Post by sclcookie on Aug 8, 2005 16:34:17 GMT -5
Here's a good article related to "The Other Victims"
By Brian Skoloff
ASSOCIATED PRESS
2:06 p.m. December 6, 2004
REDWOOD CITY – Jurors made a mistake when they convicted Scott Peterson of planning and carrying out the murder of his eight-months pregnant wife, witnesses testified Monday at the former fertilizer salesman's double-murder trial.
"I do not believe that Scott is guilty of this crime. I don't believe that he could have done this," said Sandra Bertram, who has known the Peterson family for 30 years and worked at a golf course with Scott Peterson when he was a teenager.
Robert Latham, the brother of Peterson's mother, Jackie, spoke of a nephew who was a nice and "very respectable" boy and "always greeted everybody with a smile."
"I think the verdict was a mistake," Latham said, pleading with jurors to spare Peterson's life. "I wouldn't want that mistake to be on other people."
Another uncle, John Latham, also questioned the jury's verdict.
"I don't believe he's guilty," he said. "I would not like to see him die. It would tear our family apart."
Jurors showed no expression, and some looked away or toward the ground as John Latham spoke.
The testimony came on the fifth day of the penalty phase in Peterson's trial, now in its seventh month. The same jurors who convicted him now must decide whether he should be receive the death penalty or be sentenced to life in prison without parole.
The jury already has heard that Peterson was captain of his high school golf team. Defense witnesses have testified that he sang to seniors on Sundays, distributed food and clothes in Tijuana and that he was a best friend and loving son. The panel also has been told all about his father's life, growing up poor in Minnesota.
The defense has called 25 witnesses. They have at least nine additional witnesses scheduled to testify into Wednesday before closing arguments.
Robert Latham spent much time testifying Monday about the difficult life Jackie Peterson had as a child.
Her father was murdered when she was just a baby and her mother was an invalid unable to care for the kids. She and her two brothers were placed in an orphanage, Robert Latham said.
"I can remember a Thanksgiving or a Christmas where my sister and I split a TV dinner."
Scott Peterson was convicted Nov. 12 of one count of first-degree murder in the death of his eight-months pregnant wife, Laci, and one count of second-degree murder for the killing of her fetus.
Prosecutors say he smothered or strangled Laci in their Modesto home on or around Christmas Eve 2002, then dumped her body into San Francisco Bay. The remains of Laci and the fetus were discovered about four months later along a shoreline a few miles from where Peterson claims to have been fishing alone the day his wife vanished.
Four of Peterson's cousins also testified Monday, recalling a loving, gentle person.
"All of us can say in our family that Scott is a great guy and a good person ... Very much the man I hope my son becomes," said cousin Leeta Latham.
Another cousin, Abraham Latham, said Peterson is one of the most gentle people he knows.
"There is not a violent bone in his body," he said.
Cousin Kelly Beckton pleaded with jurors to spare Peterson's life.
"It would be the death of our family," she said.
Earlier Monday, a former principal at Peterson's middle school said he fit in well with other classmates and never caused any problems.
Ronald Rowe said Peterson was "a fine school citizen."
Rowe then addressed the key issue at hand, whether Peterson deserves to die for his crimes.
"Scott was a young man in whom I had great confidence and nothing that I can envision then or now would suggest to me that the death penalty is appropriate for him," Rowe told jurors.
Marvin Threatt, former dean of students at Peterson's San Diego high school, said Peterson never caused any problems, volunteered for charities, worked with mentally retarded children and was always punctual.
Peterson's high school golf coach, David Thoennes, called Peterson "one of the finest young men that I've coached."
Meanwhile, Judge Alfred A. Delucchi tentatively scheduled a Feb. 25 sentencing date for Peterson. Jurors will recommend whether to sentence Peterson to life in prison or death, but the judge issues a final sentence.
source: crime.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20041206%2D1406%2Dca%2Dlacipeterson.html
By Brian Skoloff
ASSOCIATED PRESS
2:06 p.m. December 6, 2004
REDWOOD CITY – Jurors made a mistake when they convicted Scott Peterson of planning and carrying out the murder of his eight-months pregnant wife, witnesses testified Monday at the former fertilizer salesman's double-murder trial.
"I do not believe that Scott is guilty of this crime. I don't believe that he could have done this," said Sandra Bertram, who has known the Peterson family for 30 years and worked at a golf course with Scott Peterson when he was a teenager.
Robert Latham, the brother of Peterson's mother, Jackie, spoke of a nephew who was a nice and "very respectable" boy and "always greeted everybody with a smile."
"I think the verdict was a mistake," Latham said, pleading with jurors to spare Peterson's life. "I wouldn't want that mistake to be on other people."
Another uncle, John Latham, also questioned the jury's verdict.
"I don't believe he's guilty," he said. "I would not like to see him die. It would tear our family apart."
Jurors showed no expression, and some looked away or toward the ground as John Latham spoke.
The testimony came on the fifth day of the penalty phase in Peterson's trial, now in its seventh month. The same jurors who convicted him now must decide whether he should be receive the death penalty or be sentenced to life in prison without parole.
The jury already has heard that Peterson was captain of his high school golf team. Defense witnesses have testified that he sang to seniors on Sundays, distributed food and clothes in Tijuana and that he was a best friend and loving son. The panel also has been told all about his father's life, growing up poor in Minnesota.
The defense has called 25 witnesses. They have at least nine additional witnesses scheduled to testify into Wednesday before closing arguments.
Robert Latham spent much time testifying Monday about the difficult life Jackie Peterson had as a child.
Her father was murdered when she was just a baby and her mother was an invalid unable to care for the kids. She and her two brothers were placed in an orphanage, Robert Latham said.
"I can remember a Thanksgiving or a Christmas where my sister and I split a TV dinner."
Scott Peterson was convicted Nov. 12 of one count of first-degree murder in the death of his eight-months pregnant wife, Laci, and one count of second-degree murder for the killing of her fetus.
Prosecutors say he smothered or strangled Laci in their Modesto home on or around Christmas Eve 2002, then dumped her body into San Francisco Bay. The remains of Laci and the fetus were discovered about four months later along a shoreline a few miles from where Peterson claims to have been fishing alone the day his wife vanished.
Four of Peterson's cousins also testified Monday, recalling a loving, gentle person.
"All of us can say in our family that Scott is a great guy and a good person ... Very much the man I hope my son becomes," said cousin Leeta Latham.
Another cousin, Abraham Latham, said Peterson is one of the most gentle people he knows.
"There is not a violent bone in his body," he said.
Cousin Kelly Beckton pleaded with jurors to spare Peterson's life.
"It would be the death of our family," she said.
Earlier Monday, a former principal at Peterson's middle school said he fit in well with other classmates and never caused any problems.
Ronald Rowe said Peterson was "a fine school citizen."
Rowe then addressed the key issue at hand, whether Peterson deserves to die for his crimes.
"Scott was a young man in whom I had great confidence and nothing that I can envision then or now would suggest to me that the death penalty is appropriate for him," Rowe told jurors.
Marvin Threatt, former dean of students at Peterson's San Diego high school, said Peterson never caused any problems, volunteered for charities, worked with mentally retarded children and was always punctual.
Peterson's high school golf coach, David Thoennes, called Peterson "one of the finest young men that I've coached."
Meanwhile, Judge Alfred A. Delucchi tentatively scheduled a Feb. 25 sentencing date for Peterson. Jurors will recommend whether to sentence Peterson to life in prison or death, but the judge issues a final sentence.
source: crime.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20041206%2D1406%2Dca%2Dlacipeterson.html