In a stunning development, the Los Angeles Innocence Project has announced its decision to get involved in the infamous Scott Peterson case. Peterson, who was convicted in 2004 for the first-degree murder of his wife, Lacey Peterson, and the second-degree murder of their unborn child, is now seeking to prove his actual innocence.
For those who may not recall the details of this enormous case, let's provide a brief summary. It all began on December 24th, 2002, when Lacey Peterson, who was eight months pregnant, suddenly went missing. Scott Peterson claimed that he had left their house around 9:30 a.m. while Lacey was planning to walk their dog. Although no witnesses saw Lacey go for a walk, Scott asserted that he subsequently went fishing in the bay. Upon his return home, he discovered that Lacey was gone.
A massive search was launched, but it wasn't until several months later that Lacey's remains, along with those of her unborn son, Connor, washed up just two miles away from where Scott Peterson had gone fishing. The discovery of a 50-inch long tape and twine tied in a bow around Connor's neck added further intrigue to the case, as Lacey was still eight months pregnant at the time. Other items, such as a target bag from the area where the remains were found, duct tape from the bag, a black tarp, and items from a burned van near Lacey's disappearance, were also associated with the investigation.
During the trial, an unexpected twist emerged when it was revealed that Scott had been dating another woman named Amber Fry. One month before Lacey's disappearance, Scott informed Amber that his wife was dead and that he was single. Amber immediately went to law enforcement, wired up with Gloria Allred, her legal representative, and their taped conversations were presented as evidence.
Now, the Innocence Project is seeking to test these items and other newly discovered evidence for DNA. The involvement of the Innocence Project does not undermine the 20-year judicial history of this case. But, it presents an opportunity for Scott Peterson to explore all available avenues to establish his actual innocence.
The decision on whether to allow DNA testing lies in the hands of the appellate court. This latest development has reignited public interest in a case that captivated the nation back in 2004. As the legal proceedings unfold, all eyes will be on the courts to determine the outcome of Scott Peterson's bid to prove his innocence.
