California murderer Scott Peterson returned to court Tuesday with a new lawyer to try to overturn his 2004 conviction for killing his pregnant wife, Lacey, and their unborn child, a crime he did not commit. He claims that there is no.
Peterson, 51, appeared remotely from Mule Creek State Prison in San Mateo wearing a blue button-down shirt and asked the court for permission to appear remotely in future proceedings.
Peterson, whose appearance has changed many times during his 20 years in prison, is clean-shaven with slicked-back hair and salt-and-pepper stubble, his hair pulled back in a short ponytail.
The hearing primarily discussed scheduling a number of upcoming hearings, including sealing documents, conducting new DNA tests, and motions for post-conviction discovery.
Scott Peterson’s conviction faces surprising challenges 20 years later
Scott Peterson, who was convicted of murdering his pregnant wife Lacey and their unborn son Connor in 2005, will appear remotely in his appeals court on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. Mr. Peterson’s latest attempt to have his conviction overturned has the backing of the Los Angeles Innocence Institute. project. (KTVU/Pool)
The judge first set a hearing on Peterson’s motion to seal for April 16, followed by discovery DNA hearings for May 29 and July 15.
For years, Mr. Peterson and his supporters have focused on the suspects who robbed the house across the street from his home, saying they may have killed his wife.
This undated photo shows Laci Peterson, who disappeared on December 24, 2002, when she was eight months pregnant. (Getty Images)
In January, the Los Angeles Innocence Project released new reports about a hammer linked to a robbery across the street from the Peterson family’s home and a dirty mattress found in a burnt-out van parked less than a mile away. They announced that they would request a DNA test.
His discovery request includes evidence related to the so-called Medina robbery, the van fire, and witnesses who claim to have seen Laci Peterson after Dec. 24, 2003, when she was reported missing. Contains information.
Judge Elizabeth Hill will oversee the latest appeal hearing for convicted wife killer Scott Peterson on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. (KTVU/Pool)
Mr. Peterson has previously raised questions of jury misconduct and the possibility that a robber kidnapped and killed his wife, but the new appeal will use current technology to conduct new DNA testing on the mattress. It depends on whether or not.
Timeline: Laci Peterson Incident
Scott Peterson, who was convicted of murdering his pregnant wife Lacey and their unborn son Connor in 2005, will appear remotely in his appeals court on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. Mr. Peterson’s latest attempt to have his conviction overturned has the backing of the Los Angeles Innocence Institute. project. (KTVU/Pool)
Scott Peterson files new appeal for murdering wife and unborn child, family photos released
“In January, the Los Angeles Innocence Project filed a motion asking the court to allow the discovery of additional evidence and new DNA testing to assist our investigation into Mr. Peterson’s claims of actual innocence.” , the Innocence Project said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. “Today’s hearing is just the first step in a long process. We are not commenting on the allegations. We will continue to bring the case to court, where it should be judged.”
A police boat patrols the waters for signs of missing woman Laci Peterson, with the San Francisco skyline in the background, on January 4, 2003 in Berkeley, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Peterson was originally sentenced to death, but his sentence was commuted to life in prison without parole in 2020 after an earlier appeal.
His state prison sentence began in March 2005.
Peterson has always maintained his innocence.
Scott Peterson was brought to Stanislaus County Superior Court for arraignment in the April 21, 2003 deaths of his wife, Lacey Peterson, and their unborn son, Connor, in Modesto, California. (Reuters/Pool/Ted Benson)
Paula Mitchell, an attorney with the Los Angeles Innocence Project, wrote to the court that she compiled more than 40,000 pages of documents while reviewing his case before requesting additional discovery from the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office.
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Fox News’ Melissa Chrise and Louis Casiano contributed to this report.
