Scott's Timeline
Scott Peterson is on death row for the murder of his wife Laci and unborn son, Conner. The prosecution's changing theories asserted that Scott killed Laci in their Modesto, CA home sometime between the evening of December 23rd and the morning of December 24th in 2002.
Scott was asked about the events of these days many times by many people. This timeline is assembled from 18 different sources including interviews with law enforcement and media, wire tapped phone calls and casual conversation.
This was not a rote story he told over and over from beginning to end. He told various people different pieces of what he and Laci had done on those days and all those pieces fit together perfectly with no contradiction. His story never changed, and over time, the evidence proved his story to be true. Not one of Scott’s statements surrounding the events of December 23rd or 24th was shown to be a lie.
Detective Brocchini with the Modesto Police Department testified that Scott quote, “Told me a lot of truth.” Not only does this timeline show how truthful Scott was about the events of December 23rd and 24th, but it also shows the lack of time he had to commit the crime he's convicted of.
Scott was asked about the events of these days many times by many people. This timeline is assembled from 18 different sources including interviews with law enforcement and media, wire tapped phone calls and casual conversation.
This was not a rote story he told over and over from beginning to end. He told various people different pieces of what he and Laci had done on those days and all those pieces fit together perfectly with no contradiction. His story never changed, and over time, the evidence proved his story to be true. Not one of Scott’s statements surrounding the events of December 23rd or 24th was shown to be a lie.
Detective Brocchini with the Modesto Police Department testified that Scott quote, “Told me a lot of truth.” Not only does this timeline show how truthful Scott was about the events of December 23rd and 24th, but it also shows the lack of time he had to commit the crime he's convicted of.
December 23rd, 2002
5:45-8:30pm
Scott said he and Laci went to Salon Salon where Laci's sister, Amy Rocha, worked and that Amy gave him a haircut.
Amy Rocha confirmed this to be true and added that she showed Laci how to "fun flip" her hair with a straightener. Amy testified that Scott invited her over for pizza that night, but she already had plans. Amy said Scott mentioned plans to golf in the morning and offered to pick up a gift basket for their papa at a store called Vella Farms. Amy Rocha told police that Laci was wearing tan pants and a black blouse with small flowers.
Scott said they then left the Salon and picked up Mountain Mike’s pizza on the way home. Once home, they ate the pizza and watched Monday night football.
8:30pm
Laci spoke with her mother, Sharon Rocha, on the phone to confirm their Christmas Eve dinner plans at Sharon’s the next day.
8:30-10:30pm
Scott said after Sharon's phone call, they continued watching football then watched the movie "The Rookie". Scott estimated they went to bed around 10:30 and that Laci wore his blue pajama bottoms to bed.
Amy Rocha later identified both the pants and blouse that Laci was wearing on December 23th during a February 18th search of the house. Laci’s clothing from the 23rd was accounted for after she went missing. She was not murdered or abducted in this clothing, which, unfortunately is presented as a fact in the made for TV movie, “The Perfect Husband”.
Scott said he and Laci went to Salon Salon where Laci's sister, Amy Rocha, worked and that Amy gave him a haircut.
Amy Rocha confirmed this to be true and added that she showed Laci how to "fun flip" her hair with a straightener. Amy testified that Scott invited her over for pizza that night, but she already had plans. Amy said Scott mentioned plans to golf in the morning and offered to pick up a gift basket for their papa at a store called Vella Farms. Amy Rocha told police that Laci was wearing tan pants and a black blouse with small flowers.
Scott said they then left the Salon and picked up Mountain Mike’s pizza on the way home. Once home, they ate the pizza and watched Monday night football.
8:30pm
Laci spoke with her mother, Sharon Rocha, on the phone to confirm their Christmas Eve dinner plans at Sharon’s the next day.
8:30-10:30pm
Scott said after Sharon's phone call, they continued watching football then watched the movie "The Rookie". Scott estimated they went to bed around 10:30 and that Laci wore his blue pajama bottoms to bed.
Amy Rocha later identified both the pants and blouse that Laci was wearing on December 23th during a February 18th search of the house. Laci’s clothing from the 23rd was accounted for after she went missing. She was not murdered or abducted in this clothing, which, unfortunately is presented as a fact in the made for TV movie, “The Perfect Husband”.
December 24th, 2002
7:00-8:39am
Scott estimated that Laci woke up about 7am. She got dressed and placed the blue pajama pants in the hamper. That is where they were found during a December 26th search of the house.
Scott said she ate right when she got up to avoid feeling sick, Laci’s mom confirmed this to be true.
