Peterson judge rejects media request
REDWOOD CITY, California (CNN) -- Several California newspapers lost their plea Tuesday to see the completed questionnaires of potential jurors for Scott Peterson's murder trial.
Judge Alfred Delucchi denied the request after hearing arguments from both sides.
Both the defense and prosecution objected to the media motion, which would have made each questionnaire public after each potential juror's interview with the attorneys and judge.
"I'm tempted to say, 'OK, let it out,' " defense attorney Mark Geragos said. "Then I'll get my wish. We'll be somewhere else, and you know where."
Geragos was referring to his push to have the trial moved to Southern California on the grounds that it is impossible to obtain a fair trial near Peterson's Modesto home. (Full story)
Away from the Redwood City courtroom, where the trial was moved from Modesto, California Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald George refused to review an earlier ruling by Delucchi that barred cameras from the courtroom.
Seating the jury
After the questionnaire ruling, the attorneys returned to their attempts to seat a jury for the proceedings against Peterson, who is accused of killing his wife, Laci, and their unborn son, Conner.
The bodies of his wife and son washed up separately in April 2003 on the shore of San Francisco Bay, near where Peterson told police he had gone fishing December 24, 2002, the day he reported his wife missing.
A state wastewater inspector chosen Monday is the first of what will eventually be a group of 80 eligible jurors who could decide Scott Peterson's fate.
Five more people were added to the pool of potential jurors Tuesday, bringing to six the number qualified to hear the case against Peterson.
On the second day of jury selection, only two of the six prospective jurors who were questioned were dismissed for cause.
Questioning of the pool of 300 potential jurors is scheduled to last until May 6. Delucchi said lawyers on each side would be allowed peremptory challenges of up to 20 of the qualified jurors May 13, and said opening statements would likely be set for May 17.
Twelve jurors and six alternates are to be seated.
