Kelly Jean Beckton

Witness for the Defendant:  Penalty Phase

December 6, 2004

Direct Examination by Pat Harris

HARRIS: Good morning, Kelly. You are the next in line in the Latham family, is that right?

BECKTON: That's right.

HARRIS: So Abraham we just met is your brother?

BECKTON: He is.

HARRIS: Leeta is your older sister?

BECKTON: Yep.

HARRIS: Okay. We've kind of covered the background, the, going to have the opportunities to see Scott, see the Peterson family so I won't go into that again. I just want to briefly ask you some questions what you saw in Scott Peterson and what you see to this day. You also were a part of the clan and got to see and visit with Scott, right?

BECKTON: Of course.

HARRIS: You seen him both as a child and as an adult?

BECKTON: Yes.

HARRIS: How much younger are you than Scott?

BECKTON: I'm about eight years younger. I'm the same age as Rachel so we're both eight years younger.

HARRIS: Would you also characterize him as being generous as both a child and adult?

BECKTON: Absolutely. Scott's definitely the kind of person that's, although quiet and may not be, you know, in the center of the room yelling and screaming and, you know, causing commotion, it's easy to go over and talk to him.

HARRIS: What do you mean by that, it's easy to go talk to him?

BECKTON: He's very engaging. Once you, even though because he's quiet, just like my Uncle Lee is quiet too, and it may be misinterpreted as standoffish or arrogance, once you do go over there and just one or two words and they're completely engaged. They're reciprocating and it's just kind of like the rest of the room melts away because they're definitely paying attention to you and just very engaging that way. And it's a very sincere thing.

HARRIS: You mentioned a sparkle in his eye. When you met him did he have that kind of a personality that he sort of kept you, I guess the best word kept you sort of engaged, kept you interested?

BECKTON: Definitely. Because, you know, he's quite a bit older than me so, of course, I was kind of half intimidated and half, you know, looking up to him as being an older cousin. And he's definitely the kind of person that I felt like I could trust or he was a very gentle person could always go to him, could always feel safe around him. He was not the type, even though in our family, as in most families there's always the teasing and giving each other a hard time, but Scott's nature is so gentle and sweet and kind.

HARRIS: The phrase you used with me was generosity of spirit. That's a phrase I haven't heard before. What do you mean by that, generosity of spirit?

BECKTON: I think he's really demonstrated, and a lot of people I think have said this, that he's truly generous because he's humble with his generosity. He is generous with his time, he's generous with his behavior and his just speaking with you, hanging out with you, whatever it is, even just taking somebody to church or whatever those things are, he does it in a way that's not for recognition. He does it just because, you know, it will make somebody else feel happy. Despite the fact that he's quiet, he's definitely the kind of person if somebody's more quiet than he is or maybe like is feeling down or whatever I can definitely see him going over to that person, and despite the fact that he's quiet, pulling that person out of their shell.

HARRIS: Has he had a positive impact on your life?

BECKTON: Definitely.

HARRIS: In what way?

BECKTON: He's definitely a good role model. Him being eight years older, like I said, I looked up to him playing with him. He was always really sweet and had that same sweetness that my Aunt Jackie and Uncle Lee both have.

HARRIS: Would this have an effect on you if he is put to death?

BECKTON: Absolutely.

HARRIS: In what way would it affect you?

BECKTON: It would be, it would be the death for our family.

HARRIS: Thank you, Ms. Beckton. That is all I have.