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Retired judge chosen to preside over Scott Peterson murder trial
The San Francisco Chronicle ^ | Wednesday, January 21, 2004 | Kim Curtis

Posted on 01/22/2004 5:39:59 AM PST by runningbear

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Next Hearing & Media Requests for Friday

Posted on Tuesday, January 20 2004 at 2:17 PM PST ----

The next scheduled court date is Friday, January 23, 2003 at 9:00 am (PST) in Department 2. The court will certify the transcript for January 8th, 14th and 20th and determine the final details of transferring the case to San Mateo County for trial.

Media Requests for Courtroom Seating for Friday's hearing will be accepted beginning at 8:00 am (PST) on Wednesday, January 21st. Click on "Court Forms" and following the instructions carefully.

1 posted on 01/22/2004 5:40:01 AM PST by runningbear
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To: Rheo; Mystery Y; Searching4Justice; brneyedgirl; Scupoli; sissyjane; TexKat; Lanza; Mrs.Liberty; ...
Pinging......
2 posted on 01/22/2004 5:40:46 AM PST by runningbear (Lurkers beware, Freeping is public opinions based on facts, theories, and news online.......)
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To: amazed; Wednesday's Child; LuvMyNick; RightOnGOP; Valpal1; phd2b; SandyEgo; shattered; ...
Pinging......
3 posted on 01/22/2004 5:41:15 AM PST by runningbear (Lurkers beware, Freeping is public opinions based on facts, theories, and news online.......)
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To: Constitution Day

Fishin'? I'm 'sposed to believe that? You's a lyin' punk, Scotty.

4 posted on 01/22/2004 5:46:37 AM PST by Tijeras_Slim (Come see the violence inherent in the system!)
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Retired judge to preside over Peterson case
Trial scheduled to start Monday but probably will be delayed

Retired judge to preside over Peterson case
Trial scheduled to start Monday but probably will be delayed

The Associated Press Updated: 6:17 p.m. ET Jan. 21, 2004

SAN FRANCISCO - A retired judge whose long experience with high-profile cases dates back to the sensational 1970s trial of black militant Angela Davis was picked Wednesday to preside at the murder trial of Scott Peterson.

Retired Contra Costa County Judge Richard Arnason, 82, was chosen a day after Judge Al Girolami decided to move the trial to the San Francisco Bay area because of hostility toward Peterson in his dead wife’s hometown of Modesto.

The trial is scheduled to start Monday but will probably be postponed. Prosecutors asked for two weeks to move their operation to San Mateo County, and a hearing is scheduled later this week to discuss a delay.

Peterson, 31, is charged with two counts of murder for allegedly killing his pregnant wife, Laci, and unborn son just before Christmas 2002 and dumping her body in the San Francisco Bay.

Attorneys say Peterson demonized Peterson’s lawyers said he had been demonized in the town where the couple lived and Laci Peterson grew up, citing vandalism of his house, crowds yelling “Murderer!” outside the jail and T-shirts sold with Peterson’s likeness and the motto: “Modesto, a killer place to live.”

Arnason was selected by California Chief Justice Ronald George, in part because officials wanted a retired judge to keep the months-long trial from slowing down local courts.

Arnason presided at the trial of ’60s radical Angela Davis, a former member of the Communist Party who was charged in 1971 with plotting a bloody courthouse shootout during the trial of three .....

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Court document cites allegation on past research

Court document cites allegation on past research


Stephen Schoenthaler, criminal justice professor at California State University, Stanislaus, arrives at the Stanislaus County Courthouse on Tuesday morning. MARTY BICEK/THE BEE

By JOHN COTÉ and GARTH STAPLEY
BEE STAFF WRITERS

Last Updated: January 21, 2004, 06:48:30 AM PST

A professor at the center of a Peterson trial survey scandal ordered a researcher to falsify data on an unrelated poll several years ago, according to a witness cited in a court document.

The allegation did not change Superior Court Judge Al Girolami's decision to move Scott Peterson's double-murder trial out of Stanislaus County. Tuesday, Girolami reaffirmed his decision, and selected San Mateo County as the trial site.

Also on Tuesday, university officials said they are pressing forward with investigations into the scandal. They are targeting at least 65 criminal justice students at California State University, Stanislaus, and their professor, Stephen Schoen- thaler.

"There is nothing I would like to deliver more than a quick, appropriate, fair action," university President Marvalene Hughes said.

Hughes, other administrators and a California State University attorney declined to comment on Schoenthaler's history at Stanislaus State. Incidents include:

Sexual harassment allegations brought in 1990 by two female researchers; one was Justine Pinto.

Schoenthaler's demotion from full professor to associate professor pending investigation into those allegations.

Schoenthaler's exoneration and reinstatement in 1993......

5 posted on 01/22/2004 5:55:38 AM PST by runningbear (Lurkers beware, Freeping is public opinions based on facts, theories, and news online.......)
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To: runningbear
I just pulled up the map of San Mateo on Mapquest and realized the irony of the location...nice twist of fate that the jurors will be so close to where Snotty did the evil deed.
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?country=US&address=&city=San+Mateo&state=CA&zoom=3
6 posted on 01/22/2004 6:05:57 AM PST by Jackie-O
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To: runningbear
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2004/01/22/PETERSON.TMP

...However, some attorneys who have appeared before him say they're sure of one thing -- that he won't allow cameras in the courtroom and that he'll easily handle the expected media circus.

