Scott Peterson Sentenced to Life In Prison After 15 Years On Death Row

Scott Peterson, who was sentenced to death by lethal injection for the 2002 disappearance and death of his wife Laci and unborn child Connor, has been re-sentenced Wednesday to life in prison without the possibility of parole by Judge Anne Christine-Massullo.

Peterson, 49, has been on death row since 2005 since the highly publicized trial unfolded, but the California Supreme Court reversed the decision in August 2020 after finding that some jurors were erroneously dismissed.

In its decision, the court wrote that Peterson’s trial court “erroneously dismissed many prospective jurors because of written questionnaire responses expressing opposition to the death penalty, even though the jurors gave no indication that their views would prevent them from following the law – and, indeed, specifically attested in their questionnaire responses that they would have no such difficulty.”

Stanislaus County District Attorney Birgit Fladager said she would not seek to reinstate the death penalty after discussing the matter with the victims’ family, who stated through Fladager that “this process is simply too painful to endure once again.”

Sharon Rocha, Laci Peterson’s mother, had an opportunity to address Peterson in court after his re-sentencing. She called him a “coward,” and added that he “didn’t want the responsibility of being a father.” She also mournfully mentioned that Conner would have been 18 years old this year if not for Peterson’s actions. Rocha finished with: “Laci and Conner will always be dead, and you will always be their murderer.”

Peterson has always claimed to be innocent, maintaining that the trial was mismanaged and affected by the publicity surrounding it. The jury was convinced of his guilt by evidence including a statement from a woman who said Peterson was dating her and that he pretended to be single.

The state of California has not executed a death row inmate since 2006, and there is even a current moratorium on the death penalty in effect while Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) remains in office.