Will Scott Peterson, convicted of killing wife Laci and unborn child, get a new trial?
CBSN
In a California courtroom this week, there was a hearing in a sensational murder case that most think ended nearly 20 years ago. POLICE: You have no idea where Laci is? POLICE: You have any questions? SCOTT PETERSON [voicemail]: Hey, beautiful. I just left a message at home 2:15. I'm leaving Berkeley. I won't be able to get to Vella Farms to get the basket for Papa. I was hoping you would get this message and go on out there. I'll see you in a bit, sweetie. Love you. Bye. SCOTT PETERSON [police interview]: It seemed too cold to go play golf at the club, so ... SCOTT PETERSON [phone recording]: I wanted to call you. SCOTT PETERSON: We took care of each other very well. She was amazing – is amazing. GLORIA GOMEZ: Why would you leave Laci … alone to go fishing on Christmas Eve? SCOTT PETERSON: We have separate pursuits. … and being, you know, seven-and-a-half months pregnant she's not going to want to go out in a boat. SCOTT PETERSON: Want me to turn that off? AMBER FREY [phone recording]: Hello. SCOTT PETERSON [phone recording]: Amber are your there? SCOTT PETERSON [phone recording]: … I'm near the Eiffel Tower, the New Years' celebration is unreal. AMBER FREY [phone recording]: I deserve to understand an explanation of why you told me you lost your wife, and this was the first holidays you'd spend without her? That was December 9th – you told me this and how all- of-a sudden your wife's missing? Are you kidding me? … POLICE: You remember what part you saw? SCOTT PETERSON [phone recording]: I was staggered by it. I had no idea it was coming. SCOTT PETERSON [phone recording]: It's pretty awesome, fireworks there at the Eiffel Tower. POLICE INTERVIEW: OK, so then about 9:30 you left? SCOTT PETERSON: We were watching her favorite show, "Martha Stewart."
In 2004, Scott Peterson was convicted and later sentenced to death for killing his pregnant wife Laci and dumping her body in the San Francisco Bay. But now there's a new twist in the case. SCOTT PETERSON: I do not. SCOTT PETERSON: No, I mean I've asked you a couple times what to do, um, so I have the answers to that. AMBER FREY: Thank you. SCOTT PETERSON: OK. GLORIA GOMEZ: Yeah, what is that? SCOTT PETERSON: Baby? AMBER FREY: I'm here. SCOTT PETERSON: I never cheated on you – I never did. SCOTT PETERSON: … cookies of some sort – they were talking about what to do with meringues. SCOTT PETERSON [phone recording]: … and I just had this weird sensation that I was falling forward. SCOTT PETERSON [phone recording]: I have – I've lied to you that I've been traveling. SCOTT PETERSON: Mm-hmm [affirms].
In 2020, California's highest court overturned Peterson's death sentence. In December 2021, he was re-sentenced to life in prison without parole. Peterson's supporters want him to be retried on all charges, saying they have new evidence that could exonerate him. POLICE: You guys didn't have any problems? Marriage problems? SCOTT PETERSON: That's my phone, unfortunately. I thought it was off. [Scott gets up] … Yeah, it's kind of going crazy isn't it. AMBER FREY: Yes. SCOTT PETERSON: Amber. AMBER FREY: You're married. How do you figure you never cheated on me? Explain that one to me.
