Prosecutors in California have filed a motion to prevent new DNA testing of disputed evidence in the 2002 murder case of Laci Peterson and her unborn son Conner. This move could potentially impact the latest appeal by Scott Peterson, who was convicted of the murders.
The Los Angeles Innocence Project took on Peterson's case earlier this year, aiming to explore new evidence that could point to another perpetrator. Specifically, they are seeking to conduct advanced DNA testing on a mattress and a hammer found near the crime scene.
The Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office, which handled Peterson's original trial, has opposed the new testing, citing previous inconclusive results from tests conducted in 2013 and 2019. They argue that the existing evidence already overwhelmingly points to Peterson's guilt.
Peterson was arrested in 2003 after attempting to flee to Mexico with altered appearance and false identification. Testimony from a woman he was involved with, Amber Frey, revealed incriminating statements made by Peterson prior to Laci's disappearance.
Despite Peterson's claims of innocence and his theory of a burglary across the street being linked to Laci's murder, prosecutors maintain that the evidence does not support this scenario. The defense is pushing for DNA testing on the hammer from the burglary and a stained mattress found in a nearby burned-out vehicle.
Scott Peterson, who is currently serving a life sentence after his death penalty was overturned, has been denied a new trial in the past. A hearing on the DNA testing issue is scheduled for May 29.
