Evidence from bay prompts speculation in Peterson case

The Modesto Bee ^ | Sept 16, 2003 | Garth Stapely and John Cote'

[Devil_Anse]

It makes me wonder how a little button-down boy like Scott could be hanging out with these thugs--even going to motel rooms--and not end up dead HIMSELF.

No one in their right mind would go to some motel room to meet such people, would they? He must really have been living a "Sopranos" fantasy! Wonder if he was armed when he went? You know, we've heard almost nothing about gun ownership by Scott. I mean, he must have had hunting rifles, but we've never heard whether he ever owned a pistol.

I am having a problem with the fact that Carroll allegedly says they met on Nov. 29. That was the day after Thanksgiving. It seems to me that Scott could easily have an alibi for that day.

[CheneyChick]

Scott to Amber - "I didn't do it but I know who did..." Takes on a different meaning now.

No kidding...

[Devil_Anse]

I'm also wondering about the fact that Carroll says Scott met with the thugs on Nov. 29 in Fresno. That was the day after Thanksgiving. I would imagine that Scott's whereabouts would be easily traceable for that day, if Scott was actually with family that day.

Janie Peterson says Scott and Laci drove back to Modesto from San Diego on that day. Don't know about later on the night of Nov. 29. Wouldn't you know, it looks like Laci would be the only one who could answer the question of whether Scott was home that night, or out and about.

Well.... Scott SAID he "talks to Laci". (In his note thanking the early searchers.) Let's get him to ask her!

[Sandylapper]

November 29 is a little troublesome for me too, Anse. Let's see what it's changed to, or if it will be changed.

[Devil_Anse]

That's right. And I've heard the drive from San Diego to Modesto described as being various lengths of time--but I've never heard it described as SEVEN hours.

Scott could have told Laci this or that--or their relationship could have already been deteriorated to the point to where he just drove off w/o saying anything. People who are quarrelling do that sometimes, especially men!

[drjulie]

"Has someone done a timeline on all this stuff? When Amber claims she first met Scott, the Thanksgiving holiday, this new twist, etc. It would be interesting to look at. From the time Scotty met Amber, things moved extremely quickly...."

Yes this is interesting and I do believe he was obsessed with Amber. However, I don't think Amber was the single motivation for what he did. One important clue to this kind of crime is the degree to which it appears the husband is moving on with his life even before the death occurs. Clearly, after her death he continued to "move on" at a rate that made his behavior appear very odd. After the loss of a spouse most people eventually move on and do things like sell a house or car, have fun, etc. but it usually takes a long time. They tend to hang on to all of the spouses possessions and can't imagine dating or remarrying right away, etc. I believe he made this decision sometime after she became pregnant - June or July?

[Devil_Anse]

So it's 455 miles from San Diego to Modesto?

A long drive, for sure.

Could Carroll have mistaken the date? Could it have been Saturday, Nov.30? Could Scott and Laci have gotten a mid-morning start from San Diego? Or is this just more made-up b.s.?

[jerseygirl]

Excellent point. Perhaps he had vague thoughts even earlier, but the pregnancy was the clincher.

[Devil_Anse]

Let's see: He met Amber on Nov. 20. He allegedly met with the thugs on Nov. 29. He was not at home on Dec. 14 when Laci's friends had a baby shower for her. He went to a party with Amber... when was that party, the one where the pictures were taken? It wasn't very long b/f Laci disappeared, that I remember.

He was at the hair salon with Laci on Dec. 23, in the early evening. He somehow got a parking card for the Berkeley Marina, and the card had the date of Dec. 24. He arrived back from his "fishing trip" at about 4-something on the afternoon of Dec. 24. The last time anyone other than Scott KNEW Laci was in the land of the living was at 8 p.m. on Dec. 23.

[drjulie]

Looks like there's a new thread. :)

[Sandylapper]

Another question: did Carroll meet with SP on two occasions? Somehow I gathered that he first met Carroll and Carroll set up a meeting later with Dirty and Skeeter. Or did they all just happen to be close by and the whole scenario happened on the 29th. Am I making sense?

[maggief]

Lee's statement puts SP back in Modesto at around 6 p.m. (or later). This would give him plenty of time to drive to Fresno for the alleged meetings, plus hook up later with Amber, possibly at her apartment.

EXCERPT

http://www.fresnobee.com/local/story/7479754p-8396215c.html

Father denies Peterson neo-Nazi talk
Scott, Laci were leaving San Diego area, he says.
Bee News Services
(Published Sunday, September 21, 2003, 5:46 AM)

A Fresno County Jail inmate is wrong about Scott Peterson meeting Nov. 29 in Fresno with neo-Nazi gang members to talk about kidnapping Peterson's wife, says Peterson's father, Lee.
It could not have happened, Lee Peterson said Saturday, because his son -- accompanied by his wife, Laci -- drove from San Diego County to their Modesto home on Nov. 29, the day after Thanksgiving. The couple spent the holiday with the Peterson family in Solana Beach, Lee Peterson said, and left for home at noon Nov. 29. The car trip normally takes six or more hours.
(snip)

[hergus]

Thanks for the Geraldo news, I went and watched when you first posted about it last night. Very interesting...

[Velveeta]

I'm guessing that Janey Peterson's defense of SP can easily be proven wrong. I'm sure the detectives already have copies of gas purchases from San Diego to Modesto and probably a receipt from the Chili's restaraunt as well. I'll bet you your bottom dollar that SP charged the Chili's meeting on his "company" credit card as a "business meeting".....

[Jackie-O]

You have freepmail! ;0)

[drjulie]

Great point - I'm sure there are alot of interesting charges on the business card. I bet they could track him will cell phone records, too!

[drjulie]

The post office box....does anyone remember that SP got a post office box around Dec. 23rd or 24th? It caused a bit of a buzz for awhile but I could never really figure out why he did this, other than he wanted a place for Amber to send his gift. Maybe "Dirty" and "Skeeter" were going to get a key to said box after they performed their services. Mind you I don't know much about how such things work but I would guess that you can't just tell hit men to stop by your house to pick up their check. Just a thought.

[hergus]

On Geraldo last night Carrol's attorney described the van several times as a camper back with a van front. That doesn't match the brown van's we've heard mentioned either.

The funny thing is either Geragos has heard this story from Scott and is using some of the elements to stir up doubt, or Carroll has been reading a lot of the coverage on the case.

What has he said that wasn't in the public domain already?

[hergus]

About Scott's guns:

"Guns Seized During Peterson Search
July 14, 2003

"When police searched the home of Scott Peterson....they seized shotguns and a handgun, according to a report Friday in the Modesto Bee...Lee Peterson, made the revelation in an interview with the paper..."Police have Scott's guns," he told the paper. "He had some bird guns and a handgun...."

It was not known when the authorities seized the weapons. Modesto police staged two extensive searches of the Peterson home -- once shortly after Laci's Christmas Eve disappearance and then on Feb. 18-19...."

http://www.ktvu.com/news/2326330/detail.html

[hergus]

Got it and replied! Thanks