Peterson Case Timeline

UPDATED: April 27, 2004

Dec.23: Laci Peterson spoke briefly to her mother Sharon Rocha at approximately 8:30 pm. This is the last confirmed time that Laci was definately still alive.

Dec. 24 : She was first discovered missing at around 5pm PST and a reward was offered for information leading to her wherabouts.

Dec 25: News of the disappearance of the twenty-eight year old, 7 1/2 month pregnant Modesto, CA woman began to be aired on public television stations nationwide.

Dec. 30 : The reward in the case grew to $500,000.

Dec. 31 : Investigators said they suspected foul play in the case.

Jan. 2 : Divers looked for Laci's body and then ruled out future searches at the Berkeley Marina.

Jan. 8 : Divers returned to the Berkeley Marina.

Jan. 9 : Sonar equipment detected an object in the water and investigators admitted it could be a human body.

Jan. 10 : Dive search teams recover submerged anchor, not human body from water at Berkeley Marina.

Jan. 13 : Investigators shift focus but don't say where they are searching.

Jan. 14 : Volunteers begin set up of search headquarters in Los Angeles.

Jan. 16 : Scott Peterson talks to NBC11's Jodi Hernandez.

Jan. 17 : The Modesto volunteer center is closed and Laci's family issues a statement after reports emerge that Modesto police had shown the family photographs of Scott with another woman. Plans for an L.A. center are cancelled.

Jan. 19 : Scott Peterson's immediate family opens an L.A. volunteer center for a one day effort -- 240 volunteers distribute fliers and offer support.

Jan. 20 : Scott's sister, Janey, speaks to NBC's Matt Lauer about his family's continuing support for him. Modesto police confirm Scott called to report a burglary Sunday night.

Jan. 21 : Scott meets with his bosses for more than an hour who visit from Europe to offer their support.

Jan. 23 : Modesto police report they know who burglarized the Peterson home, items are returned. The suspect is known to the Petersons.

Jan. 25 : Laci Peterson's family makes an emotional plea in a televised press conference for her return. Later Friday, Scott Peterson's recent girlfriend Amber Frey also makes a public statement at the Modesto Police Department.

Jan. 28 : Scott Peterson admits on national TV that he had an extramarital affair but said he had nothing to do with his wife's disappearance.

Jan. 29 : Scott Peterson speaks to NBC11's Jodi Hernandez.

Feb. 4 : Source of Laci Peterson's family says Scott sold Laci's Range Rover.

Feb. 8 : Volunteers search a canal west of Modesto for Laci.

Feb. 10 : Friends remember Laci on the due date of her baby, Feb. 10

Feb. 17 : Scott Peterson's mother defends her son

Feb. 18 : The Modesto police plan to search Scott Peterson's home

Feb. 20 : Police conclude two-day search of Scott Peterson's home

Feb. 21 : Laci Peterson's family plans another Saturday volunteer search

Feb. 28 : Scott Peterson's father says police ignored witness reports

Mar. 5 : A private investigator claims clues found near river

Mar. 6 : Modesto Police and Laci's family admit case now considered a homicide investigation, reward fund changes

Mar. 12 : Media helicopters spot search crews on Point Richmond. Police say it is a routine search.

Apr. 14 : An unidentified female body is found on the Richmond shore. A full-term fetus was found the day before.

Apr. 18 : Modesto police holds a press conference to announce a significant change in Laci Peterson investigation.

Apr. 18 : Modesto police announce arrest of Scott Peterson as Attorney General confirms bodies Laci, son Connor.

Apr. 18 : Scott Peterson arrested in San Diego, driven back to Modesto, spends weekend in jail.

Apr. 21 : Scott Peterson pleads not guilty to charges of murdering his wife and unborn son.

Apr. 21 : Laci Peterson's family holds press conference. The family thanked police, friends and strangers for the support they have received in the months since their daughter's disappearance.

Apr. 25 : After meeting with members of Laci Peterson's family, Stanislaus County District Attorney James Brazelton announced that he will seek the death penalty against Scott Peterson.

Apr. 28 : In an exclusive interview with NBC11's Karen Brown, Laci Peterson's father, Dennis Rocha speaks about how difficult it has been for Laci's family. "We'll never be the same without Laci," Rocha said. "It took a big chunk out of us. There is a big whole left there now."

Apr. 29 : A spokeswoman for the First Baptist Church announced that the memorial service Laci Peterson and her unborn son is scheduled for Sunday, May 4, at 3 p.m.

May 2 : High-profile lawyer Mark Geragos takes over as Scott Peterson's lawyer

May 4 : Laci Peterson's memorial draws thousands of people to the First Baptist Church in Modesto.

