Who Is Scott Peterson? Wiki, Age, Wife, Family, BIO & Facts About Laci Peterson’s Killer
Scott Peterson (born October 24, 1972, Age: 51 years old) is a convicted murderer who killed his pregnant wife, Laci Peterson, and their unborn son, Conner, in 2002. He is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole at Mule Creek State Prison in California. His case has attracted widespread media attention and public interest, as well as controversy over the legal process and the media coverage.
Scott Peterson Wiki/Bio
| Name | Scott Peterson |
| Born | October 24, 1972 (age 51) |
| Birthplace | San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Education | California Polytechnic State University (1994–1998) |
| Occupation | Fertilizer salesman |
| scottpeterson | |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Early Life and Education
Scott was born on October 24, 1972, in San Diego, California, to Lee Arthur Peterson and Jacqueline ‘Jackie’ Helen Latham. His father owned a crate-packaging business, while his mother owned a boutique in La Jolla. He was the only child of his parents, but he had six half-siblings from their previous marriages.
He grew up in a two-bedroom apartment in La Jolla, where he shared a bedroom with his maternal half-brother John. He was a talented golfer and earned a partial golf scholarship to Arizona State University, where he was a classmate of professional golfer Phil Mickelson.
However, he was kicked off the team for giving another golfer a hangover after a night of partying. He then transferred to Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, California, and later to California Polytechnic State University, where he majored in agricultural business and graduated in 1998.
Marriage and Affairs
Scott met Laci Rocha, an ornamental horticulture major at Cal Poly, at a restaurant where he worked as a waiter in 1994. They were immediately attracted to each other and began dating. They moved in together in 1996 and got married on August 9, 1997, in a ceremony at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort in San Luis Obispo.
They moved to Modesto, California, in 1998, where Scott got a job as a fertilizer salesman and Laci worked as a substitute teacher. They bought a three-bedroom house in an upscale neighborhood and decorated it with antiques and gardening items.
They were described as a happy and loving couple by their friends and family, who also supported them financially. They announced that they were expecting their first child, a boy they planned to name Conner, in 2002.
However, unbeknownst to Laci and their families, Scott Peterson had been involved in numerous extramarital affairs since his marriage to Laci. He had reportedly cheated on her with at least five women, including a former girlfriend, a co-worker, and a stripper. He also had a secret bank account and a post office box where he received letters from his lovers.
One of his most notorious affairs was with Amber Frey, a massage therapist and a single mother, whom he met through a mutual friend in November 2002, when Laci was seven months pregnant. He lied to Frey that he was single and that he had lost his wife. He also told her that he wanted to have a serious relationship with her and that he was looking forward to a responsibility-free life. He spent time with her in Fresno and even called her on Christmas Eve, the day Laci went missing.
| Spouse | Laci Rocha (m. 1997–2002) |
| Children | Conner Peterson (fetal death) |
Murder and Trial
On December 24, 2002, Scott Peterson reported his wife missing to the police, claiming that he had last seen her around 9:30 a.m. that morning when he left their home to go fishing at the Berkeley Marina. He said that Laci was planning to walk their dog, McKenzie, in a nearby park and then prepare for a Christmas Eve dinner at her parents’ house.
He returned home around 4:45 p.m. and found the house empty, except for the dog, who was wearing a leash. He said he tried to call Laci several times, but got no answer. He then called her mother, Sharon Rocha, and told her that Laci was missing. He also called some of their friends and neighbors and asked them to look for Laci. He did not call the police until 5:17 p.m.
The police and the media soon arrived at the Petersons’ house and began a massive search for Laci. The case quickly gained national attention, as Scott Peterson appeared on television and pleaded for his wife’s safe return. He also offered a $250,000 reward for any information leading to her whereabouts. However, he also aroused suspicion by his inconsistent and evasive statements, his lack of emotion, and his strange behavior.
He sold Laci’s car and bought a new one, sought to sell their house and furniture, and prepared to move to San Diego. He also dyed his hair blond, grew a goatee, and acquired a fake driver’s license and $15,000 in cash. He was arrested on April 18, 2003, near a golf course in La Jolla, where he claimed he was meeting his father and brother for a game. The police suspected that he was trying to flee to Mexico.
The arrest came after the remains of Laci and Conner were discovered on the shores of San Francisco Bay, near the Berkeley Marina, where Peterson had said he went fishing. The bodies were badly decomposed and mutilated by the water and the wildlife. Laci’s torso was missing her head, arms, and legs, and had two cracked ribs and a large cut on the back. Conner’s body was intact but had a one-and-a-half-inch cut on his body and plastic tape around his neck. The DNA tests confirmed that they were the mother and son. The cause of death could not be determined, but the coroner ruled it as a homicide.
Scott Peterson was charged with two counts of murder: first-degree murder with special circumstances for killing Laci, and second-degree murder for killing Conner. The prosecution argued that he killed his wife and son because he wanted to escape his marriage and start a new life with his mistress, Amber Frey, who testified against him and provided recordings of their phone conversations. The prosecution also presented evidence of his lies, his affairs, his financial troubles, his attempts to sell his assets, and his preparations to flee. They also cited the location of the bodies, the condition of Laci’s uterus, and the presence of cement residue in his boat as proof that he dumped Laci’s body in the bay after killing her at their home.
