Scott Peterson murder case returns to court; LA Innocence Project focusing on DNA evidence

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. (KGO) — Convicted murderer Scott Peterson appeared virtually before a San Mateo County judge Tuesday as part of his effort to get a new trial.

He was back in court in Redwood City as the Los Angeles Innocence Project takes up his case.

Peterson was convicted in 2004 of murdering his wife Laci and their unborn son Conner in 2002.

Now, the Innocence Project says newly-discovered evidence supports Peterson’s claims of innocence.

RELATED: Judge grants Scott Peterson status hearing after LA Innocence Project filings

Future court dates for Peterson were set during Tuesday’s status hearing as the Los Angeles Innocence Project is attempting to exonerate him.

Peterson showed up in court in Redwood City virtually from Mule Creek State Prison, where he’s serving a life sentence.

He wore a blue collared prison shirt, slicked-back hair, and what looked like a ponytail or man bun.

He smiled when asked if he could hear them over the Zoom.

VIDEO: Former investigator says key evidence wasn’t properly investigated in Scott Peterson case

In the courtroom, the Los Angeles Innocence Project said they wanted evidence as soon as possible and that there were deficiencies in the evidence provided to the defense at the time of trial.

They say Peterson’s been waiting 20 years to get some of the audio recordings and police reports.

But the state explained they need more time.

The LA Innocence Project is focusing on a burglary in a home across the street from the Peterson’s home and claims from witnesses that they saw the burglars speaking with Laci.

TIMELINE: How the Laci Peterson case unfolded

“What if he’s not guilty OK, what if he had an affair and was a crappy husband, but what if he didn’t kill her,” legal analyst Paula Canny said. “What if that van shows it’s Laci’s DNA? Two things happen, 20 years of his life or 23 years of his life is gone. His family has bankrupted itself trying to exonerate him and Laci and Connor’s killers have walked free for 20 years. So think about that.”

Future court dates were set for April and May as Peterson said he prefers to continue to show up virtually.

Peterson’s half-brother Joe and his wife Janey, who is the family spokesperson, were at the hearing but didn’t talk on camera.

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