Forums · Final Arguments Peterson Trial
Final arguments today in the Scott Peterson trial. Court TV is having really good coverage. Nancy Grace, is doing a show "Walking in Lacey's Foosteps," which is on now but will be aired again, later tonight on Court TV. You can also go to their website and sign up to get a message on your cell phone as soon as the verdict comes in. The prosecutor gave a fantastic closing argument. If you want to read the highlights of it, click here: Closing Argument[/URL]
I personally, think he is guilty, but all it takes is one juror to have reasonable doubt. I'm wondering if the prosecution would have more of a chance to get a conviction, if they hadn't made it a death penalty case. It is worrisome to me, that Scott Peterson may get away with this, because some jurors might not want to give a guilty verdict which would result in a death penalty, based on circumstantial evidence.![[Sigh]](graemlins/ohwell.gif)
[ November 01, 2004, 06:05 PM: Message edited by: SavannahSilkie ]
I personally, think he is guilty, but all it takes is one juror to have reasonable doubt. I'm wondering if the prosecution would have more of a chance to get a conviction, if they hadn't made it a death penalty case. It is worrisome to me, that Scott Peterson may get away with this, because some jurors might not want to give a guilty verdict which would result in a death penalty, based on circumstantial evidence.
[ November 01, 2004, 06:05 PM: Message edited by: SavannahSilkie ]
Pate, I may not be correct about this, but I understood a few days ago that the judge has given the jury the option of a lesser murder charge. Anyone else know anything about this?
My gut feeling is that the guy did it, and I think the prosecutor is right on target. I can't imagine the absolute horror Laci's family (and for that matter, Scott's) have gone through in this ordeal. I remember watching an episode of Court TV in which a woman who was a psychic was being interviewed. Scott Peterson's mother had hired her to come up with any clues in the case. The woman did not come right out and say it, but she hinted at "seeing" Laci's murder and Scott's role in it. She did however, say that he would be convicted. Another psychic on the program did not agree (however, she had not handled any items belonging to Laci).
It will be interesting to see how it turns out. I hope that whichever way it goes, that justice will be served. I don't think anyone other than perhaps Scott Peterson knows the true story.
My gut feeling is that the guy did it, and I think the prosecutor is right on target. I can't imagine the absolute horror Laci's family (and for that matter, Scott's) have gone through in this ordeal. I remember watching an episode of Court TV in which a woman who was a psychic was being interviewed. Scott Peterson's mother had hired her to come up with any clues in the case. The woman did not come right out and say it, but she hinted at "seeing" Laci's murder and Scott's role in it. She did however, say that he would be convicted. Another psychic on the program did not agree (however, she had not handled any items belonging to Laci).
It will be interesting to see how it turns out. I hope that whichever way it goes, that justice will be served. I don't think anyone other than perhaps Scott Peterson knows the true story.
Carrie, you're right. I missed the trial coverage on Friday when the judge made that decision. 
Cool, because that was something that has bothered me from the beginning of the trial. The judge gave the jury the option of Second-degree murder, which does not require proof of premeditation and carries a sentence of 15 years to life for each count. Here's a link for info on that if anyone wants to read the judge's decision and why he made it: Judge Decision[/URL] Thank you for pointing that out to me, that's a relief.
Cool, because that was something that has bothered me from the beginning of the trial. The judge gave the jury the option of Second-degree murder, which does not require proof of premeditation and carries a sentence of 15 years to life for each count. Here's a link for info on that if anyone wants to read the judge's decision and why he made it: Judge Decision[/URL] Thank you for pointing that out to me, that's a relief.
The jury is out and I'm on verdict watch... Hoping they will come back with a verdict today. I'm hoping it's going to be guilty on both counts, first-degree. Maybe Lacey's mom and family...and Lacey and Connor, can have peace at last.[ November 09, 2004, 01:34 PM: Message edited by: SavannahSilkie ]
Still on verdict watch... Now there is one juror who is digging in his/her heels, and refusing to deliberate. I don't get it. They've been on this case for 6 months, finally time for them to reach a verdict and now this. Whether this person changes their mind or not as to guilt or innocence, they should still take part in the process of deliberation. This doesn't look good. I hope this doesn't end up with a hung jury.
Ok, I have not followed this case that closely, but I'm not sure I understand why this is as high profile a case as it is. This sort of crime is not unusual and no one involved is a well known figure; Scott and Laci Peterson are/were common ordinary people. Is it due to the fact that an unborn child is involved?
