More than two decades after Laci Peterson vanished on Christmas Eve 2002, her husband Scott Peterson remains behind bars — but his legal team is still fighting to overturn his conviction. Scott was found guilty in November 2004 of murdering his pregnant wife and their unborn son, Conner, and his case continues to draw national attention amid new appeals, documentaries and his own decision to finally break his silence from prison.
Here’s where things stand with Scott’s incarceration, the ongoing efforts to free him and the latest developments in one of the most closely followed criminal cases of the 21st century.
Scott Peterson Is Still Serving Life Without Parole
Scott has been in custody since his arrest on April 18, 2003 — more than 22 years — and is currently serving life in prison without the possibility of parole. He was originally sentenced to death in 2005, but the California Supreme Court overturned that sentence in August 2020 after determining the trial judge made errors during jury selection. Specifically, too many pro-death-penalty jurors had been seated.
In December 2021, Scott was resentenced to life without parole. He has continued to maintain his innocence ever since he was arrested.
What Happened to Laci Peterson?
Laci, who was eight months pregnant at the time of her death, was reported missing on December 24, 2002. Scott told police he had left her at home that morning to go fishing roughly 90 miles away. When he returned, he said the couple’s dog, McKenzie, was at the house alone. Laci’s stepfather called police that night to report her missing.
The case took a dramatic turn when Fresno massage therapist Amber Frey came forward to reveal she had been dating Scott for more than a month, and that he had told her he was single.
Laci’s remains were discovered in the San Francisco Bay in April 2003, about a mile from where the remains of her unborn son had been found a day earlier.
Scott was arrested on April 18, 2003, and he pleaded not guilty to two counts of capital murder. His trial began on June 1, 2004, with Frey taking the stand to testify about their affair. On November 12, 2004, a jury found him guilty of first-degree murder in Laci’s death and second-degree murder in the death of Conner.
The Los Angeles Innocence Project Takes on the Case
In January 2024, the Los Angeles Innocence Project announced it was taking over as lead counsel for Scott, citing what the organization described as new evidence. The nonprofit filed four motions that month, including one requesting DNA testing on key items connected to the case.
According to documents obtained by NBC, the Los Angeles Innocence Project alleged that “new evidence now supports Mr. Peterson’s longstanding claim of innocence.”
Scott’s attorney, Pat Harris, said in a statement at the time: “I will confirm that we are thrilled to have the incredibly skilled attorneys at the L.A. Innocence Project and their expertise becoming involved in the efforts to prove Scott’s innocence.”
In April 2024, the organization filed a habeas corpus petition with the California Court of Appeals, arguing that new scientific evidence and witness statements weakened the original case against Scott. The defense has long pointed to a burglary that occurred across the street from the Peterson home around the time of Laci’s disappearance. Burglars Steven Todd and Donald Pearce were arrested in 2003 for the robbery, though police cleared them of any involvement in Laci’s death.
Scott Peterson Breaks His Silence in ‘Face to Face With Scott Peterson’
Two decades after his conviction, Scott spoke publicly about the case for the first time in Peacock’s three-part docuseries Face to Face With Scott Peterson, which premiered in August 2024. Director Shareen Anderson interviewed him from prison.
“If I have a chance to get the reality out there, I have a chance to show people what the truth is and if they are willing to accept it, maybe that takes a little hurt off my family,” Scott said of his decision to participate. “That would be the biggest thing that I can accomplish right now.”
Scott urged viewers not to trust him but to “look at the evidence.” He claimed the Modesto Police Department had decided he was guilty from the start, accusing former detective Al Brocchini of treating his questions as accusations.
“Brocchini’s questions weren’t questions. They were accusations. He had made up his mind before he had even arrived at our home,” Scott said in the doc.
Scott also addressed his affair with Frey, calling it “childish” and admitting he regretted it. He claimed he continued speaking with Frey after Laci went missing because he feared the affair going public would derail the search.
“The search for Laci would stop as soon as the public and police know I was having sex with another woman,” he said. “It’s a horrible truth. There are thoughts that haunt me.”
Scott’s sister-in-law Janey Peterson also participated in the docuseries and continues to publicly support his innocence. “I believe my brother-in-law Scott was wrongfully convicted of that murder,” she said.
What’s Next for Scott Peterson?
For now, Scott remains in a California prison serving life without parole as his legal team continues to pursue appeals through the Los Angeles Innocence Project. Whether any of those efforts will result in a new trial remains to be seen.
But more than 20 years after Laci’s death captured the country’s attention, Scott’s case is far from closed.
This story was compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists.
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