Convicted killer Scott Peterson inches toward retrial on death penalty
Scott Peterson
Convicted killer Scott Peterson appeared briefly from San Quentin State Prison via Zoom Tuesday as his attorneys continued to hash out when he will face in a new trail in the penalty phase of his case.
Peterson did not exercise his constitutional speedy trial rights and his attorney and prosecutors agreed to reconvene in San Mateo County Superior Court on June 28 to discuss the status of the case.
Peterson was convicted of killing his wife, Laci, and unborn son, Connor, and was sentenced to death in 2005.
The court upheld Peterson’s murder conviction but ordered a new trial in the penalty phase of the case.
A protester holds a guilty sign outside the Courthouse In Minneapolis, Minnesota on April 19, 2021 after a jury found former police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the killing George Floyd. KEREM YUCEL/AFP via Getty Images
The difference between murder and manslaughter, legally speaking, is a fairly distinct one, even if the final result of both of those crimes is the same.
Homicide is when one human being causes the death of another. Not all homicide is murder, as some killings are manslaughter, and some are lawful, such as when justified by an affirmative defense, like insanity or self-defense.
Scott Peterson Trial Fast Facts
Here is a look at the Scott Peterson trial. In November 2004, Peterson was convicted of murdering his wife, Laci, and their unborn son, Conner, in 2002. Prosecutors alleged that Peterson’s motive for the murders was to escape married life and upcoming fatherhood. Peterson is on death row at San Quentin State Prison near San Francisco.
Timeline
December 24, 2002 – Laci Peterson is reported missing from the Peterson’s home in Modesto, California.
January 24, 2003 – Amber Frey, a Fresno massage therapist, comes forward at a police news conference and says she was having an affair with Peterson. She says the affair began November 20, after Peterson told her he was single.
Scott Peterson Trial Fast Facts
Here is a look at the Scott Peterson trial. In November 2004, Peterson was convicted of murdering his wife, Laci, and their unborn son, Conner, in 2002. Prosecutors alleged that Peterson’s motive for the murders was to escape married life and upcoming fatherhood. Peterson is on death row at San Quentin State Prison near San Francisco.
Timeline
December 24, 2002 – Laci Peterson is reported missing from the Peterson’s home in Modesto, California.
January 24, 2003 – Amber Frey, a Fresno massage therapist, comes forward at a police news conference and says she was having an affair with Peterson. She says the affair began November 20, after Peterson told her he was single.
But his defense attorneys said they have had enough access to speak with their client at the prison and don t need him moved to the San Mateo County Jail. I m able to talk with Mr. Peterson there. He has a typewriter, he is able to write letters there. It is, I think, a better situation than what would occur in San Mateo, defense attorney Pat Harris said during a hearing Friday.
San Quentin had one of the worst institutional outbreaks of the coronavirus. It sickened more than 2,200 inmates this summer and killed 28 inmates and one employee. A hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Friday, in the case of the People v. Scott Peterson, and the convicted murderer will appear remotely from San Quentin State Prison during the virtual hearing in Stanislaus County Superior Court. Sharon Katsuda reports.