BREAK-IN THEORY
Scott Peterson’s sister-in-law Janey insists pregnant wife Laci was killed by burglar who hid body for days & framed him
Scott Peterson speaks about the case for the first time in over 20 years in a new Peacock documentary
SCOTT Peterson's sister-in-law is still advocating for his innocence more than 20 years after his pregnant wife's brutal murder.
Janey Peterson believes Laci Peterson and her unborn son were killed in a burglary and the theory is getting fresh attention as Scott pushes to have his murder conviction thrown out.
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On November 12, 2004, Scott was convicted of the murders of Laci and his unborn son, Conner, following a five-month trial.
At first, he faced execution for the murders.
He was handed a death sentence in 2005 but it was overturned in 2020 after the California Supreme Court found the trial judge made jury selection errors.
Scott is now serving a life sentence at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, California, without the possibility of parole.
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His sister-in-law Janey became a lawyer in part so that she could fight for Scott's innocence.
"Advocating for the wrongful conviction of my brother-in-law, Scott Peterson. Let us do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly," her X account states.
Convicted murderer Scott has also maintained his innocence for the past two decades, though he admitted to having an affair with massage therapist Amber Frey.
L.A. INNOCENCE PROJECT'S INVOLVEMENT
In January 2024, the Los Angeles Innocence Project announced it is representing Scott and "investigating his claim of actual innocence."
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"New evidence now supports Mr. Peterson's longstanding claim of innocence and raises many questions into who abducted and killed Laci and Conner Peterson," the nonprofit wrote in legal filings.
Crucial evidence in Scott Peterson murder case could help free killer husband as judge allows new round of DNA testing
The L.A. Innocence Project has been fighting for an appeal in the case.
It is looking to conduct new DNA testing on a blood-stained mattress discovered in the back of a burned-out van on December 25, 2002, per the court filings.
The hope is that the DNA testing could possibly link the burglars to Laci's murder.
"We are very excited to have the incredible attorneys at the L.A. Innocence Project lend their considerable expertise to helping prove Scott Peter[son]'s Innocence," Scott's attorney Pat Harris told People.
Janey is also fighting to prove Scott's alleged innocence and believes the burglars are responsible for Laci and Conner's deaths.
LACI'S DISAPPEARANCE
Laci, 27, was eight months pregnant with Conner when she went missing on Christmas Eve 2002 from their Modesto, California home.
On April 14, 2003, her body was found in the San Francisco Bay. Conner's body was also located nearby.
TIMELINE OF PETERSON'S LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Pregnant Laci Peterson vanished on December 24, 2002, launching the search for her.
- April 13, 2003: Laci's body and the body of her unborn son were found washed up on a San Francisco beach
- April 18, 2003: Scott Peterson is arrested for the murder of Laci and their unborn son
- April 21, 2003: Scott is arraigned and charged with two felony counts of murder with premeditation and special circumstances
- June 1, 2004: Scott's criminal trial begins
- November 12, 2004: Scott is found guilty of one count of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder
- December 13, 2004: Just shy of two years since Laci's death, Scott is handed a death sentence
- July 5, 2012: Scott appeals his death sentence
- August 24, 2020: The California Supreme Court upholds Scott's convictions but overturns his death sentence after finding bias in the jury's choice for the death penalty
- September 22, 2021: Scott is re-sentenced to life without parole
- January 2024: Los Angeles Innocence Project announces it is taking on Scott's case
- March 12, 2024: Scott appears in court for the first time to schedule future hearings
- April 22, 2024: The district attorney’s office files its opposition to a motion from Peterson’s defense team for post-conviction DNA testing of evidence
- May 29, 2024: A judge rules a single piece of duct tape found on Laci's pants at the time of her autopsy would be tested for DNA
- July 16, 2024: Scott's defense asks for more than 600 pieces of evidence from the Modesto Police Department
Scott was arrested near a golf course in San Diego on April 18, 2003.
BURGLAR THEORY
Though Scott was convicted of Laci and Conner's murders in November 2004, the L.A. Innocence Project and Janey have theorized burglars are responsible for their deaths.
A burglary occurred across the street from the Peterson's home on the same day Laci disappeared, and Janey believes it is connected to this case.
In a 2023 interview, Janey said an evidence claim was filed that April that includes a signed exhibit from a person alleging to have heard a man confess to being part of the burglary on December 24, 2002.
The person who signed the exhibit claimed one of the burglars said that the other burglars killed Laci, People reported.
Per the redacted exhibit — which was shared with People — the confessed burglar said Laci saw the burglars wheeling out a safe and confronted the criminals.
According to the statement, the other burglars then killed Laci and later dumped her body in the bay after they supposedly saw on the news that Scott had been fishing at that spot.
"That's always been our theory," Janey said in June 2023.
"There's always been evidence that points to the burglary, but it's all either been a couple degrees of hearsay or whatever."
She also said, "Our family is living our lives with this weight of injustice over it. And you can't ignore it.
"All of us in the family and we feel the weight of this injustice."
PEACOCK DOCUMENTARY
For the first time in over two decades, Scott is speaking about the case in a Peacock documentary titled Face to Face with Scott Peterson.
The three-part docuseries will debut on August 20, 2024, and features Scott speaking about his affair while maintaining his innocence in Laci and Conner's murders.
"It's horrible. I was a total a-hole to be having sex outside our marriage," Scott said of his affair, per People.
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Though he confessed to infidelity, he still claims he is innocent of murder.
"I regret not testifying [at my trial], but if I have a chance to show people what the truth is, and if they are willing to accept it, it would be the biggest thing that I can accomplish right now—because I didn’t kill my family," he said.
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