Scott Peterson leaves the courtroom after his resentencing listening to on the San Mateo County Superior Courtroom in Redwood Metropolis, Calif., on Dec. 8, 2021. (Andy Alfaro/The Modesto Bee by way of AP, Pool)
SACRAMENTO, CALIF. --
Convicted killer Scott Peterson's likelihood for a brand new trial within the murders of his pregnant spouse and unborn son 20 years in the past hinges on whether or not a California juror who helped ship him to jail in 2004 amid worldwide publicity was biased as a result of she was a home violence sufferer.
Although she is recognized in court docket paperwork solely as Juror 7, Richelle Good used her identify when she co-authored a e-book in regards to the case with six different jurors. In the course of the trial, her dyed crimson hair made her recognizable and earned her the nickname "Strawberry Shortcake."
She is anticipated to testify Friday beneath a grant of immunity from prosecution. Her look will come initially of a weeklong listening to centred on whether or not she lied about her historical past with home violence to get on a jury so she may vote to convict Peterson.
"This listening to is essential," stated Pat Harris, one in all Peterson's attorneys. "That is his likelihood to point out that she did commit misconduct and to have the entire thing thrown out."
Good didn't disclose throughout jury choice that she sought a restraining order whereas pregnant in 2000, saying she "actually fears for her unborn baby" due to threats from her boyfriend's ex-girlfriend. She additionally didn't disclose that her boyfriend beat her in 2001 whereas she was pregnant with one other baby.
Laci Peterson, 27, was killed when she was eight months pregnant with a son, whom the Petersons deliberate to call Conner. Investigators stated that on Christmas Eve 2002, Scott Peterson dumped his spouse's physique from his fishing boat into San Francisco Bay.
Peterson was finally arrested after Amber Frey, a therapeutic massage therapist dwelling in Fresno, instructed police that they had begun courting a month earlier than Laci Peterson's demise. She stated he had instructed her his spouse was lifeless. Peterson has maintained his innocence all through.
Though the state Supreme Courtroom threw out Peterson's demise sentence and ordered Superior Courtroom Choose Anne-Christine Massullo to resolve if Good tainted his trial, it stated "there was appreciable different circumstantial proof incriminating Peterson."
If Peterson will get a brand new trial, Harris stated they will current new proof that burglars had been close by on the day Laci Peterson disappeared, that witnesses noticed her alive that day, and that her fetus was "alive for at the least one other 5 to 6 days" primarily based on an examination of the fetal stays.
Nonetheless, prosecutors stated Peterson's attorneys have introduced no proof to help their assertions that he deserves a brand new trial as a result of Good had a "darker motive" to be on the jury "and was in essence a stealth juror."
Relying on Good's testimony Friday, Peterson's attorneys plan to placed on witnesses together with fellow jurors and co-authors of their e-book, "We, the Jury." Additionally they need Individuals journal reporter Johnny Dodd to testify in regards to the "extraordinary" 17 letters Good wrote to Peterson after his conviction and the eight letters Peterson wrote to Good.
Two filmmakers who labored on the post-trial tv documentary "The Homicide of Laci Peterson" are to testify that they seen on Good's wall a photograph of a kid sporting pajamas that stated "Little-man."
Justin Falconer, a fellow juror earlier than he was discharged, may testify that Good talked so much about Conner, referring to him as "little man." Peterson's attorneys say he would additionally testify that Good stated she was having monetary issues and that they joked about post-trial e-book and film offers.
To have his conviction thrown out, Peterson's attorneys should present Massullo that Good dedicated misconduct and did so "primarily based on a bias towards convicting Scott," Harris stated.
Good answered "no" on a juror questionnaire when she was requested if she had ever been a criminal offense sufferer or concerned in a lawsuit. She stated in a sworn declaration that she did not "really feel `victimized' the best way the legislation may outline that time period," and did not suppose the restraining order was a lawsuit.
Her new lawyer has instructed each prosecutors and defence attorneys that she is going to cite her Fifth Modification proper towards self-incrimination till she is granted immunity from any prosecution for perjury.
The lawyer, Geoffrey Carr, stated he insisted on immunity to guard his consumer from issues which might be acknowledged with certainty in final yr's sworn assertion however the place she may hedge on the witness stand.
"Many of the substance of it's right, however not all, and a few of it's a matter of the way you interpret stuff," he instructed The Related Press. Generally "the language is extra assertive" within the sworn declaration than it was in actuality.
"I am not anticipating bombshells" or "any surprises about what she's going to say," Carr stated. He stated he is telling Good that "her solely obligation at this level is to inform the stone bloody fact."
Stanislaus County prosecutors are sparring with Peterson's attorneys over the importance of Good's refusal to testify with out immunity.
"A juror's refusal to cooperate in an investigation of her personal misconduct might effectively proof her bias," Peterson's attorneys stated in a court docket submitting, including that "a witness has lied beneath oath is definitely related to credibility."
However prosecutors stated that "ought to Juror No. 7 train her privilege towards self-incrimination ... no inference be drawn as to the witness's credibility."
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