IT was a case that gripped the nation. On Christmas Eve in 2002, Laci Peterson, then 27 years old and eight months pregnant, went missing. Four months later, her body and that of her unborn son, Connor, were found in San Francisco Bay. Her clean-cut husband, Scott, became the prime suspect after it was discovered he’d been having an extramarital affair. And in March 2005, he was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to death (he was later resentenced to life in prison without parole).
In the nearly two decades since his conviction, Scott has fiercely proclaimed his innocence. Now he may just get a chance to prove it. The Los Angeles Innocence Project — which provides free legal services to incarcerated people who may have been wrongfully convicted — has taken up his case, claiming in legal filings that new evidence “supports Mr. Peterson’s longstanding claim of innocence.”
STRONG REACTIONS
In light of the new investigation, people close to the case are speaking out. A cousin of Laci’s said the Innocence Project is “barking up the wrong tree,” adding, “As far as we’re concerned, it’s a done deal: He killed Laci.” A source tells Star the thought of having the case upended is “a nightmare” for Laci’s mom, Sharon Rocha. Meanwhile, Scott’s family is hopeful. “They’re looking forward to their day in court,” says the source. “With the Innocence Project on their side, Scott and his lawyers believe they will triumph.”
This story is from the February 12, 2024 edition of Star.
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This story is from the February 12, 2024 edition of Star.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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