NC v. Michael Peterson: The Staircase Murder Trial

Opening Statements

Michael Peterson is on trial for the 2001 death of his wife, Kathleen. Her body was found at the bottom of a staircase in the couple's Durham home. Prosecutors allege he killed Kathleen to get her $1.4 million life insurance policy. MORE

Trial Archives

1-NC v. Peterson: Opening Statements

A man holds a photo as he addresses the court.

1-NC v. Peterson: Opening Statements

A paramedic stands next to a diagram

2-NC v. Peterson: James Rose

A paramedic testifies in court.

3-NC v. Peterson: James Rose PT2

A man in a suit testifies in court.

4-NC v. Peterson: Ron Paige

Fire Captain Gary Paschal takes the stand in Michael Peterson's murder trial.

5-NC v. Peterson: Cpt. Gary Paschal

Firefighter Jason Crank takes the stand in Michael Peterson's murder trial.

6-NC v. Peterson: Jason Crank

Catherine Kaiser of Nortel Networks, where Kathleen worked, takes the stand in Michael Peterson's murder trial.

7-NC v. Peterson: Catherine Kaiser

A woman in a red collared shirt testifies

8-NC v. Peterson: Kim Barker

An attorney questions a witness in court

9-NC v. Peterson: Agent Raymond Young

Helen Prislinger, who worked with Kathleen Peterson at Nortel Networks, takes the stand in Michael Peterson's murder trial.

10-NC v. Peterson: Helen Prislinger

The number $142,728.00 is projected

11-NC v. Peterson: Agent Raymond Young PT2

Raymond Young testifies in court

12-NC v. Peterson: Agent Raymond Young PT3

NCSBI Agent Raymond Young concludes his testimony in Michael Peterson's murder trial.

13-NC v. Peterson: Agent Raymond Young PT4

A woman cries in court

14-NC v. Peterson: The 911 Call

Durham police Cpl. J.C. McDowell takes the stand in Michael Peterson's murder trial.

15-NC v. Peterson: Cpl. J.C. McDowell

Two people sit in the gallery during a trial

16-NC v. Peterson: Cpl. Scott Kershaw

Sgt. Terry Wilkins testifies in court

17-NC v. Peterson: Sgt. Terry Wilkins

a woman and a police officer approach diagram in court

18-NC v. Peterson: Sgt. Terry Wilkins PT2

Officer James McVay testifies in court

19-NC v. Peterson: Officer James McVay

Sgt. Fran Borden testifies in court

20-NC v. Peterson: Sgt. Fran Borden

Sgt. Fran Borden continues testifying in court

21-NC v. Peterson: Sgt. Fran Borden PT2

Durham police Sgt. Emmanuel Paschall takes the stand in Michael Peterson's murder trial.

22-NC v. Peterson: Sgt. Emmanuel Paschall

A woman with white glasses stands in court

23-NC v. Peterson: Officer A.D. McCallup

24-NC v. Peterson: Officer Steven Hester, Officer Trent Hall & Cpl. Kim Gregory

Forensic meteorologist William Haggard takes the stand outside the presence of the jury in Michael Peterson's trial.

25-NC v. Peterson: OPJ: William Haggard

attorney raises his hand in court

26-NC v. Peterson: Lt. Connie Bullock

A man in a suit testifies in court

27-NC v. Peterson: John Huggard

a photo shows a flight of wooden interior stairs

28-NC v. Peterson: Dan George

A witness holds a bag on the witness stand

29-NC v. Peterson: Dan George PT2

cloth items appear folded

30-NC v. Peterson: Dan George PT3

Dan George undergoes cross-examination in Michael Peterson's murder trial.

31-NC v. Peterson: Dan George PT4

photo shows a tiled kitchen floor

32-NC v. Peterson: Dan George PT5

Dan George continues his testimony in Michael Peterson's murder trial.

33-NC v. Peterson: Dan George PT6

papers and a microphone

34-NC v. Peterson: Dan George PT7

photo shows hands and some sort of electronics

35-NC v. Peterson: Dan George PT8

Evidence technician Eric Campen takes the stand in Michael Peterson's murder trial.

36-NC v. Peterson: Eric Campen

evidence on a table

37-NC v. Peterson: Eric Campen PT2

Eric Campen undergoes cross-examination in Michael Peterson's murder trial.

38-NC v. Peterson: Eric Campen PT3

Eric Campen undergoes cross-examination in Michael Peterson's murder trial.

