Post by pumpkinpie on Jun 5, 2008 21:18:36 GMT -5
Scott Peterson faces wrongful death suit filed by Laci's family
Lawsuit could focus on money or may become full-blown case
By SUSAN HERENDEEN
sherendeen@modbee.com
last updated: June 03, 2008 08:42:10 AM
An hourlong videotaped deposition of Scott Peterson, taken July 12, 2006, at San Quentin State Prison, is expected to be the centerpiece of a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the parents of Laci Peterson, which is scheduled for trial July 8. Modesto's most notorious offender asserted his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination at the beginning of the proceeding, then declined to answer questions 195 more times, according to a transcript that became part of the public record last week. Scott Peterson said he understood that the deposition was his opportunity to set the record straight because he will not be transported from death row for the civil trial in Stanislaus County Superior Court. He proclaimed his innocence several times, but declined to answer specific questions, saying he had been advised against responding candidly. Here are some excerpts:
"An objective look at the evidence showed that I did not kill my family."
"I've been wrongfully convicted of killing my family."
"On the advice of my attorney, I'm not going to be answering any questions. How much, however much I would love to, I'm sorry, I continue to not answer your questions on the advice of my attorney."
"Well, it's difficult being innocent and being in this position."
"It's ridiculous what happened."
"I love my wife ... I love my son. I will always love them. I have always loved them. I should be able to hug them right now. I should be able to hold my son. But, you know, this Modesto Police Department never investigated for them. They could have brought them home ... and that's the reality we have today."
"I should be able to hold them and love them and kiss them."
If a wrongful death lawsuit in the case of Laci and Conner Peterson goes to trial next month as planned, convicted murderer Scott Peterson may be like a ghost in the machine.
Modesto's most notorious offender would not be transported from death row to Stanislaus County Superior Court to face former in-laws who are seeking a multimillion-dollar judgment that is largely symbolic.
But Scott Peterson, who invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination over and over again during a videotaped deposition taken at San Quentin State Prison, will have some input, albeit remotely.
When he was questioned by his former in-laws' attorneys, Peterson insisted that he is innocent and the victim of a shoddy investigation by Modesto police. Most of all, he said, he is grieving over the loss of his family.
"I love my wife," Peterson said during a July 12, 2006, deposition, which became part of the court record last week. "I love my son. I will always love them. I have always loved them. I should be able to hug them right now. I should be able to hold my son."
The second incarnation of the sensational case could revolve solely around a monetary award -- or it could be a full-blown trial in which Laci Peterson's parents must prove that Scott Peterson killed his pregnant wife. Judge Roger Beauchesne is expected to hear arguments about the scope of the trial Friday.
The court has set aside five weeks for trial, beginning July 8, but an attorney for Sharon Rocha, Laci Peterson's mother,said only four or five days would be needed if the court agrees that Peterson's conviction and death sentence speak for themselves.
Peterson was convicted of murdering his wife and unborn son, then dumping her body in San Francisco Bay during a Christmas Eve 2002 fishing trip. Twelve jurors also said he should die for his crime, but the verdicts have been appealed.
The former fertilizer salesman does not have the deep pockets of celebrity murder suspects who have been acquitted in criminal trials but pursued in civil court, such as football player O.J. Simpson or actor Robert Blake.
But Peterson was at the center of a trial that generated numerous books, two made-for-TV movies and countless news stories. Laci Peterson's parents want to make sure he never sells his story.
"If there's any possibility of him profiting from this, my clients want to intercept those funds," said attorney Adam Stewart of Modesto, who represents Sharon Rocha.
Attorney Gary Davis of Modesto, who represents Laci Peterson's father, Dennis Rocha, could not be reached for comment.
The Rochas, who are divorced, initially sought $25 million, but their lawsuit now asks for an unspecified amount of damages. Sharon Rocha is the author of "For Laci: A Mother's Story of Love, Loss and Justice."
Although Laci Peterson's parents believe the question of guilt has been settled, Scott Peterson concedes nothing. In legal papers, defense attorney Nareg Gourjian of Los Angeles contends that the question of innocence remains very much alive.
