Summary

Face to Face with Scott Peterson
presents alternative theories on the Laci Peterson case in a three-part docuseries.
The LA Innocence Project is exploring new evidence to try and overturn Scott Peterson’s conviction.
Despite strong beliefs in Scott’s guilt, the case was built on circumstantial evidence, leaving room for doubt.

All the chatter has been reignited about the Laci and Scott Peterson case, the young pregnant woman who was murdered with her unborn son Conner back in 2002. With this year being the 20th anniversary of her husband Scott’s conviction of first-degree murder, several true crime docuseries are re-examining aspects of the case.

While there’s a lot of talk about Netflix’s latest docuseries, American Murder: Laci Peterson, another docuseries was just released on Peacock about the much-publicized case. Titled Face to Face with Scott Peterson, the three-part series is the first to take a good, hard look at alternative theories and controversially suggest the possibility that Scott is innocent. Much of this is driven by an organization called the LA Innocence Project (LAIP), which is different from the Innocence Project, which has taken on the case to try to overturn Scott’s conviction. The docuseries is also the first time Scott has spoken on camera in 21 years. The details are jarring, and while they might not change the minds of the most passionate Scott Peterson haters, the involvement of the LAIP is turning heads along with the evidence purportedly revealed in this docuseries.

What Does Scott Peterson Have to Say?

Face to Face with Scott Peterson might be considered controversial, giving a voice to a convicted killer. But it provides a second side to the story that will spark conversation and debate. Scott video chats with producer Shareen Anderson from prison, where she asks him pointed questions about things that happened during the investigation, his demeanor, his love for his wife, and, of course, his affair with Amber Frey. Many of these events and behaviors were highlighted in American Murder: Laci Peterson.

Scott has answers for everything, hinging his defense on the idea that the cops honed in on him from the get-go. He believes everything from their questioning to the searches was biased in seeking evidence to support their already existing theory and not in finding evidence to suggest any other foul play. One example noted is that the police gave away Scott’s location on the date of December 24, which he claims would have easily given another killer the perfect spot to dump the body and frame him. Speaking of his fishing trip, he insists the boat he purchased was for his father-in-law as a way for him and Conner to bond once his son was born and grew old enough to go fishing.

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He also has reasons for his demeanor, noting that his seemingly cool, calm, and collected attitude was because he didn’t want to show his pain to everyone. On the day of his arrest, he says his hair was dyed to help conceal his identity because he was getting death threats. His brother’s ID was in his car because he was going to use it for a discount at the golf course. His sister-in-law Janey says he had $10,000 cash in his car because his brother was going to buy his truck. He had given him the money and still had it in the vehicle. As for the headlines that focused on him having been arrested at the Mexico border, he was visiting family as he often did in San Diego, which just so happens to be close to the border.

Scott admits to his sexual indiscretions, owning up to the affair with Amber and the fact that it was solely based on young stupidity, low self-esteem, and being caught up in the moment with “someone who wanted to have sex with me.” He continued to talk to Amber to avoid any suspicions that could alert her to what was going on and cause their affair to come to light. He knew it would further make him look bad. But he also suggests that his relationship with Amber wasn’t as serious as she made it out to be.

Alternative Theories Presented in Face to Face with Scott Peterson

As for the theories, the Peterson family and private investigators have been looking into other parts of the story they believe were ignored. First is several nearby residents who claimed to have seen Laci walking their dog long after her death was supposed to have occurred. With her distinct look of being pregnant, wearing a white top with black pants, and accompanied by a large golden retriever, it’s presumed that they could not have mistaken her for someone else. Many claim they called in these tips to the police, but no one ever came to speak with them or shrugged them off. Police allude to people’s propensity to want to help and sometimes even make up stories to be part of the case. They claim to have followed up on these leads but did not find the individuals to be reliable witnesses.

The main part of the defense’s case hinges on a burglary that occurred at a house across the street, presumably on the same day that Laci went missing. Since a neighbor claimed to have seen the Peterson dog off its leash at a specific time in the morning and put it back in their yard, the judge ruled that the robbery would have occurred after Laci’s death and did not allow the details to be included in the trial. However, the family also found details from the mailman who claims to have gone by after the supposed time of death. He says the dog did not bark as it usually does when he comes by, and the gate was not open. Thus, the family says this proves Laci was home when the neighbor put the dog back in the yard, and she had left later and was indeed out walking the dog.

Further related to the robbery, several neighbors claimed to have seen a van outside the home that was being robbed along with three strange men who did not fit the description of the two men charged with the robbery. This opens a theory that the theft involved more accomplices. The men who owned up to the burglary, typical drug addicts and petty thieves, may have alerted others on the street that this house was vacant, and several people got involved. The suspicion is that these three other men are the ones who had something to do with Laci’s disappearance.

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One crucial fact is that a van was found burned not far from the home with a partially burned mattress inside it. The van was later discovered to be linked to the perpetrators of the robbery. The fire investigator did an initial on-the-spot test with luminol on a portion of the mattress that was not burned and found blood. However, later testing by police did not uncover blood. The family has been pushing for a DNA test for the mattress, but the request has been denied.

