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Theories unfold as hearing nears in Peterson case Posted on Sun, Oct. 12, 2003 Theories unfold as hearing nears in Peterson case By Julia Prodis Sulek SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS MODESTO - Nazi Low Riders named Dirty and Skeeter, an old Satanic cult called the Order of the Lion, and bizarre paintings of decapitated women and floating fetuses. These are the latest surreal elements in the Laci Peterson slaying case. Who could have guessed that the death of this pregnant homemaker who watched "Martha Stewart Living" each morning and had a wine-of-the-month club membership would be intertwined with such seamy...

Peterson's Mistress Seeks To Stop Sale Of Nude Photos Amber Frey Admits To Posing NudePeterson's Mistress Seeks To Stop Sale Of Nude Photos Amber Frey Admits To Posing Nude POSTED: 8:27 a.m. PDT October 21, 2003 UPDATED: 8:38 a.m. PDT October 21, 2003 LOS ANGELES -- The woman who admitted having an affair with accused killer Scott Peterson filed a federal lawsuit Monday in an attempt to stop attempts to sell nude photos of her. Amber Frey said she posed nude and partially clothed for a Clovis modeling agency in 1999. Though she decided not to continue with the agency,...

For Modesto, Peterson slaying cements dark notorietyPosted on Mon, Oct. 27, 2003 For Modesto, Peterson slaying cements dark notoriety CASE TOUCHES NERVE IN TOWN FAMILIAR WITH TRAGIC TALES By Julia Prodis Sulek Mercury News MODESTO - Twice a week, locals get a shadowy glimpse of Scott Peterson as he strolls around the fenced roof of the downtown jail. The time varies, just in case someone tries to take a shot at him. Some people are withholding judgment about whether the 30-year-old fertilizer salesman is guilty of killing his pregnant wife and her fetus, at least until prosecutors reveal their case...

Laci Peterson hearing set to beginScott Peterson, left, and defense attorney Kirk McAllister enter the courtroom on Oct. 24. By Al Golub, AP Laci Peterson hearing set to begin SACRAMENTO (AP) — For months, there have only been glimpses into why prosecutors believe Laci Peterson's husband killed her and their unborn son. A clearer picture of their case was expected to emerge Wednesday with the start of a preliminary hearing to determine whether Scott Peterson must stand trial on murder charges that could bring the death penalty. Observers believe the hearing in Modesto will reveal the most detail to date...

Day One: "DNA 101"Day One: "DNA 101" Peterson Hearing Resumes Thursday (AP) Oct. 29 (AP) — A hair found in a pair of pliers on the boat Scott Peterson took fishing the day his wife disappeared matched a genetic sample from Laci Peterson's mother, an FBI expert testified Wednesday, as prosecutors sought to have him tried in the murder of his wife and unborn son. Major Players Amber Frey's Impact Laci, Conner Buried Hearing To Remain Open Satanic Evidence? Talk About This Story Full Coverage For much of the day inside a packed courtroom, FBI lab supervisor Constance Fisher testified...

SCOTT: I WEEP IN JAIL LaciSCOTT: I WEEP IN JAIL By HOWARD BREUER -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- October 31, 2003 -- MODESTO, Calif. - Jail is a bummer to Scott Peterson, who says in letters to a pal that he's cried in his bunk over the deaths of the wife and son he allegedly killed. "I am finding it so difficult to grieve for them here," he wrote in letters revealed by a local TV station. "At night, I have my head buried in a blanket. I don't want the other inmates to see the tears." Peterson's letters to a friend - written...

DNA Dispute In Laci CaseScott Peterson enters the courtroom in Stanislaus County Superior Court in Modesto, Calif., Friday, Oct. 24, 2003. (Photo: AP)DNA Dispute In Laci Case MODESTO, Calif., Oct. 30, 2003 Peterson Hearing Opens The hair, found in a pair of pliers on the boat Scott Peterson took fishing the day his wife disappeared, matched a genetic sample from Laci Peterson's mother, an FBI expert testified Wednesday, the first day of the preliminary hearing. (CBS/AP) As Scott Peterson's preliminary hearing resumes in Modesto, California Thursday, disputed DNA evidence will likely be the center of attention. The hearing will determine...

Day 4 Scott Peterson Case The Associated Press November 3, 2003 Defense attorneys in the Laci Peterson murder case Monday challenged the type of DNA analysis done on a hair found in Scott Peterson's boat, saying the technique is too unreliable to be used in court. Prosecutors believe the hair, found in a pair of pliers in the boat, could be from Peterson's wife, Laci, the mother-to-be who disappeared last December. An FBI crime lab supervisor testified during the preliminary hearing last week that mitochondrial DNA from the hair matched a gene swab taken earlier this year from Laci Peterson's...

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,...