Judge Rejects Bid for Peterson Case Dismissal
A judge Thursday rejected a defense effort to derail Scott Peterson’s murder trial, denying motions for a mistrial or outright dismissal based on allegations that a detective lied on the witness stand.
Defense attorney Mark Geragos contended that the first investigator assigned to Laci Peterson’s disappearance was so determined to implicate her husband, he fabricated key testimony.
It was the first time in the trial that Geragos has asked for a dismissal but his third appeal for a mistrial -- requests Judge Alfred A. Delucchi quickly denied.
Geragos said Modesto Police Det. Allen Brocchini repeatedly lied under oath, most significantly about a tip that police received several days after the remains of Laci Peterson and the couple’s fetus washed up.
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