.
This is Celebrity Trials. April thirteenth, two thousand and three,
Sunday morning, Point Isabel Regional Shoreline, Richmond, California, north shore
(04:05):
of San Francisco Bay. Couple walking their dog along the
beach saw something in the debris, thought it was a
doll at first, got closer, realized not a doll, a fetus.
They called police. East Bay Regional Park Police responded, recovered
the remains male fetus, full term or near full term,
(04:25):
umbilical cord attached body wrapped in plastic sheeting with nylon tape.
The location immediately raised suspicions. Point Isabel was approximately one
mile from the Berkeley Marina boat launch where Scott Peterson
claimed he launched his fourteen foot aluminum boat on December
twenty fourth, same stretch of San Francisco Bay. Authorities sent
(04:46):
the remains to the Contra Costa County Coroner's Office. DNA
testing required no immediate identification, but the timing, location, description
everything pointed to Connor Peterson. Tril fourteenth, Monday, one day
after Connor's body was found. Another discovery a second body
washed ashore about two miles north of where the fetus
(05:09):
was found near Brooks Island. Adult female severely decomposed four
months in the water. The body was missing its head, hands,
and left leg. Torso was intact, right arm and right
leg attached clothing mostly disintegrated, concrete like material attached to
one leg, potentially cement anchor residue duct tape on the torso.
(05:34):
Fetus no longer present. Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department recovered
the remains, the size, location, timing almost certainly Lacy Peterson,
but confirmation required DNA. April fifteenth, Modesto Police Chief Roy
Wosden held press conference announced remains believed to be Lacy
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and Connor had been recovered. DNA testing underway results within days.
Investigation now focused on Scott Peterson as sole suspect. Sharon Racha,
Lacey's mother, released statement through police. If these are the
bodies of Lacy and Connor, we can now lay them
to rest and begin the grieving process. We asked for
(06:16):
privacy during this difficult time. Scott Peterson's attorney, Kirk McAllister,
claimed Scott was devastated by the news, said Scott hoped
the bodies weren't Lacy and Connor, maintained his innocence, said
he had nothing to do with their deaths. But prosecutors
had been building their case for months. The affair, the lies,
(06:37):
the behavior, the financial motive, the concrete anchors Scott made
in his workshop weeks before Lacey disappeared, the boat he
bought in December, the searches on his computer for San
Francisco Bay currents and tides, all circumstantial but compelling. April seventeenth,
DNA results confirmed the fetus was Connor Peterson. The adult
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female was Lacy Peterson. Both bodies found within two miles
of the Berkeley Marina boat launch, where Scott said he
went fishing. December twenty fourth, two thousand and two. Stanislaus
County District Attorney James Brazlton filed charges two counts of
murder first degree murder with special circumstances for Lacey, premeditated
intentional killing, second degree murder for Connor unlawful killing of
(07:23):
a fetus. Special circumstances made Scott eligible for the death
penalty under California law if convicted, prosecutors would seek execution.
Scott was scheduled to surrender April twenty first, but on
April eighteenth, San Diego police spotted his Mercedes SUV at
the Torrey Pines golf Course parking lot near La Joya,
(07:43):
about twenty miles from the Mexican border, near Scott's parents' house.
Officers approached, Scott was sitting in the vehicle alone. He
looked different. His brown hair was dyed, blonde, goateee, bleached,
wearing khaki pants and white shirt. But it was definitely
Scott p. Peterson. Officers detained him. Searched the vehicle, found
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fifteen thousand dollars in cash, four cell phones, multiple credit cards,
his brother's ID, camping gear, rope, water purification tablets, knives, tape,
map to his father's house, Viagra receipts showing Scott had
been at a store buying camping supplies earlier that day.
