Free Republic

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) - A year-old double homicide was solved by matching DNA evidence left at the crime scene with samples in a state database that contains genetic material from convicted felons, authorities said. Jim Amormino, a spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff's Department, said the case was the first double homicide in California to be solved with the database. Nicholas Casas, 83, and his wife, Emilia Casas, 73, were found dead last December of multiple stab wounds at their home in Santa Ana. Family members had offered $5,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the...

Suspect confesses to 'intentional' murder' By Justin Quinn, Intelligencer Journal Staff Intelligencer JournalPublished: Nov 22, 2005 9:48 AM EST LANCASTER COUNTY, PA - Minutes after her boyfriend allegedly shot and killed her parents, 14-year-old Kara Beth Borden ran down the driveway and jumped into his car, intending to "get as far away as possible, get married and start a new life," according to a court document released Monday.The same document also reveals David G. Ludwig admitted killing Michael F. and Cathryn Lee Borden, both 50, in their home on Nov. 13. "It was an intentional murder, I intended to...

Murder charges include fetus The case against Ruby Pena's boyfriend may test state's homicide definition. By Christina Jewett -- Bee Staff Writer Published 2:15 am PDT Wednesday, August 18, 2004 The Sacramento County District Attorney's Office is leveling double homicide charges against a man accused of killing his 16-year-old girlfriend and her 1-month-old fetus, potentially leaving a jury to define the age an unborn baby must reach to qualify as a victim of murder. A 1994 state Supreme Court decision said a murdered fetus must be 7 to 8 weeks old for prosecutors to charge homicide on its behalf. The...

NOVATO, Calif. (AP) - A Kern County man who has spent more than 17 years on death row for killing his girlfriend and her 14-year-old son died Wednesday of complications from cancer, prison officials said. Hells Angel motorcyclist Robert Garceau was convicted for the 1984 stabbing deaths of girlfriend Maureen Bautista and her son, Telesforo Bautista, both of North Hollywood. According to trial testimony, Garceau buried the bodies in cement in the backyard of a fellow drug dealer's house in San Luis Obispo County and claimed that his drug-dealing friends, not him, killed the two. He killed them in Bakersfield,...

Stephen Byrne (NOTE: MY EMPHASIS BELOW)Stephen James BYRNE Steve, who lived in Edmonds, savored life. He has left us now, in a struggle to find peace, and we will miss him. But we will remember that savoring of life, his love of sailing, biking, cross country skiing, diving, hiking. His love of an incredible mountain vista, how the leaves turned gold in the fall, a great bottle of wine and a wonderful meal with friends, a long ride around Lake Washington or up Washington Pass, completing the STP bike ride for the first time, and the second. He loved his...

Laci Peterson left her home in a car, not by foot, the handler of a bloodhound used in the search for the missing 27-year-old Modesto woman told detectives. Peterson, who is 8 1/2 months pregnant, disappeared Christmas Eve. Since then, hundreds of volunteers and police officers have searched parks, neighborhoods, fields, rivers and streams. A $500,000 reward has been offered for her safe return. Her husband, Scott Peterson, told police he last saw her at 9:30 a.m. as she prepared to walk the family's golden retriever in East La Loma Park. He said he was leaving on a fishing day...

A week after Laci Peterson disappeared, Modesto police said Tuesday that foul play had become the main focus of the investigation. Detective Jon Buehler said other possibilities had not been ruled out. But, he said, "as we continue to profile Laci's background, gather witness statements, recognize her close relationship with family and friends, investigate the circumstances of her disappearance, and in view of the timing with the holiday season, it is becoming more apparent that her disappearance is the result of foul play." Police spokesman Doug Ridenour said: "We are hopeful that we will find her alive. But seven days...

<p>Modesto police on Thursday asked the public to help verify the whereabouts of Scott Peterson, the husband of a pregnant woman missing for more than a week.</p> <p>Police released pictures of a pickup truck, boat and boat trailer they impounded from Laci Peterson's husband, and asked the public to tell them if they saw Scott Peterson before Christmas.</p>

Search goes on for their sub Light blue and yellow ribbons adorn trees at Ustach Middle School for missing Laci Peterson, a substitute teacher. Complete Coverage Photos Laci Peterson Website TED BENSON/THE BEE Jacqueline Peterson, mother of Scott Peterson, and Sharon Rocha, mother of Laci Peterson, listen to Modesto police Detective Doug Ridenour update reporters on the search. His words: 'Right now, I haven't got a clue.' January 7, 2003 Posted: 05:35:11 AM PST By TY PHILLIPS BEE STAFF WRITER As the widespread search for Laci Peterson continued Monday, nine divers spent a second consecutive day focusing on a small...

