(NewsNation) — A California judge has wrapped up a hearing regarding convicted murderer Scott Peterson’s ongoing fight for a new trial.
Peterson, who attended the hearing via Zoom, is serving a life sentence for the 2002 killing of his pregnant wife Laci Peterson and their unborn son.
The most recent hearing began Monday and dealt with how DNA testing of a piece of duct tape found on Laci Peterson’s pants would proceed. The defense and prosecution agreed on a lab that would conduct the testing of this evidence.
The hearing also addressed the defense’s motion to access discovery materials.
Last fall, the LA Innocence Project took up Peterson’s case, saying there was an abundance of evidence Peterson never received while defending himself two decades ago. His current defense team is now requesting access to hundreds of items they say will exonerate Peterson.
The defense asked for 26 categories of items from police reports, recordings, emails and communications. The ask also includes evidence in the investigation into a burglary at the home of Peterson’s neighbors on the same day Laci Peterson disappeared, Christmas Eve 2002.
For nearly two days, lawyers on both sides painstakingly went over each piece of evidence in question one by one. Judge Elizabeth Hill patiently listened and asked her questions as to how it referred to the discovery motion under California Penal Code, 1054.9.
“This is critically important information, your honor. This is exculpatory. The defense was not provided, and the jury heard nothing about it,” said Paula Mitchell, director of the LA Innocence Project.
However, Stanislaus County Deputy District Attorney Ahnna Reicks said the defense is speculating.
“It’s speculation to go and search for items they cannot pinpoint. It’s a wish essentially,” she said.
Judge Hill is expected to submit a ruling in writing within three months regarding the discovery hearing.