| Scott Peterson's neighbor, crying on the witness stand Tuesday, said her father was never the same after witnessing the electrocution executions of men who kidnapped, shot and decapitated her grandfather in the Philippines. "The people who were executed haunt me," Susan Medina said during the sixth day of the penalty phase in the Modesto man's double-murder trial. Jurors who convicted Scott Peterson in the murders of his pregnant wife, Laci, and their unborn son, Conner, are expected to begin weighing his fate Thursday. Their options: lethal injection or life in prison without the possibility of parole. Medina's testimony about the impact of state-sponsored executions was among the most potent to date as defense attorneys attempt to save Peterson's life, legal analysts said. "The penalty for the crime was the electric chair," said Medina, weeping as she related the execution of her grandfather's abductors about 50 years ago. "My father, the sweetest man in the world, witnessed (the executions). He was never the same." After she left the witness stand, Medina greeted Laci Peterson's mother, Sharon Rocha, seated in the front row of the courtroom. Medina held Rocha's hand and gave her a hug. That exchange was the most poignant element of Medina's testimony, said Burlingame defense attorney Paula Canny, who characterized Medina as "a very, very, very powerful witness." "Clearly there's evidence that Susan Medina experiences grief in the loss of Laci and nevertheless is asking this jury to spare Scott's life," said Canny, who is observing the trial. Juror No. 7, a mother of four boys, appeared to be in tears as Medina testified. "That's what the defense needs," Canny said, "just one juror who isn't capable of voting for death." It was Medina's second appearance on the witness stand. She testified for the prosecution soon after the trial began in June. Burglars broke into Medina's Modesto home a couple of days after Laci Peterson was reported missing. Jurors apparently rejected defense attorney Mark Geragos' suggestion that the burglars had something to do with her murder. MEDINA TESTIFIED AT TRIAL HOME INDEX LACI CONNER TRIAL VERDICT WIRETAPS SHARON'S TESTIMONY WITNESS LIST TRIBUTES LACI'S FAMILY |
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| LACI & CONNER "God Bless Laci, Conner & their family and get them through another holiday withough Laci. I am so sorry for your loss." MINDY * ST.LOUIS * GUESTBOOK |
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| Execution still haunts Peterson's neighbor
Witness says her father never got over seeing electrocution December 8, 2004 |
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| SUSAN MEDINA |