Scott Peterson Claims Innocence in Peacock’s ‘Face to Face’ on Laci’s Murder

Peacock’s new true-crime docuseries “Face to Face With Scott Peterson” delves into alternative theories surrounding the 2002 murder of Laci Peterson. The three-part series, helmed by director Shareen Anderson, features Scott Peterson himself, who maintains his innocence and questions the original police investigation and prosecution.

Scott was convicted in 2004 of killing his pregnant wife, Laci, and their unborn child. Although he was initially sentenced to death, his sentence was commuted to life in prison without parole in 2020. In 2024, the Los Angeles Innocence Project took up Scott’s case, investigating any potential discrepancies from the original trial.

“Face to Face With Scott Peterson,” now fully available for streaming, explores the possibility that burglars from a house across the street could have kidnapped Laci. Scott elaborates on this theory during his first jailhouse interview in 20 years, suggesting that Laci might have been taken while investigating the burglary happening nearby.

Although police acknowledged a burglary did occur next door, the court ruled out its connection to Laci’s disappearance, citing that the home invasion took place two days after she went missing, making it implausible due to the media and police presence. Nonetheless, the docuseries further investigates this angle.

The series features insights from former Modesto Police Department lead detective Al Brocchini, detective Jon Buehler, Scott’s sister-in-law Janey Peterson, sister Susan Caudillo, and investigative journalist Mike Gudgell, who contends that the burglary connection wasn’t properly pursued. Neighbor Diane Jackson described seeing three people near the burglarized home, which piqued suspicion after Laci disappeared.

Despite Jackson’s account and arrest of suspects Steven Todd and Donald Pearce for the burglary, the police dismissed their involvement in Laci’s case. Scott criticizes the police for ignoring potential evidence in favor of a theory that pointed solely to his guilt.

Another aspect the docuseries examines is the DNA evidence related to a blood-stained mattress found in a van that was sought by Modesto police. Former fire department arson investigator Bryan Spitulski noted the presence of blood in initial testing, but subsequent tests by the Department of Justice ruled it out. Investigative journalist Gudgell emphasizes the importance of identifying the DNA source.

Additionally, the series includes a phone interview with Tom Harshman, a former reserve officer, who reported seeing a pregnant woman being forced into a van on December 28, 2002. Harshman’s claims were dismissed by detective Buehler, who referenced numerous uncorroborated sightings.

Several neighbors reported seeing Laci walking her dog on the day she disappeared. The docuseries interviews Gary Ermoian, a private investigator hired by the Peterson family, who details interviewing witnesses who saw Laci before she vanished. Local residents such as Sue Maldonado, Frank Aguilar, and Vivian Mitchell provided consistent accounts of seeing Laci and her dog.

Ermoian uncovered more witnesses like Diana Campos, who saw a woman matching Laci’s description walking a golden retriever. Scott asserts that he wasn’t the last person to see Laci that day, implying that the police disregarded credible eyewitness reports.

The docuseries also touches on the Petersons’ marriage and the revelation of Scott’s affair with Amber Frey shortly after Laci’s disappearance. Frey’s involvement proved key during the trial as it supplied evidence and motive. Scott admits to the affair, but insists it was to divert attention and not impede the search for Laci.

Ultimately, prosecutors argued that Scott killed Laci to start a new life with Frey. Circumstantial evidence pointed to Scott, but without concrete proof or Laci’s body, an arrest eluded police until April 14, 2003, when Laci’s and Connor’s bodies were discovered in San Francisco Bay. Scott was arrested four days later.

Scott defends his activities and demeanor on the day of his arrest, claiming he was planning a golf outing with family, not fleeing. He describes the family’s way of coping with stress as keeping busy with activities like golf and fishing.

Prior to the trial, Scott’s legal team, led by Mark Geragos, aimed to undermine the police investigation. Geragos highlighted inconsistencies in detective Brocchini’s testimony about a particular speedboat, with Scott asserting that Laci knew about and had seen the boat.

Despite these efforts, the jury found Scott guilty, influenced significantly by Amber Frey’s court testimony and wiretapped calls. Scott believes that his decision not to testify and the exclusion of certain evidence contributed to his conviction.

Reflecting on these events, Scott expresses a desire to set the record straight and relieve some of his family’s pain. Anderson ends the docuseries with Scott recalling his life before the murder deeply, emphasizing the stark impact on him.

“Face to Face With Scott Peterson” is now available for streaming on Peacock, joining other deep dives like Netflix’s “American Murder: Laci Peterson” and A&E’s 2017 series “The Murder of Laci Peterson.”