**** Tape looped around fetus’s neck ****
Finding in Peterson case could be used to bolster defense theory on killings May 29 -- NBC News' Dan Abrams reports on disclosures about the body of fetus Conner Peterson.
NBC, MSNBC AND NEWS SERVICES MODESTO, Calif., May 29 — The body of the fetus found near its slain mother, Laci Peterson, on the shore of the San Francisco Bay had one and a half loops of plastic tape around its neck, according to a portion of the coroner’s report on the autopsy on the fetus obtained exclusively Thursday by NBC News. The finding could be used by the defense team for Scott Peterson, Laci’s husband, who is accused in her death, to bolster its theory that Laci and the fetus were killed in a satanic ritual.
TV report: Peterson baby's body had tape around its neck, large cut SACRAMENTO (AP) — An autopsy found that Laci Peterson's infant son had plastic tape wrapped around his neck and a significant cut across the shoulders, a source told The Associated Press on Thursday. Laci Peterson in an undated photo. Her husband, Scott, is accused of killing his wife and unborn son. AP Photo/The Modesto Bee
The information was first reported by MSNBC, which said it received a portion of the autopsy report done by the Contra Costa County coroner's office. A source close to the case, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the information to the AP.
The autopsy report indicated the baby had 1½ loops of plastic tape around his neck, MSNBC said. The network said it is possible the body was cut shoulder to shoulder and became wrapped in the tape during its long submersion in San Francisco Bay.
Stanislaus County prosecutors, who are handling the murder case against Peterson's husband, responded by saying they will withdraw their opposition to releasing the autopsy results, which are under court seal.
In a statement, District Attorney James Brazelton said "evidence in this case should be presented in court through the testimony of witnesses and not selectively leaked to the news media by unknown persons whom the press will not identify."
The Contra Costa County coroner's office refused to comment on the report.
Scott Peterson, 30, of Modesto, is accused of killing his wife and unborn son, whom the couple had planned to name Conner, on Dec. 23 or 24 in their home. His 27-year-old wife was eight months pregnant. The bodies washed up on the shore of San Francisco Bay last month.
Contra Costa County authorities completed the autopsies earlier this month but did not disclose the cause of death.
Peterson's attorney, Mark Geragos, would not comment on the MSNBC report. He said Superior Court Judge Al Girolami has "more than telegraphed that he does not want us commenting on the case."
Girolami had said he was considering a gag order to prevent news leaks.
Geragos has suggested that the victims were killed by members of a satanic cult. He has also hinted that a female mystery witness could lead authorities to the real killer and free Scott Peterson.
Plastic Noose? Tape Found Around Peterson Baby’s Neck, Also on Laci’s Body
May 29— Knotted plastic tape was wrapped around the neck of Laci Peterson's baby when the tiny body was found on a San Francisco Bay beach, sources close to the investigation told ABCNEWS.
There was also tape on the mother's body, which was discovered nearby a day after the baby's remains washed up, the sources said.
The tape was found outside Laci Peterson's clothing on her lower torso, they said.
Scott Peterson, of Modesto, Calif., had reported his wife missing on Dec. 24. She was eight months pregnant at the time.
The bodies of the male fetus and his 27-year-old mother were found separately on April 13 and 14, near the area where Scott Peterson said he had been fishing on the day his wife disappeared.
Peterson, 30, was arrested April 18 and held without bail. Although Peterson has acknowledged he was having an affair, he insists he never hurt his wife or the baby they planned to name Conner.
Peterson has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder in the deaths. He could face the death penalty if convicted.
‘Intended Victim’
When asked what the tape on the bodies might mean to the case, Robert Pugsley, a law professor at the Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles, told ABCNEWS Radio: "This 8-month-old fetus was the direct intended victim, as well as the mother, of the homicidal activities of the murderer.
"This is a clear indication that the state is perfectly justified — indeed, I think, obliged — to pursue the double-homicide case which they've already laid," he said.
But Dr. Robert Goldberg, a forensic pathologist in Marietta, Ga., said there are a lot of unanswered questions involving the tape, making it too early to tell if it means the baby was killed, or who the killer is.
"It could have been picked up as some artifact in the water," Goldberg said. "The child could have been dead before this occurred, and this could just be a connection to keep the child weighted down."
Royal Oakes, a Los Angeles-based attorney, said the tape revelation also presents possibilities for the defense.
"A defense attorney's strategy, faced with this kind of bizarre evidence, is essentially going to be, 'What does this have to do with my client? What evidence is there that Scott Peterson did these things?' " Oakes told ABCNEWS.
Peterson's defense team has raised the possibility that a satanic cult may have been involved in the deaths of Laci Peterson and her baby.
*** Does this give anyone pause ???? ***
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