NEWS: Judge: Peterson Jury Has Reached Verdict: UPDATE: GUILTY

Following a week that saw 2 jurors dismissed, the Scott Peterson jury has informed the judge that they have reached a verdict after just a few days of deliberations. The case first went to the Jury on November 3rd. However, on back to back days, Tuesday and Wednesday, two jurors were released and replaced by alternates. The court was in recess Thursday, so the Jury which had to begin deliberations anew of Friday, reached a conclusion quickly. The verdict is set to be announced at 1 PM PST.


UPDATE: After deliberating only 6 hours, the jury in the Scott Peterson murder trial has found him GUILTY of murder with Special Circumstances. This could have him face the death penalty.

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - Scott Peterson was convicted Friday of murdering his pregnant wife and dumping her body in San Francisco Bay in what prosecutors in the made-for-cable-TV case portrayed as a cold-blooded plot to escape marriage and fatherhood for the bachelor life.
Peterson, 32, could get the death penalty. The former fertilizer salesman was convicted of one count of first-degree murder for killing his wife, Laci, and one count of second-degree murder in the death of the son she was carrying.
Peterson stared straight ahead with no show of emotion as the verdict was read, then looked at each of the jurors as they were polled to confirm their decisions. The jurors looked serious and unsmiling, and none appeared to look back at Peterson. Cheers broke out among the hundreds of onlookers who gathered outside court � some of them pumping their fists in celebration upon finding out the news on the radio.
Peterson Guilty

The trial has been going on for some time now, and based on the evidence presented in the media he is as guilty as heck. However, one has to wonder about the rapid decision reached by the reformed jury. Peterson had a high profile lawyer who did his best to cast doubt on the circumstantial evidence that had been presented. His actions during and after the disappearance is really what has convinced my of his guilt.

[edit on 11/12/04 by FredT]
Edit: Fixed a link.

[edit on 12-11-2004 by ZeddicusZulZorander]

I say he's guilty GUILTY. Hope there's not another OJ on our hands-
(that is, if he's really guilty) we will see.....

Yeah, im sort of worried that it only took them a day to reach a verdict. No doubt the replacements has set the grounds for an apeal for Peterson. We will kow in one hour.

My prediction: he'll walk. All this brouhaha with the jury *can't* be good for the prosecution.

No cameras will be allowed int he courthouse however, most news services will be carrying an audio broadcast of the reading of the verdict.

its after 1pm pst and havent heard a word yet.

No its not, it is now noon there, it 3 here, it will be announced at 4 here on the eastern.

No its not, it is now noon there, it 3 here, it will be announced at 4 here on the eastern.

Everyone always forgets about Mountain time...

Personally, all the defense has to do is show shadow of doubt. Since the Jury hasn't seen all that we have, this doesn't look good for the prosecution. Personally, I think he's guilty as hell.

Originally posted by James the Lesser
No its not, it is now noon there, it 3 here, it will be announced at 4 here on the eastern.

duh james you're right- im on Arizona time!

Speculation: one of the dismissed jurors was the holdout leading to a possible hung jury. With that person or persons out of the way a decision was quickly made in either direction. Think about it -- two jurors dismissed in less than 72 hours?

FredT is right though -- a conviction here does nothing but set the stage for appeal.

There is too much reasonable doubt when you tie everything together. With the shakeup of the Jury over the week, it probably helped to ring it to a guilty Verdict. But I am guessing that they do not want to be around next week and will give a lesser conviction of 1st degree Murder, which does not carry a penalty hearing for them to go over next week.

Peterson has been guilty of first degree murder of his wife. No link as of yet as this is a live audio feed from the court.

Guilty - 1st Degree Murder

They got him on the double murder...

Looks like the death penalty is coming...

Outstanding It has been a good month for what is right in the world

I think he is guilty but as with so many in this country with high profile cases he is walking.

The jury found for Special Circumstances which puts him in line for the death penalty. No doubt an apeal is on the way. How does Garagos sleep at night?????

Listening on the radio.
1st degree murder for Lacy
I thought they said 2nd for Connor.

1st degree for Laci and 2nd degree for Connor, he's gonna get death or life without parole for sure.

Originally posted by FredT
The jury found for Special Circumstances which puts him in line for the death penalty. No doubt an apeal is on the way. How does Garagos sleep at night?????

On top of a huge pile of money, and in solace that he sold his soul away a long time ago.

JUSTICE IS SERVED!

With complimentary 3 hots and a cot every day!!!

WOOHOO!!!

[edit on 11-12-2004 by Valhall]