Journey to Justice

It’s been over nine months since our last update, and while we had hoped Scott’s appeal would have been filed at this point, that is not the case.  The over 30,000 page trial record is still being completed by superior court clerks; every pre-trial hearing through Scott’s sentencing has to be reviewed and all exhibits accounted for.  Once finished, the Stanislaus County Superior Court will send the trial record to the Supreme Court of California as fully certified.  At that point, the Supreme Court will review the record and if no changes are necessary, the court will file the record.  Once the record is filed, our attorneys can file Scott’s brief.  The brief will then be public record and we’ll be able to share it with you.

After Scott’s appellate brief is filed, the State Attorney General’s office will file a response brief.  Then Scott’s attorneys will respond to the response brief.  Scott’s appeal will then wait to be scheduled for oral arguments.  While it’s difficult to exact a timeline, it will most likely be a few more years before the Supreme Court of California (pictured) hears oral arguments on Scott’s appeal.

We sometimes get overwhelmed with the length of the process, especially when every day of it for Scott is spent on death row.  The sting of injustice is a heavy burden, so we are very thankful that you bear it with us!

The Peterson Family

Galatians 6:9

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”