(snip)
7 posted on 01/22/2004 6:11:16 AM PST by maggief
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To: maggiefluffs; runningbear
It seems like a circus already..............


Thanks for all the background info.
8 posted on 01/22/2004 6:22:54 AM PST by nuconvert ( "It had only one fault. It was kind of lousy.")
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To: maggiefluffs; Jackie-O; runningbear
Bad news for us trial junkies; this guy hates cameras in the courtroom!
9 posted on 01/22/2004 7:42:42 AM PST by Howlin
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To: maggiefluffs; runningbear
"Arnason, 83, was appointed to the Contra Costa County Superior Court by Gov. Pat Brown in 1963."

Lets hope he is in real good health, but at that age anything could happen.

10 posted on 01/22/2004 7:43:18 AM PST by Spunky (This little tag just keeps following me where ever I go.)
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To: runningbear
Geragos stated that Snotts parent have already spent 1 million dollars on this case.

Quick somebody find the Petersons a financial advisor.

Since when is it any business of the court how much a defendent pays privately to his attorney.

Gegaros is now being funded by the Nation of Islam via MJ and watch this SOB end up claiming Scott indegent and collecting his funds albeit through the courts anyway.

What has been done for the cost of a million bucks? A couple of cheap Navy suits and chasing around a transeint tweeker family claiming they are a Satanic cult?

My prayers for Laci's family who will be spending private funds and time traveling to represent their daughter and grandson.

Wouldn't it be cool to see a huge MJ type of party after Scott found guilty. That would be a party where no one would have to be bussed in as good decent Americans would just show up to support justice.
11 posted on 01/22/2004 8:20:44 AM PST by oceanperch ( Newsflash! Scott Peterson has joined the Nation of Islam!)
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To: runningbear
Hmmmm Men with pretty umbrellas? Is this like a NAMBLA thing?
12 posted on 01/22/2004 8:26:41 AM PST by oceanperch ( Newsflash! Scott Peterson has joined the Nation of Islam!)
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To: Jackie-O
Good! It'll make that bus tour to the final resting place of Laci and Conner that much more accessible for the prosecution.
13 posted on 01/22/2004 8:32:11 AM PST by oceanperch ( Newsflash! Scott Peterson has joined the Nation of Islam!)
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To: Spunky
Yeah NO NAPS during courtroom activity your Honor!
14 posted on 01/22/2004 8:35:46 AM PST by oceanperch ( Newsflash! Scott Peterson has joined the Nation of Islam!)
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To: Howlin
Yes, this is bad news of all of us who have following this so religiously.
I look at it two ways...I'm sorry it may not be televised, but glad that I won't be missing it all while at work!
15 posted on 01/22/2004 9:06:56 AM PST by Jackie-O
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To: oceanperch
Someone commented on yesterday's thread that the jurors can just stare out at the ocean and get a clear picture of the grave site Snotty chose for his wife and child.
It will be devastating for the Rochas to be camped down in that area too.
16 posted on 01/22/2004 9:09:28 AM PST by Jackie-O
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To: Jackie-O
Sloooooow Server this morning huh.

Hey will they move metrosexual Scott to another facility?

Hmmm what is the facility?

Might not be as comfy up in the bay area county slammer as his hole he is in now. Scott may become so frail and thin his bottom lip may quiver during the trial and thoughts of those wonderful meals Laci made will dance in his head.
17 posted on 01/22/2004 9:28:01 AM PST by oceanperch ( Newsflash! Scott Peterson has joined the Nation of Islam!)
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To: Spunky
From what I have read about this Judge is that he often sides with the defence and serves up light sentences for those found guilty
18 posted on 01/22/2004 1:27:31 PM PST by joyce11111
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To: joyce11111
......and serves up light sentences for those found guilty

I am not real sure how the California system works, but what I recall and read from the Westerfield/VanDam case when the jury found him guilty of murder they also later had the decision of life or death. They said death, but the Judge could have changed it to life, which he didn't.

I don't see how this Judge who will be presiding over the Peterson case could go outside of the guidlines. If Scott is found guilty of 1st degree murder the choice as far as I understand it, is life or death. If the jury says death he could change it to life.

19 posted on 01/22/2004 2:09:22 PM PST by Spunky (This little tag just keeps following me where ever I go.)
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To: oceanperch
A couple of cheap Navy suits and chasing around a transient tweeker family claiming they are a Satanic cult?

LOLOLOL!!!

They've just got to think of SOMETHING so Mark can keep raking in the bucks! Look for Scott to appear in one of those robes and little pillbox hats that black muslims are so fond of. One plus: if Scott joins the Nation of Islam, he'll never be seen grinning like a moron in the courtroom again. Have you ever watched those Nation of Islam guys? They NEVER smile! I think their cult requires them to wear an angry expression at all times...

20 posted on 01/22/2004 2:31:24 PM PST by Devil_Anse
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