Scott Peterson Speaks Out From Jail, 20 Years After Wife's Murder
Scott Peterson, convicted of murdering his pregnant wife Laci and their unborn son Conner, has maintained his innocence for more than 20 years. Now, in the Peacock® docuseries "Face to Face with Scott Peterson," he shares his side of the story. The documentary provides shocking insights into Peterson's memories, regrets and accusations. Here are seven jaw-dropping revelations from his candid interview.
1. 'I didn't kill my family.'
Right from the start, Peterson leaves no room for ambiguity. "I didn't kill my family," he boldly declares in the opening moments. For someone serving life without parole, this statement feels as much like a plea as it does a defiant rejection of guilt. He claims that speaking out now is not just for himself but for his loved ones.
"Maybe that takes a little bit of hurt off my family," he says, according to LATimes.com. Peterson makes it clear that his main goal is to clear his name — not for public redemption, but to bring peace to those who still support him.
2. Silence at his trial haunts him to this day.
As reported by People.com, Peterson admits, "I regret not testifying" in the documentary, reflecting on how his silence at his 2004 trial left a vacuum for the prosecution to fill with damaging narratives. Peterson believes his decision allowed the jury and public to view him as cold and calculating. He insists that if he had taken the stand, he could have shared the "truth" about his innocence and possibly avoided his conviction.
3. He can't let go of the morning Laci disappeared.
The mundane details of Christmas Eve 2002 are seared into Peterson's memory. He vividly recalls Laci smiling as she styled her hair and how they shared a single cereal bowl for breakfast because they were "too lazy to do two bowls," as reported by People.com.
He describes leaving for a fishing trip, thinking he'd return to a cozy Christmas evening. "I drove away expecting to come back that afternoon ... and then my family was gone," he says in the documentary, according to LATimes.com. These tender moments stand in stark contrast to the gruesome tragedy that unfolded later.
4. The police bungled the investigation — according to Peterson.
Peterson doesn't hold back in criticizing law enforcement, accusing them of focusing solely on him while ignoring other leads. He points to a burglary near his home on the day Laci disappeared and a burned-out van found a mile away with a mattress that appeared stained.
"People want the answer they believed in to be the answer," he said according to LATimes.com, implying that investigators cherry-picked evidence to fit their narrative. The documentary examines these alternate leads, but the police deny neglecting credible evidence.
5. The Innocence Project thinks he might be right.
Peterson isn't fighting alone. The Los Angeles Innocence Project has taken on his case, claiming that new forensic testing could prove his innocence. The nonprofit has requested testing on 15 pieces of evidence, including duct tape found on Laci's body — but so far, only one item has been approved for retesting. Peterson hopes these efforts will unearth the truth and vindicate him, but critics argue that the circumstantial evidence already tells a damning story.
6. His affair with Amber Frey still haunts him.
Peterson's extramarital affair became the cornerstone of the prosecution's motive, portraying him as a man willing to kill to escape fatherhood and marriage. Peterson doesn't shy away from admitting his guilt as a cheater.
"I was a total a-hole," he says in the docuseries, as reported by LATimes.com. Peterson insists he hid the affair during the investigation to avoid distractions and keep the focus on finding Laci. Despite his shame, he pushes back against Frey's claims that their relationship was more serious than he says.
7. Was he planning to run? Peterson says 'No way.'
One of the most suspicious moments from the investigation came when police arrested Peterson in La Jolla, California, far from his Modesto home. His car contained $15,000 in cash, multiple phones, camping gear and Viagra, leading many to believe he was planning to flee to Mexico.
Peterson dismisses this idea. "I was never running from the police," he states according to People.com, though critics argue the evidence paints a different picture.
A New Chapter in an Unforgettable Case
Peterson's revelations in "Face to Face with Scott Peterson" may not change everyone's mind, but they add new layers to an already complex case. Whether you view the documentary as a plea for justice or a desperate attempt to rewrite history, it forces viewers to confront the enduring questions surrounding one of America's most infamous crimes.
References: Scott Peterson Shares Details of the Day He Last Saw His Wife Laci Alive: 'Little Things That Are Still with Me' (Exclusive) | In a new documentary, Scott Peterson presents alternate theory of his wife’s murder
