Nearly 20 years later, the world remains captivated by the conviction that put Scott Peterson behind bars for the disappearance and murder of Laci Peterson and her unborn son Connor in December 2002.
The case and trial, which dominated headlines at the time, is the subject of a new Peacock documentary that marks the first sit-down interview with Scott since 2003. In "Face to Face with Scott Peterson," Peterson maintains his innocence in the murder only admitting his wrongdoings of infidelity - referencing his infamous affair with Amber Frey leading up to Laci's death.
"I was a total asshole to be having sex outside our marriage," he says in the documentary.
The new documentary also features The Innocence Project, which has been working with Peterson to overturn his conviction. They argue there wasn't enough evidence to put him behind bars. But what exactly was the evidence in the case and how has Peterson argued his innocence?
As the case is rehashed again in the public eye, here's a look back at all the evidence and claims from defense lawyers arguing Peterson's innocence:
Peterson's Fishing Alibi
Scott Peterson has the receipts for the boat ramp at Berkeley Marina, as well as cell phone records, that provide a timeline for his activities the day Laci went missing. He claims he woke up, watched Martha Stewart with Laci, and left to go fishing as she was preparing to walk their dog. Peterson drove over an hour to go fishing in his newly purchased boat, spent most of the day on the water, and returned to an empty home.
His defense is steadfast that these events accurately line up and prove Peterson hasn't been lying about his involvement in his wife's murder.
Witnesses Saw Laci Walking Her Dog
Multiple witnesses claimed to have seen Laci Peterson walking the family dog the day of her disappearance. Several people told police at the time that they saw a pregnant woman walking a dog in the area of their home.
These eyewitness claims, according to the defense, prove Peterson's statement that Laci was home when he left to go fishing and therefore he couldn't have committed the murder.
The Theory Laci is a Burglary Victim
Another argument used by the defense to raise doubts about Peterson's guilt, is that Laci may have been the victim of a kidnapping after witnessing a burglary that took place across the street on the day of her disappearance.
"There was a burglary across the street from our home," Peterson says in the new documentary. "And I believe that Laci went over there to see what was going on, and that's when she was taken."
The kidnapping theory emerged after witnesses told police that they saw a pregnant woman being forced into a suspicious van near the Peterson home on the day Laci disappeared, December 24, 2002.
There was indeed a burglary near the time of Laci's disappearance, but the time of the crime remains contested. Peterson has suggested she witnessed the crime while walking her dog that afternoon and was kidnapped. However, authorities maintain that the burglary actually took place two days after she went missing, on December 26.
Claims New DNA Testing Will Clear Peterson's Name
Earlier this year, Peterson's defense filed a motion requesting further DNA testing of evidence, including a bloodstained mattress found in a burnt van and duct tape found on Laci Peterson's body.
His team suggests a burned-out van found in the Modesto area could have been the crime scene where Laci was killed. They claim new DNA testing could place her at that scene or reveal new suspects.
What's Next for Scott Peterson?
The new documentary adds to an ongoing fight by Peterson and his team to obtain a new trial. The Innocence Project and attorneys have expressed that they'll continue to argue the trial is based on circumstantial evidence and Peterson's conviction should be overturned. So far, Peterson's requests for a new case have been consistently overturned.
