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Modesto Police Suspect Husband in Peterson Case
Aired January 17, 2003 - 10:16 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: As we reported at the top of the hour, there are new developments in the investigation of Laci Peterson, the pregnant California woman who vanished on Christmas Eve.
Let's now go live to Modesto and reporter Ted Rawlings of CNN San Francisco affiliate KTVU. Ted has been following this story since it first broke -- Ted.
TED RAWLINGS, KTVU CORRESPONDENT: : Now, Fredricka, the new developments are being reported by the "Modesto Bee" in this morning's edition. What they are reporting is that detectives went to the home of the family of Laci Peterson on Wednesday evening and basically told family members that they believe that Scott Peterson, Laci's husband, is responsible for her disappearance. Investigators, according to the "Bee," told Laci's family that Scott had taken out a $250,000 life insurance policy on his wife late this summer after she was pregnant and that he, according to the "Bee" and according to investigators has a girlfriend in the Fresno area and was having an affair this summer.
They also -- this family member that talked to the "Modesto Bee" also confirmed what many people had thought, is that Scott Peterson has refused to take a lie detector test during this investigation. Laci's family, according to this report, as you can imagine, are devastated. They supported the husband, Scott Peterson, 100 percent throughout this entire investigation since Laci was missing on Christmas Eve.
Scott Peterson, himself, was out handing out fliers and even coordinating the entire search effort during all of this. One family member told the "Bee" -- quote -- "There were no signs. They never fought. They were never abusive to each other. He is a cold and calculating type of guy."
Modesto police refuse to comment on this article this morning. They are saying that they will not talk about their investigation. They don't want to jeopardize it. The volunteer center here in Modesto at the Red Lion Hotel was closed yesterday. Volunteers say that was a separate issue. They do plan to open it at 9:00 Pacific time.
We'll have to wait and see if it happens -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Now Ted, police are not investigating, so they won't confirm whether this "Modesto Bee" report is even, in fact, true. Are the family members elaborating any more on what apparently took place between this conversation of police officers and Laci's family? RAWLINGS: Family members are, as you could imagine, they are pretty upset by this because this is a direct reversal for them. They talked to the "Bee" about it. They have made these comments to the "Bee," but they are not accepting any other calls as of yet this morning. That is expected to change throughout the day. Scott Peterson has come out with a statement, saying you could vilify me all you want. Basically, as long as you keep Laci's picture in the forefront, I don't care what you think of me.
WHITFIELD: All right, Ted Rawlings, thank you very much for that report. Appreciate it. From Modesto, California.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired January 17, 2003 - 10:16 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: As we reported at the top of the hour, there are new developments in the investigation of Laci Peterson, the pregnant California woman who vanished on Christmas Eve.
Let's now go live to Modesto and reporter Ted Rawlings of CNN San Francisco affiliate KTVU. Ted has been following this story since it first broke -- Ted.
TED RAWLINGS, KTVU CORRESPONDENT: : Now, Fredricka, the new developments are being reported by the "Modesto Bee" in this morning's edition. What they are reporting is that detectives went to the home of the family of Laci Peterson on Wednesday evening and basically told family members that they believe that Scott Peterson, Laci's husband, is responsible for her disappearance. Investigators, according to the "Bee," told Laci's family that Scott had taken out a $250,000 life insurance policy on his wife late this summer after she was pregnant and that he, according to the "Bee" and according to investigators has a girlfriend in the Fresno area and was having an affair this summer.
They also -- this family member that talked to the "Modesto Bee" also confirmed what many people had thought, is that Scott Peterson has refused to take a lie detector test during this investigation. Laci's family, according to this report, as you can imagine, are devastated. They supported the husband, Scott Peterson, 100 percent throughout this entire investigation since Laci was missing on Christmas Eve.
Scott Peterson, himself, was out handing out fliers and even coordinating the entire search effort during all of this. One family member told the "Bee" -- quote -- "There were no signs. They never fought. They were never abusive to each other. He is a cold and calculating type of guy."
Modesto police refuse to comment on this article this morning. They are saying that they will not talk about their investigation. They don't want to jeopardize it. The volunteer center here in Modesto at the Red Lion Hotel was closed yesterday. Volunteers say that was a separate issue. They do plan to open it at 9:00 Pacific time.
We'll have to wait and see if it happens -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Now Ted, police are not investigating, so they won't confirm whether this "Modesto Bee" report is even, in fact, true. Are the family members elaborating any more on what apparently took place between this conversation of police officers and Laci's family? RAWLINGS: Family members are, as you could imagine, they are pretty upset by this because this is a direct reversal for them. They talked to the "Bee" about it. They have made these comments to the "Bee," but they are not accepting any other calls as of yet this morning. That is expected to change throughout the day. Scott Peterson has come out with a statement, saying you could vilify me all you want. Basically, as long as you keep Laci's picture in the forefront, I don't care what you think of me.
WHITFIELD: All right, Ted Rawlings, thank you very much for that report. Appreciate it. From Modesto, California.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
