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A judge on Monday denied a defense motion to dismiss the charges against Scott Peterson, saying the evidence presented so far in his murder trial was enough to justify a conviction if the jury so decides.
"The court is satisfied that the evidence before this court is sufficient to sustain a conviction on appeal," Judge Alfred A. Delhi said in denying the motion.
Peterson's defense lawyers were set to begin their case later Monday morning, five months after the trial began. Prosecutors had spent nearly 19 weeks putting on 174 witnesses before resting their case Oct. 5.
The defense had been prepared to begin calling witnesses last week, but Delucchi postponed the case after prosecutors requested more time to prepare their rebuttals.
Defense attorneys were expected to take up to eight days to present their case.
The judge told jurors that closing arguments were expected to be presented Nov. 1 and 2, and that deliberations should begin Nov. 3.
Prosecutors allege Peterson killed his pregnant wife, Laci, on or around Dec. 24, 2002, then dumped her body into San Francisco Bay. The bodies of Laci Peterson and the fetus she carried washed up about four months later, a few miles from where Peterson claims to have been fishing alone the day his wife vanished.
Defense lawyers claim someone else abducted and killed Laci, then framed their client after learning of his widely publicized alibi.
Source: AP
"The court is satisfied that the evidence before this court is sufficient to sustain a conviction on appeal," Judge Alfred A. Delhi said in denying the motion.
Peterson's defense lawyers were set to begin their case later Monday morning, five months after the trial began. Prosecutors had spent nearly 19 weeks putting on 174 witnesses before resting their case Oct. 5.
The defense had been prepared to begin calling witnesses last week, but Delucchi postponed the case after prosecutors requested more time to prepare their rebuttals.
Defense attorneys were expected to take up to eight days to present their case.
The judge told jurors that closing arguments were expected to be presented Nov. 1 and 2, and that deliberations should begin Nov. 3.
Prosecutors allege Peterson killed his pregnant wife, Laci, on or around Dec. 24, 2002, then dumped her body into San Francisco Bay. The bodies of Laci Peterson and the fetus she carried washed up about four months later, a few miles from where Peterson claims to have been fishing alone the day his wife vanished.
Defense lawyers claim someone else abducted and killed Laci, then framed their client after learning of his widely publicized alibi.
Source: AP