Testimony is graphic at hearing

Police investigators found evidence suggesting someone made several cement anchors in Scott Peterson's warehouse, a detective testified Monday, while a pathologist said it was possible but not likely that Peterson's son was born alive.

Missing anchors could be damning evidence against Peterson, while the possibility that his son was delivered by Caesarian section could undermine a prosecution argument that he murdered his wife when she was nearly eight months pregnant with their first child.

The developments in Stanislaus County Superior Court punctuated a day dominated by often graphic testimony from the forensic pathologist who performed autopsies on Peterson's wife and son.

The 31-year-old defendant asked to leave the courtroom before the doctor took the stand. Defense attorney Mark Geragos said he encouraged his client to waive his right to hear that particular testimony in his preliminary hearing on double-murder charges.

"I do not wish to be present during this witness," Peterson said in measured tones when Judge Al Girolami asked him if it was his choice to leave the courtroom.

Laci Peterson's family members, who have been in the front row for nearly every court session, did not appear until after that testimony was over.

Peterson's parents, Lee and Jackie Peterson, remained in the courtroom. During a particularly gruesome patch of testimony, Jackie Peterson dabbed her eyes with a tissue. The Petersons cringed as the medical examiner inadvertently showed the audience portions of large color autopsy photos.

Also Monday, a police computer investigator said Scott Peterson used his home computer in early December to research San Francisco Bay and Central Valley lakes and reservoirs. The expert acknowledged that Peterson visited a sport fishing Web site as well.

Prosecutors said they intend to finish presenting evidence and witnesses today. Defense attorneys said they may call no witnesses.

But that could change, Geragos said, after he hears what today's witnesses have to say. Scheduled are Modesto police Detective Jon Buehler and county district attorney investigator Steve Jacobson.

Buehler was law enforcement's chief contact with Amber Frey, Scott Peterson's girlfriend when his wife disappeared. Jacobson was in charge of wiretaps on Peterson's phones.

Judge rules on DNA tests

Girolami started Day 11 of the hearing by ruling he would allow results from a disputed DNA test into court if the case proceeds to trial.

The move was a blow to the defense, which maintains that police wrongly honed in on Scott Peterson after his pregnant wife was reported missing Christmas Eve.

Prosecutors contend Peterson murdered his wife and unborn son late Dec. 23 or early Dec. 24. They are seeking the death penalty.

Peterson told police he left his wife at about 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 24 to fish alone in San Francisco Bay. She was gone when he returned that afternoon, he said.

A Dec. 27 search of the Modesto warehouse that Peterson used in his work as a fertilizer salesman and where he stored his fishing boat turned up evidence suggesting the making of cement anchors, Detective Dodge Hendee testified Monday.

Police found what appeared to be cement powder along the edge of a flatbed trailer in the warehouse, Hendee said.

There were five patches "where there was a little less powder, a voided area, if you will, something had probably or most likely, in my opinion, been there," he said.

Investigators found a 1-gallon plastic pitcher nearby, Hendee said.