The Death of Laci Peterson On December 24, 2002, Laci Peterson was reported missing from her home in Modesto, California by her parents and husband. The Modesto police began their search for Laci Peterson before the standard forty-eight hour limit to file a missing person’s report because she was eight months pregnant.
John Buehler, the lead detective on her case, claims there was no reason for her to be missing on Christmas Eve. The police went to the Peterson household and questioned her husband Scott. He claimed Laci was on a walk with the dog earlier in the day, while he had been fishing in the San Francisco Bay. Police officers noted that Scott couldn’t say what he was fishing for or what bait he was using. With Scott’s permission, Al Brocchini, a Modesto detective, searched their home and property. That night, he also searched Scott Peterson’s warehouse at a
…show more content…
He pleaded not guilty to two charges of murder with premeditation and special circumstances. The prosecution was allowed to seek the death penalty because of the special circumstance under California law. California has a fetal homicide statute in which a fetus at least eight weeks of development old is considered an equal victim, so Scott was charged with two charges of homicide rather than one.
Because of the extensive media coverage and the Peterson family’s involvement with the community, the trial was moved to San Mateo so Scott could have a better chance at a fair trial. November 12, 2004, Scott Peterson was found guilty for first degree murder of Laci and second degree murder of her unborn child. During the sentencing phase, Laci’s mother Sharon Rocha made a victim impact statement, and Scott’s family testified as character witnesses on his behalf. For the second part of the bifurcated process, the jury recommended that Scott be sentenced to death, and the judge followed the