Thus, the theory posited by others is that Laci came across the burglary in progress and may have approached the men. Or they may have seen that she saw them and realized they had to eliminate her because she could identify them. Following her death, the accomplices told Steven Todd and Donald Glenn Pearce, the two men who confessed to the burglary, that they needed to take the fall for it to cover up the more heinous crimes that occurred that day.

One witness apparently reported seeing a woman being forced into a van. They claimed she was taken out to urinate in a corner, then taken back inside, and seemed to be in distress. His wife reportedly told him not to get involved because they looked like bad people, so he called the police. He also visited the police station to reiterate what he saw, but nothing came of it. There are other details the family is focused on as well. A correctional officer in prison called in a tip based on phone conversations with inmates: some were implying that Laci was killed by the criminals involved in the burglary. Because there’s no recording of the call in question, and it was based on hearsay, the police did not pursue this.

Then, there’s a Croton watch that matches the one Laci was wearing at the time of her death that was pawned at a shop a few days after the murder. Police picked up the watch, but no one heard about it or saw it again. Police say they can’t prove it was hers. All these tidbits of information spark questions, if nothing else. While the Petersons and the L.A.I.P. claim there could be DNA evidence within numerous items involved in the burglary that could exonerate Scott, police believe it’s just a bunch of “malarky” and that they got their killer.

What Is The LA Innocence Project?

Most people are familiar with The Innocence Project, a non-profit legal organization that commits its time and efforts to exonerating those who have been wrongfully convicted. They use everything from DNA testing to criminal justice reforms and re-examine case files or mistakes made during the initial trials to help those they believe have been locked up without cause. The organization, founded in 1992, first gained attention as part of the “Dream Team” that represented O.J. Simpson in his murder trial. Since then, they have successfully overturned more than 240 wrongful convictions.

The LA Innocence Project might bear a similar name, but it’s an entirely different organization with no ties to The Innocence Project. Known as the LAIP, this organization has been clarified to be “wholly independent” of the Innocence Project, according to the Innocence Project’s official statement on the matter. With all the publicity surrounding the LAIP taking on Scott’s case back in January 2024, the organization felt it necessary to make this clear.

“On January 18, 2024, the Los Angeles Innocence Project filed motions seeking DNA testing and post-conviction discovery on behalf of its client, Scott Peterson. Any and all inquiries about Mr. Peterson’s case should be directed to the Los Angeles Innocence Project, a non-profit organization wholly independent of the Innocence Project.”

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Founded in 2022, the LAIP is a non-profit group that provides “pro bono investigatory services and legal representation to indigent individuals in Central and Southern California who were convicted of crimes they did not commit,” the website explains. About 20 people work for the LAIP. Most of the motions LAIP filed for Scott in January 2024 were rejected by the judge, but some requests were approved. One such request was for additional forensics to be performed on a piece of duct tape found with Laci’s body. The organization is partnered with the California Forensic Science Institute, the Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center, and California State University – Los Angeles to help in its efforts.

Is the LAIP just looking for publicity? It’s convenient timing to launch this re-investigation on the 20th anniversary when there will be tons of discussion around the case along with media coverage like the two aforementioned docuseries. Nonetheless, if it’s a high-profile win, that publicity could foster hope for others wanting to get their convictions overturned. However, it could also cause uproar among those who believe Scott is guilty.

DNA is a powerful thing, and if DNA on the mattress were ever to be tested and match Laci, that could free Scott. If there is DNA on the duct tape that isn’t Scott’s or Laci’s, that could also blow the case right back open. Those who followed the case are pretty convinced of Scott’s guilt. But the reality is that the case and the conviction were entirely built on circumstantial evidence, as damning and clear-cut as it made the events of that fateful morning seem.

The Future of the Scott Peterson Case

It will still be a long road for Scott Peterson, but with the LAIP involved and a chance for new discovery, there’s a possibility the case could be reopened. Most importantly, the road is long and never-ending for Laci’s family and friends, who were featured heavily in the docuseries American Murder: Laci Peterson. While Scott’s family staunchly believes in his innocence, and Scott continues to stand behind his claim that he did not murder his wife and son, the public can’t help but feel as though justice was served.

Several jurors in both American Murder: Laci Peterson and Face to Face with Scott Peterson reinforce that they did not take the decision lightly. But too many things suggested it would have been a series of incredible coincidences if he hadn’t done it. With that said, jurors never heard about the burglary. Much of their decision also weighed heavily on the timeline of events, which the Petersons believe ignored evidence refutes.

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The LAIP continues its work, and the case could take some major twists and turns. Sadly, the only two people who truly know what happened don’t get to tell their side. Face to Face with Scott Peterson notes in a title card at the end that Sharon Rocha, Laci’s mother, refused to participate in the docuseries. But she did give a statement at the July 2024 hearing to seek new evidence. “I believe this is not about proving his innocence, but instead about his relentless pursuit (to be freed) from prison.” Stream American Murder: Laci Peterson on Netflix and Face to Face with Scott Peterson on Peacock.