SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — California prison inmate Scott Peterson was injured at Mule Creek State Prison on Sunday, prison officials said.
The convicted murderer was involved in an “incident with another person” and suffered “minor injuries” on March 9, a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation spokesperson told NewsNation affiliate KRON.
Peterson, 52, continues to be incarcerated in Mule Creek State Prison, the CDCR spokesperson said.
The infamous inmate allegedly got into a heated confrontation with another inmate while he was playing pickleball in the yard, TMZ reported. The confrontation turned into a physical fight.
What happened in the Scott Peterson case?
A San Mateo County jury convicted Peterson two decades ago of murdering his pregnant wife, Laci, and their unborn son, Conner. Laci was murdered in Modesto on December 24, 2002. Prosecutors said Peterson dumped Laci’s body from his fishing boat into the San Francisco Bay.
Peterson has never admitted to killing his wife. He is currently represented by Los Angeles Innocence Project attorneys who say mishandled or overlooked evidence could possibly exonerate him.
Judge grants DNA testing of piece of evidence in Scott Peterson case
In May 2024, a judge agreed to allow new DNA testing on a piece of evidence in the Peterson case.
San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Hill ruled that a piece of tape found on Laci’s pants could be reexamined using modern DNA technology. The item was tested in 2004, but only found traces of genetic material that was too small for conclusive results.
The judge did deny other requests for additional DNA testing, including:
- Two items from Peterson’s vehicle that were previously tested
- A hammer and glove from an unrelated burglary
- A strand of twine found around the couple’s unborn son
Scott Peterson wins access to evidence in bid for new trial
San Mateo County Judge Elizabeth Hill released a ruling in October 2024, addressing the Los Angeles Innocence Project’s request for access to hundreds of pieces of evidence.
Peterson’s family has been working for years to get him a new trial. His sister-in-law Janey Peterson has maintained Peterson’s innocence, collecting photos and evidence to help build a timeline. She believes a burglary that happened across the street might be connected.
His family says the burglars are the ones who dumped her body into the San Francisco Bay, knowing a fishing trip was Peterson’s only alibi.
Peterson’s defense team was given access to audio and video recordings of Modesto Police Department interviews with two men who were suspects in the burglary, as well as any handwritten notes taken by Modesto police officers who interviewed them.
Peterson is serving a life prison sentence without the possibility of parole.