I think that has something to do with it Ghostdancer. I've thought about the same thing myself. I don't think the Peterson or Rocha family are rich; however, they are seemingly affluent and give the illusion of being the "All-American" family. By all accounts, the Rocha's and Peterson's are nice, decent people, both put in a horrific position of defending a child they love(d) with all their hearts. The Peterson's aren't the abusive monsters you commonly think would produce a killer. By the same logic, the Rocha's aren't by appearances the type of family who would produce a daughter who would likely excuse her husband's blatant extra-marital affairs and condone his behavior (as Scott has claimed). Laci and Scott were nice looking young people and had a facade of having it all together.
With all of those things put together, most people would not consider them to be the probable victims/perpetrators of such a horrific crime. Unfortunately, and this sounds pretty crass, if they had been average looking Joe Schmoe's living in a housing project no one in the news media would have thought twice about the case. As it was, representing a pretty picture of suburbia gone wrong, the case has attracted wide-spread media and public scrutiny.
Speaking only for myself, when I look at Laci's picture, I see someone who could have been my daughter, my sister, my friend. I look at Scott and see someone, who on first glance, I would be delighted for my daughter to bring home, someone I would have been interested in dating in my youth, someone I would have been happy to call a son. They were the epitome of the clean cut, all-American young couple. You just don't expect a young, attractive, middle-class woman expecting her first child to wind up being a headless torso. You don't expect a Ben Affleck look alike to be a pathological liar and possible murderer. The media jumped on this, and it has captured the public's attention. I think in some sense, this case is less about the crime and more about the crumbling values it has come to represent. In a way, it has shown us that a lot of things in life are just smoke and mirrors.
You are right, the crime is not that unusual. You pick up the paper and read about it everyday. If Laci and Scott had been unattractive, poor, and come from families with a history of poverty or abuse, no one would have thought much about it. Sad, huh?
With all of those things put together, most people would not consider them to be the probable victims/perpetrators of such a horrific crime. Unfortunately, and this sounds pretty crass, if they had been average looking Joe Schmoe's living in a housing project no one in the news media would have thought twice about the case. As it was, representing a pretty picture of suburbia gone wrong, the case has attracted wide-spread media and public scrutiny.
Speaking only for myself, when I look at Laci's picture, I see someone who could have been my daughter, my sister, my friend. I look at Scott and see someone, who on first glance, I would be delighted for my daughter to bring home, someone I would have been interested in dating in my youth, someone I would have been happy to call a son. They were the epitome of the clean cut, all-American young couple. You just don't expect a young, attractive, middle-class woman expecting her first child to wind up being a headless torso. You don't expect a Ben Affleck look alike to be a pathological liar and possible murderer. The media jumped on this, and it has captured the public's attention.
I think in some sense, this case is less about the crime and more about the crumbling values it has come to represent. In a way, it has shown us that a lot of things in life are just smoke and mirrors.You are right, the crime is not that unusual. You pick up the paper and read about it everyday. If Laci and Scott had been unattractive, poor, and come from families with a history of poverty or abuse, no one would have thought much about it. Sad, huh?
I was also thinking that maybe they or their families are well known in their community.
Another ?,
I've been looking at material on the case on both CNN and Courttv's website; has the exact cause of Laci Peterson's death been actually determined? I don't see anything about that or heard anything in the news.
Another ?,
I've been looking at material on the case on both CNN and Courttv's website; has the exact cause of Laci Peterson's death been actually determined? I don't see anything about that or heard anything in the news.
As gruesome as it sounds, I don't think Laci's head was ever recovered, so the exact cause of her death remains undetermined. It has been theorized that she was knocked unconscious, weighted down and dumped overboard. However, without the skull to check for any fractures, that is just a theory. Also, her remains were supposedly pretty badly decomposed which has also made the details of her death pretty sketchy for forensic specialists.
My gut feeling is that Scott Peterson did it -- possibly with some help. At minimum, I think he knows a lot more than he has admitted. However, a lot of the evidence against him is circumstantial. I think even the defense has had to admit he is a pretty rotten person; however, and this has been their argument, you can't convict someone for being a jerk.
I had thought the jury would be more likely to convict him on the lesser charge, but I'm not so sure now. They've undoubtedly got someone who isn't going to budge one way or the other. I just read something to the effect that one juror might be dismissed because of conducting their own investigation in the case. So, my guess is that is the individual who is holding things up.
My gut feeling is that Scott Peterson did it -- possibly with some help. At minimum, I think he knows a lot more than he has admitted. However, a lot of the evidence against him is circumstantial. I think even the defense has had to admit he is a pretty rotten person; however, and this has been their argument, you can't convict someone for being a jerk.
I had thought the jury would be more likely to convict him on the lesser charge, but I'm not so sure now. They've undoubtedly got someone who isn't going to budge one way or the other. I just read something to the effect that one juror might be dismissed because of conducting their own investigation in the case. So, my guess is that is the individual who is holding things up.
