Scott Peterson Trial Delayed
Judge Roger Beauchesne has postponed Scott Peterson’s wrongful death trial, scheduled to begin July 8, following a motion filed Friday seeking the delay (it’s not immediately clear whether the motion was filed by the plaintiffs or the defense). A hearing has been scheduled for July 21 to discuss a new date.
June 6: The civil lawsuit against Scott Peterson for the wrongful death of his wife Laci, brought by Laci’s biological parents (a distinction worth mentioning because Dennis Rocha apparently was a minor paternal figure in her life at best; that role was filled by Ron Grantski, though he and Laci’s mother Sharon are not married), is scheduled to get underway on July 8. Today, Judge Roger Beauchesne heard and turned down the Rochas’ attorney’s argument that since Scott Peterson was already found guilty in criminal court (he’s been sentenced to death, but the verdict is being appealed), they shouldn’t have to prove his guilt in the civil trial. Because of the judge’s ruling, the trial is expected to take about 5 weeks.When the lawsuit was originally filed, the Rochas were asking for $25 million. The amount they’re asking for now is undisclosed, but their attorney has said Scott Peterson can settle the lawsuit by admitting his guilt and agreeing to a payment of $10 million.
This is hardly likely, especially since Peterson has no money anyway: ten million, twenty-five million, it’s pretty much all the same to him. The Rochas admit that the lawsuit is largely symbolic, mostly to make sure Peterson never sells his story.
Though this is something anybody is likely to confirm, I would imagine that the Rochas’ attorney is being paid an hourly rate: There doesn’t seem to be much profit in earning one-third of a symbolic award.