May 9 : Judge Al Girolami sealed court papers that contained evidence police used to get a warrant to arrest Scott Peterson and to conduct another search after his arrest.

May 9 : NBC11 News learned that investigators used wiretaps to record Scott Peterson's phone conversations two weeks after Laci Peterson was reported missing.

May 15 : Laci Peterson's autopsy completed, then sealed.

May 16 : Peterson's lawyers float "Satanic" theory.

May 19 : Amber Frey, Scott's former mistress, hires prominent attorney.

May 22 : As search continues in Bay, Peterson's attorneys claim to have located a "mystery woman" to help solve case.

May 27 : Peterson appears in court sporting a new haircut.

May 29 : Portions of Conner Peterson's autopsy leaked to the press. Report: Plastic found wrapped around baby's neck.

May 30 : Rocha family retrieves items from the Peterson home including a crib.

June 2, 2003: Peterson Attorney To Try To Remove DA's Office From Case

June 4, 2003: D.A.: Van Not Connected To Peterson Murders

July 9, 2003: Judge Denies Peterson Access To SF Files

July 22, 2003: Peterson's Attorney Wants Closed Preliminary Hearing

July 30, 2003: Appeals Court Halts Unsealing Papers In Peterson Case

Aug. 12, 2003: Scott Peterson's attorneys and forensic experts examine the remains of Laci Peterson and the couple's unborn son in Martinez. They say they are hoping to find evidence that will clear the Modesto man of murder charges.

Aug. 14, 2003: A judge denied a request that the public be excluded from a preliminary hearing in the double murder trial of Scott Peterson.

Aug. 22, 2003: The remains of Laci Peterson and her unborn son, Conner will be released to her family.

Aug. 28, 2003: People magazine analyzed facts and talked to several sources in their investigation into the Laci and Scott Peterson case. The magazine says the physical condition of the baby's body suggests he may have died at a later time than Laci - and could have been full-term.

Aug. 30, 2003: More than eight months after disappearing, Laci Peterson and her unborn son have been buried. About 250 people attended the ceremony. Scott Peterson and his family were not among them.

Sept. 2, 2003: The preliminary hearing in Scott Peterson's double-murder trial was postponed until late next month to give the defense more time to review evidence.

Sept. 19, 2003: Police searched the water looking for clues in the Laci Peterson case, but because of a gag order in the case, little was known about what they were searching for.

Sept. 22, 2003: A Fresno inmate claims he met with Scott Peterson and told him who to contact to have his wife, Laci, kidnapped a month before her disappearance.

Sept. 26, 2003: Sharon Rocha, Laci Peterson's mother, filed a lawsuit Friday against Scott Peterson that would prevent him from getting future profits from book or movie deals.

Oct. 29, 2003: Scott Peterson returned to court for his preliminary hearing.

Oct. 29, 2003: Modesto Police released new evidence in the case of Laci Peterson at Scott Peterson's preliminary hearing.

Oct. 29, 2003: A hearing to determine whether Scott Peterson should stand trial began with a DNA expert discussing disputed analysis used on hair found on a pair of pliers on Peterson's boat.

Oct. 30, 2003: Round two of the preliminary hearing for Scott Peterson got with more testimony from experts focusing on a controversial DNA test done on a hair found on a pair of pliers.

Oct. 30, 2003: Scott Peterson's lawyer opened the second day of Peterson's preliminary hearing by grilling an FBI lab expert. Oct. 31, 2003: Family members from both Laci and Scott Peterson's family testified in court.

Nov. 3, 2003: Opposing sides continue to debate the reliability of a DNA test that prosecutors say proves a hair found on Scott Peterson's boat belongs to Laci.

Nov. 4, 2003: A Modesto police officer, the first to investigate Laci Peterson's disappearance, told attorneys he saw a bucket and two mops in front of the Peterson home when he arrived to talk with Scott Peterson.

Nov. 5, 2003: There is a delay in Scott Peterson's preliminary hearing so his attorney can work on another murder case.

Nov. 6, 2003: A police officer testified that on the day Scott Peterson bought the fishing boat that would provide his alibi when his pregnant wife vanished two weeks later, Peterson told his mistress he was a widower planning his first Christmas alone.

Nov. 12, 2003: An FBI scientist defended the forensic evidence offered by a co-worker that linked Laci Peterson to a hair found in a boat her husband said he took fishing the day she disappeared.

Nov. 13, 2003: In their efforts to find Laci Peterson, detectives turned to Scott Peterson's friends, neighbors and mistress for help in snaring him.

