News & Politics - Peterson Formally Sentenced

Ambular · 03-16-2005, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Scott Peterson sentenced to death

Wednesday, March 16, 2005

By BRIAN SKOLOFF
ASSOCIATED PRESS

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. -- A judge formally sentenced Scott Peterson to death Wednesday after calling the murder of his pregnant wife, Laci, "cruel, uncaring, heartless and callous."

Judge Alfred A. Delucchi then allowed family members to speak, prompting a shouting match that led to Peterson's father storming out of the courtroom.

Lee Peterson yelled from the audience as Laci's brother, Brent Rocha, spoke to the court, saying "Laci and Conner are the true victims here."

"What a liar!" Lee Peterson said before the judge admonished him and he left the courtroom. Jackie Peterson, Scott Peterson's mother, also interrupted Rocha but her voice was inaudible.

Scott Peterson, 32, was invited to make a statement. After several minutes of discussion with his attorneys, he declined.

Delucchi denied a defense request for a new trial before saying he agreed with the jury that "death is warranted."

"The court is satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant, Scott Lee Peterson, is guilty of first-degree murder" and second degree, Delucchi said, adding that he found the killings "were cruel, uncaring, heartless and callous."

Peterson, shackled at the waist and wearing a dark suit, was escorted into court under heavy security.

He will be sent to death row at San Quentin State Prison outside San Francisco, the infamous lockup that overlooks the same bay where Laci Peterson's body was discarded.

He was convicted in November of first-degree murder in the killing of Laci and second-degree murder for the slaying of her fetus. A jury recommended the death penalty a month later.

Rocha spoke to Scott Peterson directly.

"I would hope that yo regret the choices that you made. Maybe you don't," Rocha said. "Did you really hate Laci and Conner that much or did you just dislike yourself?"

mh67511 · 03-16-2005, 01:05 PM

I wasn't surprised to hear this. I still question the original verdict but it's said and done now. It's doubtful that the appeals process will do much.

Ambular · 03-16-2005, 01:07 PM

Another article .... how sad to have been in that courtroom...

mh67511 · 03-16-2005, 01:13 PM

I was surprised at some of the stuff said in the second article. I'm not really a big fan of using the courtroom for the families to vent. I understand their anger and frustaration, but it just seems unnecessary and bitter. As if telling someone they are going to die isn't enough, they allow the family to go and rub salt on the wounds. It's vindictive and I just don't like it.

Milt Palacio · 03-16-2005, 01:15 PM

That's a crazy article.

I wish Scott would just confess, but that won't happen because of future appeals. He truly is an evil person to kill his wife and unborn son and never show any true remorse.

TokyoNiGHTS · 03-16-2005, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milt Palacio

That's a crazy article.

I wish Scott would just confess, but that won't happen because of future appeals. He truly is an evil person to kill his wife and unborn son and never show any true remorse.

I'm kinda glad he didn't. People that confess can generally cut deals, and that'd likely got him out of the death penalty which he very much deserves to get.

**Mio** · 03-16-2005, 02:02 PM

I think it was okay for the family to vent. They trusted him and loved him and look at what he did. Here you can do that, it's apart of the victim impact statement- not only does the direct victim get to vent (if they can), but the family can too. It's good because they shouldn't keep their feelings inside.

It's about time the justice system worked.

mh67511 · 03-16-2005, 02:07 PM

If he pleaded innocence, then why whould he show remorse? You would show remorse if you did someting wrong. If he pleaded guilty then I would hope he would show remorse.

mcdreamylover · 03-16-2005, 03:40 PM

Thank god he wasn't a celebrity or he would have gotten away with this IMO.

Elizajoey · 03-16-2005, 07:00 PM

Incredibly sad.

I don't agree with either verdict - guilty or death.

Yes, the concept is "innocent until proven guilty" but I don't think he was ever proved guilty IMO. There was too much circumstantial evidence, there were leads that were not investigated, there were such suspect decisions by the judge such as allowing the boat to be viewed by the jury but most of all, the jury itself - how people went off the jury in it's closing stages and the fact that most of the juries were more involved in the celebrity of the trial rather than the justice of it.

Quote:

"I never liked you," Dennis Rocha, Laci's father, told Peterson. "You're going to burn in hell."

Oh please. The "I never liked you" admission. Thats something that five year old children say in the playground.

Ambular · 03-16-2005, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mh67511

I was surprised at some of the stuff said in the second article. I'm not really a big fan of using the courtroom for the families to vent. I understand their anger and frustaration, but it just seems unnecessary and bitter. As if telling someone they are going to die isn't enough, they allow the family to go and rub salt on the wounds. It's vindictive and I just don't like it.

While I think that there are more healthy ways of grieving, I don't think the families should be prohibited from speaking their minds in front of him, especially once he was found guilty (and circumstantial evidence or not, we all know he did it). He murdered his wife and unborn child; Why should he be spared from verbal abuse from the people who are the most deserving to give it to him? At this point, I'd say let them if it makes them feel just that tiny bit better to let it all out.

It's not just "frustration" or "unecessary", I mean think about what you would do if you were sitting face to face with a man who brutally murdered your sister and nephew. And you couldn't even give her a proper burial because of what he did to her body....

Elizajoey · 03-16-2005, 07:33 PM

Quote:

and circumstantial evidence or not, we all know he did it). He murdered his wife and unborn child;

No. We don't "all know". I don't think he did it. There are too many other options and possibilities so don't attempt to say that we all know he did it - the only people who know is Laci herself and whoever her murderer is - it might be Scott but it could be someone else as well. There was never anything that showed that he DID do it - only that certain things aligned that made him look suss, just like there are other things that made others look suss too.

mcdreamylover · 03-16-2005, 09:24 PM

Since he's in California he probably will never be put to death. It takes at least 20 years before someone dies on death row.

Quote:

It's vindictive and I just don't like it.

So if it was you you wouldn't say anything to the person who killed your sister and nephew?

TokyoNiGHTS · 03-17-2005, 12:54 AM

I don't see how anyone could feel sorry for this guy if you've heard how he acted in the court room. While Laci's mom was talking about how sad she was over Laci's murder, Scott was either talking to his lawyer or just sitting there with a straight face. Now if you didn't have anything to do with the murder, and your wifes mom is standing in front of you crying over her daughter, why wouldn't you show any emotions?

Ambular · 03-17-2005, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elizajoey

I don't think he did it.

Really.

So, if a man was accused of killing your sister and her child, and he had been found attempting to flee the country with quite a bit of money, and had changed his appearance, and was having an affair to begin with, and basically sat in court with a straight face (and an occasional smirk) while his family members sobbed hysterically, and he listened to the details of what happened to his innocent child's body and did not show a shred of emotion ... you wouldn't "just know" he was guilty?


Fan Forum > General Discussion > News & Politics > Peterson Formally Sentenced