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CNN Live Saturday
Scott Peterson's Girlfriend Comes Forward
Aired January 25, 2003 - 16:13 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.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Modesto, California is dealing with a new bombshell in the disappearance of Laci Peterson. CNN's David Mattingly joins us now live from Modesto with more. David, it just seems that almost daily there are revelations coming out of these people's private lives?
DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Carol. A surprising turn of events here in Modesto. Police yesterday were actually worried that reporters were about to expose the identity of Scott Peterson's girlfriend, so they did it themselves. That's why last night we were watching as the 28-year-old single mother Amber Frey walked out before the cameras at police headquarters. And she claimed that she and Scott have been romantically involved since a month before Laci Peterson's disappearance. She said Scott told her he wasn't married, and she called authorities when Laci's story hit the news.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AMBER FREY, SCOTT PETERSON'S FORMER GIRLFRIEND: I met Scott Peterson November 20, 2002. I was introduced to him. I was told he was unmarried. Scott told me he was not married. We did have a romantic relationship.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MATTINGLY: A spokesperson for Laci Peterson's family tells me they were watching last night and they actually felt sorry for Amber, saying that they feel she was an innocent victim in all of this, and they were grateful that she actually came forward with the information that she had. And it was a complete surprise to them that this happened, particularly after their own emotional news conference yesterday, one in which Laci's brother also revealed Scott's affair, and openly wondered what else he might be hiding.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRENT ROCHA, LACI PETERSON'S BROTHER: Scott has not been forthcoming with information regarding my sister's disappearance, and I'm only left to question what else he may be hiding.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MATTINGLY: So more pictures to show you now of Laci Peterson. Modesto police continue to say that her husband, Scott Peterson, has not been ruled in or out as a suspect, just as they've been doing for the last 33 days now that she's been missing. And when asked last night if they are any closer to finding Laci Peterson, Modesto police chief, Carol, just said, "I hope so."
LIN: So, David, can you give us some context in terms of this revelation about this alleged girlfriend? I mean, how will this play into the investigation?
MATTINGLY: It's been one turn after another here, and it's been long rumored that Scott did have that girlfriend. It just hadn't been substantiated. That's why yesterday we finally had the brother coming forward saying that Scott had told him that he had an affair.
Remember, a week ago Scott was saying publicly that he did not. So this clearly is not the case now, and the fact that the girlfriend came forward last night left very little room for doubt that Scott was having an affair.
LIN: Thank you very much, David Mattingly, reporting live 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 25, 2003 - 16:13 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Modesto, California is dealing with a new bombshell in the disappearance of Laci Peterson. CNN's David Mattingly joins us now live from Modesto with more. David, it just seems that almost daily there are revelations coming out of these people's private lives?
DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Carol. A surprising turn of events here in Modesto. Police yesterday were actually worried that reporters were about to expose the identity of Scott Peterson's girlfriend, so they did it themselves. That's why last night we were watching as the 28-year-old single mother Amber Frey walked out before the cameras at police headquarters. And she claimed that she and Scott have been romantically involved since a month before Laci Peterson's disappearance. She said Scott told her he wasn't married, and she called authorities when Laci's story hit the news.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AMBER FREY, SCOTT PETERSON'S FORMER GIRLFRIEND: I met Scott Peterson November 20, 2002. I was introduced to him. I was told he was unmarried. Scott told me he was not married. We did have a romantic relationship.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MATTINGLY: A spokesperson for Laci Peterson's family tells me they were watching last night and they actually felt sorry for Amber, saying that they feel she was an innocent victim in all of this, and they were grateful that she actually came forward with the information that she had. And it was a complete surprise to them that this happened, particularly after their own emotional news conference yesterday, one in which Laci's brother also revealed Scott's affair, and openly wondered what else he might be hiding.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRENT ROCHA, LACI PETERSON'S BROTHER: Scott has not been forthcoming with information regarding my sister's disappearance, and I'm only left to question what else he may be hiding.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MATTINGLY: So more pictures to show you now of Laci Peterson. Modesto police continue to say that her husband, Scott Peterson, has not been ruled in or out as a suspect, just as they've been doing for the last 33 days now that she's been missing. And when asked last night if they are any closer to finding Laci Peterson, Modesto police chief, Carol, just said, "I hope so."
LIN: So, David, can you give us some context in terms of this revelation about this alleged girlfriend? I mean, how will this play into the investigation?
MATTINGLY: It's been one turn after another here, and it's been long rumored that Scott did have that girlfriend. It just hadn't been substantiated. That's why yesterday we finally had the brother coming forward saying that Scott had told him that he had an affair.
Remember, a week ago Scott was saying publicly that he did not. So this clearly is not the case now, and the fact that the girlfriend came forward last night left very little room for doubt that Scott was having an affair.
LIN: Thank you very much, David Mattingly, reporting live 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
