| Geragos Makes Motion to Move Peterson Trial Out of Modesto December 16. 2003 The attorney for murder suspect Scott Peterson has filed a motion to have Peterson's trial moved out of Stanislaus County. Mark Geragos is arguing that Peterson cannot get a fair trial in Modesto. Scott Peterson is accused of killing his pregnant wife Laci on Christmas eve. He was arrested in April and faces two counts of murder, which could bring the death if he is convicted. The case has been the subject of intense and widespread media coverage. In court papers filed Monday morning, Geragos is particularly critical of coverage by The Modesto Bee which he says has been "unremitting," "inflammatory" and "derisive." Geragos said local public interest in the case is intense, and that "public opinion in Stanislaus County has become downright hostile and threatening to Mr. Peterson." In contrast, Geragos says "the victim, Laci Peterson, has become a posthumous celebrity, loved and cherished by the community." Geragos also said Stanislaus County has a relatively small population, which would make seating an unbiased jury difficult. In the court documents he cited a survey that found between 39 and 59 percent of the people in Stanislaus County have made up their minds that Peterson is guilty. Geragos also claims the case has taken on political overtones. As an example, he cited California Attorney General Bill Lockyer's April 18 statement that the case against Peterson "is a compellingly strong case. I would call the odds slam-dunk that he is going to be convicted." Geragos did not suggest a alternative venue for the trial, but said that other nearby counties, including San Joaquin and Sacramento, are too close and in the same media market as Stanislaus County. He also rejected the notion of busing jurors into Stanislaus County. The motion for a change of venue can be read in its entirety by clicking on the link below. Court Documents VENUE CHANGED - INDEX HOME INDEX LACI SCOTT TRIAL DEFENSE TEAM PROSECUTION ALIBI-WITNESS LIST WIRETAPS EVIDENCE-NEWS CONNER PRELIMINARY HEARING |
| LACI & CONNER Pray for Justice |
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