Scott said Laci had already eaten cereal by the time he woke up around 8 or 8:30. She ate a piece of toast while he ate cereal. Scott said the cereal was Cinnamon Puffins from Trader Joe's. Receipts show Laci had purchased the cereal the day before.
Scott estimated that Laci woke up about 7am. She got dressed and placed the blue pajama pants in the hamper. That is where they were found during a December 26th search of the house.
Scott said she ate right when she got up to avoid feeling sick, Laci’s mom confirmed this to be true.
Scott said Laci had already eaten cereal by the time he woke up around 8 or 8:30. She ate a piece of toast while he ate cereal. Scott said the cereal was Cinnamon Puffins from Trader Joe's. Receipts show Laci had purchased the cereal the day before.
8:40-8:45am
At 8:40 Laci logged onto the computer in the spare bedroom while Scott was in the shower. The MSN home page, a weather site from Yahoo!, and two Yahoo! Shopping sites are accessed. One shopping site was for a red GAP scarf and the other a sunflower umbrella stand. Laci logged off at 8:45. An analysis of Laci's typical computer use could have been done to confirm that this was, in fact, Laci on the computer, but Detective Wall with the Modesto Police Department was never asked by the investigators in charge to do this analysis. This is evidence that Laci Peterson was still alive at 8:45am.
At 8:40 Laci logged onto the computer in the spare bedroom while Scott was in the shower. The MSN home page, a weather site from Yahoo!, and two Yahoo! Shopping sites are accessed. One shopping site was for a red GAP scarf and the other a sunflower umbrella stand. Laci logged off at 8:45. An analysis of Laci's typical computer use could have been done to confirm that this was, in fact, Laci on the computer, but Detective Wall with the Modesto Police Department was never asked by the investigators in charge to do this analysis. This is evidence that Laci Peterson was still alive at 8:45am.
8:46-9:47am - other morning activities at Peterson house:
As Scott got dressed, Laci told him about her plans for the day. She was going to walk the dog, go to the store, and make Gingerbread. She needed to buy bread for the French toast they were going to serve at their Christmas Brunch. When recalling this conversation, Scott called it "Cordon Bleu" French toast to one person and "Grand Marnier" French toast to another. Scott also mentioned that Laci had to marinate the French toast.
The recipe was on the kitchen counter. It was actually called Creme Brule French toast. The recipe called for Grand Marnier and the bread had to be marinated anywhere from 8-24 hours.
As Scott got dressed, Laci told him about her plans for the day. She was going to walk the dog, go to the store, and make Gingerbread. She needed to buy bread for the French toast they were going to serve at their Christmas Brunch. When recalling this conversation, Scott called it "Cordon Bleu" French toast to one person and "Grand Marnier" French toast to another. Scott also mentioned that Laci had to marinate the French toast.
The recipe was on the kitchen counter. It was actually called Creme Brule French toast. The recipe called for Grand Marnier and the bread had to be marinated anywhere from 8-24 hours.
In a recorded phone call with Laci’s mom, Scott described Laci that morning. He said, "that she (Laci) looked so cute because she was sitting on her bench in front of the mirror styling her hair the way Amy had shown her."
This photo, taken the evening Laci disappeared, shows Laci's curling iron on the bathroom counter with the cord extended toward the outlet near the toilet. The housekeeper, Margarita Nava, who was there the day before, testified that nothing was out on the bathroom counter and no bench was in the bathroom when she left. This is evidence that Laci was still alive and curling her hair.
This photo, taken the evening Laci disappeared, shows Laci's curling iron on the bathroom counter with the cord extended toward the outlet near the toilet. The housekeeper, Margarita Nava, who was there the day before, testified that nothing was out on the bathroom counter and no bench was in the bathroom when she left. This is evidence that Laci was still alive and curling her hair.
Scott said he loaded three patio umbrellas from the back yard into the bed of his truck. He was going to store them at his warehouse. Neighbor Kristen Dempewolf walked by while Scott was loading the umbrellas. She said Scott was smiling and called out, “Good Morning” to her.
Scott then went back in the house and filled the mop bucket for Laci so she could mop the floor.
9:48am
Scott told Detective Brocchini that he and Laci were first watching the Today Show and then had Martha Stewart on. Scott remembered seeing something on Martha Stewart about meringue and cookies.
Cookies and meringue were, in fact, mentioned on Martha Stewart on December 24th at 9:48am. You have to ask why Martha Stewart is on if Laci is not alive.
9:48am
Scott told Detective Brocchini that he and Laci were first watching the Today Show and then had Martha Stewart on. Scott remembered seeing something on Martha Stewart about meringue and cookies.