Scott claimed he was just golfing, that's why he was
(08:25):
at Torry Pines, But prosecutors saw a man about to flee, hair, dyed, cash,
fake ID camping gear, twenty miles from Mexico. This wasn't golfing,
This was preparation for escape. Scott was arrested no bond,
held at San Diego County Jail, Extradited to Stanislaus County
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within days. Held at the county jail, in Modesto, charged
with capital murder death penalty case. His defense attorneys immediately
claimed the evidence was circumstantial. No physical evidence linking Scott
the murders, no crime scene, no witnesses, no confession, no
murder weapon, no proof of how Lacey died, no proof
(09:07):
Scott killed her. All prosecutors had was location. Bodies found
where Scott went fishing. But San Francisco Bay is massive,
hundreds of square miles boats launched from Berkeley Marina constantly.
Just because Scott was there December twenty fourth doesn't prove
he dumped bodies there. Defense argued that someone else killed Lacey,
(09:28):
that the real killer dumped her body in the bay
to frame Scott. That Scott was an easy target because
of the affair, the lies, the suspicious behavior, but he
didn't kill anyone. Prosecutors countered Scott lied about everything, told
Amber his wife was dead two weeks before she disappeared,
bought a boat in December, his first boat ever, right
(09:50):
before his pregnant wife vanished, made cement anchors in his warehouse,
searched online for Berkeley Marina and San Francisco Bay tides.
Told the police he went fishing Christmas eve the same
area where bodies washed ashore. Four months later, and when
bodies were finally found, Scott dyed his hair and headed
toward Mexico with cash and camping gear. Not the behavior
(10:13):
of an innocent man. Preliminary hearing scheduled for October two
thousand and three. Trial date set for two thousand and four.
Scott pleaded not guilty to both charges. The case that
captivated America was heading to trial. The question could prosecutors
convict Scott Peterson of murder without direct physical evidence, without
(10:35):
a crime scene, without a murder weapon, without a single
witness who saw Scott harm lacy. Circumstantial cases are always risky.
Juries want smoking, guns, want DNA, want video, want confession.
This case had none of that, but it had something else,
a pattern of lies, a motive, a timeline, and two
(10:56):
bodies that washed ashore exactly where the suspect said he
was fishing. Sometimes circumstantial evidence is enough, the jury would decide.
June first, two thousand and four, trial began. Not in modesto.
(11:18):
Change of venue granted too much pre trial publicity In
Stanislaus County. Surveys showed over ninety percent of potential jurors
believed Scott was guilty, fair trial impossible there venue moved
to San Mateo County, Redwood City, about one hundred miles
north of Modesto, still Bay area, still saturated with publicity,
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but marginally better than Modesto. Judge Alfred de Luki presiding
Alameda County judge assigned to the case. District Attorney James
Brazlton prosecuting with Deputy d A. Rick Destasso and DA
investigator Steve Jacobson. Defense team led by Mark Garagos, high
profile Los Angeles attorney with Pat Harris and Matt Dalton.
(12:02):
Jury selection took months. Hundreds of potential jurors questioned, most
had heard of the case, most had opinions, but they
found twelve eight men, four women, plus six alternates. The
trial lasted six months, Testimony from over one hundred eighty witnesses,
hundreds of exhibits, media circus outside the courthouse, daily Nancy
(12:25):
Grace covering it obsessively, Court TV broadcasting portions America riveted.
Opening statements laid out completely different narratives. Prosecution. Scott Peterson
murdered his wife on or around December twenty fourth, two
thousand and two. Loaded her body, waited with cement anchors
into his boat, drove to Berkeley Marina, launched his boat
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into San Francisco Bay, dumped Lacey's body in the water,
returned home, cleaned up, called Sharon at five seventeen PM,
asking if Lacey was there, reported her missing at five
forty seven peas all part of his plan motive. Scott
wanted to be single, wanted to be with Amber Frey,
wanted the bachelor lifestyle without the burden of a pregnant wife.
