Family evokes memories of Laci Peterson
Closed-door session on juror conduct delays sentencing phase
REDWOOD CITY, California (CNN) -- A number of jurors broke into sobs Tuesday as Laci Peterson's mother recalled her first Mother's Day without her daughter -- a day she spent lying on the floor crying.
"She was taken away from me," Sharon Rocha cried out in a loud voice. "Divorce is always an option, not murder."
Rocha was one of four family members to testify on the first day of the penalty phase of the trial of Scott Peterson, who was convicted November 12 of killing his 27-year-old wife and unborn son, Conner.
The same jury that convicted the former fertilizer salesman must now decide whether to sentence him to death or life in prison without parole. (Verdict)
Peterson, 32, sat expressionless throughout Tuesday's hearing.
Laci Peterson's stepfather, Ron Grantski, said "part of our hearts are gone" with the murder of Laci. "Nothing will ever be the same again."
Laci Peterson's half-sister, Amy, broke down: "I still can't imagine the rest of my life going on without her."
Brent Rocha said of his sister, "I've never heard her more excited than the day she called me to tell me she was pregnant. She was going to be a great mother."
In his opening statement, prosecutor David Harris told the six men and six women of the jury that they would learn what it was like for the family to wonder what happened to Laci, with her husband -- the person who killed her -- in their midst.
"The only appropriate and just penalty is death," Harris said.
Jurors appeared to be riveted as Harris gave his opening statement.
Peterson's defense attorneys reserved their opening statement until they present their side of the case.
Laci's and Conner's bodies washed ashore in April 2003, months after her reported disappearance on December 24, 2002.
Prosecutors maintain that Peterson killed his wife because he wanted to live as a freewheeling bachelor, and jurors heard hours of taped phone calls between him and massage therapist Amber Frey, his one-time mistress. In all, 184 witnesses testified during the 23-week trial.
The start of the penalty phase was delayed for nearly three hours Tuesday while Judge Alfred A Delucchi and attorneys for both sides met behind closed doors.
A bartender was subpoenaed by the defense and showed up with a lawyer to discuss potential juror misconduct with the judge.
Upon convening court, Delucchi said the matter had been resolved.
CNN's Ted Rowlands contributed to this report.
