Prosecution claims Peterson's pickup was used to dump body

The Contra Costa Times ^ | Dec 3, 2003 | Brian Anderson

[runningbear]

Prosecution claims Peterson's pickup was used to dump body

Posted on Wed, Dec. 03, 2003

Prosecution claims Peterson's pickup was used to dump body

By Brian Anderson
CONTRA COSTA TIMES

With hands bloodied, Scott Peterson hauled the body of his wife, Laci, from their Modesto house to his pickup truck in an hours-long effort to dispose of her in San Francisco Bay, prosecutors said in court papers filed Tuesday.

Stanislaus County prosecutors said they believe Peterson drove his Ford F-150 to a warehouse he used for work, hooked up his fishing boat and steered his truck west. He had cut his hands killing his pregnant wife either Dec. 23 or Dec. 24 and was dripping blood in the cab of the truck, according to prosecutors' six-page filing.

"Specifically, the truck was used to transport Laci Peterson's body to the defendant's warehouse ... and also was used to transport her body to the San Francisco Bay," prosecutor Rick Distaso wrote in one of three documents filed Tuesday. "In addition, samples of the defendant's blood were found inside the cab area of the truck."

Distaso pointed as well to debris taken from the truck bed during a police investigation, saying it might turn out to be cement. It is possible that Laci's body was weighted with cement, law enforcement officials have indicated.

The material will be sent to the state crime lab for analysis, Distaso wrote.

The court document is Distaso's response to a defense request to have the truck returned to Peterson's family.

The revelations came as lawyers on both sides of the case prepared to appear today in a Modesto courtroom as the legal drama spins forward.

Peterson is scheduled to be arraigned again in a standard procedure following a preliminary hearing last month. Judge Al Girolami decided after several weeks of testimony that prosecutors had enough evidence to prove that Peterson probably killed his wife.

Peterson has pleaded not guilty to two murder counts with special circumstances that District Attorney......

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Laci Prosecutors Hint at Their Slaying Theory

Laci Prosecutors Hint at Their Slaying Theory

Wednesday, December 03, 2003

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Scott Peterson (search), charged with killing his pregnant wife Laci (search), bled inside the truck he allegedly used to haul away the corpse of his slain wife, prosecutors contend.

In court papers filed Tuesday, prosecutors gave the first hint of their theory of the slaying, arguing to keep the pickup truck as crime evidence.

Prosecutors have never previously said Scott Peterson was wounded in the killing -- saying he was injured either during or after the alleged attack on his wife -- and have never publicly revealed where Laci Peterson was killed.

The mention that her body was trucked to Scott Peterson's nearby warehouse indicates prosecutors believe she was killed at home. It also explains why lawyers sparred at the preliminary hearing over a mop and bucket used to clean the couple's kitchen.

Stanislaus County District Attorney James Brazelton (search) said he wants jurors to view the pickup truck as part of the crime scene.

For their part, defense attorneys want the truck returned to Peterson's family because he faces mounting legal bills and continues to pay $643 in monthly auto payments.

Lawyers will argue the matter Wednesday when Peterson, 31, is scheduled to be arraigned in Stanislaus County Superior Court on two counts of first-degree murder in the killings of his wife and unborn son nearly a year ago.

Peterson, a former fertilizer salesman, previously pleaded innocent but faces a second arraignment after a judge ruled last month there was enough......

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Peterson Prosecutors Hint at Their Theory

Peterson Prosecutors Hint at Their Theory
Prosecutors in Laci Peterson Case Hint at Theory Behind Slaying, Saying Scott Bled in Truck

The Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. Dec. 3 — Prosecutors for the first time hinted at parts of their theory behind the Laci Peterson slaying, saying her husband Scott bled inside the truck he allegedly used to haul her body away after killing her.

Those details and others were presented Tuesday in a court filing prosecutors used to argue that jurors should be allowed to see the truck as evidence.

Prosecutors have never previously said Scott Peterson was wounded in the killing saying he was injured either during or after the alleged attack on his wife and have never publicly revealed where they believe Laci Peterson was killed.

Stanislaus County District Attorney James Brazelton said he wants jurors to view the truck as part of the crime scene because it was used to haul Laci Peterson's body.............

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Cops' Theory In Laci Case Revealed

Cops' Theory In Laci Case Revealed

MODESTO, Calif., Dec. 3, 2003

Scott Peterson (Photo: AP)

Defense attorneys say they want Scott Peterson's pickup truck returned to his family because he faces mounting legal bills and continues to pay $643 in monthly auto payments. The prosecution says it's evidence.

Laci Peterson in July 2002 (Photo: AP)

(CBS/AP) It's been almost a year since Laci Peterson, a 27-year-old substitute teacher, disappeared from her home on Christmas Eve.

Wednesday, her husband, Scott Peterson, will be arraigned on two counts of murder: hers, and that of their unborn son, whose body was found separately from Laci's - but in the same body of water, San Francisco Bay.

