Closing Arguments Begin in Peterson Penalty Phase

[Walter Cronkite]

Jackie Peterson, right, mother of Scott Peterson, is escorted by police, after testifying on Wednesday.

With a photograph of a pregnant Laci Peterson displayed behind him, a prosecutor urged jurors Thursday to sentence Scott Peterson to death, saying the date marked the two-year anniversary of his ''monstrous plan'' to murder his wife.

Peterson, 32, shouldn't be allowed to write and read letters in prison and otherwise enjoy his life - ''all things that Laci's family would love to be able to share with Laci and Conner,'' Dave Harris said in his closing argument.

''Death is the worst punishment,'' he told jurors who appeared to be listening intently.

The 32-year-old former fertilizer salesman was convicted Nov. 12 of one count of first-degree murder in the death of his pregnant wife, Laci, and one count of second-degree murder for killing her fetus, a boy the couple planned to name Conner.

The defense closing argument was to follow, and jurors were expected to begin deliberations in the penalty phase later in the day. Their only choices are death or life in prison without parole.

Prosecutors say Peterson killed Laci in their Modesto home on or around Dec. 24, 2002, then dumped her body into San Francisco Bay. The remains of Laci and the fetus were discovered about four months later a few miles from where Peterson claims to have been fishing alone the day his wife vanished.

''Two years ago today, the defendant, Scott Peterson, bought a boat,'' Harris said Thursday. ''He told (his mistress) Amber Frey his wife was 'lost.'''

The defense witnesses who attested to Peterson's good character, Harris said, ''didn't know the real Scott. ... That he's a manipulator. That he's a liar.''

On Wednesday, Peterson's frail-looking mother, Jackie Peterson, spent a tearful 40 minutes on the stand as the defense wound up its penalty phase presentation. She urged jurors to sentence her son to life and save the family further pain and begged jurors to see the good in her son.

''He's an exceptional young man and he's my son,'' Jackie Peterson said. ''I know he's not perfect ... but he is genuinely a loving, caring, nurturing, kind, gentle person.''

Defense attorneys called 39 witnesses over seven days in the penalty phase. Prosecutors called just four of Laci's family members.

Source: AP