Prosecutors: Peterson's truck
involved in killing
Vehicle called 'instrument' in death of his pregnant
wife
Wednesday, December 3,
2003 Posted: 5:22 AM EST (1022 GMT)
MODESTO, California (CNN) -- Prosecutors filed court
papers Tuesday saying the Ford F-150 pickup truck seized
by authorities from Scott Peterson was "an instrument
used in the murder of Laci Peterson" -- and contained
Scott Peterson's blood in the cab.
In the filing, the Stanislaus County District Attorney's
office rejects Peterson's request to have his
bronze-colored truck returned to him.
"Such evidence is relevant and admissible here in that
the people contend that the pickup truck was an
instrument used in the murder of Laci Peterson," the
prosecutors say in some of the most detailed information
about their case to date.
"Specifically, the truck was used to transport Laci
Peterson's body to the defendant's warehouse at 1027 N.
Emerald in Modesto, and was also used to transport her
body to the San Francisco Bay."
The motion was filed a day before Scott Peterson is to
be arraigned on charges of killing his pregnant wife and
their unborn child -- charges that could result in the
death penalty. (Full story)
Peterson, 31, has pleaded not guilty.
The defense contends the 2002 Ford truck should be
returned because it is not critical evidence.
Prosecutors disagree.
"It is important that the jury view the actual truck,
pickup bed and its connection to the boat and trailer,"
the prosecution motion says. "Photographs of the truck,
bed and its relation to the boat and trailer are not
sufficient."
Prosecutors said Scott Peterson's blood was found inside
the truck, and that they hope jurors will be allowed "to
physically view the areas where the blood was found."
"The people contend that the defendant received wounds
to his hands during, or after, the murder of Laci
Peterson," the motion says.
In interviews with national and local media in January,
Peterson was asked about reports that blood was found in
his truck. He told one local station "I cut open my
knuckle, and there's a bloodstain on the door" as he
reached from a toolbox to the pocket of his door.
Peterson, who sold fertilizer, told ABC's Diane Sawyer:
"I know for a fact there'd be plenty of blood in there
from me. ... You know, I work on farms and you can take
a look at my hands now and they have cuts all over
them."
The court documents filed Tuesday say that samples of a
"cementlike" material that were taken from the bed of
the truck are being submitted to the Justice Department
for testing.
During the preliminary hearing, Modesto police Detective
Al Brocchini testified that police found a homemade
anchor on Peterson's boat, made from cement molded in a
bucket with a hook made of reinforcing bar. CNN has
previously reported, from a source close to the case,
that police found evidence that Scott fashioned more of
these anchors that have not been found.
The prosecution says in the court documents it is
willing to return nearly $15,000 in cash that was found
on Peterson or in his vehicle at the time of his arrest,
if:
• Peterson stipulates the amount of money recovered on
April 18 was $14,932.31
• Peterson stipulates that the money was found in the
"amount, denominations and locations" stated in the
arrest warrant
• Photographs and photocopies of the money are
admissible in court.
http://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/12/02/peterson.truck/index.html