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Peterson Jury Hears From Fishing Expert
Monday, July 26, 2004
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — Prosecutors in Scott Peterson's (search) murder trial went fishing Monday for answers to questions including how and where someone would catch sturgeon and striped bass in San Francisco Bay (search).
Peterson told police he had been angling for both fish the day he said he last saw his pregnant wife, Laci.
Prosecutors maintain they've caught Peterson in a lie — that his fishing gear wasn't suitable and that his homemade cement anchor wouldn't have held his boat in place against the bay's currents.
On Monday, prosecutors led commercial fisherman and author Angelo Cuanang (search) through a lecture-like presentation on how, when and where to fish for sturgeon in the bay. He was the main witness during a half day of testimony.
Cuanang said he wouldn't fish for sturgeon near the Berkeley Marina, where Peterson launched what he claimed was a solo trip the morning his wife vanished — Christmas Eve day, 2002. Cuanang said a knowledgeable fisherman would use bait to catch sturgeon, but Peterson only brought artificial lures.
"Would you say this rod is rigged up for sturgeon fishing?" prosecutor Rick Distaso asked, holding up Peterson's rod.
"No," Cuanang replied, adding that both the rod and tackle box were outfitted for fresh water fishing.
Cuanang then testified the type of anchor Peterson brought — a small 5-10 pound concrete weight shaped like a bucket — wouldn't work at that time of year, when currents require a claw type anchor to keep from drifting.
Prosecutors allege Peterson crafted five homemade cement anchors to weight down his wife's body in the bay after killing her in their Modesto home on or around that Dec. 24. Authorities recovered one anchor from Peterson's small boat, but found none during extensive searches of the bay.
The remains of Laci Peterson (search) and the couple's fetus washed ashore about two miles from the marina.
On cross-examination, defense lawyer Pat Harris pointed out that there is no set rule on how to fish for sturgeon on the bay, that Cuanang's suggestions were simply the ideal conditions.
"In fact, it's not by any stretch of the imagination a requirement that what you testified to here is the only way to catch sturgeon?" Harris asked.
"No," Cuanang replied.
"People have been catching sturgeon in numerous ways for many, many years?" Harris prodded.
"Yes," said Cuanang, who later agreed with Harris that a small cement anchor would have had enough drag that the boat would effectively been trolling.
Harris pointed out that Cuanang's testimony came from the perspective of a professional -- that amateurs such as Peterson may not know the optimal techniques, what gear to use or even what they might expect to catch.
"Just a relaxing, entertaining thing to do?" Harris asked.
"Yes," Cuanang said.
Jurors returned Monday for a short week.
Court won't be in session Wednesday while defense lawyer Mark Geragos (search) attends a hearing in another case. Jurors also won't be present Thursday when Geragos argues for a dismissal of charges or a mistrial based on allegations that a detective lied on the stand.
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