A retired homicide detective who worked on the Laci Peterson case has voiced support for Scott Peterson's claim to a new trial, asserting that investigators may have overlooked critical witnesses and evidence. Jon Buehler, a former investigator with the LAPD, stated in a recent interview that the initial investigation into Laci Peterson's disappearance and murder did not follow all necessary protocols. Buehler's comments come as new analyses and claims are being explored in a recent A&E docuseries, "Scott Peterson: The New Evidence," which suggests grounds for overturning Peterson's conviction.
Peterson was convicted in 2004 for the murders of his eight-month-pregnant wife, Laci, and their unborn son, Conner, on Christmas Eve 2002. His death sentence was later overturned, and he is currently serving life without parole. The Los Angeles Innocence Project (LAIP) is representing Peterson, arguing that new evidence could demonstrate his innocence or at least warrant a new trial.
One of the central arguments highlighted by Buehler and featured in the documentary is the existence of approximately 15 witnesses who claimed to have seen Laci Peterson walking her dog on the morning of December 24, 2002, after Scott Peterson stated he had already left for a fishing trip. Buehler contends that these potential leads were not adequately pursued by the Modesto Police Department. "That wasn't done in this case," Buehler said, referring to the follow-up on these sightings. "I think Scott Peterson does deserve a new trial. I think any individual who's not given a fair trial to begin with deserves that."
Prosecutors have maintained that many of these sightings were inconsistent or unreliable. However, the defense team argues that the police focused too narrowly on Scott Peterson, potentially disregarding other avenues of investigation. Chris Pixley, a defense attorney featured in the docuseries, suggested that if these witnesses had been thoroughly investigated, the trial's outcome might have been different.
Investigation into Potential Burglary
Another point of contention is the alleged burglary at the home of neighbors Rudy and Susan Medina on the morning of Laci's disappearance. Peterson's attorneys argue that authorities did not fully investigate this incident, and that Laci might have interrupted the burglary and been abducted by the perpetrators. A burned van found near the Peterson home on Christmas Day, containing a mattress with apparent bloodstains, has also been cited as a potential lead that was not sufficiently explored.
Buehler described the failure to investigate the burned van as "bizarre," noting that such a discovery, in proximity to a missing person case, warranted further scrutiny to either establish or dismiss a connection. While two men were convicted in connection with the Medina burglary, they denied any involvement in Laci's disappearance and were never charged in her death. Prosecutors stated the burglary occurred two days after Laci went missing, a claim the defense disputes.
LAIP attorneys have also raised questions about the testing of the mattress fabric from the burned van, asserting that only a small portion was tested, which they believe is insufficient to rule out the presence of Laci or Conner's DNA.
Analysis of Body Disposal
In addition to witness accounts and the burglary investigation, the docuseries presents new analysis concerning the possible location where Laci Peterson's body entered the water. While a hydrologist testified at trial that Laci may have been placed in the water between Brooks Island and the Berkeley Marina, where Scott Peterson claimed to be fishing, an expert retained by LAIP used advanced hydrodynamic modeling. This expert concluded that Laci's body could have been placed in the shallows off Albany Bulb, an area miles away from where Peterson said he was fishing.
Furthermore, handwritten notes recovered from the Peterson home have been re-examined. While prosecutors at trial suggested Peterson purchased a fishing boat to dispose of Laci's body, his attorneys argue that these notes indicate Laci was aware of the boat and possibly involved in purchasing equipment for it.
Despite these claims, Laci Peterson's mother, Sharon Rocha, remains steadfast in her belief of Scott Peterson's guilt, dismissing the documentary's findings as unsubstantiated. "There is no new evidence," she stated. In April, a San Mateo County Superior Court judge denied Peterson's latest petition to overturn his conviction, with the District Attorney's office stating that the arguments presented were recycled. Peterson's legal team plans to appeal this decision to a higher California court.