| Lisa Martin & Lisa Hill & 2 others: Medical Assistant's at Laci's Obstetricians office Testified: Tues. 6/15/04 Baby's age becomes an issue Testifying Tuesday were four women who worked for Laci Peterson's obstetrician, including two medical assistants who identified documents from the mother-to-be's medical file. Prosecutors set the groundwork for a key area of dispute: whether the couple's baby was born alive after his mother vanished or died with her at the time of her disappearance. Peterson's defense maintains the child matured after December 24, 2002, which would prove he had nothing to do with the murders. One of the medical assistants, Lisa Martin, said that, after consulting Laci Peterson about her menstrual cycle at her first visit in July 2002, she set the baby's due date as Feb. 10, 2003. A doctor performed an ultrasound in September and concluded the baby's gestational age corresponded to a birth date of Feb. 16. But Martin and another medical assistant, Lisa Hill, said that the practice of the office is not to adjust the due date unless the ultrasound shows it is off by seven or more days. Lisa Martin testified regarding Laci's prenatal visits. Laci's weight went from 119 pounds on July 11, 2002, to 153 pounds on Dec. 23 -- a few hours before authorities believe she was murdered. Her due date was initially estimated at Feb. 10, 2003, though later measurements indicated a revision to Feb. 16. That six-day difference could become important as the prosecution and defense call experts to testify about the age of the child's remains. Hill and Martin both said Laci Peterson appeared to be experiencing a normal pregnancy, although neither had specific memories of her appointments. As the women testified, Scott leaned forward at the defense table and gazed toward the witness stand. His lawyers claim he accompanied his wife to every doctor's visit and was eagerly awaiting his first child. His mother-in-law, Sharon Rocha, was notably absent during the medical testimony. She has left court or averted her eyes in the past when autopsy photographs were displayed for jurors. When it came time to cross-examine Corina Ramos, the receptionist from Laci 's obstetrician's office, Mark Geragos leaned forward on the defense table and grinned. The young woman had just testified that no one called the office about the slain mother-to-be Christmas Eve, but she could not be sure about Dec. 26 because she had taken a sick day. Geragos paused just long enough for every juror to turn toward him and his client, and he deadpanned, "Were you really sick the day after Christmas?" The courtroom erupted in laughter. The judge chuckled, Scott Peterson, broke into a broad smile. And in the jury box, there were giggles and at least one belly laugh. When the witness, Corina Ramos, finally gave her answer -- "No" -- there was another round of chortles and several jurors clapped their hands with delight. RELATED STORY - Detective Owens Prelim Testimony HOME INDEX LACI SCOTT TRIAL ALIBI-WITNESS LIST AUTOPSY INDEX |
| LACI & CONNER Forever in Our Hearts |
 |
|
|
|
 |