Nov. 13, 2003: Scott Peterson's defense attorney attacked the testimony of one of the lead investigators in the Laci Peterson disappearance, suggesting the detective focused on the missing woman's husband to the exclusion of anyone else.

Nov. 14, 2003: Detective Al Brocchini told the court a surveillance team witnessed Scott Peterson drive from Modesto to the Marina where he stared out at the Bay for several minutes and then left. Brocchini said Peterson made two of those trips in a rental car. Meanwhile, the remains of Laci Peterson washed ashore in San Francisco Bay clad in tan pants -- not the black pants her husband reported she was wearing when he went fishing on Christmas Eve.

Nov. 17, 2003: A judge ruled that prosecutors can use mitochondrial DNA extracted from hair found in Scott Peterson's boat in their attempt to prove he killed his pregnant wife and dumped her body in San Francisco Bay.

Nov. 18, 2003: Peterson Preliminary Trial Ends With Gruesome Testimony

Nov. 18, 2003: A Stanislaus County Superior Court judge is ordering Scott Peterson to stand trial on two counts of first-degree murder for the death of his wife Laci Peterson and her unborn son.

Nov. 20, 2003: NBC11 News reports Mark Geragos, who is also representing pop star Michael Jackson in a child molestation case, may face challenges balancing the two high profile cases.

Dec. 1, 2003: The Modesto community where Laci and Scott lived has mixed reactions to the filming of the Hollywood movie about Laci Peterson's murder.

Dec. 2, 2003: Scott Peterson awaits formal charges.

Dec. 4, 2003: Legal experts say Peterson's trial start date, scheduled for Jan. 26, 2004, could be delayed and may take up to six months.

Dec. 12, 2003: Peterson's legal team works to have trial moved out of Modesto because, they say, he can not get a fair trial in the community where Laci was so loved.

Dec. 24, 2003: Peterson case reaches a milestone - one year since the pregnant woman disappeared.

Jan 8, 2004: Judge rules to move trial out of Modesto.

Jan 20: Judge decides to move trial to San Mateo County. Trial start date remains Jan. 26.

Jan 21: State appoints Judge Richard Arnason, an 82-year-old retired judge, to preside over trial.

Jan 22: Peterson's attorneys exercised their authority to remove the Arnason, saying he was biased against them.

Jan 23: Peterson is transferred to a cell at the San Mateo County Jail, the county in which the trial will be held.

Jan 26: San Mateo County leaders express concern over the costs of holding the high-profile trial in their county

Jan 27: Judge Alfred Delucchi is named to preside over the trial.

Jan 29: Both sides of the case request that cameras be kept out of the courtroom during the trial.

Feb. 2: Peterson's double-murder case goes to court with lawyers for both sides set to discuss a series of legal issues. During the brief hearing, the judge ruled cameras will not be allowed in the courtroom.

Feb. 5: A woman who claimed she saw Laci walking her dog on Christmas Eve dies of natural causes.

Feb. 10: Laci Peterson's family says the cable movie about the murder could taint the jury pool.

Feb. 11: Rocha family civil lawsuit against Scott Peterson begins.

Feb. 17: Judge rules evidence gathered from global positioning satellite devices will be allowed in the trial.

Feb. 18: The debate begins over whether information gathered from wiretaps placed on Peterson's phones will be allowed as evidence.

Feb. 23: Judge rules lawyers defending Peterson cannot call as a witness a second judge who let investigators wiretap Peterson's phones.

Feb. 24: Peterson faces allegations that he had at least two relationships during his marriage to Laci and that he lied to reporters.

Feb. 24: Prosecutors begin questioning a dog trainer whose bloodhound tracked Laci Peterson's scent. Testimony continues on following days from various dog experts.

Feb. 25: Judge says he expects Peterson trial will last five months.

Feb. 26: Judge rules jurors will not be sequestered during Peterson trial.

Feb. 27: Dogs searching for Laci Peterson's scent at the Berkeley Marina came up with contradictory results on the same day, a witness testified Thursday, raising questions about the reliability of tracking evidence that prosecutors want used in her husband's double-murder trial.

Feb 28: Scott Peterson's father and girlfriend for a short time were listed in a prosecution wiretap document as "target subjects" and possible "co-conspirators."

March 1: Former prosecution wiretap expert testifying for defense
Ruling expected soon on wiretaps

March 3: Wiretap experts who previously helped authorities build a double-murder case against Scott Peterson testified Monday behind closed doors -- for the defense.

March 4: Jurors likely to hear a recording of Scott Peterson talking on the telephone with his girlfriend.

March 4: An investigation into survey fabrication allegations by criminal justice students at California State University, Stanislaus, is progressing, according to a university spokesman.