39-NC v. Peterson: Eric Campen PT4

Durham police Detective Vincent Bynum takes the stand in Michael Peterson's murder trial.

40-NC v. Peterson: Detective Vincent Bynum

A woman holds up evidence in court

41-NC v. Peterson: Angela Ashby & Sgt. Vicki Minser

A woman wearing a glove holds up evidence

42-NC v. Peterson: Special Agent Joyce Petzka

A woman testifies in court

43-NC v. Peterson: Special Agent Suzi Barker

A man in a suit points to a diagram on an easel

44-NC v. Peterson: Special Agent Mark Boodee

SBI Special Agent James Gregory, a hair and fiber forensics expert, takes the stand in Michael Peterson's murder trial.

45-NC v. Peterson: Special Agent James Gregory

William Haggard testifies in court

46-NC v. Peterson: William Haggard

Dr. Kenneth Snell testifies

47-NC v. Peterson: Dr. Kenneth Snell

A man in a suit sits in court

48-NC v. Peterson: Outside the Presence of the Jury

Computer investigator Todd Markley, of CompuSleuth, takes the stand outside the presence of the jury in Michael Peterson's murder trial.

49-NC v. Peterson: OPJ: Todd Markley

a man in a suit points to evidence

50-NC v. Peterson: Patrick Kemmer

Computer investigator Todd Markley, of CompuSleuth, takes the stand in Michael Peterson's murder trial.

51-NC v. Peterson: Todd Markley

Todd Markely continues his testimony in Michael Peterson's murder trial.

52-NC v. Peterson: Todd Markley PT2

attorney stands with hands on counsel table

53-NC v. Peterson: Outside the Presence of the Jury

A man in a suit sits in court holding a pen

54-NC v. Peterson: Todd Markley PT3

Judge overseeing trial sits on the bench

55-NC v. Peterson: Outside the Presence of the Jury

Former male escort Brent Wolgamott, who claims Michael Peterson arranged a meeting with him three months before Kathleen's death, takes the stand.

56-NC v. Peterson: Brent Wolgamott

SBI Special Agent John Bendure, a forensic chemist, takes the stand in Michael Peterson's murder trial.

57-NC v. Peterson: Special Agent John Bendure

A man testifies in court

58-NC v. Peterson: Special Agent Duane Deaver

A man in a suit speaks in court

59-NC v. Peterson: Special Agent Duane Deaver PT2

A man holds up a photograph in court

60-NC v. Peterson: Special Agent Duane Deaver PT3

A man holds a pointer in court

61-NC v. Peterson: OPJ: Special Agent Duane Deaver PT4

A man leans over as a display is shown to the jury.

62-NC v. Peterson: OPJ: Special Agent Duane Deaver PT5

Michael Peterson listens to the testimony of Agent Deaver in his murder trial

63-NC v. Peterson: OPJ: Special Agent Duane Deaver PT6

an attorney shows evidence to the jury

64-NC v. Peterson: Special Agent Duane Deaver PT7

Two men show evidence to the jury

65-NC v. Peterson: Special Agent Duane Deaver PT8

A woman cries while testifying in court

66-NC v. Peterson: OPJ: Cheryl Appel-Schumacher

A man looks at a photo through a magnifying glass.

67-NC v. Peterson: Special Agent Duane Deaver PT9

surveillance photo shows a man with a baseball cap

68-NC v. Peterson: Special Agent Duane Deaver PT10

photo shows a person on a ladder

69-NC v. Peterson: Special Agent Duane Deaver PT11

A still from surveillance video shows someone bent over

70-NC v. Peterson: Special Agent Duane Deaver PT12

A woman sits in court

71-NC v. Peterson: OPJ: Cheryl Appel-Schumacher

A man in a suit testifies in court

72-NC v. Peterson: Special Agent Duane Deaver PT13

A woman testifies in court

73-NC v. Peterson: OPJ: Margaret Blair

A woman testifies in court

74-NC v. Peterson: OPJ: Dr. Deborah Radisch

An attorney addresses the court

75-NC v. Peterson: Outside the Presence of the Jury

A woman holds up a photo for the jury

76-NC v. Peterson: Cheryl Appel-Schumacher

A man in a suit testifies in court

77-NC v. Peterson: Thomas Appel-Schumacher

A woman testifies in court

78-NC v. Peterson: Billie Allen

A man in a suit testifies in court

79-NC v. Peterson: Dr. Larry Barnes

a woman holds her hands folded under her chin on the witness stand

80-NC v. Peterson: Margaret Blair

A woman testifies in court

81-NC v. Peterson: OPJ: Barbara Malagnino & Amy Beth Berner

A man testifies in court

82-NC v. Peterson: Steve Lyons

A woman testifies in court

83-NC v. Peterson: Barbara Malagnino

84-NC v. Peterson: Special Agent Duane Deaver PT14

A blonde woman testifies in court

85-NC v. Peterson: Amy Beth Berner

A woman testifies in court.