As proof, Gourjian cites numerous points the defense brought out when the criminal case went to trial. He is an associate of attorney Mark Geragos, who represented Peterson during a trial that garnered nationwide attention. Calls to the firm were not returned.
www.modbee.com/local/story/316923.html
Lawsuit could focus on money or may become full-blown case
By SUSAN HERENDEEN
sherendeen@modbee.com
last updated: June 03, 2008 08:42:10 AM
An hourlong videotaped deposition of Scott Peterson, taken July 12, 2006, at San Quentin State Prison, is expected to be the centerpiece of a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the parents of Laci Peterson, which is scheduled for trial July 8. Modesto's most notorious offender asserted his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination at the beginning of the proceeding, then declined to answer questions 195 more times, according to a transcript that became part of the public record last week. Scott Peterson said he understood that the deposition was his opportunity to set the record straight because he will not be transported from death row for the civil trial in Stanislaus County Superior Court. He proclaimed his innocence several times, but declined to answer specific questions, saying he had been advised against responding candidly. Here are some excerpts:
"An objective look at the evidence showed that I did not kill my family."
"I've been wrongfully convicted of killing my family."
"On the advice of my attorney, I'm not going to be answering any questions. How much, however much I would love to, I'm sorry, I continue to not answer your questions on the advice of my attorney."
"Well, it's difficult being innocent and being in this position."
"It's ridiculous what happened."
"I love my wife ... I love my son. I will always love them. I have always loved them. I should be able to hug them right now. I should be able to hold my son. But, you know, this Modesto Police Department never investigated for them. They could have brought them home ... and that's the reality we have today."
"I should be able to hold them and love them and kiss them."
If a wrongful death lawsuit in the case of Laci and Conner Peterson goes to trial next month as planned, convicted murderer Scott Peterson may be like a ghost in the machine.
Modesto's most notorious offender would not be transported from death row to Stanislaus County Superior Court to face former in-laws who are seeking a multimillion-dollar judgment that is largely symbolic.
But Scott Peterson, who invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination over and over again during a videotaped deposition taken at San Quentin State Prison, will have some input, albeit remotely.
When he was questioned by his former in-laws' attorneys, Peterson insisted that he is innocent and the victim of a shoddy investigation by Modesto police. Most of all, he said, he is grieving over the loss of his family.
"I love my wife," Peterson said during a July 12, 2006, deposition, which became part of the court record last week. "I love my son. I will always love them. I have always loved them. I should be able to hug them right now. I should be able to hold my son."
The second incarnation of the sensational case could revolve solely around a monetary award -- or it could be a full-blown trial in which Laci Peterson's parents must prove that Scott Peterson killed his pregnant wife. Judge Roger Beauchesne is expected to hear arguments about the scope of the trial Friday.
The court has set aside five weeks for trial, beginning July 8, but an attorney for Sharon Rocha, Laci Peterson's mother,said only four or five days would be needed if the court agrees that Peterson's conviction and death sentence speak for themselves.
Peterson was convicted of murdering his wife and unborn son, then dumping her body in San Francisco Bay during a Christmas Eve 2002 fishing trip. Twelve jurors also said he should die for his crime, but the verdicts have been appealed.
The former fertilizer salesman does not have the deep pockets of celebrity murder suspects who have been acquitted in criminal trials but pursued in civil court, such as football player O.J. Simpson or actor Robert Blake.
But Peterson was at the center of a trial that generated numerous books, two made-for-TV movies and countless news stories. Laci Peterson's parents want to make sure he never sells his story.
"If there's any possibility of him profiting from this, my clients want to intercept those funds," said attorney Adam Stewart of Modesto, who represents Sharon Rocha.
Attorney Gary Davis of Modesto, who represents Laci Peterson's father, Dennis Rocha, could not be reached for comment.
The Rochas, who are divorced, initially sought $25 million, but their lawsuit now asks for an unspecified amount of damages. Sharon Rocha is the author of "For Laci: A Mother's Story of Love, Loss and Justice."
Although Laci Peterson's parents believe the question of guilt has been settled, Scott Peterson concedes nothing. In legal papers, defense attorney Nareg Gourjian of Los Angeles contends that the question of innocence remains very much alive.
As proof, Gourjian cites numerous points the defense brought out when the criminal case went to trial. He is an associate of attorney Mark Geragos, who represented Peterson during a trial that garnered nationwide attention. Calls to the firm were not returned.
www.modbee.com/local/story/316923.html
