the lawyer who represented scott peterson

Who is Scott Peterson’s lawyer?

2 May 2003–Scott Peterson has retained “celebrity” criminal defense lawyer Mark Geragos – who has represented Robert Downey Jr., Winona Ryder and Gary Condit.

What happened in the Scott Peterson case?

"BEHIND CLOSED DOORS / Two jury members were kicked off, the foreman was ousted and the case was nearly deadlocked. Now jurors in the Scott Peterson case tell the story of their decision to sentence him to death".

Does Scott Peterson need a new trial?

“The sum total of all of it is that the justice system failed,” she said, “and Scott needs a new trial.” The state attorney general’s office has opposed Peterson’s appeals at every step, saying he was a plotting narcissist willing to kill to free himself from the burden of being a husband and new father.

Who is Michael Peterson and what did he do?

In 2004, he was convicted of the first-degree murder of his pregnant wife, Laci Peterson, and the second-degree murder of their unborn son, Conner, in Modesto, California . In 2005, Peterson was sentenced to death by lethal injection.

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Who was Scott Petersons lawyer?

attorney Pat HarrisBut Peterson attorney Pat Harris said Friday that they can't find Nice's then-boyfriend, who he said told a defense investigator that he was concerned at the time about the financial toll and Nice's need to care for a sick child. Massullo is weighing whether to allow the investigator to testify instead.

Who is paying for Scott Peterson's lawyer?

These records are unusual, however, in that they reflect the substantial costs to the court, which are paid by the state and its taxpayers rather than the by the counties. The total cost for the Page 10 Davis trial was a minimum of $2.3 million. xxvi Of that amount, $287,000 in costs were incurred by the court.

Did Mark Geragos defend Scott Peterson?

On Thursday during an exclusive interview with KPIX, Scott Peterson's former defense lawyer Mark Geragos said Nice intentionally hid that information from the court. "One of the great challenges in this case was trying to decipher what I called them back then, 'stealth jurors.

Who is Richelle Nice?

Richelle Nice, the woman also known as juror seven or “Strawberry Shortcake” during the Scott Peterson trial, faced a barrage of tough questions Monday about her behavior before, during and after the trial. Robert Handa reports.

What did Richelle Nice write to Scott Peterson?

“What happened that night, Scott?” Nice wrote Peterson in 2005. “What pushed you to the limit, where you felt like you had to kill someone who not only loved you so much, but was carring (sic) a part of you inside of her?”

What is the Geragos and Geragos lawsuit?

The suit was filed by attorneys from the Los Angeles based firm Geragos & Geragos, which has a history of representing high-profile clients such as Michael Jackson, Winona Ryder, and Sean “Diddy” Combs. The suit accuses Fyre Festival organizers of fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and breach of contract.

Where was Laci found?

the San Francisco BayLaci Peterson, who was 27 years old and eight months pregnant, disappeared on Christmas Eve in 2002. The remains of her and Connor were found in the San Francisco Bay in 2003, four months after she went missing. The bodies were identified several days after they were found.

What does deadlocked mean in a trial?

A “hung jury,” also known as a “deadlocked jury,” is a jury whose members are unable to agree on a verdict by the required voting margin after extensive deliberations, resulting in a mistrial.

Who is Strawberry Shortcake to Scott Peterson?

(AP) — Scott Peterson's chance for a new trial in the murder of his pregnant wife 20 years ago hinges on whether a California juror who helped convict him was biased. During the trial, the juror, Richelle Nice, was nicknamed “Strawberry Shortcake” for her bright red hair.

Where is Amber Frey now?

Today, Frey, 32, has taken back her quiet life, living with her new husband, corrections Officer Robert Hernandez, in a small city in central California. She has opened a day spa and moved on from her notorious past, but she'll never forget how one blind date in November 2002 changed her life forever.

Who represented Peterson in the case?

Before his arraignment, Peterson had been represented by Kirk McAllister, a veteran criminal defense attorney from Modesto. Chief Deputy Public Defender Kent Faulkner was also assigned to the case. Peterson later indicated that he could afford a private attorney, namely Mark Geragos, who had done other high-profile criminal defense work. On January 20, 2004, a judge changed the venue of the trial from Modesto to Redwood City, because Peterson was the victim of increasing hostility in the Modesto area.

Where is Scott Peterson from?

Scott Lee Peterson was born October 24, 1972, at Sharp Coronado Hospital in San Diego, California, to Lee Arthur Peterson, a businessman who owned a crate-packaging company, and Jacqueline "Jackie" Helen Latham, who owned a boutique in La Jolla called The Put On. Though Lee and Jackie had six children from previous relationships, Scott was their only child together. As a child, Peterson shared a bedroom with his half-brother John in the family's two-bedroom apartment in La Jolla. Peterson began playing golf at an early age, a result of time he spent with his father. By age 14, he could beat his father at the game. For a time, he had dreams of becoming a professional golfer like Phil Mickelson, his teammate at the University of San Diego High School. By the end of high school, he was one of the top junior golfers in San Diego.

Why did the Judge change the venue of the Peterson trial?

On January 20, 2004, a judge changed the venue of the trial from Modesto to Redwood City, because Peterson was the victim of increasing hostility in the Modesto area. Peterson's trial began on June 1, 2004, and was followed closely by the news media.

What did Scott Peterson major in?

