The judge decided today. Heres the article from AOL News:
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. (March 16) - A judge formally sentenced Scott Peterson to death Wednesday after calling the murder of his pregnant wife, Laci, ''cruel, uncaring, heartless and callous.''
Judge Alfred A. Delucchi then allowed family members to speak, prompting a shouting match that led to Peterson's father storming out of the courtroom.
Lee Peterson yelled from the audience as Laci's brother, Brent Rocha, spoke to the court, saying ''Laci and Conner are the true victims here.''
''What a liar!'' Lee Peterson said before the judge admonished him and he left the courtroom. Jackie Peterson, Scott Peterson's mother, also interrupted Rocha but her voice was inaudible.
Scott Peterson, 32, was invited to make a statement. After several minutes of discussion with his attorneys, he declined.
Delucchi denied a defense request for a new trial before saying he agreed with the jury that ''death is warranted.''
''The court is satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant, Scott Lee Peterson, is guilty of first-degree murder'' and second degree, Delucchi said, adding that he found the killings ''were cruel, uncaring, heartless and callous.''
Peterson, shackled at the waist and wearing a dark suit, was escorted into court under heavy security.
He will be sent to death row at San Quentin State Prison outside San Francisco, the infamous lockup that overlooks the same bay where Laci Peterson's body was discarded.
He was convicted in November of first-degree murder in the killing of Laci and second-degree murder for the slaying of her fetus. A jury recommended the death penalty a month later.
Rocha spoke to Scott Peterson directly.
''I would hope that you regret the choices that you made. Maybe you don't,'' Rocha said. ''Did you really hate Laci and Conner that much or did you just dislike yourself?''
03-16-05 13:56 EST
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