Retired Homicide Detective Jon Buehler defended Scott Peterson’s murder conviction on Fox & Friends, challenging claims of new evidence surfacing in a recent documentary. Buehler dismissed theories suggesting Laci Peterson might have interrupted a burglary or that neighbors saw her walking her dog after Scott left home.
New findings contest the original analysis of where Laci’s body entered the San Francisco Bay, but Buehler maintains these ideas do not stand up to scrutiny. Despite nearly 22 years passing since Scott Peterson’s conviction, his legal team argues that purported new evidence could challenge one of America’s most infamous murder cases.
Scott Peterson’s attorneys, from the Los Angeles Innocence Project (LAIP), claim they have discovered new evidence. They outline their findings in A&E’s docuseries, Scott Peterson: The New Evidence. Ninette Toosbuy, a retired LAPD detective featured in the series, believes Peterson deserves a new trial. She emphasized the importance of following every lead in missing person cases, implying this protocol was not adhered to in Laci Peterson’s investigation.
Laci Peterson’s mother, Sharon Rocha, remains firm in her belief of Scott’s guilt, dismissing the documentary’s claims of new evidence. Prosecutors asserted Scott murdered Laci, who was eight months pregnant, on Christmas Eve 2002. He is now serving a life sentence without parole after the initial death sentence was overturned.
The docuseries spotlights 15 witnesses claiming to have seen Laci walking her dog on the morning of December 24, 2002. These reports suggest alternate timelines omitted in the prosecution’s narrative. Toosbuy questioned why these leads were not thoroughly investigated, arguing they could have altered the trial’s outcome.
Modesto Police, according to the defense, disregarded conflicting witness accounts. Although a burglary occurred near the Peterson home on the day Laci disappeared, alternate suspects remain unlinked to her disappearance. A scene with a burnt van nearby went uninvestigated, leaving unanswered questions.
Chris Pixley, an Atlanta-based defense attorney, commented on the oversight, suggesting Modesto police focused solely on Scott Peterson, dismissing potential alternatives. Nonetheless, prosecutors have countered that many reported sightings were inconsistent.
The documentary mentions a hydrodynamic modeling analysis, proposing Laci could have been placed in water locations differing from Scott’s fishing claims. Though prior tests did not find Laci’s DNA on a mattress linked to the case, LAIP argues the testing was insufficient.
Further controversy arises around Peterson’s extramarital affair, as some argue it wrongfully fueled suspicions against him. The docuseries also includes references to Peterson purchasing a boat in December 2002, with supposed evidence suggesting Laci was aware and involved in related purchases.
Despite these challenges, San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Hill denied Peterson’s recent petition to overturn his conviction, as filed by LAIP. Prosecutors assert justice was served, yet Peterson’s legal team plans an appeal to a higher California court.
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