| THE CHARGES |
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Complaint
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Peterson was charged with two counts of murder in the slayings of his pregnant wife, Laci, and unborn son.
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April Arraignment
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The court memorialized details of Peterson's first arraignment using this official form.
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December Arraignment
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After the preliminary hearing, Scott Peterson was rearraigned, and dates for trial, change of venue and other hearings were set.
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| TRANSCRIPTS |
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Frey-Peterson Calls
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Read transcripts from the many phone coversations between Scott Peterson and mistress Amber Frey that were taped by police.
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Police Interview
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This 30-page transcript shows the exchange between investigators and Scott Peterson less than 24 hours after Laci Peterson's disappearance was reported.
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Rocha-Peterson Call
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Laci Peterson's mother and Scott Peterson had this Feb. 2003 phone conversation that was taped by police.
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| THE OTHER WOMAN |
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Phone Transcript
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After going to police about her affair with Scott Peterson, Amber Frey agreed to allow her phone conversations with Peterson be recorded. This transcript shows what Frey and Peterson said.
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Dad's Letters
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Ron Frey, Amber's father, wrote these letters in opposition to a gag order that would bar him from talking to the media.
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| DEFENSE THEORIES |
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Pawn Slip
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Deanna Renfro pawned a watch at a Modesto shop in Dec. 2002 similar to one Laci Peterson was trying to sell on eBay around the time of her disappearance.
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Rape Statement
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According to this police statement, a rape counselor reported an unnamed woman claimed to be raped by four people in a brown van during a Satanic ritual in Modesto. Detectives interviewed four people in a brown van, two of which with the last name "Renfrow."
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Criminal Complaint
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In 1994, Deanna Renfro was charged with possession of crystal meth.
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Probation Order
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Deanna Renfro was put on probation following a drug arrest.
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| THE ARREST |
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Arrest Warrant
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Police obtained this warrant prior to arresting Scott Peterson for the murders of his wife and unborn child.
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Booking Sheet
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Following his April 2003 arrest in San Diego, Peterson waived extradition back to Modesto.
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| REPORTS |
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Laci's Coroner Report
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The coroner produced this document after Laci Peterson's body was discovered.
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Connor's Coroner Report
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This report was prepared by the coroner after the unborn baby's remains were found.
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Hernandez Autopsy
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The autopsy report of Evelyn Hernandez, another woman found dead in San Francisco Bay, was one of the few documents released in that case.
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| CHANGE OF VENUE |
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Venue Change Motion
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Claiming Peterson can not get a fair trial in his hometown, the defense sought to move the trial to another county.
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State's Venue Response
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Prosecutors opposed a change of venue, acknowledging widespread media coverage but disputing that publicity was skewed.
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Defense Exhibits
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The defense submitted these exhibits, mostly media clips, in attempt to bolster their argument for a venue change (PDF).
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Survey Motion
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Prosecutors requested the right to conduct a survey regarding possible biases in the jury pool.
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| DNA |
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DNA Motion
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Calling it unreliable, the defense asked that mitochondrial DNA evidence be excluded.
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State's Response
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Prosecutors fired back in this motion that this type of DNA evidence met legal standards in past cases.
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| FINANCIAL MATTERS |
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Trust Complaint
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Sharon Rocha, Laci Peterson's mother, asked the court that any money paid to Scott Peterson resulting from the case be held in a trust.
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Insurance Suit
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The company issuing Laci Peterson's $250,000 life insurance policy sought the court's help to determine who is entitled to the payout.
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| MORE PRETRIAL ISSUES |
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Prelim Access
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Judge Al Girolami banned cameras from the courtroom during Peterson's preliminary hearing.
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Dismissal Motion
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Alleging a lack of evidence presented at the preliminary hearing, the defense asked the judge to set aside the charges in this January 2004 motion.
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