Peterson jury allowed to hear wiretaps
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Scott Peterson
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REDWOOD CITY, California (AP) -- Jurors in Scott Peterson's trial will hear evidence collected by investigators using wiretap listening devices, a judge ruled Tuesday.
Defense lawyers had argued investigators violated Peterson's attorney-client privilege when they listened to bits of conversations with his first attorney, Kirk McAllister.
Judge Alfred A. Delucchi was unswayed by the arguments, saying investigators followed proper procedures when monitoring the calls and any privileged information they heard was "so minimal to be of no consequence."
Peterson is charged in the death of his pregnant wife, Laci, and their unborn son. The bodies washed ashore in April along San Francisco Bay, not far from where Scott Peterson claims he was fishing on the day his wife vanished -- Christmas Eve, 2002.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin Thursday, when court officials will summon an initial 200 residents for questioning. Peterson could face the death penalty if convicted.
During the first few months of 2003, investigators monitored about 3,000 of Peterson's calls, including 76 between the former fertilizer salesman and his first attorney.
With both sides bound by a gag order, it's unclear exactly what evidence prosecutors plan to use from the wiretaps, but authorities have maintained they followed all federal guidelines when using the listening devices.
Copyright 2004 The
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