Peterson attorney wants $15,000 back

The Modesto Bee ^ | November 19, 2003 | John Cote' and Garth Stapely

[runningbear]

Peterson attorney wants $15,000 back

Peterson attorney wants $15,000 back

By JOHN COTÉ and GARTH STAPLEY
BEE STAFF WRITERS

Last Updated: November 19, 2003, 08:20:52 AM PST

Stanislaus County Superior Court Judge Al Girolami plans to hear arguments on releasing two pieces of evidence Dec. 3, when Scott Peterson is to be arraigned on the double-murder charges upheld Tuesday at his preliminary hearing.

Defense attorney Mark Geragos asked prosecutors to release the $15,000 cash Peterson had with him when he was arrested and Peterson's Ford pickup, which police seized in December.

"It's an expensive task for the family to fund this," he said. "It isn't going to get any less expensive."

Prosecutor Rick Distaso opposed the move, saying both items are evidence he intends to introduce at trial.

Chief Deputy District Attorney John Goold, who serves as a spokesman for the district attorney's office, said physical evidence can have more impact on jurors than photos of the items.

Geragos also indicated that he would file motions to move the trial and to ask another judge to overturn Girolami's Tuesday order because of insufficient evidence.

The change of venue motion will be filed Dec. 3, Geragos said in court.

Girolami indicated that he also plans to revisit a gag order he imposed in June that bars people connected to the case from speaking publicly about it.

Geragos, citing the gag order, refused to say outside court why he wants the trial to be held elsewhere.

Asked about Girolami's idea to bus jurors from San Joaquin County to Modesto, which was done in a previous murder trial, Geragos said people in neighboring.......

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EMBATTLED STAR HIRES 'LACI' LAWYER

EMBATTLED STAR HIRES 'LACI' LAWYER

By HOWARD BREUER

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November 20, 2003 -- Workaholic defense attorney Mark Geragos was still in Modesto handling the Scott Peterson preliminary hearing Tuesday when he agreed to defend Michael Jackson against sexual-molestation charges. Geragos insists he can easily juggle California's two highest-profile criminal cases.

"They're just two cases," Geragos told The Post as he worked a conference call with Jackson's people on another line. "There's no problem, no issue."

But longtime Geragos rival Gloria Allred, also an advocate for prosecuting Jackson, said she's worried that this move may cause delays in the Peterson trial.

"Sometimes, as in the O.J. Simpson case, attorneys demand a speedy trial and that can be very effective," Allred said.

For Geragos, Jackson is but the latest in a substantial list of high-.........

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Jacko taps top-shelf mouthpiece

Jacko taps top-shelf mouthpiece

By MAKI BECKER
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Los Angeles attorney Mark Geragos (l.) appears with another big-name client, accused murderer Scott Peterson.

Move over, Johnnie Cochran. Mark Geragos - tapped by Michael Jackson to defend him against child molestation charges - is now the lawyer of choice for high-profile suspects.

Some say Geragos already has his hands full defending philandering fertilizer salesman Scott Peterson, who is accused of killing his pregnant wife, Laci, and unborn son in Modesto, Calif. But with 20 years of experience and a slew of celebrity clients, the double challenge may mark the pinnacle of the slick Los Angeles lawyer's career.

The son of an Armenian-American lawyer, Geragos began to show his star power in 1998 and 1999 when he won two acquittals for Whitewater scandal figure Susan McDougal. He kept up his Clinton connection, later representing Bill Clinton's half-brother on drunken driving charges that were dropped after Roger Clinton agreed to plead guilty to a lesser charge.

The same year, Geragos got felony charges of kidnapping and making terrorist threats thrown out against rapper Nathaniel (Nate Dogg) Hale.

He has since defended sticky-fingered actress Winona Ryder in her shoplifting trial and represented former Rep. Gary Condit.

Geragos raised eyebrows this April when he agreed to represent Scott Peterson, just days after making an appearance on "Larry King Live" as a commentator about his soon-to-be client: "It's a damning, circumstantial case. The man is a sociopath if he did this crime."

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Experts: Both Sides Will Use Amber Tapes in Peterson Case

Experts: Both Sides Will Use Amber Tapes in Peterson Case

Scott Peterson was having an affair with Amber Frey.

