REDWOOD CITY — Another twist in Scott Peterson’s ongoing fight to prove his innocence: a judge granted access to decades-old evidence. This development comes nearly two decades after he was convicted for the 2002 murder of his pregnant wife, Laci, and their unborn son, Conner.
San Mateo County Super Court Judge Elizabeth Hill ruled that Peterson’s defense team could review previously undisclosed materials that could support their claims of trial irregularities and potential evidence mishandling. This access includes DNA evidence and other forensic materials that Peterson’s team, the Los Angeles Innocence Project, believes will support their case for his new trial.
Peterson was sentenced to death for the 2002 killings. However, in 2021, his sentence was reduced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The following year, a request for a new trial based on claims of juror misconduct was denied.
He has long maintained his innocence.