Scott Peterson

Scott Peterson Today: Convicted Murderer Gives First On-Camera Interview in Decades for Peacock Documentary

Scott Peterson, who has been imprisoned for decades following his conviction for the murder of his pregnant wife, Laci Peterson, is set to reappear on television screens in a new documentary. The 51-year-old, currently serving a life sentence, gave his first on-camera interview since 2003 as part of the Peacock documentary Face to Face with Scott Peterson. The three-part series, premiering on August 20, marks 20 years since Peterson was found guilty by a jury in August 2004. Throughout the years, Peterson has steadfastly maintained his innocence, denying responsibility for the deaths of Laci and their unborn son. In Face to Face, he shares his perspective, addressing the case beyond his previous and ongoing legal appeals.

In January, Peterson began collaborating with the Los Angeles Innocence Project as part of his efforts to secure access to evidence that may support his claims of innocence.

The case is also being revisited in another documentary series. Netflix recently released American Murder: Laci Peterson on August 14, featuring the first interview with Laci’s mother, Sharon Rocha, since her daughter’s tragic death.

Who Is Scott Peterson?

Scott Peterson became infamous nationwide following his conviction for the murder of his pregnant wife, Laci Peterson, in 2004. Laci, nearly eight months pregnant, disappeared on Christmas Eve in 2002. Her body and that of her unborn child were discovered washed ashore in San Francisco Bay nearly four months later. Peterson was quickly arrested and subsequently convicted of their murders. Although initially sentenced to death, his sentence was overturned on appeal in 2020. He now serves life in prison without the possibility of parole. Despite his conviction, Peterson continues to assert his innocence and, with the support of the Los Angeles Innocence Project, is working toward proving his claims in hopes of one day regaining his freedom.

Early Life

Scott Lee Peterson was born on October 24, 1972, in San Diego, California, as the only child of Lee and Jackie Peterson, although both parents had children from prior relationships. Tragically, his mother passed away in 2013 at the age of 70 after battling cancer.

Raised in a San Diego suburb, Peterson excelled academically and became an enthusiastic golfer. He attended the University of San Diego High School and briefly studied at Arizona State University before transferring to Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo. In 1994, he enrolled at California Polytechnic State University, where he pursued a degree in agricultural business.

Laci and Scott Peterson

While attending California Polytechnic State University, Peterson met Laci Rocha, and the couple soon moved in together. They married in 1997, after which Laci took her husband’s surname.

Following their wedding, the Petersons opened a burger restaurant, The Shack, which they later sold. They relocated to Modesto, California, to be near Laci’s family. There, Scott began working as a fertilizer salesman, and Laci took on a substitute teaching role.

In early 2002, Laci became pregnant with their first child, a son they planned to name Conner. However, before their son could be born, their lives were struck by tragedy.

On Christmas Eve 2002, Laci, then eight months pregnant, went missing. Scott told authorities that the last time he saw his wife was around 9:30 a.m. before leaving for a fishing trip. Later that day, neighbors found the Petersons’ dog wandering with its leash on and returned it to their yard, but Laci was nowhere to be found.

Laci’s disappearance triggered an extensive search and media frenzy. Despite a $500,000 reward for her return, the search ended tragically when her body and the fetus of their unborn son were discovered in San Francisco Bay in April 2003, not far from the marina where Scott had been fishing on Christmas Eve.

Murder Case: Arrest, Trial, Conviction, and Appeals

Scott Peterson was arrested on April 18, 2003, four days after his wife’s body was found. Authorities found him with bleached hair, $15,000 in cash, multiple cell phones, and his brother’s identification card. Prosecutors charged him with two counts of capital murder, alleging that his extramarital affair with Amber Frey motivated the crimes. Peterson maintained his innocence and pled not guilty.

His trial began on June 1, 2004, and concluded with a conviction on November 12 of that year. He was found guilty of first-degree murder for Laci’s death and second-degree murder for their unborn son, Conner. On March 16, 2005, Peterson was sentenced to death.

First Appeal and New Sentence

Peterson’s defense team filed a lengthy appeal in 2012, arguing that the trial was unfair, particularly because jurors opposed to the death penalty were dismissed. In August 2020, the California Supreme Court reversed Peterson’s death sentence, though his convictions were upheld. He was re-sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole in December 2021.

Second Appeal

In 2015, Peterson’s legal team filed a habeas corpus petition, claiming juror misconduct, as one juror, Richelle Nice, had failed to disclose significant details about her past during jury selection. However, a judge ruled in December 2022 that the juror’s omissions were unintentional, and Peterson’s appeal for a new trial was denied.

2024 Innocence Project Investigation

In 2024, the Los Angeles Innocence Project began investigating Peterson’s case. The organization, known for assisting wrongfully convicted individuals, submitted a request for DNA testing on key pieces of evidence. In May, a judge approved DNA testing on a piece of duct tape found on Laci’s body. The investigation is ongoing.

Documentaries and Movies

Scott Peterson’s case has been the subject of numerous documentaries and films. In 2004, The Perfect Husband: The Laci Peterson Story was released, followed by CBS’s Amber Frey: Witness for the Prosecution in 2005.

More recent documentaries have raised questions about the fairness of Peterson’s trial. Trial by Fury: The People v. Scott Peterson (2016) and A+E Networks’ The Murder of Laci Peterson (2017) presented alternative perspectives, suggesting possible flaws in the case. In 2018, Marcia Clark Investigates also reviewed the evidence.

In August 2024, two new docuseries are scheduled to air, marking the 20th anniversary of Peterson’s conviction. Netflix’s American Murder: Laci Peterson focuses on Laci’s life and features interviews with her family and Amber Frey, while Peacock’s Face to Face with Scott Peterson includes Peterson’s first on-camera interview since 2003.