what happened to the lawyer from staircase murder

Freda Black - a former assistant district attorney in Durham, North Carolina who featured in Netflix's The Staircase when she prosecuted against Michael Peterson

in his 2003 murder trial - has died. She was 57. Durham county newspaper, the News & Observer, reports the mother of two daughters was found dead at her home over the weekend.

Full Answer

What happened to Michael Peterson from the staircase?

What Happened To Michael Peterson From The Staircase? In the early morning hours of December 9, 2001, police arrived at 1810 Cedar St. in Durham, North Carolina, and found the bloodied body of Kathleen Peterson at the foot of the back staircase, per the News and Observer.

What happened to Kathleen in 'the staircase'?

A medical examiner found that Kathleen had, in fact, been bludgeoned to death and suffered multiple lacerations on her scalp. The blood there had dried, implying she had been there some time. As Peterson was the only other person in the house at the time, he was the prime suspect. What happened in 'The Staircase' trial?

Is ‘the staircase’ Durham’s most notorious crime story?

The May 5 premiere of the HBO Max limited series “The Staircase,” a dramatization based on the Netflix documentary series of the same name, has sparked new interest in what is considered to be Durham’s most notorious crime story.

How did Freda black die from 'the staircase'?

How Did Freda Black, Prosecutor From 'The Staircase,' Die? Prosecutor Freda Black, portrayed by Parker Posey in HBO Max's "The Staircase," was found dead on her couch years after she prosecuted novelist Michael Peterson for the death of his wife Kathleen Peterson.

What happened to the prosecutor in The Staircase?

In Episode 7 of the HBO Max scripted series “The Staircase,” former Durham prosecutor Freda Black, portrayed by actress Parker Posey, is tracked down by an attorney gathering info on the State Bureau of Investigation and found to be working at a local dry cleaner.

Is Rudolf still practicing law?

As reported by The Cinemaholic, David Rudolf and his wife Sonya Pfeiffer, who obtained her law degree after the documentary was released, currently practice law together at the Rudolf Widenhouse firm.

Where is Freda Black now?

While she played a part in one of the biggest trials in North Carolina's history, she was found dead in her home years later in July 2018. She was 57 at the time. According to an autopsy report obtained by CBS 17, Freda died due to end-stage liver disease caused by chronic alcoholism.

Who was Mike Peterson lawyer?

David RudolfDavid Rudolf — the real-life North Carolina defense lawyer who represented Michael Peterson after he was accused of killing his wife Kathleen — knows this, and he isn't happy about it. “I get it,” Rudolf told Variety. “And that's the problem.”

How much did Michael Peterson pay for attorney?

Jean-Xavier finds the notion ridiculous. "The prosecution tried to show in court that Michael Peterson was broken and that he killed his wife for the life insurance." Lestrade writes. "But that was stupid. I have to remind you that Michael Peterson paid a total of $975, 000 for his defense."

What does Michael Peterson do now?

Today, Michael Peterson, 78, is still alive and remains a free man. Since his release from prison on bond in 2011 and his official release in 2017, Peterson has returned to his passion for writing, publishing two books about his trial, his life behind bars, and the taste of freedom.

Did Michael Peterson get married?

Kathleen Peterson They married in 1987 and together they raised a large, blended family with children from previous relationships. Michael Peterson had two sons, Clayton AND Todd, and Kathleen Peterson had a daughter, Caitlin, from her previous marriage to Fred Atwater.

Where are the Peterson family now?

Clayton and Todd Peterson Peterson's sons have always stood by their father, who has maintained his innocence for the past twenty years. According to The News & Observer, Clayton now lives in Maryland with his wife and children, and Todd lives in Tennessee. Michael, Kathleen, and their five children.

Where is Clayton Peterson now?

Baltimore, MarylandClayton Peterson now lives in Baltimore, Maryland, with his wife Rebecca "Becky" Peterson. The couple has two sons together, Lucian and Dorian. Reportedly in his late forties now, Peterson works as an Electrical, Digital, and Printed Circuit Board (PCB) engineer, per The Cinemaholic.

Who is the real lawyer in The Staircase?

'The Staircase' Stars Parker Posey, Michael Stuhlbarg on How They Prepared to Play Opposing Counsel in Michael Peterson Case. Both actors were given autopsy photos and trial documents to prep, and they both spoke to Peterson's real defense attorney David Rudolf ahead of shooting.

How old was Freda Black in The Staircase?

The 57-year-old was assistant district attorney at the time of Michael Peterson's murder trial, and featured in the Netflix documentary. Freda Black - a former assistant district attorney in Durham, North Carolina who featured in Netflix's The Staircase when she prosecuted against Michael Peterson in his 2003 murder trial - has died. She was 57.

Who was the judge who prosecuted Freda Black?

Following the news of her death, Superior Court Judge Jim Hardin - who was the district attorney in Durham during Michael Peterson's case and oversaw his prosecution - paid tribute to Freda Black. Jim Hardin prosecuted alongside Freda in the 2003 murder trial. WhatsUp / Netflix.

How many parts are there in The Staircase?

Netflix's The Staircase is a 13-part documentary which follows the case from the beginning of its trial, in 2003, right up until its closure in 2017. Freda had a difficult time in the years that followed the Michael Peterson case.

Who was the prosecutor for Kathleen Peterson?

Freda was famously part of the district attorney team which prosecuted Michael Peterson for the murder of his wife, Kathleen Peterson, when she was found dead at the bottom of a staircase in their home. Netflix's The Staircase is a 13-part documentary which follows the case from the beginning of its trial, in 2003, ...

When was Behind the Staircase published?

The book, titled Behind the Staircase, was self-published in 2019. Free downloads of the book are available online. In July 2020, the infamous five-story Cedar St. mansion was put up for sale for the third time since Kathleen Peterson's death.

Who was the blood spatter analyst in the Peterson case?

The blood spatter analyst, Duane Deaver, who had been one of the principal witnesses in Peterson's case, was fired after news came out that he had lied about his qualifications and misrepresented evidence in Peterson's trial, according to Metro.

How long was Michael Peterson in jail?

Altogether, Peterson spent eight years in jail.

Where does Michael Peterson live?

Per the News and Observer, Michael Peterson has not owned the home since he sold it to Jason Balius for $640,000 in 2004, but according to most recent reports, he still lives in Durham and maintains his innocence.

When did Peterson get retried?

While requests for a new trial were repeatedly denied over the next few years, Peterson and his on-again, off-again lawyer, David Rudolf, were finally able to arrange a retrial in 2011, following the termination of one of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation's analysts.

Where was Kathleen Peterson found?

In the early morning hours of December 9, 2001, police arrived at 1810 Cedar St. in Durham, North Carolina, and found the bloodied body of Kathleen Peterson at the foot of the back staircase, per the News and Observer.