Bill Schechner

Legal experts say that taped phone conversations between Scott Peterson and his girlfriend Amber Frey could have big implications in Peterson's murder case.

Scott Peterson is accused of killing his wife Laci and her unborn son. During the police investigation, Frey let police record her phone conversations with Peterson for almost two months.

One of these 214 calls, a rambling 23-minute conversation, was entered in evidence Tuesday. It includes evasions, denials, and pleas for patience from Peterson as Frey tries to get him to explain himself and events. Criminal lawyer Michele Hagan says it is damaging to his case.

"It goes to the motive," she said.

In the call Frey tells Peterson his stories don't add up.........

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Missing 10 minutes could decide Peterson case

Missing 10 minutes could decide Peterson case Modesto Bee

MODESTO - The case against accused double-murderer Scott Peterson could come down to roughly 10 minutes.

That's the space of time from when someone used Peterson's cell phone in or near his home the morning of Dec. 24 until a neighbor said she found the Petersons' dog standing in the road, its leash dangling from its collar.

If the 10:08 a.m. call indicates the time Peterson left his home, his alibi appears to hang on his pregnant wife mopping the floor, leaving to take the dog for a walk and being abducted during that 10-minute stretch.

Neighbor Karen Servas testified that she found the Petersons' golden retriever standing in the street at 10:18 a.m. She deduced that time after checking a time-stamped receipt and clocking how long it took her to retrace her route to the store.

Peterson told police he left home at about 9:30 a.m. Dec. 24 to go fishing in San Francisco Bay, stopping at a warehouse he used in his work as a fertilizer salesman to get his boat and to check his e-mail, Detective Al Brocchini testified during Peterson's preliminary hearing.

Peterson said when he left, his wife was preparing to mop and planning to run errands before walking their golden retriever, McKenzie, Brocchini said.

Prosecutors contend Peterson murdered his wife and unborn son either late Dec. 23 or early Dec. 24. He could receive the death penalty if convicted on both murder counts.

The bodies were found in April along the bay's eastern shore, less than two miles from the spot where Peterson said he went fishing.

The 10:08 a.m. call from Peterson's cell phone to his voicemail appeared to show the caller driving westward from the Petersons' Covena Avenue home because it switched to a different cell phone tower, district attorney investigator Steve Jacobson testified.

Peterson's Emerald Avenue warehouse is northwest of his home.

"Does it appear that he's driving from the house and that, while making the phone call, that the cell phone site switches?" defense attorney Mark Geragos asked.

"That would be my understanding," Jacobson said.

Cell phone tower data cannot pinpoint a location, Jacobson acknowledged; it can only indicate that the call came from within the area it covered.

The cell tower serving the Petersons' home has a radius .......

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[An American In Dairyland]

Beautifully said, Maggie. I'm thankful for all the great people I've met on this thread. May everyone have a great Thanksgiving holiday.

[An American In Dairyland]

>>Rita on Fox..top story tonight.
Confirming that she began dating the 43yr old friend since Jan, they are very much in love, discussing marriage.
Boy this girl sure has never heard of safe sex, has she???
Pretty dumb for a 28 year old, and a mother of a daughter at that!<<

I agree with you. And how will it look to a jury for her to take the stand while 7 or 8 months pregnant and talk about her love affair with the husband of a murdered woman who was 7 or 8 months pregnant?

[Diver Dave]

Well, I see I don't need to post the latest news from Gloria Gomez.

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all.

[drjulie]

"I agree with you. And how will it look to a jury for her to take the stand while 7 or 8 months pregnant and talk about her love affair with the husband of a murdered woman who was 7 or 8 months pregnant?"

A better question.....how will it look to the jury when Mark Geragos attacks a 7-8 month pregnant woman on the stand? Geragos will definately postpone this trial until after she has the baby.

[drjulie]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I really enjoy all of you - great minds, great spirits, and great online company!

[BJungNan]

And just exactly why is the government holding the $15,000 cash? It should be released. So should the truck if it has been gone over and they have what they want from it. And it should not take billable hours and a court proceeding costing thousands for it to be turned over. This should have been a matter of course. Waste, waste waste and abuse.

[Devil_Anse]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!! Have a great one!!!

