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Gregory Brien Reed
Witness for the People: Guilt Phase August 4, 2004
Direct Examination by Rick Distaso DISTASO: Mr. Reed, did you know Laci and Scott Peterson during the year 2002? REED: Yes. DISTASO: And did you and Mr. Peterson have a, were you, were you friends during that time? REED: Yes. DISTASO: How often do you think during that year you and Scott Peterson would have contact with each other? REED: I would say on a regular basis some contact. Probably a minimum of once a week. DISTASO: And that could be phone or in person? REED: Yes. DISTASO: Let me go straight to what I'm, the area I'm interested in. Did you receive a phone call from him on December 24th of 2002? REED: Yes. DISTASO: About what time was that phone call? REED: Approximately 2:30 to 2:40 in the afternoon. DISTASO: And was Mr. Peterson calling you from his car? REED: Yes. DISTASO: And during that phone call, about how long was it? REED: About five minutes. DISTASO: And during that call, what did you speak about with Mr. Peterson? REED: I, it was a return phone call from when I had left a message on his mobile phone in the last few days congratulating him on joining the Del Rio Country Club. I had seen it in the newsletter that they were new members. At the same time, that same phone conversation included a reconfirming of a small New Year's Eve party that we were all going to participate in. DISTASO: During the course of that phone call, did the defendant ever talk to you about just finishing fishing or going fishing in the Berkeley Marina, or anything about that? REED: No. DISTASO: And at any time in the times that you knew Mr. Peterson, at any time during the month of December, did the defendant ever mention to you that he had recently purchased a small aluminum fishing boat? REED: No, he had not. DISTASO: Now, had you ever spoken to Mr. Peterson about hunting and fishing before? REED: Quite positive. I would talk about that on a regular basis. DISTASO: And when you say quite positive, is that because those are hobbies of yours? REED: Yes, they are. DISTASO: During, on the 24th did you receive a second phone call from him? REED: Yes, I did. DISTASO: About what time was that? REED: The second was, was a message on my phone, which I had just missed the phone call, approximately about 5:30 that evening. DISTASO: And do you remember as you sit here today exactly what the message was? REED: I, I have a pretty good idea, but I'm not exactly positive how it, how the message was. DISTASO: Okay. What, let me, before I show you the report and refresh your memory, what did, what was Mr. Peterson's, how did he sound on the message? REED: The perfect word would be frantic. DISTASO: And he left this message, and let me show you, your police report and see if this refreshes your memory. 1115 for counsel, if you're... Just read this to yourself. REED: Yes. DISTASO: Is that the message that he left you? REED: Yes, that is the message. DISTASO: Okay. What was that? REED: The message on the phone was: Have you or Kristen seen or talked to Laci today or yesterday. DISTASO: Did he also finish with "I can't find her"? REED: Yes. DISTASO: Later that evening, did you go to the house next door to the Petersons' home at 523 Covena? REED: Yes. DISTASO: And that used to, at the time on December 24th, that was your grandmother's home? REED: Yes. That was still her home. DISTASO: Okay. She had died in April, correct? REED: Correct. She had passed away previously. DISTASO: All right. And then, but you still maintained that kind of control of the home? REED: Yes, it was unoccupied, but we, we maintained it. DISTASO: And did the patrol officers, did you let them into the house to search the home? REED: Yes. That evening I did. DISTASO: And these were uniformed officers? REED: Yes, they were. DISTASO: And two of them came in and searched? REED: Yes. DISTASO: And during that time, did one of them make some comment or say something that led you to believe, led you to believe that they were suspicious of the defendant, or something of that nature? REED: Towards the end of the extensive search of the premises there was a comment made that I do still recall. DISTASO: Okay. And what was that? REED: It was as we were just about to leave, in the garage one of the officers mentioned that they, they felt they already knew what had already happened. DISTASO: Nothing further, your Honor.
