Journey to Justice

Happy 40th Anniversary!

nospam@example.com (Peterson Family) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 15:19:21 -0800

Our parents have been married 40 years today. We gathered together to honor them and of all the photos we looked through today, we thought we’d share this one. It was taken at their 25^th anniversary party in 1996. Looking back at that time, none of us would have ever imagined what our family would face. Their marriage has truly withstood a testing of their vows; for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health. We are very blessed to have such a loving and caring example of marriage!

The Peterson Kids

Still waiting...

nospam@example.com (Peterson Family) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 11:30:22 -0800

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.”

Appellate Update...

nospam@example.com (Peterson Family) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 03:40:22 -0800

With 2011 underway, we are eager for what this New Year brings. Scott's direct appeal is due to be filed by his attorneys with the State of California. There's a hearing at the end of February which will hopefully complete, settle and correct the trial record. This is the final step that must take place before the opening brief of Scott's appeal can be filed.

This opening brief will outline the reasons Scott's conviction should be overturned based on the legal errors that occurred during the trial. Once the opening brief is submitted, we then wait for the Office of the Attorney General to submit a responsive brief. It is a long slow process but we are encouraged that it will finally begin this year. When the opening brief is filed it will become a public document and we look very forward to sharing it with you.

We thank you again for your continued and unwavering support of Scott and our family. May you have a blessed year!

The Peterson Family

While flying up to visit Scott...

nospam@example.com (Janey Peterson) — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 02:47:44 -0700

While flying up to visit Scott this month, an article in the Southwest Airlines publication, Spirit Magazine caught my attention. Click the lick below to read the story of Patrick Waller, and how he was wrongfully convicted of kidnapping and sexual assault.

Also note the "Circle of Lifers" photo at the end of the article and how long those other men were wrongfully imprisoned! Many of these men must have been convicted before DNA testing was widely used to identify a perpetrator. After reading this article (and countless others) I don't understand how DNA testing can be denied to these inmates on appeal. If you have the DNA of the perpertrator why on earth wouldn't you want to double check that it matches the guy in prison?

http://www.spiritmag.com/features/article/innocent_man/

Continually praying for justice,

Janey

Micah 6:8 "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God"

Two new articles on our website!

nospam@example.com (Peterson Family) — Tue, 11 May 2010 04:01:36 -0700

Dear Friends,

It's been awhile since we posted new content to the website, so be sure to check out the two new Featured Facts we just put up. One article outlines Scott's contact with Amber Frey and the other is a list of trial quotes. Thank you for taking the time to read what we have to say!

Sex, Lies and Audiotapes

Trial Quotes

The Peterson Family

I was looking at some old family photos....

nospam@example.com (Lee Peterson) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:16:59 -0800

I was looking at some old family photos the other night and it made me think back about how our beautiful family came together and the role Scott's birth played in it.

Jacqueline and I met in San Diego while pursuing college degrees. I fell in love with this lovely, lively, and sweet girl almost immediately, and it turned out she felt the same for me. We were married in November of 1971. I had three terrific children, Susan 11, Mark 9 and Joe 7 and Jacqueline brought her 4-year-old son John to the marriage. Scott was born in the fall of 1972 and was immediately a treasured and much loved member of our family of 7. Much love and cohesiveness developed within our blended family by watching this toddler with a constant smile and pleasant disposition.

Scott learned right from wrong from not only from his mom and me, but also from his siblings who had a measurable hand in his upbringing. They taught him how to share and love. They read to him regularly and Scott developed an early love of reading. He was self sufficient at an early age, content to play with what was at hand and was able to entertain himself much of the time.

Scott was a joy at all ages, always praised by his elementary and middle school teachers who were touched by his kindness to other children. In high school he excelled academically while being captain of the golf team for two years. He then went on to college at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he paid his tuition and supported himself by working as a waiter and other part time work. He graduated with a BS in Ag-business and almost immediately landed a job with a Spanish company, which wanted someone to introduce their agriculture products in the US.

Scott and Laci met while both attending Cal Poly and when Scott introduced us to Laci we knew immediately she was a special girl to him and we could see that they were a great couple together. They were married shortly after Laci graduated with her degree in horticulture. They were very happy from the onset and had a dream raising a family and one day owning a small winery or olive farm in the Central coast area. About 3 years after they were married, Scott and Laci decided to make the move from San Luis Obispo, CA to Laci’s hometown of Modesto, CA. They wanted to purchase their first home and to be near her brother with hopes of raising their children together. They were close to reaching that dream when Laci became pregnant with their son in May of 2002.

