# The Peterson trial **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 23, 2004, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-peterson-trial/251870 "2004-06-23T20:39:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pilzner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pilzner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pilzner)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-peterson-trial/251870/1 "2004-06-23T20:39:35Z")
Pray tell, why is this trial getting so much media coverage? Am I missing something? I’ve never been really _with it_ on current events, so I thought perhaps maybe S.Peterson was a pro-football player, or fledgling hollywood prodigy perhaps. From what I can find out, he’s just a fertilizer salesman. It’s as if this was the only homicide case that happened in the USA in the past half a decade. Shit, it was even on The O’Reilly factor the other night. I watch O’Reilly to see him make an ass of himself spewing oversimplified “no-spin” right-wing drivel while interupting his guests, not to see him talk about jurors on murder cases. Likewise, it seems an incredible waste of media to be following ever little nuance of the Peterson Trial on a daily basis, with wars/fighting going on in other countries ( not necessarily Iraq/Afghanistan). I’m putting this in the pit primarly because Im sick of the case and would like to lob swear words at it. But if anyone reading can educate me as to exactly what the deal with the trial is, I’d love to hear it. ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-peterson-trial/251870/2 "2004-06-23T20:44:02Z")
I’m wondering why juror #5 was excused. For talking to the media? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-peterson-trial/251870/3 "2004-06-23T20:44:45Z")
> [@pilzner](#): > > I’m putting this in the pit primarly because Im sick of the case and would like to lob swear words at it. Since you neglected to, I will do it for you, George Carlin style. Fuck Scott Peterson! Fuck him in the asshole with a big rubber dick! Then break it off and beat him with the rest of it. ---
**Author:** ![Wolfian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wolfian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfian)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-peterson-trial/251870/4 "2004-06-23T20:44:59Z")
I don’t know either. I guess Lacey was an attractive, rich, blond woman, but I haven’t seen a picture. That last sentence is somewhat tongue in check. Somewhat. ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-peterson-trial/251870/5 "2004-06-23T20:49:28Z")
tongue in check!? remind me not to go to the bank with YOU! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-peterson-trial/251870/6 "2004-06-23T20:50:42Z")
> [@pilzner](#): > > Pray tell, why is this trial getting so much media coverage? Because people love a good murder mystery. Always have, always will. Madeline Smith, Lizzie Borden, O.J., Dr. Parkman, Jack the Ripper, li’l Jon-Benet. Human nature. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-peterson-trial/251870/7 "2004-06-23T20:53:51Z")
5 words. Dead attractive rich white girl. ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-peterson-trial/251870/8 "2004-06-23T20:54:38Z")
Well, Eve, I guess the question then is…why this one? Women get murdered by their husbands every day. There are hundreds of murder trials taking place…what puts this in the spot light? Everyone involved is good looking? That’s my half cynical guess. ---
**Author:** ![Wolfian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wolfian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfian)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-peterson-trial/251870/9 "2004-06-23T21:01:29Z")
> [@vanilla](#): > > tongue in check!? > remind me not to go to the bank with YOU! 😉 I was balancing my checkbook on another screen. Last time I multi-task. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-peterson-trial/251870/10 "2004-06-23T21:04:40Z")
I didn’t realize it was receiving nation wide media coverage, but after the TV movie, I suppose I should have. The trial is taking place a few short blocks from my office, and the media circus is unbelievable. I was talking with a few friends about this, and the coversation went something like this (included: 1 nurse, 1 well educated, somewhat cynical middle aged exec, one law student, age 30ish): somewhat cynical exec:"yeah… the part that strikes me is, HOW did this one manage to become a national media circus … ??? Basic story … pregnant woman disappears,foul play is suspected, husband is prime suspect, husband claims to know nothing … but does stupid crap that makes him look really guilty … bodies turn up, so it is murder, husband is the prime suspect … geee… bet that is the Only time That story has played out, anywhere in the nation, in the last 2 years, eh? uh, oh, here comes the cynical part … “Attractive White” pregnant woman disappears … leaving behind press-worthy photos “Attractive White” husband is suspected … " Me: I’m not sure it’s really so much a case of “attractive white woman” as the family did a REALLY good job of getting the media’s attention and holding it. Plus, there was already a rapist in the area who had tried to abduct one woman. I do know that Laci’s family was tireless in getting the word out, and not letting it slip from people’s attention for very long. Law student: "I think the family had a lot to do with it, but I think that Wyatt’s cynical view is not far from the mark. The problem with the Laci P murder is that it is a violation of a cultural standard on which we place a very high value. - it was an assault against marriage - it was an assault against motherhood - it was an assault against a family If the American Dream is a house with a kid or two, some pets, a nice lawn and all the collective drapery of a nice middle class existenence, this murder violates all of that and gives a big middle finger to everyone who prizes that. Sadly, I think race plays into that." The more I think about it, the more I’m afraid they may be right. Also, Laci wasn’t rich, nor were her folks. She and her hubby were darn near bankrupt, although she (Laci) knew nothing about it. In case anyone is interested, [here’s a timeline](http://www.sfgate.com/peterson/) of the events, from the date of her disappearance to current. ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-peterson-trial/251870/11 "2004-06-23T21:04:55Z")
