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Peterson Family Ignites Feud With Emotional E-mails to Laci's Mother

M O D E S T O, Calif., Sept. 3— As accused murderer Scott Peterson prepares for his preliminary hearing, which has been delayed until next month, the feud between his family and the family of his late wife has intensified.

When Laci Peterson's mother, Sharon Rocha, held a private funeral for her late daughter and unborn grandson, Conner, last week, she didn't extend an invitation to the family of Scott Peterson, who is charged with murdering them but has pleaded not guilty.

Rocha invited about 200 mourners to attend the burial services in a quiet Northern California cemetery. The Peterson family said they found out about the services by reading a newspaper account.

Jackie Peterson, Scott's mother, had begged Rocha via e-mail to delay the funeral until the outcome of the trial, saying it would exonerate her son.

In an e-mail obtained by ABCNEWS' Oakland affiliate, KTVU, Jackie Peterson wrote to to Sharon Rocha:

"The past eight months fill the most difficult moments in all our lives. Arriving soon will be more trying times for all of us.... We are writing with an appeal to your heart. Though by law, you are granted the decision on how to handle the remains of all our loved ones, we ask you to postpone the service until such times Scott is exonerated and we all join together as a family to mourn your daughter, Scott's wife, our and yours grandson and Scott's son who has been taken from all of us so cruelly."

In response, the Petersons received an e-mail from the Rochas' lawyer, Adam Stewart: "Dear Mr. and Mrs. Peterson, You have been aware for several months that our firm represents the interests of the Rocha family. Despite this, you continue to contact members of the family and friend via email, mail and telephone. We ask that you discontinue this practice immediately. The family wishes to be left alone during this difficult time."

Laci Peterson was eight months pregnant when she disappeared Christmas Eve. Her body and that of her unborn son washed ashore along San Francisco Bay in April.

Scott Peterson is being held without bail in the Stanislaus County Jail. Peterson's preliminary hearing was delayed Tuesday by his attorneys, who say they need more time to wade through thousands of pieces of evidence, including some 1,500 items the defense had not even seen yet. The hearing is now scheduled for Oct. 20.

It seems that the Rocha's believe that Scott murdered Laci and Conner. I totally understand them wanting to have the service and lay them to rest with only people around that they are comfortable with. I do understand that Conner was the Peterson's grandson also, so if they feel the need, they can hold their own graveside service.

I think it is unreasonable of the Peterson's to attack the Rocha's one month and then expect them to spend a very private and tragic time with them the next month. Seems to me that the Rocha's have tried to be left alone, but the Peterson's continue to attack everything they do. Sharon is damned if she does, and damned if she doesn't according to the Peterson's. They should just leave her alone and let the justice system do it's magic.

And even in the event that Scott is found innocent, I think the damage between the families is permanent. Scott was cheating on Laci in her final days, that much is true and undisputable. I doubt the Rochas will ever welcome him back into their trust, even if he were found undeniably innocent and the real killer put behind bars....

which I doubt will happen anyway- they have the right man. JMO, of course.

{{Stewart also noted that Jackie Peterson's e-mail to Sharon Rocha and his response were provided to a television station before Tuesday's hearing.

"(Sharon Rocha) is very upset that two days after the funeral that she would release these e-mails to the news media," Stewart said. "Was she really concerned about being there? Was she more concerned about eliciting sympathy for her son?"}}

I get the impression that Jackie is the person that provided the emails to the press. Could this possibly be where the other leaks keep coming from?

And yes, sympathy is what she's after. I'm sure she wouldn't have done it without Mark Geragos' permission, however. They're trying to garner some pity from the public- showing how they've been "mistreated" by Sharon.

It's weird- the Peterson's COULD have attended the memorial service on May 4th, but THEY chose not to. I remember that Jackie said something about wanting to give Sharon some space and feeling that her presence there would have turned it into a "circus" with the media- seriously, if she thinks it would have been a circus back then, what does she think it would have been NOW???? It would have been ten times as bad now. But apparently since the house/belongings incident, the gloves are off.

Meanwhile, nothing stops them from having their own graveside service. I mean, why can't they gather their friends and loved ones and have a memorial service?

I absolutely agree CountryGirl.

Sharon Rocha & her family have not spoken about Scott other than to say they trust the justice system to do its job.

That always made me think that Sharon knows more than we do about the evidence.