Scott Peterson Murder Case
Scott Peterson was convicted in 2004 of murdering his pregnant wife Laci and their unborn son Conner in Modesto, California. The case drew massive media attention due to Peterson's affair with Amber Frey.
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Case overview
On Christmas Eve 2002, Scott Peterson reported his pregnant wife Laci missing from their Modesto, California home. He claimed he had been fishing at the Berkeley Marina. A massive search and media campaign ensued.
Suspicion quickly focused on Scott after it emerged he was having an affair with massage therapist Amber Frey. [Frey cooperated with police and recorded phone conversations with Peterson.](https://apnews.com/article/scott-peterson-laci-peterson-murder-resentencing-life-prison) In April 2003, Laci's body and the remains of their unborn son Conner washed ashore in San Francisco Bay near where Scott said he had been fishing.
[Scott Peterson was arrested on April 18, 2003 near the Mexican border with dyed hair, $15,000 in cash, and his brother's ID.](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/scott-peterson-resentenced-life-without-parole/) His 2004 trial was moved to San Mateo County due to pretrial publicity. [In November 2004, the jury convicted Peterson of first-degree murder for Laci and second-degree murder for their unborn son Conner.](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/04/scott-peterson-murder-case) He was sentenced to death in March 2005.
In 2020, the California Supreme Court overturned the death sentence due to improper jury selection, and Peterson was resentenced to life without parole in December 2021. In January 2024, the Los Angeles Innocence Project accepted his case, arguing he was wrongfully convicted based on newly discovered evidence including unidentified DNA from a cement anchor.
Trial and Conviction (2004)
Peterson was convicted of first-degree murder for Laci and second-degree murder for Conner in November 2004. He was sentenced to death, making it one of the most high-profile capital cases of the era. The case was prosecuted by Rick Distaso and relied heavily on circumstantial evidence, Amber Frey's testimony and recordings, and the location where the bodies were found matching Peterson's stated fishing location.
Death Sentence Overturned (2020)
In 2020, the California Supreme Court overturned the death sentence due to improper jury selection. Peterson was resentenced to life without parole in December 2021.
Post-Conviction Review (2022–Present)
In 2022, a judge ordered a review of the case based on newly discovered evidence, but the conviction was ultimately upheld. [In January 2024, the Los Angeles Innocence Project formally took on Peterson's case.](https://www.npr.org/2024/01/19/1225616374/los-angeles-innocence-project-takes-scott-petersons-case-decades-after-convictio) In May 2024, a judge granted limited DNA testing on one piece of evidence — duct tape found with Laci's remains. Results are pending as of March 2026.
May 29, 2024
Judge Grants DNA Testing on Duct Tape from Laci's Pants
A judge granted DNA testing on a piece of duct tape found on Laci Peterson's pants during the original autopsy. Of 17 items the Innocence Project requested, the judge approved testing on only this one item, which had yielded insufficient DNA for analysis in 2003.
Source →January 20, 2024
Los Angeles Innocence Project Accepts Peterson's Case
The Los Angeles Innocence Project formally accepted Scott Peterson's case and filed post-conviction petitions seeking discovery of new evidence and DNA testing. The project claimed new witness statements and evidence connected to a burglary near the Peterson home on the day Laci disappeared.
Source →December 8, 2021
Peterson Resentenced to Life Without Parole
Scott Peterson was resentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole by Judge Delucchi, after the Stanislaus County DA declined to retry the penalty phase. Peterson was subsequently transferred from San Quentin to Mule Creek State Prison.
Source →August 24, 2020
California Supreme Court Overturns Death Sentence
The California Supreme Court unanimously reversed Peterson's death sentence, ruling that jurors who expressed general opposition to capital punishment had been improperly excluded from service. The murder conviction was expressly upheld. Peterson was resentenced to life without parole in December 2021.
Source →March 16, 2005
Judge Sentences Peterson to Death at San Quentin
Judge Alfred Delucchi formally sentenced Scott Peterson to death, stating the factors in aggravation substantially outweighed those in mitigation. Peterson was transferred to San Quentin State Prison's death row, where he would remain until his death sentence was overturned.