> [@World Eater](#): > > 5 words. > > Dead attractive rich white girl. I think you missed a few words that have given it “longer legs”, such as pregnant, and cheating husband. Otherwise, I agree completely. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-peterson-trial/251870/12 "2004-06-23T21:07:07Z")
> [@World Eater](#): > > 5 words. > > Dead attractive rich white girl. Actually, 6 words: Dead attractive rich white _pregnant_ girl. Other interesting elements: cheating husband, the bodies (mother and fetus/baby) washing up on shore, etc. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-peterson-trial/251870/13 "2004-06-23T21:13:21Z")
Yep, forgot those additional words, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-peterson-trial/251870/14 "2004-06-23T21:20:59Z")
And, one more time, just for clarification: she was not rich. Or blond. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-peterson-trial/251870/15 "2004-06-23T21:22:58Z")
> [@World Eater](#): > > 5 words. > > Dead attractive rich white girl. Depends on your definition of “white” - her maiden name is Rocha, IIRC. ---
**Author:** ![thirdwarning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecccb3/32.png) [@thirdwarning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdwarning)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-peterson-trial/251870/16 "2004-06-23T21:34:38Z")
I think in large part it’s the middle class, average, could-be-anybody thing. I mean, if this kind of stuff can happen even to normal people like that, it could happen to me! You know, one minute you’re happily married, expecting a baby, just living your life, and the next you’re dead and washing up on some beach. And then there’s the usual fascination with the sordid. Doesn’t it often seem that a lot of people get a big kick out of things happening to people who seem to have everything? ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-peterson-trial/251870/17 "2004-06-23T21:43:29Z")
> [@Ferret Herder](#): > > Depends on your definition of “white” - her maiden name is Rocha, IIRC. My definition of white is moot, it’s the media’s we need to take a look at. Very light skinned and last name Peterson is a good start. ---
**Author:** ![Punoqllads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d2c977/32.png) [@Punoqllads](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punoqllads)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2004, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-peterson-trial/251870/18 "2004-06-23T23:48:36Z")
The main reason she got into the media spotlight is because both her relatives and Scott’s relatives worked hard to keep her in the media spotlight. There was initially this whole mystery surrounding her disappearance, so they did so in the hope that she was still alive and that she could somehow return. Also, there was the fact that it happened on Christmas Eve, which made her disappearance even more tragic. And then there was the unfolding soap opera aspect, too. The story eventually gained enough attention to reach a critical mass of interested people, and maintained it with a steady trickle of new items every day. Compare it to the Rae Carruth murder trial, where his pregnant girlfriend Cherica Adams was hit in a drive-by shooting, finally dying mid-December with her son delivered by Caeserian as she died. When he was accused of ordering the hit because he didn’t want to be a father, that got a lot of folks’ attention, with updates regularly announced. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-peterson-trial/251870/19 "2004-06-24T00:29:18Z")
> [@vanilla](#): > > I’m wondering why juror #5 was excused. > For talking to the media? 😕 He spoke to his girlfriend over the phone about the media coverage of the case. According to [SFGate](http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2004/06/23/PETERSON23.TMP). Another shocking aspect not already mentioned is that thre was evidence that the baby was born before the mother was killed and was murdered separately. IIRC although the gas from the decomposing pregnant wife would have naturally expelled the baby, there was evidence of duct tape on the baby’s mouth. (Hey - I live in SF, it’s not like I have a choice but to hear about this damn thing). ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-peterson-trial/251870/20 "2004-06-24T02:15:50Z")
> [@Dooku](#): > > He spoke to his girlfriend over the phone about the media coverage of the case. According to [SFGate](http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2004/06/23/PETERSON23.TMP). > > Another shocking aspect not already mentioned is that thre was evidence that the baby was born before the mother was killed and was murdered separately. IIRC although the gas from the decomposing pregnant wife would have naturally expelled the baby, there was evidence of duct tape on the baby’s mouth. > > (Hey - I live in SF, it’s not like I have a choice but to hear about this damn thing). I don’t believe the baby was born alive. The fetus washed up ashore, so there was plenty of opportunity for rubbish to contaminate it. The interpretation that the tape on the baby was placed deliberately by human hands is the one that the defence is pushing but IMO it seems far more likely that it just became entangled while adrift in the ocean. Smoke and mirrors but hey, that’s what the defence is supposed to do. Just to reinforce the key points here, Laci was a pretty pregnant woman who mysteriously disappeared on Christmas Eve. That grabbed my attention, especially as she was roughly my age. Knowing it was Christmas and she was pregnant, it just seemed like something odd was going on - she wasn’t a typical runaway so it was likely that something bad had happened to her. Then, her loving husband was revealed to be a cheating cad who was having an affair with a massage therapist. This was followed by her body washed up on shore 90 miles from where she disappeared but only 3 miles from where her husband’s alibi placed him. Now I’m intently following the case because I identify with Laci, and because I think the husband did it and I want to see him found guilty. I also see the prosecution doing a lousy job of proving their case and I think he’s going to walk. I am one of the people that the media circus is catering to because I want to know everything that’s happening as I am anxious about what the verdict will be. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-peterson-trial/251870.md?page=2)