LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: On August 11, Scott Peterson appeared in court in a lawsuit first filed in 2002. His attorney made a last-ditch effort to have the murders of Laci Peterson and Conner, her unborn son, be retried. The California Supreme Court sentenced Peterson to death after he was convicted in 2004. The court sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 2021 due to jury misconduct.
The California Supreme Court has previously ruled that upon Peterson’s conviction, the jury’s consideration of his views on the death penalty was improper. A San Mateo Superior Court judge will now decide whether Peterson can get a second trial.
Scott Peterson
What happened in the legal proceedings?
Peterson’s lawyer, Cliff Gardner, has repeatedly asked Judge Anne-Christine Massullo for a new trial in the case. Gardner claimed the defendants did not receive a fair trial. That’s because Richelle Nice, the juror who took part in a case involving a domestic dispute. Gardner continued, “The juror was obviously predisposed towards Peterson and was involved only for fame and stardom.” The prosecution claimed that Nice had no agenda and was unwilling to discuss his personal issues. He also mentioned that the Nice internal conflict trial was still ongoing. She cannot therefore be considered a criminal. David Harris said: ‘Ms Nice is not particularly good at filling in forms. Both lawyers were under pressure from Judge Massullo as they presented their closing arguments. “Laci died, Scott, because she loved you,” Laci’s mother, Sharon Rocha, said during the hearing. She believed in you and trusted you, but you cheated on her, your son and everyone, Rocha continued.
Previous proceedings and final judgment
In December 2021, Judge Anne-Christine Massullo sentenced Peterson to life in prison without the possibility of release for the murder of his wife. For the murder of her unborn child, Massullo also handed down a second prison sentence of 15 years to life. Laci’s sister said she would testify against Peterson if he received a new trial. Even though arguments in the case ended on Thursday, August 11, the court’s final judgment on whether to grant Peterson a new trial will not be released until 90 days later.
