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Scott Peterson, convicted of murdering his pregnant wife Laci and unborn son Conner in 2002, is making another bid for freedom. The Los Angeles Innocence Project has taken up his case, claiming new evidence supports Peterson's innocence.
Peterson, now 51, appeared virtually in court on Tuesday from a prison outside Sacramento. His lawyers requested that potential witness names be sealed, citing fears of retribution. "The sole purpose for sealing the requested information is to protect the privacy of potential witnesses and to protect the integrity of post-conviction counsel's ongoing investigation," they stated in a motion.
The case that captivated the nation two decades ago is back in the spotlight. Laci Peterson, 27 and eight months pregnant, vanished on Christmas Eve 2002. Her body and that of her unborn son washed up on the shores of San Francisco Bay months later.
Peterson's conviction hinged largely on circumstantial evidence and his suspicious behavior. Prosecutor Dave Harris argued that Peterson killed his wife to escape impending fatherhood and financial responsibilities. The revelation of Peterson's affair with massage therapist Amber Frey further damaged his credibility.
Now, Peterson is breaking his silence. In an exclusive Peacock documentary, he admits, "I was a total a-hole to be having sex outside our marriage," but vehemently denies killing Laci. "I didn't kill my family," he insists.
His sister-in-law, Janey Peterson, who became a lawyer to fight for his freedom, acknowledges the pain caused by the affair but maintains, "Scott lied about cheating and that was upsetting. But he wasn't charged with infidelity. He was charged with murder."
Peterson's legal team is pursuing new angles. They claim Modesto police withheld evidence and disregarded a nearby robbery that could suggest an alternative scenario for Laci's disappearance. They're also seeking DNA testing on a burned-out van and stained mattress found near the Peterson home.
As the case unfolds, questions linger. Can new evidence exonerate Peterson after two decades? Or will this be another futile attempt to overturn a conviction that many believe was just? With a hearing scheduled for May 29, the nation watches, waiting to see if justice will be served or challenged once again.
Peterson, now 51, appeared virtually in court on Tuesday from a prison outside Sacramento. His lawyers requested that potential witness names be sealed, citing fears of retribution. "The sole purpose for sealing the requested information is to protect the privacy of potential witnesses and to protect the integrity of post-conviction counsel's ongoing investigation," they stated in a motion.
The case that captivated the nation two decades ago is back in the spotlight. Laci Peterson, 27 and eight months pregnant, vanished on Christmas Eve 2002. Her body and that of her unborn son washed up on the shores of San Francisco Bay months later.
Peterson's conviction hinged largely on circumstantial evidence and his suspicious behavior. Prosecutor Dave Harris argued that Peterson killed his wife to escape impending fatherhood and financial responsibilities. The revelation of Peterson's affair with massage therapist Amber Frey further damaged his credibility.
Now, Peterson is breaking his silence. In an exclusive Peacock documentary, he admits, "I was a total a-hole to be having sex outside our marriage," but vehemently denies killing Laci. "I didn't kill my family," he insists.
His sister-in-law, Janey Peterson, who became a lawyer to fight for his freedom, acknowledges the pain caused by the affair but maintains, "Scott lied about cheating and that was upsetting. But he wasn't charged with infidelity. He was charged with murder."
Peterson's legal team is pursuing new angles. They claim Modesto police withheld evidence and disregarded a nearby robbery that could suggest an alternative scenario for Laci's disappearance. They're also seeking DNA testing on a burned-out van and stained mattress found near the Peterson home.
As the case unfolds, questions linger. Can new evidence exonerate Peterson after two decades? Or will this be another futile attempt to overturn a conviction that many believe was just? With a hearing scheduled for May 29, the nation watches, waiting to see if justice will be served or challenged once again.
