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American Morning

Back to Court Today in Modesto, California

Aired November 03, 2003 - 08:14   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: Back to court today in Modesto, California. Scott Peterson's defense lawyers expected to go on the offensive when that preliminary hearing resumes. That follows testimony on Friday from the last people to see Laci Peterson alive.
Rusty Dornin, live this morning in Modesto. takes us through what we may expect today -- Rusty, good morning.

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Bill, you know, this hearing was supposed to wrap up tomorrow. And now many of us are wondering whether it's going to stretch into even next week. A lot of anticipation this week about when Amber Frey, Scott Peterson's former girlfriend, will testify. But before that can happen, the judge must decide whether the prosecution's key piece of evidence can be admitted.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DORNIN (voice-over): Once again, the single strand of hair found on pliers at the bottom of Scott Peterson's boat will take center stage at the preliminary hearing. Last week, the prosecution's expert testified the mitochondrial DNA technique used to link the hair to Laci Peterson, while not exact, is reliable. The defense expert will take the stand and is expected to try and cast significant doubts about that scientific technique. The judge will make a final decision on whether the hair will be admitted as evidence.

Last week, the prosecution called upon people who are believed to have last seen and spoken to Laci Peterson before her disappearance. Also, both Scott and Laci's families testified the defendant never told them he bought a fishing boat. Laci's sister, Amy Rocha, says she saw the couple the day before Laci disappeared and asked them to pick up a gift basket on the 24th. She testified Scott told her he would do it because he was going golfing nearby. He never picked it up and later told police he had gone fishing.

Lee Peterson took the stand and told the court he was proud to say Scott was his son. At that point, Scott Peterson could be seen wiping tears from his eyes. His father said Scott called him on the 24th between noon and two. That's the time Peterson told police he was fishing on San Francisco Bay. But Peterson never mentioned the fishing trip.

About the boat, Lee Peterson testified that it was common for Scott not to tell him about major purchases.

Sharon Rocha, Laci's mother, told the court Laci had been tired and not feeling well before she disappeared.

The Petersons' house cleaner, Margarite Navve (ph), testified about how she cleaned the house the day before Laci disappeared. Prosecutors repeatedly asked her about various chemicals she used to do her work.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DORNIN: Now, that house cleaner testified that she left her cleaning rags used to clean the floor on top of the washing machine inside a mop bucket. Well, that's the same mop bucket that a policeman last Friday also testified he found outside with mops inside. Prosecutors may theorize, of course, that Scott Peterson cleaned up something on the floor as part of their murder theory.

Meantime today, up for most of the day, we expect, more very complex DNA testimony -- Bill.

HEMMER: All right, Rusty, thanks.

Rusty Dornin live in Modesto.

Next hour, Jeffrey Toobin joins us on the same topic, as well.

Thanks.

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 November 3, 2003 - 08:14   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Back to court today in Modesto, California. Scott Peterson's defense lawyers expected to go on the offensive when that preliminary hearing resumes. That follows testimony on Friday from the last people to see Laci Peterson alive.
Rusty Dornin, live this morning in Modesto. takes us through what we may expect today -- Rusty, good morning.

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Bill, you know, this hearing was supposed to wrap up tomorrow. And now many of us are wondering whether it's going to stretch into even next week. A lot of anticipation this week about when Amber Frey, Scott Peterson's former girlfriend, will testify. But before that can happen, the judge must decide whether the prosecution's key piece of evidence can be admitted.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DORNIN (voice-over): Once again, the single strand of hair found on pliers at the bottom of Scott Peterson's boat will take center stage at the preliminary hearing. Last week, the prosecution's expert testified the mitochondrial DNA technique used to link the hair to Laci Peterson, while not exact, is reliable. The defense expert will take the stand and is expected to try and cast significant doubts about that scientific technique. The judge will make a final decision on whether the hair will be admitted as evidence.

Last week, the prosecution called upon people who are believed to have last seen and spoken to Laci Peterson before her disappearance. Also, both Scott and Laci's families testified the defendant never told them he bought a fishing boat. Laci's sister, Amy Rocha, says she saw the couple the day before Laci disappeared and asked them to pick up a gift basket on the 24th. She testified Scott told her he would do it because he was going golfing nearby. He never picked it up and later told police he had gone fishing.

Lee Peterson took the stand and told the court he was proud to say Scott was his son. At that point, Scott Peterson could be seen wiping tears from his eyes. His father said Scott called him on the 24th between noon and two. That's the time Peterson told police he was fishing on San Francisco Bay. But Peterson never mentioned the fishing trip.

About the boat, Lee Peterson testified that it was common for Scott not to tell him about major purchases.

Sharon Rocha, Laci's mother, told the court Laci had been tired and not feeling well before she disappeared.

The Petersons' house cleaner, Margarite Navve (ph), testified about how she cleaned the house the day before Laci disappeared. Prosecutors repeatedly asked her about various chemicals she used to do her work.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DORNIN: Now, that house cleaner testified that she left her cleaning rags used to clean the floor on top of the washing machine inside a mop bucket. Well, that's the same mop bucket that a policeman last Friday also testified he found outside with mops inside. Prosecutors may theorize, of course, that Scott Peterson cleaned up something on the floor as part of their murder theory.

Meantime today, up for most of the day, we expect, more very complex DNA testimony -- Bill.

HEMMER: All right, Rusty, thanks.

Rusty Dornin live in Modesto.

Next hour, Jeffrey Toobin joins us on the same topic, as well.

Thanks.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com