The case of Laci and Scott Peterson is gaining renewed attention nearly two decades later with the release of a new Netflix docuseries titled “American Murder: Laci Peterson.”
In 2004, Scott Peterson was convicted of murdering his wife Laci and their unborn child, whom they intended to name Conner. He has consistently maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty.
The case captivated the media as authorities desperately searched for Laci Peterson for several months, during which time details of Scott Peterson’s extramarital affair surfaced.
Skye Borgman, the director of the docuseries, emphasized the importance of focusing on Laci Peterson rather than Scott. She noted that Laci’s story has often been overshadowed by the circumstances surrounding Scott, and she aimed to highlight both Laci and Conner in the documentary.
Borgman explained that as her team began revisiting the case, they realized it was still a relevant story to tell despite its historical context.
One major challenge for Borgman was distinguishing between fact and urban legend that had developed around the case over the years. She mentioned that the narrative had grown increasingly muddied, similar to a “telephone game,” where details often change through retelling.
The three-episode series includes interviews with Laci Peterson’s friends, family, Scott Peterson’s family, investigators, lawyers, and journalists who covered the case.
Scott Peterson, however, does not appear in the series. Borgman noted that while her team had reached out to him in prison, he declined the opportunity to participate. She stated that the absence of his interview did not detract from the series, which aimed to keep the focus on Laci.
A separate documentary titled “Face to Face with Scott Peterson” is scheduled to premiere on Peacock on August 20 and will feature his first interview in two decades. Borgman pointed out that this series seems to focus more on Scott’s claims of innocence, while her docuseries centers on Laci and the investigation.
Borgman highlighted the case’s significance in American history, particularly in the context of intimate partner violence that continues to affect many individuals. She referenced alarming statistics, noting that pregnant women are at a higher risk of murder than for complications related to childbirth.
The series is designed to educate new audiences about Laci Peterson’s story and the underlying issues of domestic violence. Borgman stressed the importance of ensuring that viewers feel close to Laci by the end of the series.
Laci Peterson was eight months pregnant when she disappeared on Christmas Eve in 2002. Scott Peterson claimed he was fishing on that day and returned home to find their dog but no sign of Laci. As law enforcement initiated a search, Scott engaged with the media for weeks, drawing significant attention to the case.
The situation intensified in January 2003 when details of Scott’s affair with Amber Frey emerged. Her revelations about their relationship made headlines, further complicating Scott’s narrative.
In April 2003, the bodies of Laci and Conner washed ashore in the San Francisco Bay, leading to Scott’s arrest in San Diego shortly afterward. He faced two counts of murder and maintained his not guilty plea.
Following a high-profile trial that began in June 2004, Scott was convicted of first-degree murder for Laci’s death and second-degree murder for Conner’s. He was sentenced to death in 2005, but the California Supreme Court overturned that sentence in 2020 due to errors during jury selection.
In 2021, Scott was resentenced to life in prison without parole, though his conviction was upheld. He continues to assert his innocence, and his case has been taken up by the Los Angeles Innocence Project, which argues that crucial evidence was overlooked during the trial.
A judge has recently ordered DNA testing on a piece of duct tape found on Laci’s clothing, a development that could potentially influence the case.
“American Murder: Laci Peterson” is set to premiere on Netflix on August 14, shortly before “Face to Face with Scott Peterson” airs on Peacock.