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Peterson attorney asks about hair, fish storyPeterson attorney asks about hair, fish story Detective Jon Evers leaves court after Tuesday’s hearing. AL GOLUB/THE BEE Detective Jon Evers testifies before Judge Al Girolami during the Peterson preliminary hearing on Tuesday. LAURIE McADAM/THE BEE By JOHN COTÉ and GARTH STAPLEY BEE STAFF WRITERS Last Updated: November 5, 2003, 04:06:43 AM PST A defense attorney for Scott Peterson suggested in court Tuesday that police planted evidence to frame him. Attorney Kirk McAllister peppered Modesto police Detective Jon Evers with questions about evidence handling at Scott and Laci Peterson's Covena Avenue home on Dec....

SCOTT TRYST TWIST BED HOPPER: Scott Peterson, in court recently, "has a need" for adultery, a relative says. - Pool photo SCOTT TRYST TWIST By HOWARD BREUER -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- November 6, 2003 -- MODESTO, Calif. - Scott Peterson might have had up to six extramarital flings, and defense lawyers will use his alleged bed-hopping to debunk claims he killed his wife to be with gal pal Amber Frey, sources told The Post. The legal counter-punch would try to prove Peterson had no reason to kill for Frey, a 28-year-old massage therapist, because he was happy just running around behind Laci's back,...

SCOTT IN SICK LACI LIE TO LOVER SCOTT PETERSON Prophetic death fib.SCOTT IN SICK LACI LIE TO LOVER By HOWARD BREUER -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- November 7, 2003 -- MODESTO, Calif. - Scott Peterson lied to mistress Amber Frey, telling her his wife was dead - a prophetic fib told on the very same day he purchased a boat possibly used in Laci Peterson's murder, a cop testified yesterday. Detective Al Brocchini also suggested that the fertilizer salesman knew his pregnant wife was dead a day after she was reported missing. Brocchini said Peterson asked him on Christmas Day 2002 whether cops had...

Peterson's ex-girlfriend testifies todayAmber Frey: Detective told court husband lamented wife's death weeks before her murderPeterson's ex-girlfriend testifies today Amber Frey: Detective told court husband lamented wife's death weeks before her murder Julie Smyth National Post Wednesday, November 12, 2003 Laci and Scott Peterson celebrate Christmas in this undated family photo. Laci Peterson, who was eight months pregnant, disappeared last Christmas Eve. Her body and that of her unborn son were found in April. The murder trial of Scott Peterson, accused of killing his pregnant wife and their unborn child, has not even begun, yet a preliminary hearing is already...

Surveillance of Scott Peterson's home takes center stageSurveillance of Scott Peterson's home takes center stage Thursday, November 13, 2003 Posted: 5:46 AM EST (1046 GMT) MODESTO, California (CNN) -- A Modesto police detective testified Wednesday that investigators set up a video surveillance of Scott Peterson's home to monitor his activities soon after his pregnant wife disappeared. The issue was raised in the ongoing preliminary hearing for Peterson, who is charged with murder in the deaths of his pregnant wife, Laci, and unborn son. Defense attorney Mark Geragos was outraged that defense attorneys had only recently learned of the tapes, and...

Peterson seen driving to marina 3 times Amber Frey not expected to testify at Modesto hearing Peterson seen driving to marina 3 times Amber Frey not expected to testify at Modesto hearing Henry K. Lee, Chronicle Staff Writer Friday, November 14, 2003 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Modesto -- Scott Peterson drove rental cars to the Berkeley Marina three times in the days after his pregnant wife disappeared, gazing at the water before returning home to Modesto, a detective testified Thursday. Peterson spent only a couple of minutes each time at the marina, where he had told police he went fishing the day his...

Detective: Laci Peterson's body dressed in tan pants, contradicting husband's account Detective: Laci Peterson's body dressed in tan pants, contradicting husband's account BRIAN MELLEY, Associated Press Writer Friday, November 14, 2003 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (11-14) 12:31 PST MODESTO, Calif. (AP) -- A police detective acknowleged Friday that he didn't follow up on a tip from a woman who claimed to have seen someone resembling Laci Peterson in a park on the day her husband says she disappeared. Under cross-examination by attorneys for Scott Peterson, Detective Philip Owen said he didn't pursue the tip because he didn't think it was "going in the...

