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."

[sandydipper]

I think Laci is sooo pretty - it baffales me why Scott would be bumping the bimbo.

[Spunky]

"What is a TD?"

I'm with you Velveeta. The only thing I come up with is "Trust Deal" :-)

[juzcuz]

*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?!*

Cement-
I thought the cement he used for anchors were left over's from the pool job at his house. If that's so, I can see how there could be cement in the truck Bed if he used the truck to carry (leaky cement bags) from his house to his warehouse. But if there is cement in the cab, that's something else. It's also possible that he cut himself getting the cement out of the bucket mold. That's no easy job.

[Dante3]

Good point.

To me a disturbing detail is that after his wife was reported missing, possibly kidnapped from the home, Scott refused to have the police search the house. That is truly bizarre.

[bonfire]

Yep. It was the FIRST clue to Scott's guilt.

[Yaelle]

I can imagine the joyful tears of the Peterson family if Scott is acquitted: "Yes, and although it might take a while to live down the fact that he was tried for capital murder, our baby still has an A-1 credit rating!"

Your sense of humor is so delightfully wicked! Tell me when you write a book; I want it!!

[RGSpincich]

I'm trying to follow along, but...

I'm sorry, guys. It's the Deed of Trust = Trust Deed = TD.

[Yaelle]

Loved your mouse suggestion. Coming on here and complaining about the subject is like walking into a Victoria Secret and making a complaint that they sell women's underwear and not automotive parts.

[cyncooper]

I thought the cement he used for anchors were left over's from the pool job at his house. If that's so, I can see how there could be cement in the truck Bed if he used the truck to carry (leaky cement bags) from his house to his warehouse. But if there is cement in the cab, that's something else. It's also possible that he cut himself getting the cement out of the bucket mold. That's no easy job.

Well, I'm thinking it is prepared cement, not powder from the bags that would be expected from transporting it. If it is pieces of cement that has been mixed and set, that would not be from a completed job at his home site.

On the testing, the more I think about it, the more I think that it probably looks obvious as being cement and Geragos is just insisting that the tests be performed, and that's why they are just now agreeing to do so.

[MEG33]

Use that one next time we get another malcontent who can't control his mouse or his typing.

[RGSpincich]

It turns out that SP did allow the police to search the home on the 24th and also allowed them to take items. Reasonable cause for a search warrant on the 26th may have been based on evidence taken and observations from that search. We all thought that SP wouldn't let the MPD search the house without a warrant, preliminary hearing testimony proved otherwise.

[Velveeta]

The pool people said early on that it was not their cement. ;-)

Investigators carried out a two-day search of the Petersons' home last week in what they said was an effort to "eliminate or connect" him as a suspect in the case.
One of the things they found in that search were containers of cement, which he said were for the people who were working on his pool. When police asked the pool workers, though, they said the cement was not theirs.
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/Primetime/laci_peterson030227.html

[juzcuz]

*Well, I'm thinking it is prepared cement, not powder from the bags **

You could be right-
I'm thinking that it might have been powdered bags. Even powdered bags sometimes have chuncks that fall out that have been hardened by moisture, etc. and leave chalk like residue behind..

[Velveeta]

I agree, so much of this case and particularly Snott's actions are bizarre. It's like a glimpse into the mind of a "disorganized" killer.

[Velveeta]

Thanks, RG. Do you think that the Rocha's attorney is on top of things here? I'm hoping the Rocha's are getting the best possible advice.

[Spunky]

I went back to bed after posting this morning when all of a sudden the light bulb went off. TD "Trust Deed"

[Jackie-O]

Not easy to prove in court, yes that is so true.
Remember the great amount of OJ, Nicole, and Ron blood in the Bronco??? That didn't help prosecutors convince that jury.

[syriacus]

Thanks for the tip. I guess I should have said bloodhounds, instead of cadaver dogs.

[juzcuz]

containers of cement

Thanks for the link.. The police "found more cement" at the house.. Snott had some more at the house, after he allegedly killed his wife and dumped her with concrete anchors. I wonder what other jobs he was planning to do..

Also, I guess cement comes in containers now. I haven't been to Home Depot lately I wasn't aware that cement comes in Containers. I thought it generally came in bags..

[Yaelle]

I can just see it now... Tim Robbins would probably pay a small fortune to have what he considers a "humane art purchase" to have a toothpaste sculpture of the Madonna and Child made by Scott Peterson.