Tragic irony crept into the courtroom Tuesday when a policeman recalled seeing a life preserver decoration bearing the message "Welcome aboard" in a nursery prepared for Conner Peterson. His body and that of his mother, Laci, were recovered along the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay, and authorities believe Scott Peterson used his boat to dispose of his pregnant wife's body.
Modesto police Detective Jon Evers also described a crib and hanging mobile in the nursery, which the Petersons had decorated with a nautical theme.
Elsewhere in the Covena Avenue home were presents under a Christmas tree, Evers said.
Defense attorney Kirk McAllister drew some laughs in the courtroom Tuesday with moments of sarcasm-tinged questioning. Referring to a lack of lights in the office at Scott Peterson's warehouse, McAllister asked: "Did you see a, you know, a miner's hat there that Mr. Peterson must have worn to do his work in the office?" Judge Al Girolami ruled that the question was argumentative.
Responding to a question from McAllister, Evers testified that he did not smell alcohol on Scott Peterson on Dec. 24. Evers was the first officer on the scene, having responded to a missing person call for Laci Peterson.
Investigators found Laci Peterson's keys, wallet and sunglasses in her purse in a closet at the home the evening of Dec. 24, Evers testified. He also said he saw no evidence of a struggle or forced entry at the Peterson home.
Although the preliminary hearing initially was scheduled to last about five days, court officers now -- after a fifth day of testimony -- expect it to stretch into next week.
Three days last week of packed courtrooms for the preliminary hearing have given way to less-than-capacity seating this week. About a dozen seats went empty Monday, and a few were open Tuesday, as well. A nearby press overflow room remained full, however, with 27 reporters Tuesday morning. Before the hearing started, a sheriff's representative offered to seat three more in the courtroom; only one journalist accepted the invitation.
This story was originally published November 5, 2003 at 11:43 AM with the headline "Day 5."