Peterson, who was eight months pregnant, was reported missing after her husband said he'd returned from a fishing trip at the Berkeley Marina. Her remains and those of the fetus washed ashore in April.

Peterson, a former fertilizer salesman, previously pleaded not guilty but faces a second arraignment after a judge ruled last month there is enough evidence to go to trial.

The arraignment marks the beginning of the next phase of the case as the defense seeks to move the trial out of Modesto, lawyers argue over the admissibility of evidence and the news media ask the judge to consider unsealing court documents and lifting a gag order in the case.

CBS News Radio's Steve Futterman reports court papers filed by prosecutors in preparation for the arraignment reveal, for the first time, portions of the police theory on how Laci and the unborn child were killed.

The prosecution documents indicate detectives believe Laci was killed at home by her husband, who then loaded her body into his Ford pickup, hiding the body in his fertilizer warehouse before dumping it in San Francisco bay. ..........

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Prosecutors: Peterson's truck involved in killing

Prosecutors: Peterson's truck involved in killing
Vehicle called 'instrument' in death of his pregnant wife

Wednesday, December 3, 2003 Posted: 5:22 AM EST (1022 GMT)

Police refuse to release Scott Peterson's truck.

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MODESTO, California (CNN) -- Prosecutors filed court papers Tuesday saying the Ford F-150 pickup truck seized by authorities from Scott Peterson was "an instrument used in the murder of Laci Peterson" -- and contained Scott Peterson's blood in the cab.

In the filing, the Stanislaus County District Attorney's office rejects Peterson's request to have his bronze-colored truck returned to him.

"Such evidence is relevant and admissible here in that the people contend that the pickup truck was an instrument used in the murder of Laci Peterson," the prosecutors say in some of the most detailed information about their case to date.

"Specifically, the truck was used to transport Laci Peterson's body to the defendant's warehouse at 1027 N. Emerald in Modesto, and was also used to transport her body to the San Francisco Bay."

The motion was filed a day before Scott Peterson is to be arraigned on charges of killing his pregnant wife and their unborn child -- charges that could result in the death penalty. (Full story)

Peterson, 31, has pleaded not guilty.

The defense contends the 2002 Ford truck should be returned because it is not critical evidence.

Prosecutors disagree. ...........

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Prosecutors in Laci Peterson case hint she was killed at home

Prosecutors in Laci Peterson case hint she was killed at home

December 3, 2003

BY BRIAN MELLEY

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Scott Peterson, charged with killing his pregnant wife, Laci, bled inside the truck he allegedly used to haul away the corpse of his slain wife, prosecutors contend.

In court papers filed Tuesday, prosecutors gave the first hint of their theory of the slaying, arguing to keep the pickup truck as crime evidence.

Prosecutors have never previously said Scott Peterson was wounded in the killing -- saying he was injured either during or after the alleged attack on his wife -- and have never publicly revealed where Laci Peterson was killed.

The mention that her body was trucked to Scott Peterson's nearby warehouse indicates prosecutors believe she was killed at home. It also explains why lawyers sparred at the preliminary hearing over a mop and bucket used to clean the couple's kitchen.

Stanislaus County District Attorney James Brazelton said he wants jurors to view the pickup truck as part of the crime scene. AP..........

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latest on pressrelease of current court docs on fileCourt Hearing: "Wednesday, December 3, 2003 at 8:30 am (PST) in Department 2."

[syriacus]

Just speculating, as usual.

I was thinking along similar lines, too.

Also, I'm not sure why people are concerned that cadaver dogs found no scent of Laci's body in the boat.

Wouldn't Scott have hosed down his boat at the marina, after he was through with it?

Maybe he towed her body, and didn't place it in the boat?

What's the standard procedure for placing boats in water at that marina? How many people would have been near the boat slip? What hour was Scott out there?

Marinas can be good spots for criminal activities, depending on the time of day.

Ambushed Reporter Details Attack Sportswriter recognized voice of phony tipster, December 2, 2003

Abramowicz, 24, was punched, kicked and hit in the head with a metal object at John J. Burns Town Park, Nassau County Police Det. Lt. Karl Schoepp said.

Abramowicz said that when he arrived at the park around 8 p.m., the tipster called his cell phone from an unidentifiable number and said they should meet near the park's marina, where there were fewer people. There, a teenager appeared from behind a small building, Abramowicz said. A larger male teen walked over as well, he said.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

The case against Scott is extremely weak so far, and nothing that they brought forth, wouldnt fit a million other men who cheat on their wives.

That's the way it looks to me too. I think he's guilty, but with the spotlight on the jury they probably won't convict with this questionable evidence.

[CurlyDave]

I have a pickup truck--use it to work on my house & a few rental properties.

I can't count the number of times I have bled in the truck. Minor injuries are just a normal part of physical labor.

I have carried enough concrete pieces in the truck that I am certain residue could be found there.

I sure hope they are saving their better evidence, becasue so far this is nothing.

[bonfire]

"Please check with your mouse repair man if it automatically clicks on subjects you disdain."


