What began as a college romance in the early 90s would eventually spiral into one of the most notorious murder cases of the 21st century. The story of Scott Peterson and his wife, Laci, is one fraught with lies, deceit, and a life-changing tragedy that still haunts the public's imagination.
Scott Peterson and Laci Rocha met in 1994 while attending California Polytechnic State University. The young couple, drawn to each other, married two years later. By 2002, their life seemed idyllic—Laci was pregnant, and they lived in Modesto, California, excited to raise their unborn son, Conner.
On Christmas Eve 2002, Scott Peterson told authorities he left his eight-month-pregnant wife alone at their Modesto home to go fishing at the Berkeley Marina, nearly 90 miles away. He claimed that Laci planned to walk the couple's dog, McKenzie, and mop the kitchen floor. Upon returning hours later, Peterson found the dog alone, still wearing its leash, but there was no sign of Laci. Later that evening, Laci's stepfather called the police to report her missing.
The search for Laci quickly became a community effort, with family, friends, and volunteers combing Modesto for any trace of the missing woman. Meanwhile, Scott was questioned by authorities. Former Modesto Police Detective Jon Buehler recalls that Scott's behaviour was unsettling. "Oftentimes, a victim who's left behind is firing tons of questions at us… And we didn't get any of that from him," Buehler remarked in a 48 Hours interview.
As the investigation unfolded, an unexpected twist emerged. Amber Frey, a Fresno massage therapist, came forward to tell authorities that she had been dating Scott Peterson for over a month. She had believed him to be a single man, but soon realised the truth. "Her recall was fantastic," said Detective Buehler. "It was almost like it was a script from a Hallmark TV show or something." Frey recounted their dates, down to what they were wearing, and began secretly recording her phone calls with Scott.
On January 24, 2003, Amber Frey publicly revealed her affair with Scott at an explosive press conference, expressing her sympathy for Laci’s family. In one recorded conversation, Scott even claimed to Frey that he was in Paris when he was actually still in Modesto. Later, he admitted to lying. These recordings would become crucial evidence in the case against him.
Court evidence
A tragic breakthrough came in mid-April when the remains of Laci Peterson and her unborn son, Conner, were discovered on the shores of the San Francisco Bay, about a mile apart. Authorities confirmed their identities soon after, leading to a series of devastating events for the Peterson family.
On April 18, 2003, Scott Peterson was arrested in La Jolla, California, after authorities found him in his car with large sums of cash, his brother's ID card, and several mobile phones—evidence that suggested he may have been trying to flee the country. Peterson was charged with the murders of Laci and Conner. Days later, he pleaded not guilty to two counts of capital murder.
The public's attention shifted to the courtroom when Scott Peterson's trial began on June 1, 2004, in San Mateo County, California. Due to overwhelming media coverage and public outcry, the trial had been moved from Modesto to Redwood City. The prosecution presented a case built primarily on circumstantial evidence, with no physical crime scene or weapon. They argued that Peterson, seeking freedom from his responsibilities, killed his wife and unborn child.
A pivotal moment in the trial came when Amber Frey took the stand. Her testimony detailed the lies Scott had told her about his relationship with Laci and the betrayal he had orchestrated while his wife was missing. Jurors listened to Frey’s recordings of Scott's calls, where he painted a false narrative of being a widower. The lies severely damaged Scott Peterson’s credibility.
After deliberating for several days, the jury found Scott Peterson guilty of first-degree murder for the death of Laci and second-degree murder for the death of Conner. Crowds outside the courthouse cheered as the guilty verdict was read aloud.
On March 16, 2005, Peterson was sentenced to death by Judge Nancy Ashley. Juror No. 7, Richelle Nice, who was nicknamed "Strawberry Shortcake" for her distinctive hair colour, remarked publicly after the sentencing, calling Peterson a "jerk" and adding, "San Quentin is your new home." Peterson was sent to death row at San Quentin State Prison.
After years of legal battles, the California Supreme Court overturned Scott Peterson's death sentence on August 24, 2020. The court ruled that the original trial judge had made a critical error during jury selection, which led to an unfair trial. Peterson's supporters argued that the jury had been stacked with pro-death penalty individuals. The court upheld his conviction for murder but ordered a new sentencing trial.
The legal saga continued when the California Supreme Court ordered a review of Peterson’s murder convictions. They instructed a lower court to decide whether the case warranted a full retrial. A key point of contention was the actions of Juror No. 7, Richelle Nice, who allegedly lied about her own experiences with domestic disputes during jury selection. Peterson's defence team argued that Nice’s dishonesty compromised the integrity of the trial.
In a CBS interview, Scott Peterson's sister-in-law, Janey Peterson, presented new evidence she believes could prove his innocence. She claimed witnesses had seen Laci walking in the neighbourhood after Scott had left for his fishing trip. However, retired Detective Jon Buehler dismissed these claims, arguing that the witnesses’ memories were unreliable, and that others in the neighbourhood looked similar to Laci.
Janey Peterson also pointed to a burglary that occurred across the street from the Peterson home on the day Laci disappeared, theorising that Laci may have confronted the burglars. While two men, Steven Todd and Donald Pearce, were arrested for the burglary, the theory remains a point of contention.
Modesto Police Department
Scott Peterson appeared remotely in court for a status hearing related to the new trial. His supporters remain hopeful that new evidence and a re-examination of the case could result in the overturning of his conviction.
Court evidence
In December 2021, Scott Peterson was resentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the deaths of his wife and unborn child. The decision marked the end of his time on death row at San Quentin, though his legal team continues to fight for a new trial.
In 2024, the Los Angeles Innocence Project took on Peterson’s case, filing for access to new evidence and DNA testing. Supporters of Peterson maintain that he is innocent, even as retired detective Jon Buehler remains sceptical. "Well, I guess it's possible," he said, "But you know, there’s still people that believe the Earth is flat too."
The case of Scott Peterson, now spanning two decades, remains one of the most gripping and controversial stories in American legal history. While the debate continues, the question remains: was Scott Peterson the guilty man, or has the wrong man been convicted?
