The Los Angeles Innocence Project (LAIP) has taken on the representation of Scott Peterson, who was convicted of murder in 2004 in the deaths of his wife, Laci Peterson, and their unborn son. The nonprofit organization, known for its work in exonerating wrongly convicted individuals, stated that it is looking into Peterson’s “claim of actual innocence.” This development was first reported by ABC News.
Scott Peterson, now 51 years old, was sentenced to death in 2005 following his conviction for the murders. The tragic case began when Peterson reported his wife missing from their Modesto, California home in December 2002. Laci Peterson was seven months pregnant at the time of her disappearance. In April 2003, the bodies of Laci and their unborn son, Conner, were found separately washed up in San Francisco Bay.
In 2020, the California Supreme Court overturned Peterson’s death sentence due to the erroneous dismissal of potential jurors who expressed objections to the death penalty. However, the court upheld his convictions, deeming the trial itself fair. In 2021, Peterson was resentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Peterson’s attorneys filed a petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus in April 2023. They alleged violations of state and federal constitutional rights, as well as state statutory rights, including a claim of actual innocence supported by newly discovered evidence. The LAIP has since requested evidence and documents from the investigation to be handed over to Peterson’s legal team.
Paula Mitchell, the director of the Los Angeles Innocence Project, highlighted discrepancies between items referenced in police reports and those provided to the defense during the trial. This revelation prompted the organization to take on the case. Peterson’s previous attorney, Cliff Gardner, explained that the overturning of his client’s death sentence meant he no longer qualified for a court-appointed attorney for habeas proceedings.
The involvement of the Los Angeles Innocence Project adds a new dimension to Scott Peterson’s ongoing legal battle. As they delve deeper into Peterson’s claims of innocence, it remains to be seen what impact this investigation will have on his conviction. The case continues to captivate the public’s attention, and with the LAIP now representing Peterson, the spotlight on his appeal is set to intensify.
