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American Morning
Interview With Sister-in-Law of Husband of Missing California Woman
Aired January 20, 2003 - 07:10 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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: To California now. Despite an extensive search there, there is still no trace of Laci Peterson. She was pregnant, 27 years old, 8 months pregnant in fact, missing since Christmas Eve.
Her husband, Scott, says he last saw her that morning, December 24, as he was leaving on a fishing trip. Now though, new allegations that the couple's relationship may not have been what it seemed.
Earlier today, his sister-in-law, Janey Peterson, talked about allegations and photographs that Scott may have been having an affair.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JANEY PETERSON, SCOTT PETERSON'S SISTER-IN-LAW: I have no knowledge of that. I haven't seen the pictures. I just -- you know, our family and the Rocha family continue to believe that Scott in no way had anything to do with Laci's disappearance.
HEMMER: There is also a report that says Scott took out a life insurance policy right after learning that his wife was pregnant some seven or eight months ago. What explains this, Janey?
PETERSON: Actually, I believe that's inaccurate, but also it's just one of those things that we have to make sure don't let us -- don't distract us from our primary cause of focusing on getting Laci home safe, and the baby. And you know, as time goes on, that becomes more and more critical.
HEMMER: You say that report is inaccurate. Can you tell us more about that? Is it not true, are you saying? Or...
PETERSON: That's what I -- I believe it's inaccurate. I don't know the correct details, but from my understanding, I don't think that's an accurate report.
HEMMER: Well, Laci's family has also come out and talked about how much they do and do not believe Scott. Let's listen to some of their words about what their family's side is saying right now.
KIM PETERSEN, SPOKESPERSON FOR LACI'S FAMILY: Laci's stepfather asked Scott if he had a girlfriend. Scott told him no, and Ron believed him. Now, however, they believe that he has lied to them about this, and possibly other things as well.
HEMMER: Janey, what contact has there been now between the two families lately?
PETERSON: The families are in contact, and both the Rocha family and the Peterson family have not changed their stance in the fact that neither of them believes that Scott had anything to do with Laci's disappearance.
HEMMER: It's my understanding that the volunteer center in Modesto, California has been virtually shut down. What kind of assistance are you getting now from the community, and how are they reacting to some of the news that we're talking about this morning?
PETERSON: I'm not sure of the steps that took place to shut that down, but we had talked last week, when I was up there, about that it would need to be closed just due to the fact of the staff that had been running it. You know, as you can imagine, you know, 10 hours a day for four weeks is very draining on each of the people that were volunteering their time, and we were focusing on setting up a center that would just have the Web site, www.lacipeterson.com, where people could download flyers, having the police hotline, and then just having an office that we would coordinate and run events out of as they came up.
HEMMER: And, Janey, given that, what has Scott's reaction been through this?
PETERSON: You know, Scott has kept his focus. It's been very difficult. Each and every day that goes by, it's harder and harder. And we just, you know, need to keep our focus as Laci's due date approaches. We need to just continue to be in prayer for her and for that baby, and you know, pray for their safe return. We want them back home.
HEMMER: Janey Peterson, thanks for talking with us this morning.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
And again, Laci Peterson's due date, February 16, a little less than a month from now.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
California Woman>
Aired January 20, 2003 - 07:10 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: To California now. Despite an extensive search there, there is still no trace of Laci Peterson. She was pregnant, 27 years old, 8 months pregnant in fact, missing since Christmas Eve.
Her husband, Scott, says he last saw her that morning, December 24, as he was leaving on a fishing trip. Now though, new allegations that the couple's relationship may not have been what it seemed.
Earlier today, his sister-in-law, Janey Peterson, talked about allegations and photographs that Scott may have been having an affair.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JANEY PETERSON, SCOTT PETERSON'S SISTER-IN-LAW: I have no knowledge of that. I haven't seen the pictures. I just -- you know, our family and the Rocha family continue to believe that Scott in no way had anything to do with Laci's disappearance.
HEMMER: There is also a report that says Scott took out a life insurance policy right after learning that his wife was pregnant some seven or eight months ago. What explains this, Janey?
PETERSON: Actually, I believe that's inaccurate, but also it's just one of those things that we have to make sure don't let us -- don't distract us from our primary cause of focusing on getting Laci home safe, and the baby. And you know, as time goes on, that becomes more and more critical.
HEMMER: You say that report is inaccurate. Can you tell us more about that? Is it not true, are you saying? Or...
PETERSON: That's what I -- I believe it's inaccurate. I don't know the correct details, but from my understanding, I don't think that's an accurate report.
HEMMER: Well, Laci's family has also come out and talked about how much they do and do not believe Scott. Let's listen to some of their words about what their family's side is saying right now.
KIM PETERSEN, SPOKESPERSON FOR LACI'S FAMILY: Laci's stepfather asked Scott if he had a girlfriend. Scott told him no, and Ron believed him. Now, however, they believe that he has lied to them about this, and possibly other things as well.
HEMMER: Janey, what contact has there been now between the two families lately?
PETERSON: The families are in contact, and both the Rocha family and the Peterson family have not changed their stance in the fact that neither of them believes that Scott had anything to do with Laci's disappearance.
HEMMER: It's my understanding that the volunteer center in Modesto, California has been virtually shut down. What kind of assistance are you getting now from the community, and how are they reacting to some of the news that we're talking about this morning?
PETERSON: I'm not sure of the steps that took place to shut that down, but we had talked last week, when I was up there, about that it would need to be closed just due to the fact of the staff that had been running it. You know, as you can imagine, you know, 10 hours a day for four weeks is very draining on each of the people that were volunteering their time, and we were focusing on setting up a center that would just have the Web site, www.lacipeterson.com, where people could download flyers, having the police hotline, and then just having an office that we would coordinate and run events out of as they came up.
HEMMER: And, Janey, given that, what has Scott's reaction been through this?
PETERSON: You know, Scott has kept his focus. It's been very difficult. Each and every day that goes by, it's harder and harder. And we just, you know, need to keep our focus as Laci's due date approaches. We need to just continue to be in prayer for her and for that baby, and you know, pray for their safe return. We want them back home.
HEMMER: Janey Peterson, thanks for talking with us this morning.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
And again, Laci Peterson's due date, February 16, a little less than a month from now.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
California Woman>