The defense argued that Scott was innocent and that he was a victim of a media witch-hunt and a biased investigation. They claimed that Laci was abducted and killed by unknown assailants, possibly members of a satanic cult or a burglary ring, while she was walking her dog. They also challenged the credibility and reliability of the prosecution’s witnesses, the forensic evidence, and the motive. They suggested that Laci was alive and seen by several people after Scott left for fishing, that the bodies were planted in the bay by someone who knew his alibi, and that he was framed by the police and the media.
The trial lasted for six months and was one of the most watched and controversial trials in American history. It was moved from Modesto to Redwood City due to the intense publicity and the difficulty of finding impartial jurors. The jury consisted of six men and six women, who deliberated for seven days before reaching a verdict. On November 12, 2004, Scott Peterson was found guilty of both counts of murder. On December 13, 2004, he was sentenced to death by lethal injection. He was transferred to San Quentin State Prison, where he remained on death row for 16 years.
| Date of disappearance | December 24, 2002 |
| Date of arrest | April 18, 2003 |
| Conviction(s) | First-degree murder with special circumstances, second-degree murder |
| Sentence | Death; commuted to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole |
Appeals and Re-sentencing
Peterson appealed his conviction and sentence, claiming that he was denied a fair trial due to the errors and misconduct of the judge, the jury, the prosecution, and his lawyers. He also argued that the evidence against him was insufficient, circumstantial, and tainted. He sought a new trial or a reduction of his sentence. His appeal was heard by the Supreme Court of California, which issued its ruling on August 24, 2020.
The court upheld his conviction, stating that there was overwhelming evidence of his guilt and that the errors and misconduct did not affect the outcome of the trial. However, the court overturned his death sentence, finding that the trial judge had improperly dismissed potential jurors who expressed general objections to the death penalty, violating his right to an impartial jury. The court ordered a new penalty phase trial to determine whether he should be sentenced to death or life imprisonment.
| Date of appeal | August 24, 2020 |
| Outcome | Death sentence overturned; conviction upheld |
| Date of re-sentencing | November 12, 2021 |
| Outcome | Life imprisonment without the possibility of parole |
Net Worth and Income Sources
According to various sources, Peterson’s net worth is estimated to be around $500K as of 2024. He accumulated most of his wealth before his conviction when he worked as a successful fertilizer salesman in Modesto, California. He reportedly earned a salary of $5,000 per month from his job. He also owned a three-bedroom house in an upscale neighborhood and a boat, which he used to dispose of his wife’s body in the San Francisco Bay.
However, his net worth is unlikely to increase significantly, as he has no source of income while he is incarcerated. He also faces several lawsuits from Laci’s family, who seek to claim damages and prevent him from profiting from his crime. He has also spent a large amount of money on his legal fees and appeals, which have been unsuccessful so far.
Physical Stats
Scott has a height of 6 feet (1.83 meters) and a weight of 198 pounds (90 kilograms). He has grey hair and black eyes. He is known for his cold and emotionless demeanor, which has been observed by many during his trial and media appearances. He has also changed his appearance several times, such as dyeing his hair blond, growing a goatee, and acquiring a fake driver’s license and cash, which the police suspected were part of his plan to flee the country.
Current Location and Status
Scott is currently incarcerated at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, California, where he was transferred in October 2022. He was previously on death row at San Quentin State Prison, but his death sentence was overturned by the California Supreme Court in August 2020, citing that the trial judge had improperly dismissed potential jurors who expressed general objections to the death penalty, violating his right to an impartial jury. He was resentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole in December 2021 by Superior Court Judge Anne-Christine Massullo.
Scott Peterson is still appealing his conviction, claiming that he was denied a fair trial due to the errors and misconduct of the judge, the jury, the prosecution, and his lawyers. He also argues that the evidence against him was insufficient, circumstantial, and tainted. He seeks a new trial or a reduction of his sentence. His appeal is supported by the Los Angeles Innocence Project, which has taken up his case in new court filings in January 2024. The group is seeking new evidence from the original trial. His next court date is scheduled for February 2024.
Parents and Siblings
Peterson was born to Lee Arthur Peterson and Jacqueline “Jackie” Helen Latham in San Diego, California. His father owned a crate-packaging business, while his mother owned a boutique in La Jolla. He was the only child of his parents, but he had six half-siblings from their previous marriages. He grew up in a two-bedroom apartment in La Jolla, where he shared a bedroom with his maternal half-brother John. He was a talented golfer and earned a partial golf scholarship to Arizona State University, where he was a classmate of professional golfer Phil Mickelson.
Peterson’s parents have always maintained his innocence and supported him throughout his trial and appeals. They have also provided him with financial and legal assistance, such as buying him a car, giving him cash, and advising him to use his brother’s license. They have also appeared on television and in court to plead for his release and to criticize the police and the media for their handling of the case. They have also clashed with Laci’s family, who believe that Scott is guilty and deserves to be punished.
Scott Peterson’s half-sister, Anne Bird, however, has a different opinion. She believes that Scott is guilty and has written a book about her experience with him. She has also testified against him and provided evidence of his lies, affairs, and strange behavior. She has also expressed her wish that he would confess and take responsibility for his actions.
