A murder trial is no laughing matter. Is it?

Court TV ^ | June 16 2004 | Harriet Ryan

[runningbear]

A murder trial is no laughing matter. Is it?

Excerpt

A murder trial is no laughing matter.

Is it?

Defense lawyer Mark Geragos has cracked up everyone from the jury to prosecution witnesses during the high-profile murder trial. Experts say it could work for him.

By Harriet Ryan
Court TV

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — When it came time to cross-examine the receptionist from Laci Peterson's obstetrician's office, Mark Geragos leaned forward on the defense table and grinned.

The young woman had just testified that no one called the office about the slain mother-to-be Christmas Eve, but she could not be sure about Dec. 26 because she had taken a sick day.

Geragos paused just long enough for every juror to turn toward him and his client, and then deadpanned, "Were you really sick the day after Christmas?"

The courtroom erupted in laughter....

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Officers detail extensive search for Laci Peterson

Officers detail extensive search for Laci Peterson

Police Sgt. Ronald Cloward testifies Wednesday about the "needle in a haystack" search for Laci Peterson.

By Harriet Ryan
Court TV

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — Police used helicopters, boats, ATVs, horses, dogs, divers and numerous volunteers in their efforts to find Laci Peterson, two officers testified Wednesday at her husband's capital murder trial.

Modesto police sergeants Ronald Cloward and Timothy Helton detailed the extensive, but ultimately fruitless, search to find the mother-to-be, who vanished Christmas Eve 2002.

Asked by prosecutor Rick Distaso if finding the 27-year-old woman was like "finding a needle in a haystack," Cloward replied, "That was exactly what it was like. It was difficult.".......

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Angry Laci's Mom Scolds Geragos

Angry Laci's Mom Scolds Geragos

POSTED: 10:47 am PDT June 16, 2004
UPDATED: 5:18 pm PDT June 16, 2004

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. -- Laci Peterson's mother -- Sharon Rocha -- had some harsh words for defense attorney Mark Geragos on Wednesday, telling him to stop making jokes during her late daughter's murder trial.

Video

Video On Demand: Sharon Rocha Has Harsh Words For Geragos

Video

Video On Demand: Michael Cardoza On Tuesday's Testimony And Preview Wednesday

Rocha was angered that Geragos has made several comments since the trial began that have elicited laughter from the courtroom gallery and the jury box.

"I think Mr. Geragos need to stop.......

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Defense: Petersons' street dangerous

Article Last Updated: Thursday, June 17, 2004 - 4:18:10 AM PST

Defense: Petersons' street dangerous

Geragos says Laci complained to officials about nearby homeless mission

By Jason Dearen, STAFF WRITER

REDWOOD CITY -- Forty-seven of Modesto's registered sex offenders listed a homeless mission near Scott and Laci Peterson's house as their official residence, a Modesto police sergeant testified Wednesday.

Defense attorney Mark Geragos said Laci Peterson had complained to city officials because the homeless people from the mission often used her residential street to get to a nearby park; she wanted the city to close the Covena Avenue park entrance.

Appearing in full dress uniform, his sunglasses hanging from a strap on his shoulder, Modesto police Sgt. Ron Cloward took the witness stand Wednesday for the prosecution. He confirmed that he had received an e-mail about Laci Peterson's concerns over "transients" on her street, but that none of their efforts to locate the sex offenders led to any evidence of her disappearance........

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[runningbear]

Scott Peterson Court Trial

[runningbear]

Pinging.....new thread...

[runningbear]

Pinging.....new thread...

[buffyt]

I think Marc Geragos looks like satan.

[runningbear]

The Scott Peterson Trial:
Can the Prosecution Win This Largely Circumstantial Case?

The Scott Peterson Trial: Can the Prosecution Win This Largely Circumstantial Case? By JONNA M. SPILBOR

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Thursday, Jun. 17, 2004

On June 2, the long-awaited trial of 31-year-old Scott Peterson finally got underway. Peterson, as has been widely reported, is accused of capital murder based on allegations that he killed his wife, Laci, and their unborn son on Christmas Eve 2002.

So far, prosecutors haven't exactly come out swinging. And that is largely because, it seems, they don't have much to swing with.

Conspicuously absent from the prosecution's evidence locker so far is any blood or other bodily fluid evidence consistent with a killing. Indeed, prosecutors have failed to offer any physical evidence linking Scott to the crime. Nor have they come forward with a cause of death for either Laci or the couple's son.

Defense attorney Mark Geragos, by contrast, did come out swinging. In his opening statement, he proclaimed that, "The evidence is going to show clearly, beyond any doubt, that not only was Scott not guilty, but stone-cold innocent." This audacious move meant the defense voluntarily shouldered a burden that legally, it never must bear: The burden to prove innocence......

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[runningbear]

yep, he makes me want to heave!... ;o)

[Constitution Day]

Gallows humor, anyone?*

*(Too bad there won't be one used in this case...)

[OldFriend]

Seemingly in California murder is a laughing matter. As is child molestation and other assorted perversions.

[Piquaboy]

I know murder trials are serious but I don't want to hear about them weeks on end when there are other really serious things going on in the world.

[sarasota]

The jury's decision has already been rendered: not guilty. He'll walk away just as fast as OJ did.

[MEG33]

Try CSpan and search out articles in the NYT ,Washington Post...or our sidebar. I'm listening to FAA report on 911 on Fox..hmmmm.

Try to avoid any thread that says Peterson or Rocha on FR..There's usually one a day so you must be vigilant.

[William Terrell]

Peterson must be quilty, because he looks guilty. If he were innocent, he would look innocent! A trial is just to establish guilt and since he's guilty, let's just lynch him.

[MEG33]

Actually he is looking happy go lucky they say and is courting a jail volunteer...This only a time off from his usual interests, women, golf and of course...fishing.

[norton]

"The jury's decision has already been rendered: not guilty. He'll walk away just as fast as OJ did.'

With sightly different spin....
When the 'news' becomes concerned with an aside comment about a witnesses time charges [which could address her truthfulness] I have to believe they've decided the prosecution has no case.

[RGSpincich]

Alright, rb. Trapped another one. These birds can't see the stick and the string.

[veronica]

Shades of OJ. Geragos is a slimeball, just like all the OJ lawyers. Peterson is guilty as sin, just like OJ. Will this be another OJ travesty in the end? Could be.

[MEG33]

#11...;)

[veronica]

He does not just look, guilty, HE IS GUILTY. His wife's body shows up where he just happened to be fishing? Coincidence? I don't think so...

[runningbear]

and murder is not?

[runningbear]

thanks......LOL...