Source →December 13, 2004
Jury Recommends Death Penalty for Peterson
After approximately 11.5 hours of penalty-phase deliberations, the jury unanimously recommended that Scott Peterson be sentenced to death. The jury noted Peterson's apparent lack of remorse and emotional detachment throughout the proceedings.
Source →November 12, 2004
Peterson Convicted of Murder
Jury finds Peterson guilty of first-degree murder of Laci and second-degree murder of Conner.
Source →November 12, 2004
Convicted of First- and Second-Degree Murder
A San Mateo County jury found Scott Peterson guilty of first-degree murder of Laci Peterson and second-degree murder of Conner Peterson. The trial was moved to San Mateo due to a change of venue. Peterson showed no outward reaction as the verdict was read.
Source →April 21, 2003
Scott Peterson Pleads Not Guilty to Both Murder Charges
Scott Peterson appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the death of Laci Peterson and second-degree murder for the death of their unborn son Conner. Defense attorney Mark Geragos argued Peterson was being railroaded by media.
Source →April 18, 2003
Scott Peterson Arrested Near Mexican Border
Peterson apprehended with dyed hair, cash, and his brother's ID.
Source →April 18, 2003
Scott Peterson Arrested in La Jolla
Scott Peterson was arrested near a La Jolla golf course with recently dyed blond hair, a new beard, approximately $15,000 in cash, camping supplies, survival gear, and multiple cell phones. He was extradited to face two counts of murder.
Source →December 24, 2002
Laci Peterson Reported Missing
Scott Peterson reports his pregnant wife missing from their Modesto home on Christmas Eve.
Source →December 24, 2002
Laci Peterson Disappears on Christmas Eve
Laci Peterson, 27 and eight months pregnant, was reported missing from her home in Modesto, California. Her husband Scott told police he had spent the day fishing alone at Berkeley Marina. The couple's dog was found wandering the neighborhood with its leash still attached.
Source →December 9, 2002
Peterson Tells Frey He Will Be Spending First Christmas as Widower
During a phone call, Scott Peterson falsely told Amber Frey he had 'lost his wife' and that Christmas would be his first without her. This call occurred 15 days after Laci's actual disappearance, demonstrating Peterson's calculated deception.
Source →
Laci Peterson
Victim; wife of Scott Peterson; found in San Francisco Bay
On December 24, 2002, 27‑year‑old Laci Denise Peterson disappeared from her home in Modesto, California, while eight months pregnant with her first child. Her disappearance prompted a large‑scale search and drew national media attention.
Scott Peterson
Convicted 1st-degree murder (2004); death sentence commuted to life; new evidence hearings
Scott Peterson was known as a husband and expectant father before his conviction for first-degree murder in 2004.
Sharon Rocha
Laci Peterson's mother and an outspoken advocate for the Laci and Conner Peterson Act. Following her daughter's murder, she became a visible public figure during Scott Peterson's trial and campaigned for federal legislation recognizing unborn children as homicide victims.
Laci Peterson's Remains
The discovery of Laci's body in San Francisco Bay provided crucial physical evidence linking Scott Peterson to the crime. The condition of the remains indicated that she had been murdered.
en.wikipedia.orgScott Peterson's Alibi
Scott claimed he was fishing in the bay on the day Laci disappeared. However, inconsistencies in his alibi raised suspicions and were critical to the investigation.
CBS News, Apr 2021 — Scott Peterson Arrested (Stanislaus County 2003)Cell Phone Records
Analysis of Scott's cell phone records showed calls made to Laci's phone after her disappearance, which contradicted his claims about not knowing her whereabouts.
en.wikipedia.orgBlood Evidence
Forensic analysis revealed traces of Laci's blood in Scott's truck, suggesting a violent crime had taken place, which was pivotal in establishing motive.
en.wikipedia.orgWitness Testimonies
Several witnesses testified about Scott's behavior before and after Laci's disappearance, noting his unusual calmness and lack of concern, which contributed to the prosecution's narrative.
en.wikipedia.org
Appeal
1CA Supreme Court Opinion — People v. Scott Peterson
California Supreme Court ruling reversing Scott Peterson's death sentence due to juror misconduct in voir dire, affirming murder conviction and ordering resentencing.