Dang early in the AM for such a great snappy comeback!

[Velveeta]

Robbins and Sarandon are nauseating. Thanks for posting that link, it's quite interesting.

[syriacus]

Maybe there was a fight. Maybe he punched her in the ribs at home.

She was injured badly (killed?) and he didn't want to get in trouble for spousal abuse. If she was still alive, he told her he would drive her to the hospital, but instead, he took her to his warehouse and killed her and prepared to dispose of her body.

He took the truck and dumped her weighted body in some isolated watery area.

He then put his boat in the water at the marina and went to the isolated area to tow the body to where he finally left it.

No body in the boat. No evidence in the boat for the cadaver dogs.

[Velveeta]

She also wasn't a cadaver for very long before being dumped in the bay.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

There hasn't been blood evidence found in the home, right?

I think she may have been bludgeoned or strangled. But, then why would he be bleeding in his truck?

[cyncooper]

Might not be any blood if she was strangled or suffocated.

I agree, but it does beg the question then of how he cut is hands...Perhaps in the body removal process, not the killing process?

I, too, raised my eyebrows at the statement that the substance found in the truck bed will be tested eventually to see if it is concrete. I can only say that in other trials it has been pointed out that these labs are very busy places and have lots and lots of evidence to be testing for lots and lots of cases, and can't devote all of their resources to testing every thing as quickly as we would think and the prosecution prioritizes what tests should be done and this may be a case where they're pretty positive what it is and the testing to verify can wait while other issues are taken care of first. (Just guessing)

[Velveeta]

You should be ok bleeding all over your truck, unless your duct-taped bound weighted down wife is recovered from the bottom of the bay, near where you were fishing.

[Velveeta]

As far as we've heard, there's no blood evidence in the home.

My guess as to why he's bleeding in his truck is that it can't be easy to affix chicken wire and concrete anchors to a body without scuffing a knuckle or two.

[MEG33]

Practice..Happens on every thread RB posts.I do take delight in responding,though!

[Velveeta]

I agree, but it does beg the question then of how he cut is hands...Perhaps in the body removal process, not the killing process?

We know she was weighted down or she would have surfaced sooner. It can't be easy to prepare a body with weights for disposal.

WRT the cement, I'm hoping that the substance has been identified as cement and maybe the crime lab will further match the "specific" cement to leftover bags from SP's warehouse?!

[Jackie-O]

Right Vel, I think we learned alot about search dogs on these threads.
Cadaver dogs are trained to hit on bodies that are into the stages of decomposition...which is a process that takes some hours. Laci was probably still very warm when she went into that truck and boat.

[Spunky]

"Distaso pointed as well to debris taken from the truck bed during a police investigation, saying it might turn out to be cement. It is possible that Laci's body was weighted with cement, law enforcement officials have indicated."

"The material will be sent to the state crime lab for analysis, Distaso wrote."

My gosh! Whats it been almost a year now and they still haven't checked to see if the material is cement or not?

[RGSpincich]

Hey, maybe they are giving back the $14,932.+ so that he can continue to make his truck payments.

From the California Civil Code of Procedure - 405.24. From the time of recording the notice of pendency of action, a purchaser, encumbrancer, or other transferee of the real property described in the notice shall be deemed to have constructive notice of the pendency of the noticed action as it relates to the real property and only of its pendency against parties not fictitiously named. The rights and interest of the claimant in the property, as ultimately determined in the pending noticed action, shall relate back to the date of the recording of the notice.

Sharon Rocha's recent filing on the Covena property (it was a Notice of Pendency of Action) put her claim BEHIND that of the Petersons ($100K) and the first lender(over $150K). That is, unless the P's TD is deemed invalid for lack of authorized signatures. SP never did file the proper Affidavit of Death of a Joint Tenant. I don't know that he would be solely able to encumber the property without having done so. Doubt if the Petersons were able to or even attempted to purchase title insurance on their TD.

The Notice of Pendency of Action was sent certified mail to SP at Covena AND c/o Stanislaus County Jail, 1115 H Street, Modesto, CA 95354. Sharon is going to be one pen pal he wished he didn't have. The Petersons were also served by certified mail in San Diego.

[Jackie-O]

I just got done refinishing my stairs and landings in my house. I had to strip all of the carpeting, remove all of the staples.
I can't tell you how many times I pinched my fingers/hands with those damn needle nose pliers, cutting and bleeding many times.
I too think he cut himself twisting those anchors onto poor Laci with those pliers.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

I agree. But, that won't be easy to prove in court.

If her blood isn't in the truck with his, the issue is even more difficult.

That being said, I hope her death was relatively quick... the act itself is gruesome. May God bring peace to her parents. This is a nightmare.

[sissyjane]

<> When you cut yourself, do you just bleed all over, or do you try to stop it? If you just committed a murder I think your mind would be elsewhere,: hence blood in the truck from the murderer.

[Velveeta]

RG, I'm trying to follow along, but I'm a bit lost. What is a TD?