[runningbear]

heeheee.... thanks Diver Dave... Happy Turkey day to ya all.. Off to my sister's and then son's home... SF tomorrow.. yippie...!

[Sandylapper]

Back, now. Have successfully fed 12 people, can barely stand up, and it sure feels good to sit down at my computer again! It's about 8:00 p.m. on the East Coast, and all my company has now gone! Hope all of you had the wonderful day that we had. Now, we can get down to business again, tee hee.

[RGSpincich]

Hope you all had a good turkey day.

New developments in the Rocha/Peterson battle. Last week I had some email exchanges with a member of the Rocha family. It was through those emails that the family learned of the lien put on the Covena property by Jackie and Lee Peterson. The Rochas were understandably skeptical at first. They were furnished with the basic information and links to the county recorder website. Upon confirmation of the facts, they were very thankful for having received the information.

On Wednesday, 11/26, Sharon filed her own action on the property to prevent it from being conveyed, or possibly, further encumbered.

[Devil_Anse]

WOW!!!!!!! GO RGS!!!!

Not only did you give them information they need to counter the Petersons' greed, but also you reminded them that there are people out here who actually CARE that their daughter and grandson were brutally murdered.

THREE CHEERS!!!!

[Canadian Outrage]

Way to Go RG!! I have thought all along and said so, that the Rocha's or their Lawyers should have filed the necessary Lis Pendens or whatever it is calleld there to prevent this type of thing. Thankfully the family knows and has done something about it now.!!

[MaggieMay]

You have done a truly honourable service for the Rocha family who have been victims of the machinations of the Peterson family. I am proud to know, Sharon Rocha has now filed the necessary paperwork to prevent Laci's property from being further encumbered by Jackie or Lee.Three cheers for RG!

[Sandylapper]

Good job, RG! Glad you're on top of things for the protection of the Rocha's! Say, does it seem to anyone else to be shame that the Rocha's had to bring this to their lawyer's attention? Seems to me that their lawyer would have been on top of this making recommendations to them, instead of the other way around.

[runningbear]

great news RG..Thanks for the updates... ;o)

[Canadian Outrage]

In reality I would have thought that their Lawyer would have been on top of this also. I do believe however, that even if the Peterson's went ahead and encumbered the property, that there is still legal remedy for recovering what they had no business taking. Especially if Snotty is convicted in the criminal trial, I assume he will be responsible for costs and I assume he would LOSE all assets. Jackie and Lee Peterson may find themselves "owing" the Rocha's a considerable amount. I wouldn't mind seeing the Peterson's pushed into bankruptcy. They might as well be financially bankrupt along with the fact that they are morally bankrupt. !!

[Canadian Outrage]

How ya doin RB??? Did YOU get to cook for the festivities ?

[Sandylapper]

Thanks, CO, I do agree that Sharon's lawyer should have known about any lien filings on the SP/Laci property. And I think you're correct about a legal remedy--especially if Scott is convicted. Now, we just have to worry about the "change of venue" MG is going to be requesting. Sounds like Stanislaus wants to "bus in" jurors, doesn't it? But if the judge rules for "busing", can't MG appeal that decision? If so, in the scheme of things, I would think he would. This could go on forever. (loonnnnggg ssiiiiigh)

[Canadian Outrage]

No I don't think the busing in of Jurors from another County would meet the threshold for appeal. Jury selection in this trial will be a very thorough and tedious process. I'm willing to bet they go through hundreds of people to end up with 12 plus the alternates. I also believe that this Jury may well be sequestered. With the way telecommunications/internet etc. is today, it makes no sense to go to all that extra expense to move an entire Court (Judge, Lawyers etc.). It makes much more sense to bus them in. I'm thinking that the Peterson's are starting to run out of money as it is. We'll see how interested Geragos is once he has to switch to the "wages" the State will pay him - LOL

[Sandylapper]

I think you're right about the busing, per se, but other factors; i.e., the level of high emotions in Modesto and immediate Stanislaus neighboring counties could come into play of meeting the "threshold". You know, the former mayor's statement, the motel manager who told the Peterson's they weren't welcome at his hotel, the uncorrected Modbee article re the date on the insurance policies which pointed to SP's guilt--I would think MG would use anything he could, but maybe he won't.