Laci Peterson
... was the culprit and refused to examine other leads in the case. Media across the country were drawn to the story of the pregnant woman with the bright smile who vanished on Christmas Eve. Even during the war in Iraq, the search for her and the arrest of Scott Peterson was the top story in the news. The 31-year-old murder defendant now faces capital punishment if convicted at his double-murder trial, which began in May 2004 and is expected to last six months. In recent news, jurors in Scott Peterson’s double-murder trial sent mixed messages on Monday November 8, 2004, asking to see 89 different pieces of evidence. Apparently they indicated to the judge that they were struggling to reach a verdict. Judge Alfred Delucchi reread to them instructions he gave after closing arguments last week about their obligation to work together to determine whether Peterson is guilty in the murders of his pregnant wife, Laci, and unborn son. He reminded them of their time invested into the trial and explained the importance of their verdict. Is he guilty of first or second-degree murder or should he be acquitted of all charg...