Peterson held over for trialPeterson held over for trial By JOHN COTÉ BEE STAFF WRITER Last Updated: November 18, 2003, 02:15:14 PM PST 2:07 p.m., PST: A judge this morning held Scott Peterson to answer on double murder charges in the deaths of his wife and son.Stanislaus County Superior Court Judge Al Girolami's ruling followed a short day in court that included testimony Peterson had $15,000 cash and extensive camping gear with him when he was arrested. The driver's license issued to Peterson's brother was on the center console of the car next to Peterson's wallet, Detective Jon Buehler testified....

Peterson attorney wants $15,000 backPeterson attorney wants $15,000 back By JOHN COTÉ and GARTH STAPLEY BEE STAFF WRITERS Last Updated: November 19, 2003, 08:20:52 AM PST Stanislaus County Superior Court Judge Al Girolami plans to hear arguments on releasing two pieces of evidence Dec. 3, when Scott Peterson is to be arraigned on the double-murder charges upheld Tuesday at his preliminary hearing. Defense attorney Mark Geragos asked prosecutors to release the $15,000 cash Peterson had with him when he was arrested and Peterson's Ford pickup, which police seized in December. "It's an expensive task for the family to fund this,"...

Few bites from fishermen on Peterson sturgeon alibiFew bites from fishermen on Peterson sturgeon alibi Searchers left Berkeley Marina in January, looking for the body of Laci Peterson. Her husband said he was fishing there on Dec. 24. THE BEE By GARTH STAPLEY BEE STAFF WRITER Last Updated: November 30, 2003, 11:03:43 AM PST Details from Scott Peterson's preliminary hearing about his Christmas Eve fishing trip left some already skeptical fishermen with more doubt. "None of his story made any sense," said Carl Costley of Oakdale, who has fished 35 years for huge, tough-skinned sturgeon. "It just doesn't hold water."...

Prosecution claims Peterson's pickup was used to dump body Posted on Wed, Dec. 03, 2003 Prosecution claims Peterson's pickup was used to dump body By Brian Anderson CONTRA COSTA TIMES With hands bloodied, Scott Peterson hauled the body of his wife, Laci, from their Modesto house to his pickup truck in an hours-long effort to dispose of her in San Francisco Bay, prosecutors said in court papers filed Tuesday. Stanislaus County prosecutors said they believe Peterson drove his Ford F-150 to a warehouse he used for work, hooked up his fishing boat and steered his truck west. He had cut...

Friend: Peterson was franticFriend: Peterson was frantic By GARTH STAPLEY BEE STAFF WRITER Last Updated: December 5, 2003, 07:25:21 AM PST Scott Peterson sounded frantic when he called a friend after Peterson's pregnant wife disappeared Christmas Eve, Modesto businessman Gregory Reed said Thursday. Reed's name surfaced in the intrigue-packed preliminary hearing for Scott Peterson. The hearing ended Nov. 18 with a judge ordering the 31-year-old former fertilizer salesman to stand trial on charges of slaying Laci Peterson and their unborn son, Conner. Other former acquaintances of the defendant, also mentioned at the proceeding, refused to comment. Reed and his wife,...

False rumor led to a lawFalse rumor led to a lawLife insurance notification bill was prompted by talk in Laci Peterson case. By Eric Stern -- Bee Capitol Bureau Published 2:15 a.m. PST Monday, January 5, 2004 Though well-intentioned, Assemblyman Dave Cogdill relied on false rumors about the Laci Peterson case to push changes in insurance laws at his wife's urging. It started in January 2003, when Cogdill, a Republican from Modesto, and his wife, Stephanie, heard a news update about Peterson. The pregnant Modesto resident had disappeared a few weeks earlier, around Christmas Eve. The story was making the...