Cookies and meringue were, in fact, mentioned on Martha Stewart on December 24th at 9:48am. You have to ask why Martha Stewart is on if Laci is not alive.
9:49-10:30
Scott then said he left out the side French doors for work while Laci was mopping. Scott gave various estimates for when he left home, all falling between 9:30 and 10:30. He made the nine minute drive to his warehouse, checking the voicemail on his cell phone at 10:08am. Scott parked at his office and entered through the pedestrian door.
Scott then said he left out the side French doors for work while Laci was mopping. Scott gave various estimates for when he left home, all falling between 9:30 and 10:30. He made the nine minute drive to his warehouse, checking the voicemail on his cell phone at 10:08am. Scott parked at his office and entered through the pedestrian door.
10:30-10:56am
Scott told the police that he checked his e-mail and sent one e-mail to his boss, who had left him the earlier voicemail.
Computer forensics showed Scott continuously logged onto his work computer for 26 minutes between 10:30 and 10:56. He checked e-mail, sent e-mail, and looked up instructions on how to assemble a wood working tool called a mortiser that he had just received via UPS.
Scott told the police that he checked his e-mail and sent one e-mail to his boss, who had left him the earlier voicemail.
Computer forensics showed Scott continuously logged onto his work computer for 26 minutes between 10:30 and 10:56. He checked e-mail, sent e-mail, and looked up instructions on how to assemble a wood working tool called a mortiser that he had just received via UPS.
10:57-11:17am
There’s approximately 20 minutes from when Scott logged off the computer to when he left the warehouse. Scott said during this time, he cleaned up the office a bit and began assembling the mortiser. He opened the roll up door to the warehouse and unloaded some tools from the tool box in the bed of his truck. While doing so, he cut his knuckle on the tool box. He then opened the driver’s side door of his truck to get a napkin and thought that maybe his blood would be found there.
To support Scott’s statements, evidence showed that Scott had just received the mortiser on December 20th and the mortiser was found assembled on a trailer in Scott's warehouse.
Forensic testing also showed one drop of Scott's blood on his car door.
There’s approximately 20 minutes from when Scott logged off the computer to when he left the warehouse. Scott said during this time, he cleaned up the office a bit and began assembling the mortiser. He opened the roll up door to the warehouse and unloaded some tools from the tool box in the bed of his truck. While doing so, he cut his knuckle on the tool box. He then opened the driver’s side door of his truck to get a napkin and thought that maybe his blood would be found there.
To support Scott’s statements, evidence showed that Scott had just received the mortiser on December 20th and the mortiser was found assembled on a trailer in Scott's warehouse.
Forensic testing also showed one drop of Scott's blood on his car door.
Please note: There is no room in the warehouse for Scott to pull his truck in and close the warehouse door so he can carry out criminal activity. If Scott had murdered Laci, he would have been transferring her body from his truck to the boat in broad day light at his office complex.
Scott said he felt it was too cold to golf so he decided to head to the Berkeley Marina to try out his new fishing boat. Scott backed up his truck, hooked up the boat, and pulled it out of the warehouse. He then had to close the rollup door to the warehouse from the inside and exit back out the pedestrian door through the office.
11:18-12:54pm
Scott left the warehouse about 11:18 to drive to the Berkeley Marina. He thought it took him an hour and a half to get there, maybe a little longer because he was pulling a trailer.
Supporting Scott’s statement, Yahoo maps shows it is one hour and 36 minute drive to the Berkeley Marina.
Scott purchased a boat launch ticket at 12:54 when he arrived at the Berkeley Marina. Scott gave this receipt to the police the evening of Dec. 24th when they asked him if he had any proof he'd been at the marina.
Scott left the warehouse about 11:18 to drive to the Berkeley Marina. He thought it took him an hour and a half to get there, maybe a little longer because he was pulling a trailer.
Supporting Scott’s statement, Yahoo maps shows it is one hour and 36 minute drive to the Berkeley Marina.
Scott purchased a boat launch ticket at 12:54 when he arrived at the Berkeley Marina. Scott gave this receipt to the police the evening of Dec. 24th when they asked him if he had any proof he'd been at the marina.
12:55-2:11pm
Scott then launched his boat. He told police he motored north for probably 2 miles. That he was near a little island that had a bunch of trash on it. He saw a big sign that said "No Landing" and there were some broken piers. He assumed it would be a decent shallow area. He had forgotten some new lures he’d purchased from Big 5 in his truck, so he used some fresh water jigs from his tackle box. He trolled a bit and then headed back to the marina because he was getting wet.
Fitting Scott's description, the island described turned out to be Brooks Island. Evidence photos show the trash, the piers and the "No Landing" sign. Prosecution witnesses also confirmed the area to be shallow.
