After more than two decades behind bars, Scott Peterson’s lawyers say they now have powerful new evidence that could clear his name in one of the most notorious murder cases of the 21st century.
On Friday, April 18, the Los Angeles Innocence Project (LAIP) filed a petition with the California Court of Appeal seeking to overturn Peterson’s 2004 conviction for the murders of his pregnant wife, Laci Peterson, and their unborn son, Conner.
The LAIP argues that newly uncovered witness statements and physical evidence suggest Scott did not commit the crime—and that critical information was withheld from jurors during the original trial.
“This new evidence completely undermines the case the prosecution built,” the LAIP said in a statement Monday. “Had the jury heard this, it’s highly likely Scott would never have been convicted.”
Peterson, now 52, has always maintained his innocence, saying he was fishing alone the morning Laci disappeared from their Modesto home on Christmas Eve, 2002. Her and Conner’s remains were discovered months later in San Francisco Bay.
Now, Peterson’s attorneys claim Laci may have been killed after witnessing a burglary at a house across the street. A witness reportedly heard the burglars talking about her confrontation.
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The defense also points to a burned van found near the Peterson home, allegedly tied to the burglary, containing a mattress with apparent bloodstains—a detail they say was suppressed at trial.
The petition also challenges the timeline and logistics of how Laci’s body could have reached the recovery site, claiming the evidence suggests someone intentionally placed her remains elsewhere, not in the bay where Scott went fishing.
Peterson was sentenced to death in 2005, but his sentence was overturned in 2020. He remains in prison while fighting for a new trial.
Despite the renewed push, Laci’s family stands firm in their belief that Scott is guilty. The case remains polarizing, with public opinion sharply divided—just as it was in 2002.