<p>By PATRICK GIBLIN BEE STAFF WRITER The state crime lab in Ripon is analyzing evidence collected in the Laci Peterson disappearance, and the evidence could be blood, saliva or semen.</p> <p>The Justice Department's Central Valley Regional Laboratory includes a serology lab that specifically looks at organic materials -- usually blood, saliva or semen -- and extracts DNA from the evidence to match with victims and suspects, said Katy Ciula, assistant lab director.</p>

<p>Officers aboard a San Mateo County Sheriff's Department search and rescue boat check underwater.</p> <p>THE ASSOCIATED PRESS A law enforcement official collects a water sample from the Berkeley Marina on Wednesday while searching for Laci Peterson.</p> <p>By TY PHILLIPS BEE STAFF WRITER Searchers returned to the Berkeley Marina on Wednesday and used underwater camera equipment to hunt for clues relating to the disappearance of Laci Peterson of Modesto.</p>

Fox News has just aired the announcement by police authorities that the 'object' found in Berkley Bay, thought to possibly be the body of 8 month pregnant missing woman, Laci Peterson is a partially submerged, abandoned anchor. The search goes on.

<p>Modesto Police is '99% convinced' that Scott is the suspect they are looking for in the homicide of Laci and her unborn child, but do not have enough evidence to make an arrest.</p> <p>Scott was definitely having an affair with at least one woman (the PE teacher from Fresno) and possibly several others.</p>

<p>Rita Cosby again quoting local LE sources saying that three different samples of blood were found in the Peterson house, not just in the kitchen.</p> <p>Authorities confiscated Scott's computer in the earlier search and some outdoor patio chair furniture.</p> <p>The blood work is taking some time to process and will be ready late next week as was indicated in Rita's initial report, the authorities will wait to make an potential arrest until then.</p>

Scott Peterson admitted he had an affair last year before his pregnant wife vanished, and claimed he told her about it.He also has previously denied killing his wife.'The affair was not a positive, obviously..but it was not something we weren't dealing with,' Peterson told ABC News Good Morning America in an interview broadcast Tuesday.'It wasn't anything that could break up apart.'Laci Peterson 27, disappeared on Christmas Eve from her home in Modesto, CA.Scott Peterson 30, told police he was fishing at the Berkley marina at the time, and that his wife had planned to take her dog for a walk...

Now on the Newstand:Drugs Sex and Violence-Joe Millionaire's Lover 'I feared for my life'Missing Pregnant Woman-Husband Fails Lie Detector310 Pound Rosie O' Donnell Collapses-Lover Battles to Save Her

Modesto, CA -[Missing pregnant woman] Laci Peterson's family fired another salvo at her husband Scott during interviews on two national cable shows Tuesday night, demanding he answer both their questions and those of Modesto investigators.Meanwhile a source with inside information about the case told KTVU's Ted Rowlands that Scott Peterson continued to be the focus in the case.The source added that even without a body an arrest 'could come in a matter of weeks, not months.'On FOX News Tuesday night, Ron Grantski-Laci's Stepfather--demanded that Scott answer all the family questions surrounding his possible involvement in Laci's disappearance on Christmas Eve.

MODESTO, Calif. -- Modesto police say that their search of the home of a missing pregnant woman Tuesday has not led to a big break in the case, but that they will return to the home of Laci Peterson Wednesday to continue the search. Modeseto Detective Doug Ridenour is downplaying Tuesday's daylong search at the house. He said unspecified new discoveries led officers to return to the home. Investigators removed dozens of bags and boxes of potential evidence from the house Tuesday, and they also drove away with Scott Peterson's new truck, which was later returned. Detectives with gloves had...

The brother and sister of missing Modesto woman Laci Peterson appeared on the "Today Show" Monday to talk about the continuing search and their feelings toward Laci's husband. Brent Rocha and Amy Rocha (pictured, right) said that they continue to struggle for answers as to what happened to Laci. "I think it has been a difficult process," Brent Rocha said. "We've taken it in phases. In the beginning, when she first went missing, I think friends and family just really focused on getting the word out. And then as time went by, I think that reality set in that the...

