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| LACI & CONNER HAVE BEEN FOUND |
| Remains Identified As Laci Peterson, Baby Remains Identified As Laci Peterson, Unborn Infant; Scott Peterson Arrested in Double Homicide April 19, 2003 Scott Peterson was arrested Friday in the death of his wife, Laci, who was eight months pregnant when she vanished on Christmas Eve. The arrest came as authorities confirmed that two bodies that washed ashore this week were those of Laci and her baby. Prosecutors said they planned on charging Peterson with double homicide for the deaths of Laci and the infant son. "He'll be charged with capital murder," with the option of seeking the death penalty, said Stanislaus County District Attorney Jim Brazelton. "There are no other suspects in this case." The arrests came nearly a week after the badly decomposed bodies of Laci Peterson and her son were found within a mile of each other about three miles from where Scott Peterson said he went fishing the day his wife disappeared. A spokeswoman for Laci's family said relatives were devastated by the confirmation of the deaths, but grateful they finally had an answer after months of uncertainty. "Families in their circumstances will always tell you the worst thing is not knowing," said spokeswoman Kim Petersen, executive director of the Carole Sund-Carrington Memorial Reward Foundation. "I don't know if relief is the right word. ... The waiting this week has been horrific for them." Peterson, 30, was arrested by plain clothes police in San Diego before noon Friday. Hours later, authorities identified the bodies through a comparison with DNA samples from Scott Peterson and Laci Peterson's parents. The arrest was made before the results of DNA tests were known because Peterson was considered a flight risk, and had indicated that he had discovered he was under police surveillance. Peterson was being driven to the Stanislaus County jail in Northern California on Friday night for a court appearance next week. His attorney, Kirk McAllister, did not immediately return telephone messages Friday from The Associated Press. Peterson's moves and statements have been closely scrutinized since his wife's disapperance, and he admitted having an affair with a massage therapist while his wife was pregnant with the couple's baby. Modesto police seized his boat, pickup truck and nearly 100 items from the couple's house but had not formally named him as a suspect in his wife's disappearance. But that changed this week when the bodies were found by people walking their dogs. Modesto police and state agents used wire taps on phones and radio transponders on vehicles to keep track of Peterson's whereabouts in the San Diego area, where his parents live, Lockyer said. Authorities obtained an arrest warrant Thursday, and feared Peterson might flee to Mexico, said Modesto Police Chief Roy Wasden. He wouldn't discuss possible motives for the alleged murder. It was not immediately known how Peterson delivered the baby. One theory centers around the unusual medical phenomenon called "coffin birth." It occurs when the gas that naturally builds up in the abdomen and pelvic area of a decomposing body produces enough pressure to push the unborn babythrough the birth canal. Friday's announcements drew a crowd of well-wishers to the Petersons' home. Many brought flowers, some stood silent while others said quiet prayers. They remembered Laci Peterson as a bright, friendly person. "My heart goes out to the family," said Shanti Cardey, 29, outside the house with her two young girls. "I feel a lot of sadness and anger. I feel very sorry for the family, I pray for them everyday." Raynette Poe, 36, said she was angry: "How can he hurt his own child and why? My heart goes out to Laci's family." From virtually the moment his wife was reported missing, Scott Peterson has been under the close watch of police. Peterson traded in his wife's Land Rover for a new pickup truck, considered selling their home and admitted to the affair. Peterson said he'd told his wife about the affair in the days before she vanished. "It (the affair) was not a positive, obviously ... but it was not something that we weren't dealing with," he told ABC's "Good Morning America." "It wasn't anything that would break us apart." The affair turned Laci Peterson's family against the son-in-law they had earlier supported. They begged him to cooperate with Modesto police, who had labeled him "uncooperative." Scott Peterson launched his own search effort, separate from the one organized by his wife's family and sanctioned by police. At one point, as searchers looked in the San Francisco Bay and around Modesto, Scott showed up in Los Angeles to distribute fliers to volunteers at a local hotel. "We simply have to expand the geographical area," he said at the time. In February, Scott Peterson told MSNBC he missed his wife and the child she was to bear. "I can't drive. I can't sleep," he said then. "Sometimes I feel I just can't do it. I feel like I'm in a dark corner and I just can't function." +++++++++++++++++++ POSTERS REACTIONS From: Airplane (AIRPLAIN) Apr-18, 2003 As sad as this is, there must be a sense of relief for Laci's parents. At least now they know where she is and know that she is dead. It would have been wonderful had she been found alive, but they now know. ============ From: JUDYW10 Apr-18, 2003 Yes, I heard that -- dna from Laci and baby in the millions. Although, we all thought that Scott would be arrested, we didn't all think the bodies would surface. This is horrorifing. The MPD captain said he told Laci's family about the dna and the arrest around 5:30 pm tonight. Kim Peterson spoke at the pc and said it was devasting when the family was told. =================== From: KEEBU Apr-18, 2003 But as has been said here, at least this brings them closure. They know now that Laci isn't simply missing or kidnapped. They know the truth, and the truth will help them 'go on' from here. ++++++++++++++++ From: Bailey38 (BAILEYONROX) Apr-18, 2003 I believe he had been thinking about this for awhile......just waiting for the right moment. ======= BAILEY38 is correct on his post! read on........>>>>>>>>>>>> PREMEDITATED HOME INDEX TIMELINE EVIDENCE-STORIES MAPS SEARCHES OF BAY MAGAZINE ARTICLES |
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