He initially planned to major in international business, but changed his major to agricultural business. Professors who taught Peterson described him as a model student. His agribusiness professor Jim Ahern commented, "I wouldn't mind having a class full of Scott Petersons.".

Why did Peterson kill Laci?

The prosecution presented Peterson's affair with Frey, financial problems, and impending fatherhood as motives for the murder, surmising that he killed Laci due to increasing debt and a desire to be single again.

When did Peterson's insurance go to Laci's mother?

On October 21, 2005, a judge ruled that proceeds from a $250,000 life insurance policy Peterson took out on Laci would go to Laci's mother, which was reaffirmed by the Fifth District Court of Appeal on October 21, 2005. Peterson's automatic appeal was filed in the California Supreme Court on July 5, 2012.

How much did Peterson make in a month?

Peterson was earning a salary of $5,000 a month before taxes.

Where was Scott Peterson arrested?

April 18, 2003: Scott is arrested and the bodies are identified as Laci and Conner. Peterson is apprehended in La Jolla, California, near both the San Diego home of his mother and the Mexican border. Along with sporting a dyed-blond hairdo and goatee, he is driving a car containing approximately $15,000 in cash, ...

When did Scott Peterson's wife disappear?

It's a cornerstone of the American legal system and a virtual literary trope that people are presumed innocent until being proven guilty, but it sure was easy to assume the worst about fertilizer salesman Scott Peterson after his wife, Laci, and their unborn son, Conner, mysteriously disappeared in late 2002.

What was Scott guilty of?

Despite the absence of a murder weapon or any physical evidence tying Scott to the deceased, he is found guilty of first-degree murder for the death of Laci and second-degree murder for the death of Conner.

How did Judge Delucchi sentence Scott to death?

Judge Delucchi sentences Scott to death by lethal injection, but his announcement is overshadowed by the emotion that erupts when Laci's family is given the opportunity to speak, with parents from both sides yelling and Laci's brother telling the convicted that he'd strongly considered shooting him. Scott, who sits stoically through the charged affair, declines to deliver a statement before being shipped off to San Quentin State Prison.

What did Scott's lawyer say about the death penalty?

In a 423-page document submitted to the California Supreme Court, Scott's lawyer revives the complaint that intensive publicity had eroded the possibility of his client receiving a fair trial. He also claims that Judge Delucchi had erred by excluding prospective jurors who opposed the death penalty but said they would consider imposing such a sentence, and that certain evidence, such as the findings of a police dog with a poor track record of success, should never have been admitted as evidence.

What charges did Peterson plead guilty to?

In a brief arraignment at Stanislaus County Superior Court, Peterson pleads not guilty to two counts of capital murder. He also says he cannot afford a lawyer and is appointed a public defender.

What is the opening statement of the Scott trial?

The trial commences with the prosecution's opening statement, which asserts that Scott sought a responsibility-free life by killing his wife and soon-to-be-born son and dumping her weighted body in the bay. The following day, Geragos contends that his client's "boorish" behavior is hardly proof of murder, and offers a preview of the medical evidence that points to the baby being born after Laci's reported disappearance.

Who botched Scott Peterson's trial?

Proving that famed defense attorney Mark Geragos botched Scott Peterson’s high-profile 2004 double-murder trial could be the Modesto man’s best chance at leaving death row, his latest appeal document suggests.

Who was the neighborhood mailman in the Petersons?

Neither did Geragos ask the neighborhood mailman, Russell Graybill, about his report to police that the Petersons’ gate was open and their dog, McKenzi, wasn’t barking when he delivered mail that morning, after Scott left to fish.

Who are Geragos' clients?

Geragos’ clients have included former congressman Gary Condit, late entertainer Michael Jackson and actress Winona Ryder. The first of Scott Peterson’s habeas filings, in late 2015, was filed by an attorney who since retired.

Why did Geragos call to testify?

Geragos might have called to testify someone to show how dog handlers made key mistakes, leading to evidence that a dog detected Laci’s scent at the Berkeley Marina, where Scott had launched his boat. Such an expert would have explained why the dog might have been looking for Scott’s scent.

Retired Executive

After confirming both the facts and the law, Scott successfully negotiated a Settlement of a complex case to the mutual advantage of both parties. Aside from his intellect and legal experience, Scott's particular skill as a litigator is to attempt, whenever possible, to resolve disputes without litigation.

Dispute with Condominium Association

Scott successfully countered the claim by the Condo Association that I, as owner of a unit, was liable for unauthorized work carried out before I purchased the unit - the work to restore attic space above the unit has now been carried out at the expense of the Association.

Use Scott!

I have had the good fortune to be referred to Scott Petersen for one matter over a year ago. Scott handled the matter very efficiently and we achieved an excellent result. I have engaged Scott on other matters all with similar very positive results. You could not have a better advocate.

Tenacious and knowledgable

I Was referred to Scott Petersen because of his extensive knowledge of HOA law. Our 14 year old association had a board that would have one set of standards for certain board members and another for other residents. The board VP had 3 and occasionally 4 vehicles through most of their residency at our town home association.

Early Life and Marriage

See more on en.wikipedia.org

Disappearance of Laci Peterson

Recovery of Laci and Conner's Remains

Arrest

Trial

Appeal and Death Sentence Overturn

Media

Further Reading

External Links