Death-row Tenet Scott Peterson has claimed that that burglars murdered his wife Laci in what marks his first interview since his 2004 conviction according to Fox News.
In December 2002, the disappearance of Laci Peterson, eight months pregnant at the time, triggered a nationwide media frenzy. Her husband, Scott Peterson, reported her missing after he returned from a fishing trip, finding their Modesto, California home deserted.
The case took a grim turn when, after four months of search efforts, Laci Peterson’s body, along with that of her unborn child, was discovered washed ashore near the area where Scott had been fishing.
This discovery led to increased scrutiny of Scott, who was arrested close to the Mexico border with a changed appearance and carrying his brother’s identification.
Investigative efforts revealed damning evidence against Scott Peterson.
According to reports, police dogs detected Laci’s scent at the boat ramp where Scott launched his fishing boat that day, and strands of her hair were found attached to pliers aboard the vessel.
Scott’s peculiar behavior continued to draw attention. At the time of his arrest, his hair was bleached, suggesting a possible attempt to alter his appearance.
He was also carrying his brother's passport, fueling speculation about possible escape plans.
Despite the evidence, Scott Peterson has consistently proclaimed his innocence and has described an alternative explanation for his wife’s death.
He asserts that she was abducted by burglars involved in a crime across their street on the day she vanished. He believes she might have gone over to confront the burglars or was taken by them, a theory he regrets not voicing during his trial.
During his recent interview, Scott expressed deep remorse for not testifying, stating, "Why do I want to speak? I regret not testifying. I have a chance to show people what the truth is."
This claim is underpinned by eyewitness accounts that reportedly saw a suspicious van and signs of a struggle involving a pregnant woman in the area that same day. These accounts, however, were not thoroughly pursued during the initial investigation.
Further casting doubt on the investigation’s thoroughness, a detective involved initially hinted at a predisposition towards Scott's guilt.
Modesto Detective Al Brocchini recalled an incident where a fellow officer seemed convinced of Scott's guilt just from an initial home walkthrough.
Scott Peterson’s legal team, bolstered by the LA Innocence Project, has pushed for reexamining certain physical evidence.
Their efforts have resulted in the retesting of a piece of duct tape found on Laci’s body, which could potentially open new leads or debunk old ones.
Meanwhile, accounts from other key figures like Amber Frey, Scott’s mistress at the time, painted a complicated picture of his personal life. Upon learning of Laci’s disappearance and Scott's marriage, she cooperated fully with the police investigation.
The possibility of a retrial looms, fueled by these compounded claims and emerging details.
Scott’s attorney, Lara Yeretsian, hints at a long process ahead but remains hopeful, citing the recent victories in court as just the beginning of their fight to overturn Scott’s conviction.