Peterson defense seeks new jury, county for penalty phase

AP ^ | 11/17/4 | BRIAN SKOLOFF

[SmithL]

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. (AP) --

Scott Peterson's defense lawyers want to seat a new jury in another county to weigh whether Peterson deserves to die for the murders of his pregnant wife and the fetus she carried, according to a motion filed Wednesday.

Defense lawyer Mark Geragos filed the motion in San Mateo County Superior Court. The details will not be made public until after Judge Alfred A. Delucchi reviews the file Monday morning before the scheduled start of the penalty phase.

The 32-year-old former fertilizer salesman was convicted Friday on one count of first-degree murder in the death of Laci Peterson and one count of second-degree murder for the killing of the fetus.

Jurors are set to decide whether to sentence Peterson to life in prison or death. The penalty phase is expected to last about four days.

In the motion, Geragos is seeking to empanel an entirely new jury to decide Peterson's fate. He also seeks to move the penalty phase to another county.

Wednesday's motion marks the second time Geragos has sought to have two juries seated for the trial, one for the guilt phase and one to determine the penalty.

In court documents filed in February, Geragos said that "the vast adverse publicity, the abnormally high prejudging of guilt and the strong statistical showings that a death-qualified jury tilts in the favor of the prosecution" supports his request.

The judge denied that motion and let the trial move forward with just one jury.

[SmithL]

Geragos kept Winona from getting the death penalty.

[theDentist]

Sounds like they want anyone else but this Jury.

[anniegetyourgun]

She killed Laci and son too?

[nothernlights]

Thank you for that MR GAragos, now the alphabet media will have something to talk about other then the Fallujah incident.

[i_dont_chat]

Geragos wants to seat a jury in the same County where he happens to be -- on the day the penalty verdict is rendered. So he can be sure to be there.

[NY Attitude]

I don't think that any further delay in the end result will dull any potential juror memory of the trial proceedings. This is another attempt at grandstanding by Geragos. He has failed miserably to get his client off and he still has to look like he is earning his fee. If Peterson gets life in the slam, it is a far worse punishment than the death penalty.

[DTogo]

After a few years of abuse by his fellow inmates, he will want death. Best to ask for it now and quickly, nice and easy with a needle. Make peace with God, Scott, it's you're only hope.

[libstripper]

Scotty is going to have a very full social calendar where he's going.

[dighton]

Geragos kept Winona from getting the death penalty.

Nominated for One-Liner of the Day.

[derllak]

Anyone ever notice his eyes? He's empty - nothing there. No emotion, no feeling at all. He scares me!

[netmask]

Can somebody remind me why Geragos has a reputation for being such a great lawyer?

[konaice]

Wednesday's motion marks the second time Geragos has sought to have two juries

The first time was before the trial began. This says to me that Geragos KNEW he was going to lose this case from the get go. The ruleing the first time was tha no one has a right to two juries.

[Dog Gone]

I've never heard of a judge granting such a ridiculous request.

[Dante3]

I agree Geragos is creepy.

[SmithL]

Thank you.
:-)

[michaelbfree]

I voted for the death penalty before i voted against it.

Agreed, that was a good line - Wow, the great criminal defense attorney's legacy will be getting her off for shoplifting.

[Guillermo]

Anyone who defends a Clinton crony is creepy.

[PAR35]

Move the trial to Texas - let the defense pick any county in the state.

[NY Attitude]

He will be soon known as someones b*tch.