Judge: Peterson insurance funds go to Laci's mother

Sharon Rocha can collect $250,000 from an insurance policy on her daughter, Laci Peterson, it was decided Friday.

Stanislaus County Superior Court Judge Roger Beauchesne issued a tentative ruling Thursday, saying the money should go to Rocha, who is the executor of her daughter's estate.

No one from the Geragos & Geragos law firm of Los Angeles showed up to argue against that ruling Friday morning, a court official said, so it became final.

Scott Peterson's lawyers had previously argued that the money should not be distributed while their client's case is on appeal. Rocha's attorney said his client should not have to wait.

All death penalty cases are appealed to the California Supreme Court, and the process can take decades.

The judge said Scott Peterson has no claim to the money because he has been convicted of murdering his wife and unborn son. State law says murderers forfeit their rights as beneficiaries.

This story was originally published October 22, 2005 at 8:20 AM with the headline "Judge: Peterson insurance funds go to Laci's mother."