The nonprofit organization, known for their work to exonerate wrongly convicted and incarcerated individuals, told PEOPLE in a statement that they represent Scott now and are “investigating his claim of actual innocence.”
Laci Peterson, 27, waseight months pregnant with their son Connerwhen she vanished on Christmas Eve in 2002, just five years after she and Scott had married. While Scott initially helped look for her, it soon came out that he had been having an affair and he was made the prime suspect.
Scott — who is 51 now — was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder in 2004 and sentenced to death row in 2005. He remained there for about 15 years.
Scott Peterson in 2004.Bart Ah You-Pool/Getty
Bart Ah You-Pool/Getty
Laci Peterson
In court in 2021, Scott’s death sentence was officially vacated,resentencing him to life in prison. The following year, a San Mateo County Superior Court Judgedenied Peterson’s bid for a new trial.
Now, the L.A. Innocence Project is seeking new evidence in Scott’s original trial, saying that Peterson’s state and federal constitutional rights were violated, according toABC News.
Scott Peterson in October 2022.California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation/AP
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation/AP
Attorneys for the organization are quoting updated witness statements which point to multiple areas of interest including a December 2002 burglary of a Modesto home across the street from the Petersons. Scott’s attorneys have previously argued his wife was killed after she witnessed the men breaking into the neighbor’s house during a dog walk while Scott was on a solo fishing trip Christmas Eve morning.
Scott Peterson during a hearing at the San Mateo County Superior Court in 2022.Jeff Chiu/AP
Jeff Chiu/AP
Scott’s family has long believed his claim of innocence and supported his efforts for freedom. “There is no forensic evidence, there is no timeline to this crime,” his sister-in-law Janey Peterson said in 2021. “Scott Peterson is innocent, and we are now trying to reverse that.”
Pat Harris, Scott’s defense attorney, tells PEOPLE: “We are very excited to have the incredible attorneys at the L.A. Innocence Project lend their considerable expertise to helping prove Scott Peter’s Innocence."
source: people.com
