Scott Peterson's Father 'Humanizes' Defendant

At the end of the 15th week of the double-murder trial of Scott Peterson, the prosecution called the defendant's father to the stand to try to show Peterson avoided talking about the boat he bought, but the move may have backfired after cross-examination, court observers said.

Scott Peterson's father, Lee Peterson, testified that his son loved fishing from an early age and did not boast about expensive purchases. He described Scott as an unassuming and hard-working son, rather than the cold, calculating killer the prosecution claims that he is.

Lee Peterson told the jury that Scott began fishing as early as eight years old and often fished the streams in the golf course while his dad played golf. He said Scott also took up saltwater fishing.

He said Scott worked to put himself through college and saved his money to buy a boat, motorcycle and pickup truck and never bragged about the purchases.

After Lee Peterson testified, some courtroom observers questioned the wisdom of calling the defendant's father to the stand as a prosecution witness. "The defendant's own father is the last person you would want on the stand as a prosecutor," one observer told the Modesto Bee.

See Modesto Bee: Peterson's Father Vouches for Him

Background: The Scott Peterson Trial
See Also: More Headline Cases