NYU 0 Report post Posted November 12, 2004 The jury in California just announced that Scott Peterson has been convicted of murder in the first-degree for the death of Laci Peterson and murder in the second-degree for the death of her unborn child. More details available soon. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LJSexay 0 Report post Posted November 12, 2004 GOOD. good. Any other decision would have been unsatisfactory. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matt Young 0 Report post Posted November 12, 2004 Well, who didn't see that coming. At least now the tabloids will have to find something else to devote entire issues to. Now it's time to turn on the news and learn more. P.S. LJ- Call me, dammit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
J. Hungerford Smith 0 Report post Posted November 12, 2004 Small correction that his wife was first-degree but the baby was second. Still no matter though, he's getting the death penalty I'm sure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Black Lushus 0 Report post Posted November 12, 2004 what do you mean who didn't see that coming? they let OJ off didn't they? I thought for sure this fuck was gonna walk...time to fry now... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NYU 0 Report post Posted November 12, 2004 Thank you. Edited. From CNN: Jury Finds Peterson Guilty REDWOOD CITY, California (CNN) -- Jurors found Scott Peterson guilty Friday of first-degree murder in the death of his pregnant wife and second-degree murder in the death of their unborn son. Prosecutors had accused Peterson of killing his 27-year-old wife, Laci Peterson, on or around December 24, 2002, in their home in Modesto, California. They said he dumped her body, weighted with homemade cement anchors, in San Francisco Bay. Evidence showed he purchased a boat not long before her death. After 184 witnesses testified for 23 weeks, defense attorney Mark Geragos said in closing arguments that prosecutors had introduced no direct evidence that Peterson killed anyone, and he admonished jurors to weigh only the evidence and to put aside their feelings about his client. "I don't care if you hate Scott Peterson," Geragos had said. During his closing arguments, prosecutor Rick Distaso told jurors that it was a common-sense case in which a man killed his wife and that Peterson was the only one who could have killed Laci. The verdict came after San Mateo Superior Court Judge Alfred Delucchi's dismissal and replacement Tuesday of juror No. 7, a woman who reportedly did her own research on the case. On Wednesday, the judge dismissed juror No. 5, a doctor and lawyer who was the panel's foreman. The reason for his dismissal was not given. Replacement juror No. 6, a firefighter, was named the new jury foreman. Court watchers observed that he took few notes during the trial and appeared bored at times. CNN's Rusty Dornin said sources said the new foreman may have been able to smooth over tensions in the jury room. During the trial, the defense maintained that police bungled the investigation and targeted Peterson to the exclusion of other viable suspects. Geragos claimed Peterson was framed, possibly by a homeless person or a burglar. Distaso also theorized that Peterson's motive was not to continue an admitted affair with massage therapist Amber Frey, but freedom from the burden of a wife and son, or if he became divorced, freedom from paying child support. Geragos said his client would never murder his wife to be with a woman he had only gone out with a few times, even telling jurors of Peterson's two previous affairs. Geragos pointed out that those weights were never found. "If there were anchors, why didn't they find them?" Geragos asked jurors in his summation. Laci Peterson was about eight months pregnant when she disappeared. Scott Peterson was arrested April 18, 2003, just days after the remains of Laci and their unborn son, whom they planned to name Conner, washed ashore in San Francisco Bay near the marina where Peterson said he launched his boat on a fishing trip on Christmas Eve 2002. He had dyed his hair blonde and had nearly $15,000 in cash. Prosecutors said he was preparing to flee to Mexico. On January 24, 2003, Frey stepped up to a microphone and told reporters that she had been having an affair with Peterson before and after his wife went missing. She said she began cooperating with police when she found out her lover had lied to her about many things, including his marital status. During his trial, the prosecution played tapes of phone calls Peterson made to Frey while searches were under way for his missing wife. The calls between Peterson and Frey revealed a web of lies by the defendant, including his statement to her that he celebrated New Year's 2003 near the Eiffel Tower in Paris. In fact, the day that call was made he attended a candlelight vigil for his wife in Modesto. Jury selection in the trial began March 4, 2004, and opening statements started June 1. Before the six men and six women began deliberating November 3, the judge told jurors they had two choices if they decided to convict: first-degree murder, carrying a possible death sentence or life without parole; and second-degree murder, with the potential of two sentences of 15 years to life. Delucchi explained, "First-degree murder you need ... expressed malice and intent to kill and premeditation." Second-degree, he said, means Peterson killed them but didn't plan it. The judge added the lesser charge after finding there was ample evidence to support a case that did not involve premeditation. The option of the lesser charge was a victory for prosecutors, because evidence against Peterson was largely circumstantial. CNN's Rusty Dornin contributed to this report. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Mandarin 0 Report post Posted November 12, 2004 A bunch of people have been screaming like they were at a concert as people leave the courtroom and some moron has a jail-like "Peterson" shirt on. I think that's ridiculous. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord of The Curry 0 Report post Posted November 12, 2004 How did he not get first-degree in the case of the child? If first degree is defined by intent the prosecution should've made the point that Scott would've known that if he killed his wife then he'd kill their unborn son too. Either way, kudo's to the prosecution on this one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Mandarin 0 Report post Posted November 12, 2004 Look at those 'tards. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ted the Poster 0 Report post Posted November 12, 2004 Well, the media definitely was too involved and invested in the case, but that fucker still deserves what he gets. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord of The Curry 0 Report post Posted November 12, 2004 Hopefully the dude w/ the prison outfit gets his ass kicked badly when somebody recognizes him from tv. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Highland 0 Report post Posted November 12, 2004 I'm so glad this ultimately insignificant event in the annals of American jurisprudence is finally at an end. Good riddance. Oh, the media had already convicted him long ago, so this verdict shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted November 12, 2004 Good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ted the Poster 0 Report post Posted November 12, 2004 I'm so glad this ultimately insignificant event in the annals of American jurisprudence is finally at an end. Good riddance. Would you prefer a hockey fight or something? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NoCalMike 0 Report post Posted November 12, 2004 So now the question is, who is the next rich white bastard that is going to murder his attractive wife, and CAPTIVATE ALL OF AMERICA? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2GOLD 0 Report post Posted November 12, 2004 My money is on Jeff Goldblum. You just know he has a psychotic side waiting to snap and become a killer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndrewTS 0 Report post Posted November 12, 2004 So now the question is, who is the next rich white bastard that is going to murder his attractive wife, and CAPTIVATE ALL OF AMERICA? That answered the question I've had for a long time--"why is this such a big story?" He's rich. I see. That really makes the case more important than so many other things that were shoved by the wayside in the meantime. My money is on Dean Cain to play Scott in the TV movie, BTW. Remember when he had a career for a while? Teri Hatcher only *just* bounced back... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Chris2005 Report post Posted November 12, 2004 How did he not get first-degree in the case of the child? If first degree is defined by intent the prosecution should've made the point that Scott would've known that if he killed his wife then he'd kill their unborn son too. Either way, kudo's to the prosecution on this one. Maybe the jury decided that it wasn't first degree murder for the baby becasue I believe they changed the laws about women who are pregnant count as two people after he had done the murder. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Highland 0 Report post Posted November 12, 2004 I'm so glad this ultimately insignificant event in the annals of American jurisprudence is finally at an end. Good riddance. Would you prefer a hockey fight or something? Read NoCalMike's post below yours. That's my answer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Riots bloodlust Report post Posted November 12, 2004 http://imdb.com/title/tt0385940/ Dean Cain. A winner is you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ted the Poster 0 Report post Posted November 12, 2004 That was a CBS movie, wasn't it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tommytomlin 0 Report post Posted November 12, 2004 Now what will Greta talk about on her show?! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted November 12, 2004 Well I guess California had to get it right sooner or later. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Evolution Report post Posted November 13, 2004 That was a CBS movie, wasn't it? USA. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lil' Bitch 0 Report post Posted November 13, 2004 Yes, there is some justice in this world after all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted November 13, 2004 Whitey is 0-3 in controversial California court cases. Allen Bakke, Browns & Goldmans, Scott Peterson... JUST ANOTHER VICTIM Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ted the Poster 0 Report post Posted November 13, 2004 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Cerebus Report post Posted November 13, 2004 Because I simply don't give a shit (and I'm drunk) This ain't the fucking time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Ol' Smitty 0 Report post Posted November 13, 2004 Agreed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. S£im Citrus 0 Report post Posted November 13, 2004 How is this fluff? This is presently one of the most widely-covered current events going. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
