Scott Peterson’s March 12, 2024 return to court was a remote status conference—not a new trial. The Los Angeles Innocence Project (LAIP) asked for DNA testing, post-conviction discovery and sealed records. The latest disposition established here is a separate ruling: on April 28, 2026, a California superior court declined to review new-evidence claims in a habeas petition LAIP says it filed in August 2025. LAIP said it planned to appeal; the sources available do not establish whether an appeal was later filed or decided.
What happened at Peterson’s March 2024 court appearance?
Peterson appeared by video from Mule Creek State Prison for a status conference in San Mateo County. His lawyers sought permission to test evidence and obtain records as part of their post-conviction investigation. The requests did not amount to a new trial, and the reported hearing coverage did not establish that testing had linked another person to the murders. Court TV’s March 12, 2024 report and Associated Press coverage describe the requests.
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Evidence LAIP asked to test or investigate
- Court TV reported that LAIP sought testing of items associated with a burned van, including carpet and a blood-stained mattress. The lawyers wanted to determine whether the mattress carried Laci Peterson’s DNA.
- The AP reported requests involving materials connected to a neighborhood burglary and items found near the waterfront.
- LAIP also sought post-conviction discovery and sealed court records.
These were requests and investigative leads, not findings that any item connected another person to Laci Peterson’s and Conner’s deaths.
What did the court decide in April 2026?
LAIP said it filed a habeas petition in August 2025. In an April 28, 2026 statement, the organization said a California superior court declined to review the petition’s new-evidence claims on procedural grounds. LAIP said it intended to take the matter to a higher court. The available sources do not establish the subsequent status of that appeal.
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The Los Angeles Times reported that Judge Elizabeth Hill found the evidence was not new and “merely repeats and elaborates upon the same contested theories that existed at the time of trial.” LAIP disputed the ruling. Its deputy director, Hannah Brown, called it “a profound misunderstanding and misapplication of the law applied to habeas corpus petitions.” That is LAIP’s characterization, not a neutral finding about the court’s decision.
What evidence and theories does LAIP cite?
LAIP’s 2026 statement advances arguments about the trial timeline, evidence and police conduct. They remain the organization’s claims; the cited reports do not establish them as facts or prove Peterson’s innocence.
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- LAIP says later scientific research challenges the trial timeline and the prosecution expert’s proposed location in San Francisco Bay.
- It alleges a burglary across the street from the Peterson home occurred on December 24, rather than December 26.
- It alleges police destroyed interview recordings.
The court’s procedural decision and LAIP’s allegations are separate matters. The cited sources do not include the full court order or an independent forensic review.
How does this fit into the case?
Peterson was convicted in 2004 of murdering his wife, Laci Peterson, and their unborn son, Conner. He was sentenced to death in 2005. The death sentence was later overturned, and he is serving life in prison without the possibility of parole.
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LAIP’s statement also says a separate juror-misconduct petition is pending in the California Supreme Court. That proceeding is distinct from the habeas petition concerning new-evidence claims and the superior court’s April 2026 ruling.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is the Los Angeles Innocence Project the same as the Innocence Project?
No. The national Innocence Project said LAIP is “wholly independent of the Innocence Project” in a clarification issued January 19, 2024. The organizations should not be conflated.
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