Laci's sister, house keeper testify
By JOHN COTÉ and GARTH STAPLEY
BEE STAFF WRITERS 11:31 A.M., PST: Scott Peterson promised, but failed, to pick up a gift near the country club where he said he planned to golf on Christmas Eve, his dead wife’s sister testified at Peterson’s preliminary hearing this morning. Peterson's pregnant wife, Laci, was reported missing Dec. 24. He told police he went fishing alone that day in San Francisco Bay, a few miles from where the bodies of his wife and son, Conner, were recovered in mid-April. The offer to pick up a gift basket came as Amy Rocha, Laci Peterson's half-sister, cut Scott Peterson's hair the evening of Dec. 23, Rocha said on the witness stand. Both Petersons were involved in the conversation at the salon where Rocha worked, she said. The gift was prepared at Vella Farms in north Modesto - not far from Del Rio Country Club, where Scott Peterson said he planned to golf Dec. 24, Rocha said. Rocha said a Vella Farms employee called her near closing time because the gift had not been picked up. Rocha tried to call Scott Peterson's cell phone but couldn't reach him, she said, so she drove to the shop herself. Also Friday morning, a house cleaner testified about her routine when she worked at the Peterson's Covena Avenue home, which she cleaned four times before Laci Peterson went missing. The last time was Dec. 23, Margarita Nava said. Dennis Rocha, the father of Laci Peterson and Amy Rocha, sighed audibly twice during testimony. Laci Peterson’s mother and stepfather, Sharon Rocha and Ron Grantski, whispered frequently and at one point passed a note up to prosecutors conducting questioning at the counsel table. Scott Peterson sat stone-faced throughout, at times conferring with his attorneys. Rocha also testified that she regularly cut Scott Peterson’s hair, but her brother-in-law never asked her to color it. Peterson’s hair and bushy goatee were tainted reddish-orange when he was arrested April 18, a few days after the bodies of his wife and son were recovered. Attorneys on both sides asked many questions of Nava about pets in the house, which window blinds were normally closed and her routine regarding using rags to clean windowsills. The importance of the testimony was not immediately apparent but likely relates to trace evidence authorities gathered for forensic examination. Nava, speaking through a Spanish interpreter, said she used bleach only to clean bathroom floors. She said she used water and “a little PineSol” to clean tile flooring in the kitchen. Under cross-examination by defense attorney Mark Geragos, Rocha said that she and Laci Peterson had inherited a “substantial” amount of jewelry from their paternal grandmother. Laci attempted to sell some of the jewelry on the eBay online auction site, and in pawn shops, and wore some items, Rocha confirmed. At that point in the testimony, Sharon Rocha removed a large metal earring from her left ear and held it for a minute or two, until Judge Al Girolami called a recess. Rocha also detailed the clothing that Laci Peterson wore Dec. 23. Authorities believe she was murdered either that evening or the next morning. Rocha said she had never seen or heard about Scott Peterson acquiring a fishing boat. She said he mostly spoke about golf when discussing hobbies. Also in response to Geragos, Rocha said her sister generally was mobile, attending yoga classes and walking frequently. Defense attorneys are expected to develop a theory that the woman was snatched; Scott Peterson has said she was preparing to walk their dog when he left to fish Dec. 24.
Posted on 10/31/03 11:31:00
http://www.modbee.com/reports/peterson/updates/story/7670868p-8575656c.html
.............. NOTE: Preliminary to close early today ( 1 PM (?) Resume testimony next week. | 
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