GUILTY NC - Kathleen Peterson, 48, found dead in her Durham home, 9 Dec 2001

[Cypros]

I think it is important that the prosecution was able to get a guilty verdict WITHOUT a known weapon. They had theorized about a missing blowpoke, but then the blowpoke turned up during the trial and that had to be disregarded. I guess the jury didn't care WHAT he killed her with.

Again, this gives me hope regarding Scott Peterson's case as no cause of death has yet been determined.

Jeana, IMO the blood evidence was compelling, plus the fact that the same thing had happened to Elizabeth Ratliff 18 years ago. too much coincidence,

 

[MrsMush99]

I cannot believe it! I totally forgot that they were on verdict watch! I'm surprised that he was found guilty. I think he did it. Just surprised that he was found guilty.

 

[Cypros]

Originally posted by Casshew
Also what kind a guy surfs the net to set up dates for anal sex at 150.00 an hour and then claims to have a great marriage? I wonder how long that stuff was going on?

Cass...

The same kind of guy who has affairs and then claims that his marriage is "glorious"?!:dontknow:

 

[sariebell]

I am glad that the jury could see past the blunders of the prosecution and stay focused on the evidence. Apparently the kicker was the visit to the residence to see the stairwell. The jurors seemed to think there was just way too much blood and it was so high up on the wall. I guess that was a defensive backfire!

Rudolph did an outstanding job, and the prosecution left much to be desired. I believe he did it. The nurses on the jury and the rest of the jurors used logic and paid attention to the evidence. I am glad that justice was served.

 

[magpie]

Yep, this is a just verdict. It gives me hope too for Sp's trial, this jury didn't buy Henry Lee's "show" that he put on in the courtroom. I think Mr. Lee has damaged his credibility. I'm kind of thinking Geragos won't put him on in SP's trial, think I read that Lee's findings didn't jive with MG's theory anyway.

I think not only did he kill his wife Kathleen, but he killed E. Ratliff in Germany also. It is suspicious about George Ratliff, but I don't know much about George's death.

Glad the jury was able to reach a decision. Life without the possibility of parole!

magpie

 

[nanandjim]

Originally posted by Cypros
The Guilty verdict is being read NOW on Court TV

FANTASTIC!! I knew he did it!! I think that he killed that other woman too.

 

[Jeana (DP)]

I agree the blood evidence was compelling. I don't know anything about this sort of thing, but even I thought the blood was too high up on the stairs.

As for the sentence, the jury had no discretion on it. But I'm glad he's in for life.

 

[nanandjim]

One (Peterson) down; one to go. This guy was as guilty as sin. I believe his wife wanted a divorce from this free loader, so he killed her. Hell, this guy wouldn't even buy her a headstone for her grave even though he had life insurance worth millions. What a great guy...

 

[Artemis]

I'm from NC (not far from Raleigh/Durham) - I was so afraid that the verdict would be NG as we have been hearing (locally) that the DA did not prove reasonalble doubt.

I do feel sorry for Liz Ratliff's girls, though but I do feel that in this case, lightning did strike twice!

 

[packerdog]

I am so glad he was found guilty. I have been following this case on court tv from the beginning and I have to admit I was a little nervous when they went for all or nothing, 1st degree murder.

 

[Cypros]

Peterson's lawyer is being interviewed on Court TV right now. He seems to think that bringing the "missing" blowpoke into the court should have created enough reasonable doubt for the jury. He also thinks that the jury was heavily swayed by the repeated references to Peterson's "alernative" lifestyle during the closing arguments. I am willing to bet that the jury will say this played no part in their decision -- other than maybe to show that Peterson was looking elsewhere for sexual pleasure -- and that the blood and other forensics were key for them.

 

[Casshew]

Well at least Peterson will get his anal sex for free now

Cass...

 

[Cypros]

Yeah, Cass! He may have been hoping for a guilty plea! He won't have to pay for his lovers now. :blowkiss:

 

[MidnightMyst]

:laugh:

Originally posted by Casshew
Well at least Peterson will get his anal sex for free now

Cass...

 

[less0305]

I absolutely loved it that they disproved Dr. Henri Lee's testimony that the blood in the stairway could have come from Mrs. Peterson "coughing up" blood!!!! That just proved he was testifying solely for the purpose of $$$ and would say anything that side wanted him to say - or paid him to say. I certainly hope if he comes up with some half-baked theory in the Laci Peterson case, he will be shot down just as effectively!!!!

 

[patsy]

I didn't know about the Henry Lee testimony--that's interesting. He has the reputation of being above that sort of thing, and yet I notice he's always available to any defense team as an expert witness for the right money. This just sort of proves that, since he should have (and no doubt did) know better! I hope he doesn't pull that sort of thing in the Scott Peterson case. It confuses jurors and could easily affect the verdict! It's shameful, IMO.

patsy

 

[packerdog]

Henery Lee said during this trial that he MIGHT be testifing in the Scott Peterson trial. Does this mean MG isn't sure if Henry Lee will help the defense with his testimony, or the prosecution?

 

[browneyed2]

So interesting to see another such grisly true story about a family named Peterson.

 

[hockeymom]

Watch out Scott,your turn next!!

 

[Wudge]

This was, by far, the most stunningly unskilled decision I have ever witnessed, a new level of jury incompetence was reached with this verdict. Their decision begs for the need for professional jurors.