Yesterday a judge ordered that the infamous Scott Peterson be resentenced for the murder of his pregnant wife.
Peterson has been on death row without a sentence since it was reversed in 2020. In November, he will be resentenced to life in jail without the prospect of release.
In 2005, Peterson was condemned to death for the murders of his wife Laci Peterson and their unborn child Conner. Last year, the California supreme court overturned his death sentence, and the Stanislaus County District Attorney stated that the death penalty would never be sought again.
Peterson’s defense attorneys have been opposing a re-sentencing because he may face a new murder trial. Instead, they want to concentrate on having Peterson’s entire conviction overturned so that he can walk out of San Quentin State Prison one day.
Superior Court Judge Anne-Christine Massullo was tough on Wednesday, saying that Peterson can no longer be an inmate without a sentence.
Regardless of the other retrial legal challenges, Massullo stated that he would be resentenced in November.
The judge said, “This case has become more complicated. Sentencing Mr. Peterson should not be delayed.”
Recently, Peterson has only appeared in court through zoom. The judge ruled on Wednesday that Peterson must appear in person in court for his next sentencing hearing.
Laci’s family will almost certainly appear in court to offer victim impact statements. It will be the first time her family has seen Peterson in more than a decade.
Because one of the jurors in the previous trial was accused of misconduct, Peterson’s defense attorneys attempted to get his murder conviction reversed.
Stanislaus County District Attorney Birgit Fladager chastised peterson for going on a “witch hunt” against a juror.
According to Goold, the judge tentatively denied the defense motion to take depositions from Juror No 7, her ex-boyfriend, and her mother but allowed subpoenas to be issued requiring their participation at a future evidentiary hearing.
Peterson’s pregnant wife, who was 27 years old at the time, vanished around Christmas in 2002.
After police claimed he dumped the victims into the San Francisco Bay, the Modesto resident was sentenced for the first time in 2005. Even after the remains of Laci and their unborn child were discovered, he maintained his innocence.
According to Deputy District Attorney John Goold of Stanislaus County, the next court session is October 6 at 10 a.m. to set a definite date for re-sentencing Peterson.
Discover more from Baller Alert
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