86-NC v. Peterson: Candace Zamperini

A man in light suit and blue tie testifies in court

87-NC v. Peterson: Dr. Aaron Gleckman

A man testifies in court

88-NC v. Peterson: Dr. Thomas Bouldin

A woman shows evidence to the jury

89-NC v. Peterson: Candace Zamperini PT2

A woman testifies in court

90-NC v. Peterson: Dr. Deborah Radisch

Michael Peterson leans back in court

91-NC v. Peterson: Dr. Deborah Radisch PT2

A woman testifies in court

92-NC v. Peterson: Dr. Deborah Radisch PT3

A woman testifies in court

93-NC v. Peterson: Dr. Deborah Radisch PT4

An attorney sits during a trial

94-NC v. Peterson: Dr. Deborah Radisch PT5

A man testifies in court

95-NC v. Peterson: Dr. Jan Leestma

A man testifies in court

96-NC v. Peterson: Dr. Jan Leestma PT2

An attorney shows evidence to the jury.

97-NC v. Peterson: Dr. Jan Leestma PT3

A man testifies in court.

98-NC v. Peterson: Dr. Jan Leestma PT4

Michael Peterson sits with his hand to his chin

99-NC v. Peterson: Dr. Jan Leestma PT5

A man looks up as he testifies in court

100-NC v. Peterson: Major Timothy Palmbach

The judge motions with his hands

101-NC v. Peterson: Major Timothy Palmbach PT2

Michael Peterson holds his hand to his face

102-NC v. Peterson: Major Timothy Palmbach PT3

a man in a suit testifies

103-NC v. Peterson: Lindsey Roberson & Ronald Guerette

Dr Henry Lee holds his hands over his head

104-NC v. Peterson: Dr. Henry Lee

a photograph shows a man sitting on the stairs

105-NC v. Peterson: Dr. Henry Lee PT2

Dr. Henry Lee testifies in court

106-NC v. Peterson: Dr. Henry Lee PT3

Dr. Henry Lee looks through a magnifying glass at a piece of paper.

107-NC v. Peterson: Dr. Henry Lee PT4

Dr. Henry Lee shows the jury a photo

108-NC v. Peterson: Dr. Henry Lee PT5

A man testifies in court

109-NC v. Peterson: Dr. Faris Bandak

A still from an animation shows a body at the bottom of the stairs

110-NC v. Peterson: Dr. Faris Bandak PT2

A man addresses the jury in court

111-NC v. Peterson: Dr. Faris Bandak PT3

A man testifies in court

112-NC v. Peterson: Major Timothy Palmbach PT4

A man testifies in court

113-NC v. Peterson: Clyde Anderson

Art Holland testifies

114-NC v. Peterson: Detective Art Holland

A man holds a photo for the jury

115-NC v. Peterson: John Rosenthal

A man holds evidence in front of the jury

116-NC v. Peterson: Detective Art Holland

A woman makes a face on the witness stand

117-NC v. Peterson: Ruth Brown

A woman testifies in court

118-NC v. Peterson: Lori Campell

A man points to a model of a skull

119-NC v. Peterson: Dr. James McElhaney

A man in a suit testifies in court

120-NC v. Peterson: Dr. James McElhaney PT2

Dr. John Butts testifies

121-NC v. Peterson: Dr. John Butts

art holland testifies

122-NC v. Peterson: Detective Art Holland

a judge presides over a courtroom

123-NC v. Peterson: Outside the Presence of the Jury

a man shows evidence to the jury

124-NC v. Peterson: Defense Closing Argument

a man holds his hand to his face

125-NC v. Peterson: Defense Closing Argument PT2

A woman addresses the jury

126-NC v. Peterson: Prosecution Closing Argument

A man points to a large display in court

127-NC v. Peterson: Prosecution Closing Argument PT2

Michael Peterson sits in court

128-NC v. Peterson: Jury Instructions

Michael Peterson sits in court

129-NC v. Peterson: Verdict