Scott Peterson
Laci Peterson, a 27-year-old wife who was eight months pregnant, disappeared on December 24, 2002. When the body of the California woman and her unborn child were found four months later, her husband, Scott, was charged with two counts of murder. Detective Craig Grogan gave a sworn statement that he had probable cause to believe Mr. Peterson committed two counts of the crime of 187 Penal Code, homicide, on or about December 23 or 24 of 2002, in the county of Stanislaus. April 17, 2003 the Judge of the Superior Court in Stanislaus County, California issued a warrant for the arrest of Scott Lee Peterson. The court found that the District Attorney’s office did, in fact, have probable cause to bring Scott Peterson in. The Judge specifically addressed bail in the warrant. No bail was granted. April 18, 2003, Scott Peterson was arrested at the Torrey Pines Golf Course, in Sand Diego County, California. At the time of his arrest, Peterson had colored his hair blonde, grown a beard and mustache, and was carrying $15,000.00 in cash. During his arrest police also discovered that Peterson’s car was full of camping and survival equipment. Peterson was arrested less than 20 minutes from the Mexican border. Peterson waived booking in San Mateo County, California, and was transferred back to Stanislaus County, California, where he was formally booked by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department. Scott Peterson had his preliminary hearing on April 17, 2003. Superior Court Judge Al Girolami ordered Scott Peterson to stand trial on two counts of murder. Peterson’s arraignment quickly followed. Peterson was arraigned on April 21, 2003. The Prosecution charged him with the following: Count I: On or about and between December 23, 2002 and December 24, 2002, the defendant did commit a felony, Murder, violation of Section 187 of the California Penal Code; the defendant did willfully, unlawfully, and feloniously and with malice aforethought murder Laci Denise Peterson, a human being.