Autopsy Finds Laci Peterson's Baby Had Tape Wrapped Around Its Neck, Associated Press Learns
The Associated Press
SACRAMENTO, Calif. May 29 — An autopsy found that Laci Peterson's infant son had plastic tape wrapped around his neck and a significant cut across the shoulders, The Associated Press has learned. The information was first reported by MSNBC, which said it received a portion of the autopsy report done by the Contra Costa County coroner's office. A source close to the case, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the information to the AP. The autopsy report indicated the baby had 1 1/2 loops of plastic tape around his neck, MSNBC said. The network said it is possible the body was cut shoulder to shoulder and became wrapped in the tape during its long submersion in San Francisco Bay.
Stanislaus County prosecutors, who are handling the murder case against Peterson's husband, responded by saying they will withdraw their opposition to releasing the autopsy results, which are under court seal. In a statement, District Attorney James Brazelton said "evidence in this case should be presented in court through the testimony of witnesses and not selectively leaked to the news media by unknown persons whom the press will not identify." The Contra Costa County coroner's office refused to comment on the report. Scott Peterson, 30, of Modesto, is accused of killing his wife and unborn son, whom the couple had planned to name Conner, on Dec. 23 or 24 in their home. His 27-year-old wife was eight months pregnant. The bodies washed up on the shore of San Francisco Bay last month. Contra Costa County authorities completed the autopsies earlier this month but did not disclose the cause of death. Peterson's attorney, Mark Geragos, would not comment on the MSNBC report. He said Superior Court Judge Al Girolami has "more than telegraphed that he does not want us commenting on the case." Girolami had said he was considering a gag order to prevent news leaks. Geragos has suggested that the victims were killed by members of a satanic cult. He has also hinted that a female mystery witness could lead authorities to the real killer and free Scott Peterson.
photo credit and caption:
Defendant Scott Peterson, center, and his new attorney Mark Geragos, left, enter the Stanislaus Superior Courtroom for a hearing Tuesday, May 27, 2003, in Modesto, Calif. Judge Al Girolami overseeing the murder case of Peterson ordered Tuesday that police records of telephone calls made between Peterson and his lawyer and investigator be turned over to his new defense attorney. Peterson, 30, is accused of killing his pregnant wife, Laci Peterson, and unborn son, Conner, last Dec. 23 or 24. Stanislaus County prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty. (AP Photo/Al Golub, Pool)
Copyright 2003 The Associated Press.
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Laci Peterson's Baby Had Tape Around Neck - Report Thu May 29, 2003 05:50 PM ET
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The body of Laci Peterson's unborn son, which washed out of San Francisco Bay in April, was found with a cut across his torso and plastic tape wrapped around his neck, a news report said on Thursday.
The tape was wrapped one and a half times around the neck of Conner Peterson, cable news channel MSNBC reported, citing a portion of a sealed coroner's report in the sensational case.
Scott Peterson is charged with the murder of his 27-year-old wife and their unborn son after she disappeared from their home in the agricultural hub of Modesto last Christmas Eve and remained missing until their bodies were found on the bay shore four months later.
It was not immediately clear whether police think the tape was intentionally placed around Conner's neck or was debris from the bay that became entangled with the body.
Contra Costa County authorities, who conducted autopsies on Conner and his mother but immediately sealed the results at the request of prosecutors and did not release a cause of death for Laci, declined to comment on the MSNBC report.
Prosecutors in the case, who are from Stanislaus County, issued a statement saying they had no comment on the report but because of the information leak they would withdraw their opposition to the sealing of the documents.
"It continues to be the view of the district attorney that the evidence in this case should be presented in court through the testimony of witnesses and not selectively leaked to the news media by unknown persons whom the press will not identify," District Attorney Jim Brazelton said.
Attorneys for Scott Peterson, who could face the death penalty if convicted, could not be reached for comment. The 30-year-old fertilizer salesman has pleaded innocent and defense attorneys have suggested that Laci and the baby could have been the victims of a Satanic cult.
Scott Peterson said he spent Christmas Eve fishing on San Francisco Bay, not far from where the bodies were found.
Authorities have released little of the evidence they have against Peterson but are expected to outline their case during a preliminary hearing set for July 16.
Superior Court Judge Al Girolami is also expected to rule this week on a media request to unseal key documents such as police reports, arrest warrants and autopsies. Girolami has also suggested he may issue a gag order in the high-profile case in which every twist and turn has grabbed front-page headlines and dominated television news.
© Copyright Reuters 2002.
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