REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – Investigators probing Laci Peterson’s disappearance had “about 41 reasons” why they believed her body had been dumped in San Francisco Bay, the lead detective assigned to the case testified Tuesday at Scott Peterson’s double-murder trial.
Modesto police detective Craig Grogan ticked off a list that provided jurors with the first detailed narrative of the 17-week trial.
Prosecutors allege Peterson killed his pregnant wife on or around Dec. 24, 2002, in their Modesto home, then dumped her body in the bay. Her remains and that of her fetus washed up in April 2003, not far from the marina where he launched his boat on Christmas Eve for what he claims was a solo fishing trip. Defense lawyers maintain someone else abducted and killed Laci Peterson.
Grogan’s account had jurors leaning forward in their seats, scribbling notes as he made his points:
* “The dog tracking at the Berkeley Marina that indicated Laci Peterson’s scent was there.”
* “The defendant told us that he was at the Berkeley Marina.”
* “He had a two-day fishing license that was purchased on Dec. 20 and filled out for the 23rd and 24th.”
* “The fishing tackle in the boat … was freshwater tackle.”
* Peterson told some witnesses on the night his wife vanished that he had been golfing all day. “We considered that possibly that was what his initial alibi was meant to be.”
* Peterson loaded large umbrellas into the back of his pickup truck that Christmas Eve morning. “It would enable him to be able to explain to anyone seeing him load something in his truck.”
* Peterson had recently researched deep-water currents in the bay, as well as information on some lakes in the area.
* “The fact that he paid cash for the boat and didn’t register the boat.”
Grogan also detailed a February 2003 search of the Petersons’ home in which police discovered Peterson had packed bags ready for a trip. Stuffed in one pouch was his wedding ring, Grogan said. Police also found $2,081 in cash in the bags.
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