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Special Reports - The Peterson Case - Peterson: Trial Updates

Friday, Oct. 29, 2004

Judge: Lesser conviction allowable

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12:39 p.m.: REDWOOD - Jurors in Scott Peterson's murder trial can consider convicting him of second-degree murder, the judge in the case ruled this morning.

The ruling was a blow for the defense because of the possibility jurors could reach a compromise verdict on the lesser charge, legal analysts said.

Peterson is charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of his pregnant wife, Laci, and unborn son Conner.

Convictions on the second-degree charges could bring two sentences of 15 years-to-life in prison instead of the life without parole or death penalty prosecutors are seeking.

Prosecutors contend the killing was premeditated, hence the first-degree murder charge. But Judge Alfred Delucchi ruled this morning ruled that jurors would be instructed they could convict Peterson of the lesser charge if they felt the killings hadn't been premeditated.

Closing arguments in the case are scheduled for Monday and Tuesday .