(13:10):
Life insurance on Lacey worth two hundred and fifty thousand dollars,
financial pressure, affair, unwanted pregnancy. He didn't want to be
a father, told multiple people he dreaded fatherhood, told a
friend he hoped for infertility when discussing having children. Prosecution
didn't have a crime scene, didn't know exactly how Lacey died,
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No physical evidence of murder in the house, no blood,
no signs of struggle. But they had the bodies, they
had the location, they had the lies, they had the
behavior defense. Scott Peterson is innocent. Someone else killed Lacey.
Burglary occurred across the street from the Peterson home on
(13:51):
December twenty sixth, two days after Lacey disappeared. Defense argued
burglars broke in December twenty fourth, encountered Lassie, kidnapp or
killed her, dumped her body to cover their crimes. Defense
pointed to witnesses who claimed they saw Lacey walking Mackenzie
in the neighborhood after Scott left for his fishing trip.
If true, Lacey was alive when Scott was already gone,
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couldn't have killed her if he was ninety miles away.
Defense emphasized the lack of physical evidence. No crime scene
in the house, no blood, no body fluids, no signs
of violence. If Scott killed Lacey in that house, where's
the evidence. If he transported her body in his truck
or boat, where's the trace evidence nothing. Defense argued the
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affair was irrelevant. Men cheat doesn't make them murderers. Scott
made terrible decisions, lied to his girlfriend, lied to police
about the affair, But lying about infidelity doesn't equal murdering
your wife. The trial became a battle of circumstantial evidence
versus reasonable doubt. Prosecution called Amber Fray early star witness.
(14:58):
She testified for eight days. Played excerpts from the twenty
nine hours of recorded calls. Jury heard Scott's lies, directly
heard him tell Amber he was in Paris for New
Year's Eve when he was at Lacey's vigil, heard him
say he was traveling Europe when he was in Modesto
coordinating search efforts. Amber was credible, sympathetic, came across as
(15:20):
an innocent victim manipulated by Scott. She didn't know he
was married, cooperated with police immediately upon learning, agreed to
record every conversation, did her civic duty. Sharon Roache testified
Lacey's mother, emotional described Lacey's excitement about the baby. Showed
the jury photos of Lacey's nursery, the crib, the decorations,
(15:43):
Lacey's plans for Connor made Lacey reel, made her human,
not just a victim in a trial, a daughter who
was loved. Prosecution presented Scott's behavior after Lacey disappeared, the
affair continuing, Scott calling Amber while searching for Lacey, Scott
not crying at press conferences, Scott selling Lacey's car two
(16:04):
weeks after she vanished, Scott not cooperating fully with police,
refusing polygraph, changing his story multiple times about what he did.
December twenty fourth, Prosecution showed the concrete anchors Scott made
in his warehouse in December. Showed the boat he bought
mid December, first boat he'd ever owned. Showed his computer
searches for Berkeley Marina, San Francisco Bay currents, water depth charts,
(16:28):
showed the life insurance policy on Lacey. All circumstantial. All
could be explained separately, but together pattern. Defense called witnesses
who claimed they saw Lacey alive after Scott left, walking
Mackenzie wearing the clothes Sharon Roacha said she was wearing
after ten thirty am, after Scott allegedly left for fishing.
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If true, devastating to prosecution, Scott couldn't have killed Lacey
if she was alive after he left reasonable doubt, But
prosecution cross examined these witnesses brutally timeline inconsistencies, description inconsistencies,
most based on vague memories months after the fact, not concrete,
not reliable. Defense called experts on San Francisco Bay currents
(17:14):
and tides. Argued the body's location didn't prove Scott dumped
them there. Argued ocean currents could have carried bodies from
elsewhere to Point Isabel, that dumping a body at Berkeley
Marina wouldn't necessarily result in it washing ashore at Point Isabel.
Months later, prosecution countered with their own oceanography experts showed
computer models of where a body dumped at Berkeley Marina
(17:36):
in late December would likely surface by April Point Isabel area,
exactly where Lacey and Connor were found. The physical evidence
was minimal, but compelling. Concrete material found on Lacey's legs
similar to cement Scott used for his anchors, though not
conclusive match. Duct tape on Lacey's torso similar to duct
(17:57):
tape in Scott's warehouse and boat, though not conclusive match.