Scott then launched his boat. He told police he motored north for probably 2 miles. That he was near a little island that had a bunch of trash on it. He saw a big sign that said "No Landing" and there were some broken piers. He assumed it would be a decent shallow area. He had forgotten some new lures he’d purchased from Big 5 in his truck, so he used some fresh water jigs from his tackle box. He trolled a bit and then headed back to the marina because he was getting wet.
Fitting Scott's description, the island described turned out to be Brooks Island. Evidence photos show the trash, the piers and the "No Landing" sign. Prosecution witnesses also confirmed the area to be shallow.
Scott's Big 5 bag containing his new lures was found by the police in his truck the evening of December 24th, confirming his statement that he had left them there. The fishing pole Scott purchased on December 20th had a fresh water jig on it and the tag for the pole was in the bottom of the boat. Scott was in fact, fishing while out on the bay.
When Scott arrived back at the marina, he said he talked to a couple of guys about fishing and that a couple maintenance guys got a good laugh from him trying to back his trailer down the ramp to load the boat.
Detective Rick Armendariz interviewed a maintenance worker Mike Ilvestri on December 27th, 2002. He confirmed seeing Scott’s vehicle and that the driver was having trouble backing the trailer in to get the boat out of the water.
Scott estimated being at the bay for about 90 minutes. From the time Scott bought the ticket to when his cell phone records show him leaving the area is about 78 minutes.
2:12-3:25pm
Scott said when he left the marina he called Laci at home and on her cell phone. He said he also called friend, Greg Reed and his parents on the way home. He said he got stuck in some traffic.
Confirming his statements, Scott’s message was retrieved from Laci’s voicemail by detective Al Brocchini the evening of December 24th:
"Hey, Beautiful. I just left you a message at home. It's 2:15. I'm leaving Berkeley. I won't be able to get to Vella Farms to get the basket for Papa. I was hoping you would get this message and go on out there. I'll see you in a bit, sweetie. Love you. Bye."
Scott’s cell phone records confirm all of the calls.
3:25-4:12pm
Scott said he pulled over for gas at a Chevron in Livermore and called Laci again.
Bank records show this purchase was at 3:25pm. Scott makes another call to Laci's cell phone at 3:52pm but does not leave a message. It is a 48 minute drive from the Chevron to his warehouse per Yahoo Maps (2186 Las Positas Court, Livermore to 1027 Emerald, Modesto) placing him back at the warehouse around 4:13pm.
4:13-4:23pm
Scott arrived back at the warehouse around 4:15. He said he unhooked the boat and estimated spending no more than five minutes in the office. He thinks this is when he sees a fax regarding an incoming shipment. He tells the police he remembers seeing the fax because he was disappointed that the shipment was arriving when it was. Scott then headed home.
The incoming fax was time stamped 11:28 PST. The fax came after Scott left for the marina.
4:24-5:17pm estimate
Scott estimated he arrived at home between 4:30 and 4:45, which was accurate. He entered through the side gate where he finds their dog, McKenzie, with his leash on. Scott removes the leash and puts it on the patio table.
It was discovered later that night that the next door neighbor, Karen Servas, had found McKenzie in the street with his leash on and put him back in Scott and Laci's yard.
Scott said he entered the home and the dog and cats ran into the house. Scott emptied the mop bucket because it looked like one of the cats might drink out of it. He poured the water out near the front walkway and placed the bucket and mops there. He got the mail while outside.
Laci’s car was in the driveway, but Laci was not home. Scott assumed Sharon had picked up Laci and that she was at her mom's preparing for Christmas Eve dinner.
Scott said his clothes were a bit wet so he undressed and put them into the washer. He first removed the dirty cleaning rags from the washer that the housekeeper had left from the day before. He added soap and started the washer. He said he often did this when he got home because he worked with chemicals.
Scott and Laci's home had no garage, supporting that there was nowhere to put soiled clothing. The washer and dryer were located in the family room.
Scott said he then took the pizza box out of the refrigerator poured a glass of milk and headed to the shower with a piece of pizza in hand. Officers Letsinger and Evers testified to the pizza box being on the counter when they arrived at the home Christmas Eve night.
Scott said he showered and got dressed. He went back into the kitchen and listened to the phone messages. He listened to the message he left Laci when leaving the marina, then listened to a message left by Ron Grantski, Laci's step-father. Ron asked if Scott and Laci could bring whipped cream when they come. This prompted Scott to call Ron and Sharon’s home, since he assumed Laci was already there. This call was at about 5:17. Scott asked if Laci is there. She was not. Scott told Sharon that Laci's car is in the driveway, but that she was not home. Sharon asked if McKenzie was in the yard and that is when Scott remembered that the leash was on the dog.