BURGLAR MAY TESTIFY vs LACI HUBBYBURGLAR MAY TESTIFY vs. LACI HUBBY By HOWARD BREUER -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- January 6, 2004 -- MODESTO, Calif. - A convicted burglar who targeted neighbors of Scott and Laci Peterson around the time Laci disappeared may testify at Scott's murder trial to try to refute testimony from a potentially key defense witness. Prosecutors filed documents yesterday seeking to allow Steven Wayne Todd, 37, to testify in the sensational case. Last February, Todd was sentenced to more than eight years for burglaries in December 2002. Prosecutors may try to use Todd to undermine the defense's assertions that detectives...

Judge to Hear Arguments on Moving Peterson Trial Thursday, January 08, 2004 MODESTO, Calif. — The judge in the Laci Peterson (search) murder case hears arguments Thursday on the defense request to move Scott Peterson's (search) trial out of Modesto. Laci Peterson's husband is charged with murdering her and their unborn son just over a year ago. Peterson's lawyer, Mark Geragos (search), says Modesto citizens are prejudiced against his client, making it difficult for him to get a fair trial. Geragos has referred to Laci Peterson as a "posthumous celebrity," and says her husband has been demonized. Prosecutors say widespread...

Distaso attacks defense motionDistaso attacks defense motion By JOHN COTÉ BEE STAFF WRITER Last Updated: January 8, 2004, 08:14:12 AM PST Prosecutors Wednesday countered a defense effort to dismiss double-murder charges against Scott Peterson. They argued that there was only one reasonable explanation for the bodies of his wife and unborn son washing ashore along San Francisco Bay: "The evidence leads only to the conclusion that Laci was killed at the hands of another (the defendant)," Deputy District Attorney Rick Distaso wrote in documents filed in Stanislaus County Superior Court. The defense contends prosecutors failed to show at a November...

Judical Council Reveals Peterson Venue Choices Judical Council Reveals Peterson Venue Choices POSTED: 2:51 PM PST January 13, 2004 UPDATED: 3:46 PM PST January 13, 2004 SAN FRANCISCO -- The Judicial Council of California announced Tuesday that the Scott Peterson capital murder trial can be moved to Alameda, Santa Clara, San Mateo or Orange counties. Video: Judge Al Girolami Explains The Reasons To Move Trial The ruling came down after those courts informed the Judicial Council that they were able to accommodate the change of venue without undue burden. The three Northern California counties were the preference of Stanislaus County...

Judge Denies Peterson Dismissal Petition Starting back with this story. (all, those who didn't see this, watch the video clip of the court room action)Judge Denies Peterson Dismissal Petition POSTED: 11:06 AM PST January 14, 2004 UPDATED: 12:19 PM PST January 14, 2004 MODESTO -- As expected, a judge Wednesday denied a petition by Scott Peterson that sought to have the capital murder charges against him dismissed, but not before an emotional prosecutor Rick Distaso pointed at the Modesto fertilizer salesman and proclaimed that "this man murdered Laci Peterson." Courtroom Video: Attorneys Spar During Wednesday's Hearing Judge Maria Silveira, sitting...

Prosecutors favor Santa Clara County location for murder trialPosted on Mon, Jan. 19, 2004 Prosecutors favor Santa Clara County location for murder trial By Brian Anderson CONTRA COSTA TIMES Scott Peterson's prosecutors have urged a Stanislaus County judge to move the upcoming trial to the Bay Area's Santa Clara County, but also have asked that Sacramento County be considered. In court documents released over the weekend, prosecutor David Harris said Santa Clara County in the South Bay has a large enough jury pool, is close to Modesto and has had less media coverage of the disappearance and slaying of Laci...

Retired judge chosen to preside over Scott Peterson murder trialRetired judge chosen to preside over Scott Peterson murder trial KIM CURTIS, Associated Press Writer Wednesday, January 21, 2004 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (01-21) 12:17 PST SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- The judge presiding over Scott Peterson's murder trial will be Richard Arnason, a retired Contra Costa County judge chosen Wednesday by California Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald George. Scott Peterson's murder trial is being moved to the San Francisco Bay area because of hostility toward Peterson in his dead wife's hometown. Judge Al Girolami ruled earlier this month that the trial had to be...