Single strand of Lacey's hair found in pliers on Scott's
boat suggested Lacey had been on that boat. Scott claimed
Lacey had never been on the boat. If true, how
did her hair get there? Defense argued contamination, cross contamination
(18:18):
during evidence collection, crime scene handling issues not reliable. Scott
Peterson never testified fifth amendment, didn't have to, but jury's
notice jurors want to hear the defendant's story, want to
judge credibility. Scott stayed silent his demeanor throughout the trial calm, emotionless,
(18:41):
no tears, no outbursts, no visible distress, smiled, occasionally, chatted
with his attorneys, appeared confident, unbothered. Jurors noticed. After trial,
multiple jurors cited Scott's demeanor as a factor in their verdict.
His lack of emotion, his indifference not definitive proof of guilt,
(19:03):
but unsettling. Closing arguments. Prosecution Scott Peterson planned to murder
his wife, made concrete anchors, bought a boat, researched the bay.
On Christmas Eve, he killed Lacey, loaded her body in
his truck, drove to Berkeley Marina, dumped her weighted body
in the water, went home and reported her missing. Hours later.
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He told his girlfriend his wife was dead before she
actually disappeared. Bodies found where he was fishing. He dyed
his hair and fled toward Mexico when bodies were discovered.
He is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt defense. No physical
evidence of murder, no crime scene, no witnesses, no cause
of death. Bodies were too decomposed to determine how Lacey died.
(19:50):
Prosecution can't prove Scott killed Lacey because they can't prove
how anyone killed Lacey burglars across the street. Witnesses saw
Lacey alive after Scott left. Reasonable doubt exists. You cannot
convict based on suspicious behavior and circumstantial evidence. November three,
two thousand and four, jury began deliberations seven days fifty
(20:14):
six hours of deliberations over seven calendar days. November tenth,
drama Jurer number five, Justin Falconer, was dismissed by Judge
Deluky for misconduct. Allegedly had been conducting his own investigation
discussing case with outsiders. Replaced with alternate juror Richelle Nice,
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later nicknamed Strawberry Shortcake by media because of her hair color.
Deliberations restarted with new juror another twenty two hours November twelfth,
two thousand and four, Friday. After eighty hours total deliberation,
the jury sent a note to Judge de Luky they
had reached verdicts on both counts. Courtroom packed, media frenzy, outside,
(20:59):
crowd's gas, Lacey's family on one side, Scott's family on
the other. The clerk read the verdict. Count one, first
degree murder of Lacy Denise Peterson. How do you find
the defendant? We the Jury in the above entitled cause
find the defendant, Scott Lee Peterson guilty of the crime
of murder of Lacy Denise Peterson in violation of Penal
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Code Section one hundred eighty seven a a felony as
charged in Count one of the information. And further find
the degree of the murder to be that of the
first degree guilty first degree murder, premeditated intentional special circumstances,
Count two, second degree murder of Connor Peterson. We the
(21:43):
jury in the above entitled cause find the defendant, Scott
Lee Peterson guilty of the crime of murder of baby
Connor Peterson guilty, second degree murder. The courtroom erupted. Lacey's
family sobbed. Sharon Roacha collapsed into Ron Grantinsky's arms. Brent
roach A, Lacey's brother, cried openly. Scott Peterson showed no
(22:05):
visible emotion, stared straight ahead, blinked, no tears, no reaction.
Outside crowds cheered, hundreds of people who'd followed the case
for two years, celebrating the verdict. Justice for Lacey, Justice
for Connor. Scott's family sat stonefaced. His mother Jackie wept quietly.
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His father Lee stared at the floor. The penalty phase
would begin in two weeks. The same jury would decide
life without parole or death penalty. Scott Peterson had been
convicted of murdering his pregnant wife and unborn son. Now
twelve jurors would decide if he should die for it.
