REDWOOD CITY, Calif. (Court TV) — Scott Peterson’s quest for a new trial will resume Thursday with final arguments of juror misconduct allegations.
The hearing was initially set to take place June 29, but was postponed when several inmates within Peterson’s housing unit tested positive for coronavirus.
Peterson was convicted in 2004 of killing his wife, Laci Peterson, and their unborn son, Connor. In 2020, the California Supreme Court overturned Peterson’s death sentence and ordered the case to be re-examined.
The ruling cited “prejudicial misconduct” by juror Richelle Nice, who allegedly lied about her own history of legal proceedings. In 2000, a then-pregnant Nice sought a restraining order against her boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend because she “feared for her unborn child,” according to court documents.
In February, Nice testified for two days in a weeklong hearing in Peterson’s case. She was granted immunity from prosecution of perjury charges before testifying.
FILE – In this Dec. 13, 2004 photo, Juror number 7, Richelle Nice, adjusts her hair as members of the jury speak with the media in the Old San Mateo County Courthouse in Redwood City, Calif. (AP Photo/Lou Dematteis, Pool, File)
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Among the questioning about filing a restraining order, Nice was also questioned about lying on her juror questionnaire by not disclosing a 2001 domestic violence incident, accusations of referring to Connor Peterson as “little man” during jury deliberations.
Nice was also questioned about the dozens of letters she sent to the defendant after the trial, asking him why he killed his family.
On Thursday, the parties will make final arguments in front of Judge Anne-Christine Massullo. A decision is expected to be made within 90 days.