SAN DIEGO DETECTIVE AIDS IN LACI PETERSON CASE (03-04-2003) - A private investigator from San Diego made an unusual discovery in Northern California that just might help police in their search for missing Modesto woman, Laci Peterson. Bill Garcia spotted a chunk of cement by a waterway near Modesto. “It was interesting because it was the only patch of cement we saw in about 20, 30 miles stretch. And there was a tire track through it,” said Garcia. Last week, the couple who sold a boat to Laci's husband Scott, said cement residue in the boat wasn't there when they...

Peterson Searchers Return To Bay Waters POSTED: 3:36 p.m. PST March 16, 2003 UPDATED: 8:54 p.m. PST March 16, 2003 Weather permitting divers will return to the San Francisco Bay waters off Richmond on Monday looking for any clue to as what happened to pregnant Modesto schoolteacher Laci Peterson, who vanished from her home without a trace on Christmas Eve. Modesto investigators returned to the Bay Area last week, but a series of winter storms kicked up waves and winds that forced them to call off their operations on Thursday afternoon. It is the third time searchers have been in...

Police can't say whether woman and infant are Laci Peterson and sonInvestigators load a decomposed woman's body discovered Monday at Point Isabel Shoreline Park in Richmond. Officials are looking into the possibility the body is that of Laci Peterson. The Bay Bridge can be seen in the background. THE ASSOCIATED PRESSPolice can't say whether woman and infant are Laci Peterson and son Investigators load a decomposed woman's body discovered Monday at Point Isabel Shoreline Park in Richmond. Officials are looking into the possibility the body is that of Laci Peterson. The Bay Bridge can be seen in the background. By...

Coroner: More testing and analysis neededCoroner's office remove a body found at Point Isabel Regional Park in Richmond Monday afternoon. Officials announced Tuesday that more analysis of the remains will be needed. AP PhotoCoroner: More testing and analysis needed Bee Staff Reports Published: April 15, 2003, 02:05:22 PM PDT A man walking a dog by the Berkeley Marina Monday found a bone that may be connected to two bodies found in the area, Contra Costa County coroner's officials said in a press conference Tuesday morning. Jimmy Lee, a spokesman for the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department, said that investigators had...

<p>Stanislaus County District Attorney James Brazelton said Wednesday he thinks Laci Peterson is the woman whose body was found this week along San Francisco Bay.</p> <p>"I feel pretty strongly it is (her)," the county's top prosecutor said. "It's too much of a coincidence to have a female and a baby found close to each other a day apart and no others were reported missing. If I were a betting man, I'd put money on it."</p>

SAN DIEGO - Remains that washed ashore in the San Francisco Bay this week were those of Laci Peterson and her unborn child, California Attorney General Bill Lockyer said Friday night. Meanwhile, Scott Peterson was arrested in the disappearance of his wife, who was eight months pregnant when she was reported missing Christmas eve, a San Diego County Sheriff's deputy said Friday. The arrest came as Modesto police planned to announce a "significant" development in the search for his missing wife and son. Peterson was being transported to Modesto, said the deputy, who spoke on condition that his name not...

Md. Researcher: Women Murdered Due To Pregnancy Some States Have 'Double Homicide' Laws When Pregnant Mothers Are Killed BALTIMORE -- In California, Scott Peterson is preparing to go to trial for murdering his pregnant wife, Laci. It's a disturbing story, but apparently not all that unusual. WBAL-TV 11 NEWS anchorwoman Donna Hamilton reported that the No. 1 cause of death for pregnant women has nothing do to with medicine. Research: Homicide Kills More Pregnant Women A fertilizer salesman, an actor and a former NFL football player have all been accused of killing their wives or girlfriends during pregnancy -- or...

© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com Scott Peterson, husband of Laci Peterson, is being arraigned today in a California court on two counts of murder: One for Laci, the other for their unborn child. Pro-choice organizations are understandably uncomfortable about the latter, exposing as it does the convenient lie that abortion isn't somehow murder. "There's something about this that bothers me a little bit," said Mavra Stark, president of the local NOW office in Morris County, N.J., about the second count. "Was it born, or was it unborn? If it was unborn, then I can't see charging [Peterson] with a double-murder." Her logic:...

The California deaths of Laci Peterson and her unborn son are sending shock waves across America as the issue of when human life begins has been reignited. Laci's husband Scott was arrested last week following the discovery of what prosecutors say is Laci's body and that of their "biological child." Scott Peterson, who was booked on two counts of murder hours after his arrest in San Diego, is scheduled for an arraignment hearing tomorrow. If charged and convicted of double homicide, he could face the death penalty. Already, some pro-choice groups including the National Organization for Women are voicing their...