| Scott Peterson researched bodies of water on his home computer - including San Francisco Bay, where the remains of his wife and son were recovered, a technology expert testified this afternoon. But Modesto police forensic computer investigator Kirk Stockham also acknowledged during the 10th day of testimony in the ongoing preliminary hearing that Peterson had visited sport fishing Web sites as well. Prosecutors said they intend to rest their double-murder case tomorrow, and lead defense attorney Mark Geragos of Los Angeles said he may call no witnesses. That would conclude the three-week hearing, at the end of which Judge Al Girolami will decide whether there is enough evidence to warrant a trial. Peterson faces the death penalty if convicted. Prosecutor Rick Distaso said he intends tomorrow to call Modesto police Detective Jon Buehler to the stand. Buehler served as handler to Amber Frey, Peterson’s girlfriend when his wife disappeared. Frey has said she did not know Peterson was married when they met Nov. 20. She has cooperated with authorities since Dec. 30, including taping her phone conversations with the defendant.“It wouldn’t surprise me if he would testify to some of their communications,” said Gloria Allred, Frey’s attorney. California law regarding preliminary hearings allows detectives to relay their conversations with key witnesses, sparing them from testifying. The witnesses must appear at trial, however. Geragos reserved the right to call Frey as a witness for the defense at the ongoing hearing. Geragos said he will decide after hearing what Buehler has to say. “Once they put the person on, I’ll make a decision,” Geragos said. If Geragos does call Frey, the Fresno massage therapist and single mother would not be available to testify immediately, Allred said. Allred and Geragos would not hazard a guess as to whether Girolami would allow tape recordings of conversations between Peterson and Frey to be played at the hearing. Stockham said Peterson had researched lakes and reservoirs in the Central Valley. Peterson checked bay wind currents or water currents Dec. 8, Stockham said. The same day, Peterson viewed and arranged to buy a 14-foot aluminum fishing boat, a detective testified earlier. Authorities believe he used the boat to transport his wife’s body. Under questioning by Geragos, the investigator confirmed that Peterson had retrieved information on sturgeon fishing in Suisun Bay. The information was part of a Web site operated by Captain Hook Sportfishing, a company based in Vallejo. Peterson researched the Captain Hook information Dec. 9, Stockham said. That’s the same day that Peterson finalized the purchase of his boat - and the day he told Frey that he had “lost his wife,” a detective testified earlier. PRELIMINARY HEARING INDEX TRIAL ALIBI-WITNESS LIST EVIDENCE-NEWS HOME INDEX LACI SCOTT AMBER MAGAZINES WIRETAPS |
| PRELIMINARY HEARING - DAY 10 Monday - November 17, 2003 |
| LACI & CONNER May the Truth Be Told |
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