(22:47):
We'll be right back with the penalty phase, the death sentence,
and twenty years later, why Scott Peterson's death penalty was overturned,
and why the la Innocence Project believes he's innocent. November thirtieth,
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two thousand and four, penalty phase began. Prosecution presented victim
impact statements. Sharon Roacha took the stand sobbed through her testimony.
Described Lacey as a loving daughter, described the pain of
losing her described never meeting her grandson Connor, described the
whole in her family that would never be filled. Lacey
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was the light of my life, Sharon said. She brought
joy to everyone she met, and Scott took that away.
He took my daughter, he took my grandson, He destroyed
our family. Brent Roacha, Lacey's brother, testified, described growing up
with Lacey, her dreams, her plans, her excitement about being
(23:52):
a mother, Scott took everything from us. He took Lacey,
he took Connor, he took our future. He deserves death.
Other family members testified, friends testified, painting a picture of
Lacey's life, what she meant to people, what was lost
when Scott killed her. Defense presented mitigation evidence. Called Scott's
(24:14):
family his mother, his father, his siblings, described Scott as
a good son, a loving brother. Argued he didn't deserve death.
Argued life without parole was sufficient punishment. Defense called friends
who described Scott as nonviolent, as someone who made a
terrible mistake but wasn't a monster. Argued the death penalty
(24:37):
was too extreme. December thirteenth, two thousand and four, jury
reached decision on penalty unanimous death. Judge Deluky scheduled formal
sentencing for March two thousand and five. March sixteenth, two
thousand and five, sentencing day, Scott was brought into court
in chains, orange jumpsuit, shackled, surrounded by guards. Sharon Roacha
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addressed the court. Lacey loved Scott, She trusted him, and
he betrayed that trust in the most horrific way possible.
He deserves death. Lacey's friends addressed the court described the
pain of losing her, described the brutality of what Scott did,
asked the judge to impose the maximum sentence. Scott's family
(25:27):
pleaded for mercy. His mother begged the judge not to
sentence her son to death. Please don't take my son
from me, but Scott Scott said nothing, exercised his right
to remain silent, offered no apology, no explanation, no remorse.
Judge de Luky followed the jury's recommendation, sentenced Scott to
(25:49):
death by lethal injection, ordered him to pay ten thousand
dollars towards Lacey's funeral costs. Deluki described the murder as cruel, uncaring, artless,
and callous. Scott was transferred to San Quentin State Prison,
California's only death row for men. Would spend twenty three
hours a day in a cell, one hour for exercise,
(26:12):
waiting for appeals, waiting for execution, but California hasn't executed
anyone since two thousand and six. Death row inmates spend
decades appealing. Many die of natural causes before execution. Scott's
death sentence was essentially life imprisonment, with extra legal procedures.
His appellate attorney Cliff Gardner immediately filed appeals. Argued multiple
(26:34):
errors during trial, jury selection issues, pre trial publicity, juror misconduct,
insufficient evidence, claimed Scott didn't receive a fair trial. Years passed,
appeals moved slowly through the system. August twenty fourth, twenty
twenty sixteen, years after conviction, California Supreme Court issued ruling
(26:56):
upheld Scott's murder convictions. Rejected claims that pre trial publicity
denied him a fair trial, rejected claims that evidence was insufficient,
found Scott was fairly convicted of murdering Lacy and Connor,
but and this is important, overturned his death sentence. The
court found that Judge de Luki made clear and significant
(27:18):
errors in jury selection during the penalty phase. Specifically, de
Luki dismissed prospective jurors who expressed opposition to the death
penalty without determining if they could set aside their personal
views and follow the law. Supreme Court precedent since nineteen
sixty eight says you cannot dismiss jurors merely for opposing
the death penalty. You can only dismiss them if their
(27:40):
views prevent them from following the law Deluki didn't make
that determination, just dismissed anyone who said they opposed capital punishment.