And as I reflect on our family and on Scott and Laci before that tragic day in December 2002, I want you all to know that my son is a good and caring man. He is incapable of harming anyone. He was universally liked and respected by his peers and business associates. During the FBI investigation the agents were not able to turn up one word which spoke ill of Scott. Not one person had ever seen Scott and Laci at odds or being other than loving and kind to one another.

It pains me that the world does not know this Scott, that they believe he’s capable of murder. I will tell you now, my son is no murderer. He is an innocent man who was devoured by the media and ultimately our legal system. Unfortunately, we’ve found that this story of heartache, tragedy, and injustice is not unique, but we hold on to the hope that this injustice will be made right.

Lee Peterson

Thanksgiving has always been...

nospam@example.com (Susan Caudillo) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 01:42:57 -0800

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Thanksgiving has always been one of our favorite holidays, one that we all look forward to. The great feast that everyone helps put together, the special table settings and decorations and just getting together with the family to spend some "quality time" together, makes it a great day. This year was no exception. We gathered at our home as has been the tradition for the past 7+ years, all 29 of us! We had great weather here in San Diego so a table was set out on the patio for the "kids". It is our tradition to gather around the table before the meal and join hands in a prayer that our brother Joe says for us, and we thank Jesus for the many blessing in our lives, and ask Him to watch over us and our family that cannot be with us. It is my favorite moment of Thanksgiving day.

Each Thanksgiving that we celebrate also reminds us of the very last time we were together with Laci in 2002. Laci is always missed immensely by our family, but especially at Thanksgiving time. We all have many fond memories of her from that last Thanksgiving holiday with her that we will keep forever. We will continue to celebrate and give thanks for all of the many gifts we have in our lives despite the tragedy and loss we have experienced. Laci would want nothing less.

Thank you for your generous support this past year and from our family to yours, may you enjoy the rest of the holiday season!

Susan Peterson-Caudillo

We have some GOOD NEWS we want to share...

nospam@example.com (Peterson Family) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:57:00 -0700

Cliff addressing the Supreme Court

Dear Friends, Family & Supporters,

We have some GOOD NEWS we want to share with you. The California Supreme Court has appointed Cliff Gardner as Scott’s appellate attorney. As you may recall, our family retained attorneys Cliff Gardner and Larry Gibbs in March of 2005 to begin work on the habeas (investigation) petition for Scott’s case. All aspects of Scott’s appeal can now move forward.

Along with the appointment, the state will provide some funds to cover investigative costs. As Scott mentioned in his June blog, we need to complete forensic testing that the prosecution ignored, we need to hire experts to review evidence, and we need to hire investigators to speak with key witnesses. These items are vital and necessary to the appeal process. Even with the state’s help, there is approximately $95,000 more needed to cover the expenses of the investigation.

We have been very blessed in that our parents have been able to pay for Scott’s defense and appellate attorneys for the past 6 years. But the reality of today is that they have exhausted their resources.

We want to lift the burden of these investigative costs off their shoulders. This is where we need your help. As the saying goes “Many hands make light work,”. If each of you can make a donation between $5 and $50, we will be well on our way to making up this deficit. With your contribution to the Peterson Family fund, the investigation will be able to move forward uninterrupted, the burden to pay for it will be lifted from our parents, and we will be one step closer to the priceless freedom of our innocent brother.

Without your help, it would take our family years to come up with the funds needed, time we do not have. If you have ever thought about donating in the past and were waiting for a time that your gift would make the biggest impact, then this is that time. Your help today will bring us one step closer to getting Scott granted a new trial and finding justice for Laci and Conner.

Please know that we would not be where we are today without the love and support of each and every one of you, and we thank God everyday for that. Thank you for the sacrifice you are willing to make for our family, we will be sure to keep you updated!

The Peterson Family Children

Click the “Make A Donation” button at the top right
or you can mail a check to:
Peterson Family Fund
PO Box 853
Solana Beach, CA 92075

At this point in time...

nospam@example.com () — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:13:41 -0700

The original content of this blog has been removed

Death Penalty Report 2008...

nospam@example.com (Peterson Family) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:08:20 -0700

The link to the left is to The Death Penalty in 2008: Year end Report. It contains alot of information if you would like to learn more about the death penalty. For every 8.7 people that have been executed in the United States since 1973, 1 death row inmate has been exonerated. California currently has 667 death row inmates. If you apply that ratio; 76 of them are innocent! And Scott is one of them!

The Peterson Family