Cross Examination by Pat Harris HARRIS: Good afternoon, Greg. How are you? REED: Fine, thank you. HARRIS: There were actually, that evening, the 24th, you were actually at the house on two separate occasions, is that right? REED: Yes, I was. HARRIS: Okay. Let me make sure I have the time line straight. You came by the house about a little after 6:00 o'clock, after you received the frantic phone call, is that about right? REED: That is correct. HARRIS: Okay. And they asked you to go and open up your, the house next door belongs to your grandmother, is that, or did at the time, is that correct? REED: Correct. HARRIS: And it was empty at that time? REED: Yes, it was. HARRIS: And I assume you had the keys? REED: I maintained the property. HARRIS: So around sometime between 6:30 and 7:00 o'clock they took you over to the, to the house to just kind of take a look around, see what was in the house, right? REED: That is correct. HARRIS: You mentioned specifically, I think, in your interview you mentioned specifically you think it was an officer who had a maybe a Polish sounding name, something like that? Does that sound right? REED: I took a very, what I thought was a good look at his badge, and it was clearly along that line of a Polish name. HARRIS: Something like that? REED: Yes. HARRIS: Would the name maybe Letsinger, something like that sound familiar? REED: It doesn't sound familiar, but, looking back at it, no. HARRIS: Or Spurlock, anything like that sound? REED: It's been a while. HARRIS: Yeah. Okay. That was around, sometime around between 6:30 and 7:00, is that right? REED: Yes, it was. HARRIS: Okay. And at that point you were told by one of the police officers that they already knew what, what had happened in this case, right? They thought they already knew what happened in this case? REED: Would you mind repeating that once again? HARRIS: I said at that point you were told by one of these police officers that they already knew what had happened in this case, correct? REED: I don't know if you would actually use the word he "knew." The comment that I recall was that they had a good idea what had already happened. HARRIS: Had a good idea what had already happened in this case? REED: Uh-huh, yes. HARRIS: And he made it pretty clear to you at that point that what they thought had happened in this case involved Scott Peterson doing something with his wife, correct? DISTASO: Objection. It calls for speculation. JUDGE: Sustained. HARRIS: At that point you walked out of the house and actually told your wife, strike that. You came back shortly thereafter, a couple hours later, is that right? REED: Yes. HARRIS: And once again you spoke with Modesto police? REED: There was an officer on site. HARRIS: And did they ask you to do anything at that point? REED: No, they did not. HARRIS: So your involvement with Modesto police was approximately the search of the house earlier in the evening, and then when you came back you just had a conversation with the police, is that an accurate, REED: Yes. HARRIS: And you recall getting in the car with your wife and looking at her and saying, They think Scott did it? DISTASO: Objection, your Honor. It's, HARRIS: What basis? DISTASO: Has no relevance. JUDGE: No, overruled. HARRIS: Has no relevance? JUDGE: No, overruled. I don't like, just, just ask your question, let me rule on it, don't argue with counsel. HARRIS: I'll try not to argue. JUDGE: The objection is overruled. Do you remember if you made a comment to your wife? REED: I'm quite positive, as much as I share with my wife, I mentioned that to her. HARRIS: You did say, They think Scott did it? REED: Um, yes. HARRIS: Greg, how did you meet Scott? REED: In the previous January, at the country club that Kristen and myself belonged to, had a function in which Scott and Laci were guests at the neighboring table. HARRIS: Was this through the Rotary Club? REED: This was actually the country club, the Del Rio Country Club itself was putting on the function. HARRIS: Are you a member of the Rotary Club? REED: Yes, I am. HARRIS: And did you continue to, well, at some point you became aware that Scott became a member of the Rotary Club, correct? REED: Yes. HARRIS: Were you already a member of the Rotary Club when he became one? Or vice versa? REED: I was a member already. HARRIS: At some point do you recall Scott bringing Laci to the Rotary Club, to a luncheon? REED: I do not recall. HARRIS: You don't