5:18pm
At this point, the search for Laci began. Over the next half hour, Scott exchanged two more calls with Laci’s mom and Ron. Scott began knocking on neighbors doors, calling neighbors and friends, and headed to the park with McKenzie. Sharon told Scott they would begin calling hospitals so he could check the park and Ron called 911 at 5:47 to report Laci as missing.
When Scott arrived back at the marina, he said he talked to a couple of guys about fishing and that a couple maintenance guys got a good laugh from him trying to back his trailer down the ramp to load the boat.
Detective Rick Armendariz interviewed a maintenance worker Mike Ilvestri on December 27th, 2002. He confirmed seeing Scott’s vehicle and that the driver was having trouble backing the trailer in to get the boat out of the water.
Scott estimated being at the bay for about 90 minutes. From the time Scott bought the ticket to when his cell phone records show him leaving the area is about 78 minutes.
2:12-3:25pm
Scott said when he left the marina he called Laci at home and on her cell phone. He said he also called friend, Greg Reed and his parents on the way home. He said he got stuck in some traffic.
Confirming his statements, Scott’s message was retrieved from Laci’s voicemail by detective Al Brocchini the evening of December 24th:
"Hey, Beautiful. I just left you a message at home. It's 2:15. I'm leaving Berkeley. I won't be able to get to Vella Farms to get the basket for Papa. I was hoping you would get this message and go on out there. I'll see you in a bit, sweetie. Love you. Bye."
Scott’s cell phone records confirm all of the calls.
3:25-4:12pm
Scott said he pulled over for gas at a Chevron in Livermore and called Laci again.
Bank records show this purchase was at 3:25pm. Scott makes another call to Laci's cell phone at 3:52pm but does not leave a message. It is a 48 minute drive from the Chevron to his warehouse per Yahoo Maps (2186 Las Positas Court, Livermore to 1027 Emerald, Modesto) placing him back at the warehouse around 4:13pm.
4:13-4:23pm
Scott arrived back at the warehouse around 4:15. He said he unhooked the boat and estimated spending no more than five minutes in the office. He thinks this is when he sees a fax regarding an incoming shipment. He tells the police he remembers seeing the fax because he was disappointed that the shipment was arriving when it was. Scott then headed home.
The incoming fax was time stamped 11:28 PST. The fax came after Scott left for the marina.
4:24-5:17pm estimate
Scott estimated he arrived at home between 4:30 and 4:45, which was accurate. He entered through the side gate where he finds their dog, McKenzie, with his leash on. Scott removes the leash and puts it on the patio table.
It was discovered later that night that the next door neighbor, Karen Servas, had found McKenzie in the street with his leash on and put him back in Scott and Laci's yard.
Scott said he entered the home and the dog and cats ran into the house. Scott emptied the mop bucket because it looked like one of the cats might drink out of it. He poured the water out near the front walkway and placed the bucket and mops there. He got the mail while outside.
Laci’s car was in the driveway, but Laci was not home. Scott assumed Sharon had picked up Laci and that she was at her mom's preparing for Christmas Eve dinner.
Scott said his clothes were a bit wet so he undressed and put them into the washer. He first removed the dirty cleaning rags from the washer that the housekeeper had left from the day before. He added soap and started the washer. He said he often did this when he got home because he worked with chemicals.
Scott and Laci's home had no garage, supporting that there was nowhere to put soiled clothing. The washer and dryer were located in the family room.
Scott said he then took the pizza box out of the refrigerator poured a glass of milk and headed to the shower with a piece of pizza in hand. Officers Letsinger and Evers testified to the pizza box being on the counter when they arrived at the home Christmas Eve night.
Scott said he showered and got dressed. He went back into the kitchen and listened to the phone messages. He listened to the message he left Laci when leaving the marina, then listened to a message left by Ron Grantski, Laci's step-father. Ron asked if Scott and Laci could bring whipped cream when they come. This prompted Scott to call Ron and Sharon’s home, since he assumed Laci was already there. This call was at about 5:17. Scott asked if Laci is there. She was not. Scott told Sharon that Laci's car is in the driveway, but that she was not home. Sharon asked if McKenzie was in the yard and that is when Scott remembered that the leash was on the dog.
5:18pm
At this point, the search for Laci began. Over the next half hour, Scott exchanged two more calls with Laci’s mom and Ron. Scott began knocking on neighbors doors, calling neighbors and friends, and headed to the park with McKenzie. Sharon told Scott they would begin calling hospitals so he could check the park and Ron called 911 at 5:47 to report Laci as missing.