Hi Ghostdancer:
They were never able to determine an exact cause of death, because Laci's head (as gruesome as it sounds,) has never been found. The hyoid bone would tell them if strangulation occurred, because it is usually crushed in the process. The prosecution is saying that it was either a stangulation or he smothered her with a pillow, and that is the reason blood wasn't found. I'm not sure how prominent they were in their community, I think it's more the media attention that has brought them out. The Rocha's seem to be an upper middle class family, am not sure about the Petersons, but they were well off enough to loan Scott some money to buy their home and buy Scott a $10,000.00 membership in a Golf/Country Club.
I feel really bad for the Rocha family, but since the evidence and recorded phones calls have come out, I feel a lot less sympathy for Scott's parents. The reason why, I say this is: That grandchild was their's too. It looks like they were willing to help Scott skip the country by giving him money. The calls recorded between Scott and his mother, make me sick.
They were never able to determine an exact cause of death, because Laci's head (as gruesome as it sounds,) has never been found. The hyoid bone would tell them if strangulation occurred, because it is usually crushed in the process. The prosecution is saying that it was either a stangulation or he smothered her with a pillow, and that is the reason blood wasn't found. I'm not sure how prominent they were in their community, I think it's more the media attention that has brought them out. The Rocha's seem to be an upper middle class family, am not sure about the Petersons, but they were well off enough to loan Scott some money to buy their home and buy Scott a $10,000.00 membership in a Golf/Country Club.
I feel really bad for the Rocha family, but since the evidence and recorded phones calls have come out, I feel a lot less sympathy for Scott's parents. The reason why, I say this is: That grandchild was their's too. It looks like they were willing to help Scott skip the country by giving him money. The calls recorded between Scott and his mother, make me sick.
quote:
This just in... Juror #7 has been replaced by alternate juror #1 (nicknamed Strawberry Shortcake, cause she dyed her hair pink.) The juror they dismissed was the Asian woman who said she would not change her opinions no matter what, there is also a possibility of misconduct. The juror replacing her, smiles a lot at Mark Geragos (Scott's lawyer.) Mark Geragos was grinning like a mule eatin' briars, because even if the jury comes back with a guilty verdict...this will help him immensely on an appeal. So, the jury is back at square 1...beginning deliberations allllllllllllllllllll over again. 
[ November 10, 2004, 01:50 AM: Message edited by: SavannahSilkie ]
[ November 10, 2004, 01:50 AM: Message edited by: SavannahSilkie ]
I cannot believe the latest developments. Another juror dismissed and a new floor person. But that's not the worst of it. Mark Geragos should be disbarred. He bought property near the courthouse, and bought a boat, identical to the one Peterson dumped Laci out of. He parked it in public view, with a "Dummy" dressed in overalls, to represent Laci. I am appalled that he would do this. He got mad, because the judge would not let him show a video to the jury, that he had made, to show the boat would have tipped over. Only thing is, he had to try 3 times before he got it to tip. Anyway, this is inexcusable. I feel so bad for Laci's family. People are going by and putting signs on the boat. One says, "murderer, murderer...You are as guilty has he is Mr. G." There are other signs too, all are against Geragos' actions. He should be disbarred for sure. What is wrong with people???? Sheesh. ![[Mad]](mad.gif)
Didn't Scott Peterson have a prior affair before meeting Amber Frye?
This certainly is in no way relevant to the case, but I thought I heard on one news broadcast that Amber Frye had a past history of drug use and/or an abusive relationship or perhaps someone made this up?
This certainly is in no way relevant to the case, but I thought I heard on one news broadcast that Amber Frye had a past history of drug use and/or an abusive relationship or perhaps someone made this up?
Hi Ghostdancer:
Yes, Scott Peterson had at least two other affairs before Amber Frey. I haven't really heard that she had a drug problem. I think she did have an abusive relationship. I know she also had a relationship with a man who was married, before she met Scott. That man had lied to her too, and when she found out, she ended it and seemed to have been very hurt and betrayed. I admire her for standing up for what is right, coming forth with the affair, taping his calls and testifying. That took a lot of guts. Good for her. She is engaged and has a new baby. She is marrying the father of that child. I wish her the best...she did what was right and was also an innocent victim of Scott Peterson.
Yes, Scott Peterson had at least two other affairs before Amber Frey. I haven't really heard that she had a drug problem. I think she did have an abusive relationship. I know she also had a relationship with a man who was married, before she met Scott. That man had lied to her too, and when she found out, she ended it and seemed to have been very hurt and betrayed. I admire her for standing up for what is right, coming forth with the affair, taping his calls and testifying. That took a lot of guts. Good for her. She is engaged and has a new baby. She is marrying the father of that child. I wish her the best...she did what was right and was also an innocent victim of Scott Peterson.