• Peterson trial : Justice accomplished Peterson trial : Justice accomplished By the San Francisco Chronicle- December 14, 2004 For once, the system worked. If we are going to have a death penalty in California — and the need for
• Peterson trial : Justice accomplished
Peterson trial : Justice accomplished
By the San Francisco Chronicle- December 14, 2004
For once, the system worked.
If we are going to have a death penalty in California — and the need for a serious review is compelling — it was tailor made for Scott Peterson. His crime was reprehensible, his guilt was overwhelming, his legal representation was first class, his trial was undeniably thorough and fair. …
He earned his place on Death Row.
Just remember, however, this case is atypical. The overwhelming majority of Peterson’s 650 Death Row contemporaries in California never had superstar attorney Mark Geragos at their side and a legion of legal experts scrutinizing every detail of a six-month trial.
The debate over the death penalty should not be about Peterson. He had his day in court — and then some. It should be about the potential margin of error in many other convictions. It should be about the evidence that suggests capital punishment is not a deterrent, as it surely was not for Peterson. It should be about the morality of the state taking a life.
Executions occur so rarely in this state that the odds suggest Peterson is more likely to die of old age than lethal injection. Even so, he will be housed for the rest of his life with the worst of the worst, which is exactly where he belongs.
