| Plastic sheeting and duct tape found near Laci Peterson's remains in April 2003 are being examined for fingerprints and the victim's fluids, after East Bay Regional Park District police revealed to prosecutors this week that the tarp had smelled like a dead body, according to sources close to the case. The plastic, which has also been described as a large, clear bag with the manufacturer's emblem "Target Products" printed on it, was collected by investigators. But it was never tested to determine whether it could have been used to dispose of the eight-months-pregnant woman -- even though investigators first on the scene thought it was a good possibility, according to sources. Prosecutors say Laci Peterson's body was tossed into San Francisco Bay and weighted down with concrete anchors. The chance that she was wrapped in the tarp, which was totally intact with no tears, could contradict the prosecution's theory. On Thursday, Judge Alfred Delucchi, who is presiding over Scott Peterson's double-murder case in Redwood City, suspended the trial until Tuesday so that fingerprint and fluid analyses could be conducted, according to the sources. The ruling came after a closed hearing in the judge's chambers. Prosecutors called the meeting, sources believe, to alert the defense that while prepping the regional park police for testimony earlier this week the officers divulged for the first time that the plastic sheet had a death odor. But sources said the officers told Modesto detectives their observations back in April 2003, when they discovered Laci Peterson's decomposing body and the plastic on the Richmond shoreline. But the information apparently was never documented in a police report. Geragos has repeatedly accused the prosecution and Modesto police of hiding evidence that could help clear the 31-year-old former Modesto fertilizer salesman of charges that he murdered his wife and the couple's unborn child. Furthermore, Geragos says investigators were so quick to latch onto a theory implicating Peterson that they didn't bother to look at anything that pointed to another suspect. But on Thursday, Geragos said that the new development in the case could cast enough doubt on Peterson's guilt to free him. Citing the court-imposed gag order, the defense attorney refused to discuss the case further. John Goold, Stanislaus County's chief deputy district attorney and spokesman for the office, said he too couldn't comment because of the gag order. It's unclear whether the tests on the items will be completed by Tuesday There also is some question about whether the tape and tarp are too badly contaminated from the salty bay water to net results. Still, said one source, the possibility remains that fingerprints could be found by pulling back the adhesive on the gray, shiny duct tape that was attached to the plastic sheeting. A similar piece of tape was stuck to Laci Peterson's pant leg. Sources said investigators did run forensic tests early on to compare the tape on the plastic with the tape on the pants and found that they came from two different rolls. That could be why authorities decided not to further pursue a costly examination of the tarp. Modesto detectives originally seemed excited by the discovery of the plastic sheet, believing that the "Target Products" insignia traced back to a Modesto company, according to one person familiar with the case. It turns out, however, that the plastic is actually used by a Canadian firm to ship building materials. Apparently, similar bags were found at the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, which is undergoing major reconstruction. Prosecutors say Peterson killed his 27-year-old wife at their Modesto home either on the night of Dec. 23, 2002, or in the early-morning hours of Dec. 24, 2002. He then, they say, drove her body to the Berkeley Marina, went out on the bay in his fishing boat and threw her overboard. They maintain that Scott had tired of Laci in favor of his new girlfriend, Amber Frey, and didn't want children. HOME INDEX LACI SCOTT TRIAL ALIBI-WITNESS LIST |
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| Plastic tarp and duct tape are tested for links to body Prosecutors didn't know of park police's suspicions until this week Stacy Finz, Chronicle Staff Writer Saturday, August 7, 2004 |
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| LACI & CONNER May the Truth be Told |