March 5: Almost 200 prospective jurors got their first glimpse of murder defendant Scott Peterson on Thursday before going to work on lengthy questionnaires designed to gauge whether they're suitable to decide his fate.

March 9: The judge in Scott Peterson's capital murder case said Monday he expects to find enough suitable jurors in San Mateo County to hold a trial here, despite massive publicity

March 10: Scott Peterson's attorney said he plans to ask a judge to take steps to counter alleged bias in San Mateo County, including moving the double-murder trial a second time.

March 11: A key prosecution witness, Scott Peterson's girlfriend at the time his wife disappeared, is due to give birth in late April, when testimony could begin in the Modesto man's double-murder trial.

March 12: Stanislaus County would have to put out $1.4 million before receiving state aid for the Scott Peterson double-murder trial, under a plan approved by a Senate budget subcommittee Thursday.

March 13: A videocassette with footage Scott or Laci Peterson likely took in 2002 was stolen from their home shortly after she disappeared, the man who found it said police told him.

March 9: Scott Peterson's attorney has yet to file a motion asking a judge to move his double-murder trial a second time, despite saying those documents would be filed Monday.

March 21: Without opening their mouths or writing a word on jury questionnaires, dozens of potential jurors practically assured themselves they won't sit in judgment of Scott Peterson.

March 22: The judge overseeing Scott Peterson's murder trial has posed the question to each group of potential jurors.

March 23: Scott Peterson's statements to the media about an affair and his actions the day his wife disappeared will be allowed as evidence in his trial on double-murder charges, a judge ruled Monday.

March 24: A judge Tuesday decided to keep juror questionnaires from the public in Scott Peterson's trial, saying publicity in the case has surpassed that of the Charles Manson and O.J. Simpson cases.

March 25: Scott Peterson's attorney continued to chafe Wednesday at Judge Alfred Delucchi's procedure for selecting jurors in the murder trial.

March 26: Scott Peterson's attorney Thursday characterized jury selection in the trial as "painstaking" and said changes were needed.

March 29: Six potential jurors dismissed

March 30: Three more people qualified Monday as jurors in Scott Peterson's double-murder trial, bringing the total to 13 since jury selection began a week ago.

March 31: In a move that stunned a crowded courtroom, Scott Peterson's lawyer on accused a gray-haired woman of bragging that she would lie to get on the Modesto man's jury so that she could "get him."

April 2: President Bush signed Laci and Conner's law on Thursday, giving Laci Peterson's loved ones some statutory satisfaction.

April 6: Two more prospective jurors, a financial services recruiter and a high school teacher qualified Monday for Scott Peterson's double-murder trial

April 7: Five people, including a 911 dispatcher married to a San Francisco police officer, qualified Tuesday to sit as jurors in Scott Peterson's murder trial, equaling the largest daily total to date in the case.

April 8: A former insurance worker, a computer engineer and a 20-year-old charged with a felony qualified Wednesday to join the pool of prospective jurors for Scott Peterson's double-murder trial.

April 9: Four people qualified Thursday to sit as jurors on Scott Peterson's double-murder trial: a bank supervisor, a pilot, an immigrant from Russia and a mother who described a made-for TV movie loosely based on the case as "disgusting."

April 13: A former Modesto politician whose late wife was a potential witness for Scott Peterson's defense has been summoned to testify for the other side.

April 14: The judge in Scott Peterson's double-murder trial Tuesday dismissed a woman the defense had accused of lying to get on the jury so Peterson would "get what's due him."

April 15: A second prospective juror in Scott Peterson's double-murder trial was dismissed Wednesday after Peterson's attorney accused the woman of lying to get on the case to "fry" his client.

April 16: Peterson's lead attorney, Mark Geragos, renewed his call to move the trial after accusing two women of lying to get on the jury and saying others like them had yet to be caught.

April 17: A Modesto man who repeatedly has said he spotted Laci Peterson at a time when authorities believe she was dead has come forward with new information that he initially planned to reveal only at Scott Peterson's trial.

April 20: Scott Peterson's mother and one of his sisters-in-law visited him in court Monday, the first time family members from either side of the case have come to court during jury selection in the double-murder case.

April 21: A prospective juror used the word "creepy" Tuesday to describe what it was like when Judge Alfred Delucchi introduced Modesto murder defendant Scott Peterson in court.

April 22: Scott Peterson and his attorneys held a lengthy closed session Wednesday with the judge in the double-murder trial.

April 23: Only one person qualified Thursday for the final phase of jury selection in Scott Peterson's double-murder trial.

April 24: A Modesto woman said she saw a tarp covering a large object in a fishing boat Scott Peterson pulled with his pickup early Christmas Eve 2002.