A judge in California has rejected Scott Peterson’s bid to introduce new evidence, which his lawyers argue could clear his name in the murders of his wife, Laci Peterson, and their unborn child.
Laci Peterson vanished on Christmas Eve in 2002 while she was eight months pregnant. Her remains were discovered in the San Francisco Bay in April 2003.
Scott Peterson, now 53, was subsequently arrested and faced charges of first-degree murder for his wife’s death and second-degree murder for the death of their unborn son. After a six-month trial in 2004, he was found guilty by a jury.
Recently, the Los Angeles Innocence Project, which has taken an interest in Peterson’s case, submitted a habeas petition in August 2025. They argued that his conviction was based on what they described as false evidence.
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On Monday, San Mateo Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Hill issued a ruling denying a review of the evidence and dismissing the petition. She stated that the claims were either procedurally barred or lacked sufficient merit.
Scott Peterson’s attorneys said they plan to appeal to a higher court.
“We disagree with and are disappointed by the court’s ruling on every level,” LA Innocence Project Deputy Director Hannah Brown said in a statement. “The ruling demonstrates a profound misunderstanding and misapplication of the law applied to habeas corpus petitions.”
The LA Innocence Project has claimed Scott Peterson was denied his rights to due process and a fair trial because jurors did not hear evidence that they argue could have affected the outcome of the trial. His attorneys said they have “uncovered compelling new scientific evidence showing that the jury in Mr. Peterson’s case relied on unreliable scientific evidence to convict him.”
Scott Peterson has previously appealed his conviction, claiming he received an unfair trial based on possible jury misconduct.
A judge denied him a new trial in 2022 following his appeal on stealth juror accusations. The LA Innocence Project said they are challenging that ruling in the California Supreme Court.
Prosecutors and police who were involved in the original trial have stood behind the 2004 conviction.
Scott Peterson was initially sentenced to death for the murders. In 2020, the California Supreme Court overturned his death sentence, citing that his jury was improperly screened for bias against the death penalty, according to court documents. He was later resentenced to life in prison without parole.
ABC News’ Alex Stone contributed to this report.
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