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Judge Sentences Peterson to Death
"You're selfish, heartless and self-centered. You're a coward and an evil murderer." -- Sharon Rocha, Laci Peterson's mother, addressing Scott Peterson
A judge formally sentenced Scott Peterson to death Wednesday after family members got into a shouting match and Laci Peterson's mother sobbed as she called her son-in-law ''an evil murderer.''
Judge Alfred A. Delucchi allowed only Laci's family members to speak at the hearing after indicating he believed the death penalty was warranted.
"I never liked you. You're going to burn in hell."
-- Dennis Rocha, Laci's father, addressing Peterson
Peterson's father yelled from the audience as Laci's brother, Brent Rocha, spoke to the court, saying ''Laci and Conner are the true victims here.''
''What a liar!"
-- Lee Peterson, Scott's father, as Brent Rocha spoke
''What a liar!'' Lee Peterson said before the judge admonished him and he stormed out of the courtroom. Jackie Peterson, Scott Peterson's mother, also interrupted Rocha but her voice was inaudible.
Scott Peterson, 32, was invited to make a statement. After several minutes of discussion with his attorneys, he declined.
Delucchi denied a defense request for a new trial before upholding the jury's recommendation that Peterson be sentenced to death.
''The court is satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant, Scott Lee Peterson, is guilty of first-degree murder'' and second degree, Delucchi said, adding that he found the killings ''were cruel, uncaring, heartless and callous.''
You're evil and still have the readiness to commit evil. How does it feel to be a baby killer?"
-- Brent Rocha, Laci's brother, addressing Peterson
Peterson, shackled at the waist and wearing a dark suit, showed no emotion throughout the hearing.
Peterson will be sent to death row at San Quentin State Prison within 48 hours, said San Mateo County Sheriff's Lt. Lisa Williams. The infamous lockup overlooks the same bay where Laci Peterson's body was discarded.
Laci's mother, Sharon Rocha, sobbed and trembled from a podium as she lashed out at her former son-in-law. Scott Peterson stared back at her without emotion.
''You decided to throw Laci and Conner away, dispose of them like they were just a piece of garbage,'' she said. ''You were wrong; dead wrong.''
Dabbing at her eyes with tissues, she called him ''an evil murderer.''
''The fact that you no longer wanted Laci did not give you the right to murder her,'' Sharon Rocha said. ''She was my daughter ... I trusted you, and you betrayed me ... You betrayed everybody.''
Peterson was convicted in November of first-degree murder in the killing of Laci and second-degree murder for the slaying of her fetus. A jury recommended the death penalty a month later.
Rocha spoke to Scott Peterson directly.
''I would hope that you regret the choices that you made. Maybe you don't,'' Rocha said. ''Did you really hate Laci and Conner that much or did you just dislike yourself?''
Peterson's attorney, Mark Geragos, tried to get the judge to allow Peterson's parents, Jackie and Lee Peterson, to speak, on the basis that they were related to Conner.
The killings "were cruel, uncaring, heartless and callous.''
-- Alfred Delucchi, San Mateo Superior Court judge
But the judge said the hearing was an opportunity for Laci's relatives to speak only. He ordered Scott Peterson to pay $10,000 restitution for funeral expenses and an additional $5,000, though the reason for that amount was unexplained.
Source: AP
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