recall that? REED: No. HARRIS: Do you recall Scott at some point talking to you about the pregnancy of Laci? DISTASO: Objection, your Honor. Goes beyond the scope of direct. JUDGE: Well, this guy is on a tight schedule, and I don't want to bring him back, so I'll overrule the objection. Go ahead. REED: Would you mind repeating that, please. JUDGE: It's beyond direct, but I'm going to let it go. Go ahead. HARRIS: Sure. I'll keep it narrow. At some point you recall Scott talking to you about Laci becoming pregnant? REED: I believe so. HARRIS: And at that point your wife was already pregnant. Your wife is named Kristen, right? REED: Yes. HARRIS: Kristen Reed? REED: Yes. HARRIS: Isn't that the one? And you became, you were, she was pregnant as well? REED: Yes, she was. HARRIS: If I have it right, she was a little, a little further along than Laci, is that right? REED: About three months. HARRIS: And at some point you became pretty good friends with Scott, enough that you talked to him on a fairly regular basis, is that, REED: That's correct. HARRIS: In fact, I think you mentioned to the police maybe once or twice a week, does that sound about right? REED: One more time? HARRIS: I think you mentioned to the police maybe once or twice a week you would talk to Scott? REED: Yes. HARRIS: Does that sound right? REED: Yes. HARRIS: You also, Kristen, your wife, became friends with Laci, is that fair? REED: All four of us met at the same time. HARRIS: And they became friends separate of you and Scott? Kristen and Laci became friends? REED: Yes, they did. HARRIS: And at some point you and your wife began a Lamaze class at your home, is that correct? REED: That is correct. HARRIS: And you asked Scott and Laci if they would like to join in the Lamaze class? REED: That is correct. HARRIS: And they agreed to do that, right? REED: Yes. HARRIS: Okay. During about a one month period, they came to your house on a weekly basis to participate in the Lamaze classes, is that right? REED: That's probably about right. About once a week. HARRIS: You got a chance to see them interact quite a bit during that, didn't you? REED: Yes. HARRIS: And your impression, from telling the police, your impression was that they were a very happy couple? REED: Yes. HARRIS: And, in fact, you told the police Scott treated her very, very well? REED: Yes. HARRIS: They both, I believe your quote to the police was they were both very excited about the baby coming, is that right? REED: That's what it appeared, yes. HARRIS: And you were called in an interview you did with the police, excuse me. Let me take that back. Do you recall an incident at one point where you were looking through a catalog called Cabella's catalog? REED: Yes, I remember that. HARRIS: What is the Cabella's catalog? 188. It's a hunting, fishing, outdoors-type of magazine. And equipment. HARRIS: And they actually sell kids' camouflage outfits, is that right? REED: In that magazine they were. HARRIS: In that particular one? REED: Yes. HARRIS: During that time you were looking at it, both you and Scott were going through the, the kids' section or the kids' outfits, hunting and fishing, or whatever outfits, and the two of you were talking and laughing about how much you couldn't wait to buy your kids those kind of outfits, is that correct? REED: I remember that clearly, that's correct. HARRIS: Okay. Scott was very excited about that possibility, wasn't he? REED: Yes. HARRIS: The phone call that Mr. Distaso mentioned on the 24th, do you recall doing an interview with Diane Sawyer, or, excuse me, an interview with Good Morning America I believe it was? REED: Yes. HARRIS: And you were asked a question about that phone call, about specifically whether the issue of fishing, Scott fishing that day, had come up during the phone call, do you recall that? REED: Not very clearly, no. HARRIS: Well, do you recall telling Good Morning America, the interviewer on Good Morning America, that you were not surprised Scott didn't bring up fishing because it was a very short phone call? REED: That is correct. HARRIS: And you were discussing other subjects? REED: That is correct. HARRIS: You didn't, you never asked Scott what he was doing that day, for example? REED: No, I did not. HARRIS: He, I assume, didn't ask you what you were doing that day? REED: Not to my recollection, no. HARRIS: It was just a discussion about the New Year's Eve party and, as I understand