Scott Peterson's parents bring compassion and feistiness to an already colorful tableau.

On Christmas Day, Lee and Jackie Peterson rushed to Modesto to be with the youngest of their seven children as word spread of his wife's disappearance. People close to the family say his parents were devastated at the thought of losing Laci.

When their son was arrested, Lee and Jackie Peterson became stalwart supporters of one of the nation's most notorious murder defendants -- and a crucial part of his uphill public rehabilitation campaign:

After state Attorney General Bill Lockyer uttered his "slam-dunk" assessment of the case against Scott Peterson, his mother was aghast. Time magazine quoted her as saying, "You have (Lockyer) calling this a slam-dunk before there's even an arraignment. I'm feeling like I'm living in Nazi Germany or the Soviet Union."

When Laci Peterson's family entered her home -- uninvited -- to remove item's such as Laci's wedding dress, a rocking chair and a crib, Lee Peterson equated the move to burglary.

The next time the Petersons came to Modesto, a hotel manager -- upset at Lee Peterson's television remarks -- wouldn't let them stay. When the manager went public with that story, the hotel showed him the door -- fueling another debate.

Lee and Jackie Peterson raised their family in San Diego and now live in nearby Solana Beach. They own San Diego Crating & Packing, a Poway shipping company.

Sources say the Petersons are helping to pay for their son's defense, which is expected to run in the millions of dollars.