Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"The defense gets up in their opening arguments and basically says, you know, what we all know. They say, you aren't going to like my client, like he's done some stupid shit and he's not necessarily a nice guy or a nice husband or a faithful husband. But we're going to prove to you that he is an innocent husband of murder." — Ashley Flowers
"The defense also finds, is that the dogs had actually failed their certification test for being tracking dogs." — Ashley Flowers
"If he didn't do it, he is the un luckiest guy on the planet." — Ashley Flowers
This episode revisits the Scott Peterson case, focusing on the period after the discovery of his wife Lacey and son Conner's bodies. It details the circumstances of their discovery and the initial arrest of Scott Peterson, highlighting the prosecution's narrative that he was attempting to flee. The defense's counter-narrative is presented, suggesting Peterson's actions were misinterpreted by law enforcement and the media, aiming to explain the presence of items in his car as benign. The trial itself is thoroughly examined, with a critical look at jury selection, the judge's rulings, and the prosecution's presentation of evidence. Key moments, such as the "Martha Stewart" video reveal, the computer evidence contradicting the time of death, and the contentious testimony of a computer witness, are discussed, emphasizing how these points appeared to favor the defense.
The prosecution's reliance on circumstantial evidence, including alleged motive related to an affair and the presence of concrete bags, is contrasted with the defense's challenges to this evidence. The episode highlights the introduction of audiotapes between Peterson and Amber Frey, which the hosts suggest significantly impacted the jury's perception of his character and emotional state. Furthermore, the validity of the tracking dog evidence is questioned due to alleged certification failures and previous unsuccessful scent tracking attempts. The defense's arguments regarding the handling of Connor's body and the potential for external factors are also explored. The episode concludes by questioning the overall fairness of the trial, the strength of the evidence presented, and the possibility of alternative narratives, leaving the listener to ponder Peterson's guilt or innocence.
The hosts express personal uncertainty and a shift in their initial conviction based on the information presented, acknowledging the powerful influence of the media and the potential for flawed legal processes. They note that public opinion remains sharply divided on the case. The episode also touches upon the broader context of unresolved disappearances of pregnant women in the Modesto area as a potential, albeit unproven, contributing factor to the case's complexities.