it, congratulations on joining the Del Rio Country Club, is that pretty much a summary of the phone call? REED: Yes. HARRIS: During the period when you were doing the Lamaze classes, there was quite a bit of interaction between your wife and Laci, is that a fair statement? REED: That would be an accurate statement. HARRIS: I think Laci at one point had helped her wrap some Christmas gifts, that kind of thing? REED: She had not. HARRIS: I'm sorry? REED: No, she had not. HARRIS: Was it, maybe I had it wrong, but they had talked about, oh, I'm sorry, it was you helping, actually helping Laci wrap a Christmas gift for Scott, is that accurate? REED: I helped actually place one of the gifts in the house. HARRIS: Right. This was the kind of thing that Laci felt close enough to you and Kristen she could ask for favors and you would be happy to provide them, is that a fair statement? REED: That's an accurate statement. HARRIS: And if Laci was going to need to go shopping, or something like that, or might need some help, she would very well possibly call Kristen, right? REED: I would believe so. HARRIS: So when, it's a very real possibility that if Laci, let me strike that. DISTASO: Objection. Calls for speculation. HARRIS: I'm going to strike it. JUDGE: Okay. HARRIS: Laci would on a frequent occasion talk to Kristen about what her daily schedule was going to be or things she was going to be doing? DISTASO: Objection. Calls for hearsay and calls for speculation. JUDGE: Yeah, I don't know how he would answer that. Sustained. HARRIS: You, do you recall interviewing with a Gary Ermoian, an investigator for the defense, in Kirk McAllister's office in, in Modesto? REED: I couldn't recall the name. HARRIS: Okay. Do you recall meeting with an investigator for the defense in Mr. McAllister's office in Modesto? REED: Vaguely, yes. HARRIS: Okay. I just want to have you take a look at a report. And if you would, Greg, just read to yourself, just read the first paragraph. Just the first? Okay. Does that refresh your recollection that you had commented that you, in fact, you and Scott didn't talk about fishing and only talked about hunting rarely, but that you mainly talked about playing golf? Is that a fair statement? REED: For as much as I hunt and fish, I would probably talk about it more than some people want to listen. HARRIS: So you don't recall telling him that that day? REED: No, not, not to the, exactly, no. HARRIS: You do recall telling him that Scott and Laci had a great relationship and you never heard a negative comment from either one of them about the relationship? REED: That is correct. HARRIS: Okay. Let me have one second. <pause> That's all I have.
Redirect Examination by Rick Distaso DISTASO: Mr. Reed, this Cabella's catalog, that's a hunting and fishing catalog, correct? REED: That is correct. DISTASO: So when you were going through it with the defendant, he knew that these were hobbies and things you were interested in, right? REED: Yes. DISTASO: And those, hunting and fishing are kind of your main hobbies or pastimes? REED: It's a good part of them. DISTASO: The, regarding your knowledge of the relationship between Scott and Laci, you had no knowledge of Scott's personal life other than what you saw with them when they were together, correct? REED: That's pretty accurate. DISTASO: I mean just, for example, you didn't know anything about the affair he was having, he was having with Amber Frey, correct? REED: No, I did not. DISTASO: When that came out in the media, that was a complete shock to you? REED: Yes, it was. DISTASO: And you had no knowledge that after Laci went missing that he continued to speak to Amber Frey on the phone GERAGOS: Objection. Leading. DISTASO: for hours at a time? JUDGE: Overruled. Go ahead. DISTASO: Is that right? REED: Would you mind repeating that, please? DISTASO: Yeah. After Laci went, went missing, you had no knowledge that he continued to speak to Amber Frey for hours at a time? REED: No. DISTASO: Okay. So all of this stuff about Scott's personal life and Amber Frey and other things, your knowledge of him, you had no knowledge of that whatsoever? REED: That is correct. DISTASO: So your only, the experiences that you've told us about with Scott and Laci were when they were both together and you guys were doing things as a couple, you and your wife and Scott and Laci? REED: That's, that's an accurate. DISTASO: Thank you, your Honor. Nothing further. |