Result death penalty reversed, murder conviction upheld. Stanislaus County prosecutors
had two options, retry the penalty phase and seek death again,
(28:01):
or accept life without parole. June twenty twenty one, prosecutors
announced they wouldn't retry the penalty phase too expensive, two
time consuming, Lacy's family had been through enough they'd accept
life without parole. December eighth, twenty twenty one, Scott was
formally resentenced life in prison without possibility of parole, removed
(28:24):
from death row, transferred to general population at Mule Creek
State Prison. But the appeals weren't over. Scott's defense team
filed new motion arguing juror misconduct, specifically juror Richelle Nice
Strawberry Shortcake. During jury selection, Nice filled out a questionnaire.
One question, have you ever been involved in a lawsuit?
(28:46):
Nice answered no? Another question, have you ever been a
victim of a crime? Nice answered no, But defense investigators
discovered Nice had been involved in two domestic violence incidents
years before the trial, had restraining orders filed had been
allegedly threatened by her boyfriend's ex girlfriend while pregnant. None
of this disclosed during jury selection. Defense argued Nice lied
(29:11):
to get on the jury, that she was biased against
Scott because of her own experiences, that she wanted to
convict him because she identified with Lacey. December twenty twenty two,
Judge Ann Christine Massulo held evidentiary hearing, heard testimony from Nice,
heard arguments from both sides. Judge ruled Nice didn't lie intentionally,
(29:35):
She misunderstood the questions, thought the questions referred to recent events,
not events from years ago, thought her experiences weren't relevant.
No evidence of intentional bias. Motion for new trial denied.
Scott remained in prison life without parole. Appeals exhausted at
state level, could still appeal in federal court, but unlikely
(29:57):
to succeed then. Janu Ruary twenty twenty four, new development,
the Los Angeles Innocence Project took Scott's case. Major shift.
The Innocence Project takes cases only when they believe there's
credible evidence of actual innocence, not just legal technicalities, not
just trial errors, actual innocence. The Innocence Project filed court
(30:20):
papers claiming new evidence supports Scott's innocence requested access to
evidence from original trial claimed prosecutors withheld exculpatory evidence claimed
new scientific analysis proved Scott couldn't have dumped Lacey's body
where prosecutors said. October seventh, twenty twenty four, judge granted
Innocence Project's request for post conviction discovery, allowed them to
(30:43):
review evidence held by authorities, allowed new DNA testing, allowed
examination of previously undisclosed materials. April twenty second, twenty twenty five,
four months ago, the Innocence Project filed a nearly four
hundred page petition in California Court of Appeals argued Scott
is actually innocent, claimed new scientific evidence undermines prosecution's entire case.
(31:08):
Key claims. One new forensic analysis shows Connor died later
than December twenty fourth, two thousand and two. Fetus was
more developed than prosecutors claimed at trial. If Connor died
after December twenty fourth, Scott couldn't have killed him. On
December twenty fourth, someone else killed Lacy and Connor after
(31:29):
Scott was already under surveillance. New expert analysis of San
Francisco Bay currents proves Lacey's body couldn't have washed ashore
at Point Isabel if dumped where prosecutors said in December
two thousand and two, ocean currents wouldn't have carried the
body there. Suggests body was dumped elsewhere or at a
different time, by someone else. Three new evidence about the
(31:54):
burglary across the street. Defense always argued Burglars encountered Lacey
d December twenty fourth new witnesses, new evidence linking Burglars
to Lacey's disappearance. Four burned van found in Modesto around
time of Lacey's disappearance. New evidence suggests connection to her murder.
