Journey to Justice

Entries from July 2008

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Friday, July 25. 2008

My friend Scott Posted by Brooks in General at 06:16

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I just flew home from visiting Scott at San Quentin. It was another bitter-sweet time of catching up. It is always so good to see him. Scott doesn't deserve to be there and it breaks my heart to leave him behind in that dark place. Visiting Scott is always a pendulum swing of emotions.

As a close family friend of the Petersons, I have had the privilege of visiting him consistently for the last 5 years. With over 200 hours of conversation face to face, my friendship with Scott has grown deeper.

The Scott I know is not the Scott that the media has portrayed. Contrary to popular belief, he has no hate in him. As a pastor and counselor, I have learned to see right through people. I have gained the ability to discern who someone really is on the inside. Scott and I have discussed just about every topic that I can think of, and I know who he really is. He is a good man that I am proud to be close to.

Scott loves his family. His first words when I see him are often "How is my mom?" He asks about each of his family members first because they are the most important people in his life. He loves Laci. He always speaks highly of her, bragging about her sweet spirit and her many abilities. At some point during every visit, Scott will tell a touching story about their love for each other and I am often brought to tears.

Scott is focused. I am inspired by his sole desire to bring justice to those that took Laci and Conner. He diligently pours over the evidence of his families murder and scours the thousands of documents from his previous court case, looking for more material for his appeal. He has confidence, not in himself, but in his team. He has a number of attorneys, investigators, family, and friends who have dedicated their life to assist his efforts. He is learning to manage all of us, dishing out tasks and responsibilities. I am proud to be on this team. Scott is so easy to serve because he is such a gracious man. He takes a genuine interest in the life of those he interacts with and he is incredibly thankful for the help of his friends. There are more supporters than you might think. He gets letters from new and on-going supporters every week and for this he is very grateful.

Although this tragedy has stripped him of his family and has ruined his name, it has not broken his spirit. He, in fact, has become much more of a man through these painful events. His character is stronger than ever. I am so proud of him and it is an honor to call him a friend.

Romans 5:3-5 (NLT)
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment.

Brooks

Friday, July 18. 2008

In the news... Posted by Peterson Family in General at 13:06

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In the news...

There's been a lot of news coverage the last few days about our new blog (and Scott's old blogs posted over two years ago on the CCADP web-site). Although the reports were inaccurate in many ways, it was refreshing for Larry King to read all our responses to his questions on Thursday night's show. No editing! It was read exactly as we responded! Of course, editing would have been welcomed on question six where we mis-typed our answer. We've included the questions presented to us for the show and our answers below.

If you find yourself at our web-site because of this media coverage, we are grateful. We really hope you take the time to read what we have to say about Scott's innocence and the facts of this case. This can best be done by checking out our Featured Facts on the left navigation bar of ScottPetersonAppeal.org.

Some of the e-mails we've received the last few days have criticized that we have not addressed Scott's relationship with Amber or the lies Scott told. Please know that our web-site is a work in progress. There is no aspect of this case we are afraid to discuss. There are many topics that we have not covered yet. Our upcoming articles will include these topics, so be sure to sign up for our newsletter!

The Peterson Family

Q & A with Larry King Show 07-17-08

1. What do you make of the controversy about Scott "blogging" from San Quentin?

It is important to understand that neither Scott, nor any other death row inmate, has access to the internet. The web-site's blog was recently established to share the thoughts and feelings of the Peterson family and encourage public feedback. Scott's contribution is mailed to us and we post it on his behalf.

2. Does Scott play a role in "scottpetersonappeal.org"? If so, how is his participation facilitated?

The family, not Scott, created the website as a part of our overall efforts to correct misinformation, provide the facts showing Scott's innocence and encourage anyone to come forward who can provide information on the case. That will continue to be its primary purpose. We urge to anyone who is interested in knowing the facts to visit our website at ScottPetersonAppeal.org.

3. Can you tell us what a routine day is like for Scott? What items does Scott surround himself with? Does he have interaction with other inmates?

A routine day for Scott is no different than a routine day for any other death row inmate on California's death row. Scott has a TV, typewriter, CD player, books, and photos of his family. He usually has daily access to yard time during which he can interact with other inmates.

4. Do you receive regular mailings from Scott? Do you mail him? If yes, do you believe any of your correspondences to be censored in any manner?

Scott's family and loved ones receive mail from Scott and write him as well. We have no reason to believe his correspondence is treated any differently than the correspondence of any other inmate on California's death row.

5. Tell us about visiting privileges for Scott. Do you visit often? Are all family members allowed to visit?

California death row inmates are allowed one weekday and one weekend visit each week. Someone is usually able to visit Scott each week. Visitors must be over 18 and approved by both the prison and the inmate.

6. How are his spirits? (Corrected)

He remains devastated by the loss of Laci and Connor. He is grateful for the support he receives.

7. Does Scott believe he will be exonerated one day?

We know Scott is innocent, and together with Scott, our family will continue to work together toward his exoneration. We also continue to offer our original $250,000 reward to anyone with specific information leading to Scott's exoneration or specific information leading to an arrest and conviction for the abduction and murder of Laci and Conner Peterson.

Saturday, July 12. 2008

Each Night Posted by Jackie Peterson in General at 11:07

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Each Night

Each night, when I put my head on my pillow, my thoughts go to Scott's little family; Scott, Laci and Conner. I can hardly bare it. I think how hard it is for Scott to fight for his own life after the shock and pain of losing his family. I remember the early Christmas we shared with Scott & Laci in 2002, leaving them on the 20th of December. I think of all Scott & Laci's hopes and dreams they shared with us, and their plans for having Conner and watching him grow.

Our family misses her so much. We all loved her like a sister and daughter and we were looking forward to having Conner in our lives the next year. It is so sad.

We thank all of you for your continued support, for recognizing this injustice. To sleep, I turn to God. I thank him for getting us through one more day and I ask him to bless and protect Scott and all his supporters.

Scott's Mom

Monday, July 7. 2008

Susan's Family Update Posted by Susan Caudillo in General at 17:58

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Susan's Family Update

We are often asked, 'How is everyone in the family doing?" So I thought I would give an update on my family. This year my husband Ed and I celebrated 20 years of marriage and our two daughters are the light of our lives. They have kept us very busy for the past several years as they are both involved in competitive soccer. Our oldest daughter graduated from high school this past May and will play soccer for the women's team at her college. Our younger daughter just promoted from 8th grade and will be a freshman in high school this fall.

This summer we are mostly "staycationing" (stay at-home vacation) with family and friends every chance we get. It is a welcomed break from all the week-end travel we were doing for soccer tournaments.

My husband and daughters have truly been my refuge during the past five and a half years. They have kept my spirits up through the darkest days of Laci & Conner being missing and then found in SF Bay, the intense media coverage of Scott before and during the trial, and the unbelievable guilty verdict the jury handed down. It does not seem right to me at times that my life and family are so happy and doing well and Scott is sitting unjustly on death row. But then I remember that we are not helpful to Scott if we are wallowing in self-pity and loathing those responsible. I believe he is comforted to know that we are all doing well and continue to live life as he, Laci and Conner would have lived. We are a strong united family that will endure and see justice in the end.

My support of my baby brother is unwavering.

Susan