Prosecutors want autopsy results unsealed

The Modesto Bee ^ | May 29 2003 | John Cote' and Garth Stapely

[Lanza]

I imagine it must be a bitter sweet day for the Rochas. On the one hand, they are probably happy to have Laci's things, but it has to be very sad at the same time touching and holding her things after so long. Every item probably has a wealth of memories attached to it. Then there's Conner's things and what should have been. I can't imagine the pain Laci's mother must be dealing with.

On top of everything, what the defense is doing to torture this poor family even more is just evil.

[Jhoffa_]

Her body was never found, but the "client", who worked as a heavy equipment operator grading land, was convicted on circumstantial evidence.

So?

I said it could be anough to obtain a conviction.. But it's validity is always in doubt..

There's always a shadow hanging over circumstancial evidence. It's a puzzle piece that looks like it might fit where you want it to go.

That's why it's "circumstancial"

[Howlin]

It made me feel good to see all Laci's friends going with Brent today. Who knows, today may have been the best time they've had in months.

[Devil_Anse]

I see two things here. First, I thought Scott's people were keeping the Rochas out b/c since the house is now his, there was no legal right for Laci's family to go there. Yes, I thought that was very petty.

But then I heard the police were getting into the act. I thought they had released the place as a "crime scene". Now I'm not so sure. I am thinking the police were maybe bowing to some b.s. Geragos had filed about his apparent "parallel investigation"--and that the police were therefore saying the place had to stay as is.

So now the police and/or the DA say, "We have no further reason to keep anyone out of the house"? And even though the Rochas know that the house is Scott's, I think they are prepared to take whatever (presumably small) consequences come down from their "breaking and entering."

And maybe the Rochas' attorney filed something in the probate court claiming that the assets of the estate weren't being preserved. Maybe that will be the basis for the Rochas' explanation, which they may have to give to the probate court some day--or to some other civil court. I'm sure the vindication was worth it all to them.

[Carolinamom]

The "doubt" is considerably lessened when there is a plethora of such evidence. I grant you that juries can better comprehend physical evidence, but when the amount of circumstantial evidence is overwhelming, the jury can convict w/out losing sleep....(The OJ jurors ignored both physical and circumstantial evidence and nullified the weight of both kinds.)

[runningbear]

A FEW PICS FROM THE SLIDE SHOW KTVU

Laci's Family Removes Items From Her Home

On Friday, a representative of Mark Geragos -- Scott Peterson's defense attorney -- dropped several items off at the Rocha family attorney's office.

They were items Laci's grieving mother -- Sharon Rocha -- had requested. They were a Tiffany lamp Laci inherited from her late grandmother and a couple unopened Christmas presents.

At the same time, Laci's brother Brent and several of her friends entered Laci and Scott's home and removed a rocking chair and the furniture from their unborn son Connor's nursery and then sped away in front of media and the police.

The first three slides are of the items dropped off at the lawyers office. The remaining slides are of the Rocha family raid of the Peterson house.

Slide show

[Devil_Anse]

Actually, I think Jackie just sees her murderous son as an extension of herself--and I think she only cares about herself (including extensions.)

Plus, I guess she's all worried b/c she thinks maybe now she'll never get to win "Mother of the Year".

[joyce11111]

Jeeeeeeeeeeeeez...I have spent the day cleaning house with no TV on..........DRATS...hope there will be a repeat of the day's activities.

I betcha this hurts ol snotty and his lawyer.

[Jhoffa_]

The "doubt" is considerably lessened when there is a plethora of such evidence.

Exactly..

It's like money. Some evidence is "worth" substancially less than other evidence.

If it's worth less, then you need more of it.

[spectre]

Thanks, Howlin. Keep us straight!

Rita Cosby was just on FNC and looked very determined to do her own damage control.

She said the evidence the Prosecution has against Scott is THERE and we don't and won't know about it till the trial..alot more than we suspect.

She knows it's a game the Defense is playing to cast doubt on Scott's guilt.

I think Geragos just used up his last ace...The Press isn't going to dance to his tune so quickly next time...I pray.

sw

[Howlin]

I'm hoping it does!

[Wednesday's Child]

Nice to see you :)

I wonder where they think they can go where no one has heard of this case? I understand that in Modesto damn near everyone thinks he's guilty. It just seems so wrong, sleezy, shady, despicable,unethical IMO to pull all these stunts ( cult, mystery witness etc. keeping the Rochas out of the house) in order to get the venue change. It's Geragos who's spinning all this stuff and yet he gets to possibly benefit from a change in venue?
Aggrivates me no end. I can just hope then that it backfires on him big time.

[Howlin]

Can you believe that is ALL they took over there? What a slap in the face.

[runningbear]

LOL.....

[BunnySlippers]

Are you a lawyer?

No, although you were not courteous to wait for me to answer. My mother was ... but that was many, many decades ago.

I do know that I have heard repeatedly that circumstantial evidence can be as strong as an eyewitness. I'm still wondering why you see yourself as the last word on this.

[Howlin]

I'd say July 16th is going to be a *very* interesting day.

[Carolinamom]

I asked that question of Jhoffa, not you, Bunnyslippers. Sorry if you misunderstood this. I'm w/you on the value of circumstantial evidence. The DA at the trial where I was a juror specifically pointed this out to us.

[BunnySlippers]

An alternative to circumstantial IS an eyewitness. What would you call an eyewitness? Circumstantial?

Your precious tape, direct evidence, is subject to interpretation. so, yes, circumstantial evidence can be just as strong as direct evidence.

[Devil_Anse]

I love that Geragos is outraged. He is being baited to be publicly mean to the Rochas--the family of a woman who washed up on shore in pieces, the family of a baby who floated around like so much trash. It is so perfect. He has stepped into a hornet's nest. Ooops!