Van never fully investigated by police. The Innocence Project argues
(32:19):
every aspect of the prosecution's theory as to how the
crimes in this case were committed has now been shown
to be false. Mister Peterson is actually innocent. Scott submitted
a one hundred and twenty six page declaration, first time
he's publicly detailed his version of events. Maintains he didn't
kill Lacey, didn't kill Connor once the real killer found
(32:43):
Once his name cleared June TEWOD twenty twenty five, five
months ago, California Court of Appeals denied. The Innocence Project's
petition found the new evidence insufficient to overturn the conviction,
found the scientific analysis unconvincing, found the claims about the
burglary and burned van speculative. Scott remains in prison. The
(33:05):
Innocence Project continues fighting can appeal to California Supreme Court,
can file in federal court. The battle continues. So here's
where we are in November twenty twenty five. Scott Peterson
was convicted in two thousand and four of first degree
murder of Lacy and second degree murder of Connor. Sentenced
to death in two thousand and five. Death sentence overturned
(33:29):
in twenty twenty due to jury selection errors. Resentance to
life without parole in twenty twenty one. The La Innocence
Project took his case in twenty twenty four, claiming new
evidence proves his innocence. Courts have so far rejected those claims.
Scott sits in Mule Creek State Prison, fifty two years old,
(33:49):
now will die there unless appeals succeed, maintains his innocence.
His family supports him. His sister in law, Janie Peterson,
runs a website dedicated to proving his innocence, argues the
evidence doesn't support guilt, argues Scott was railroaded by media
coverage and public opinion, but Lacey's family believes justice was served.
(34:12):
Sharon Roache has never wavered. Scott killed her daughter. Scott
killed her grandson. The jury got it right, the conviction
should stand. America remains divided. Some believe Scott is guilty
beyond doubt. Some believe he was wrongly convicted. The Innocence
Project's involvement has reignited debate if they believe he's innocent
(34:33):
an organization with credible track record of exonerations. Maybe there's
something to it, or maybe Scott Peterson is exactly what
he appears to be. A man who murdered his pregnant
wife to avoid the responsibilities of fatherhood. A man who
lied repeatedly, a man whose bodies were found exactly where
he said he was fishing. A man who dyed his
(34:54):
hair and fled toward Mexico when those bodies were discovered.
Make it make sense? That's Part two of Scott and
Lacy Peterson. April thirteenth, two thousand and three. Connor's body
washed ashore at point Isabelle, one mile from Berkeley Marina,
where Scott went fishing April fourteenth. Lacey's body found nearby.
(35:17):
April eighteenth, Scott arrested near Mexico with dyed blonde hair,
fifteen thousand dollars cash camping gear. November twelfth, two thousand
and four. Jury convicted him first degree murder for Lacey,
second degree murder for Connor. March sixteenth, two thousand and five.
Sentenced to death. August twenty twenty. California Supreme Court overturned
(35:42):
death penalty, but upheld conviction December twenty twenty one. Resentance
to life without parole. January twenty twenty four, LA Innocence
Project took his case. Claims new evidence proves innocence. June
twenty twenty five. Appeal Court rejected new evidence claims. November
(36:02):
twenty twenty five. Scott remains in prison, claims he's innocent.
Lacey's family believes he's guilty. Twenty three years since Lacey disappeared,
twenty one years since Scott was convicted, the debate continues.
Lacy Denise Peterson was twenty seven years old, substitute teacher,
loved cooking, decorating, hosting parties, eight months pregnant with her
(36:26):
first child. She and Scott married December ninth, nineteen ninety seven.
Five years later, he told another woman she was dead
two weeks before she actually disappeared. Lacey should be fifty
years old today. Should have raised Connor. Should have watched
him grow up. Should have celebrated his graduations, his milestones,
(36:47):
his life. Should be a grandmother by now, should be
living the life she planned. Connor Peterson would be twenty
three years old today. Should have been born February tenth,
thousand and three. Should have graduated college by now, should
be starting his career, should be falling in love. Should
(37:08):
be alive. Rest in peace, Lacy and Connor. Someone has
to say your names. I'm reed, Carter. Tomorrow we continue
the Holiday Special with the next Notorious American Trial. This
is Celebrity Trials.
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