Processing your request, Please wait....
The Verdict:
On December 9, 2001 at 2:41 a.m. the rescue squad of the city of Durham, North Carolina got an urgent call from a man who had a hard time explaining that his wife had fallen down a flight of stairs.
He said she was bleeding profusely but still breathing. When the medical team arrived five minutes later, it was too late. The victim was dead. Her husband had traces of blood on his hands and face.
For the inspector in charge of the inquiry, the facts spoke for themselves: there was too much blood and too many wounds on the victim. It was not an accident, but a murder.
A week later Michael Peterson was arrested.
This is a murder mystery like no other by the Academy Award-winning director of Murder on a Sunday Morning. After winning the Oscar, Jean-Xavier de Lestrade set out to make a documentary investigating another alleged murder, a story that quickly developed more twists and turns than a script for CSI.
With unprecedented access to all the central characters, the result is the first-ever docu-thriller series Death on the Staircase: Crime Scene or Accident?
He was guilty. I’m sure he’ll enjoy his time in prison though, become someone’s bitch or something.
That truly was a very mature and insightful opinion. Thank you.
yea because all bisexual men should enjoy being violently gang raped because that is the same as when two consenting adults share private intimate moments behind closed doors … how dare you
Clearly not guilty.
Wow.
This documentary confirms what most of us outside of the States already had a sneaking suspicion of: that the US Justice system is, well, farcical anywhere south of Philadelphia.
Is Justice Hudson still “presiding”, I wonder. Perhaps the real question is, is he still receiving kick-backs from crooked politicians? Not to mention, is Dr. Radisch still “examining” bodies? How in the hell is a “report” like hers ever admitted to a court of law as evidence?
Also, the doc does an excellent job of displaying the dangerous idiocy of Nancy Grace and the miscarriage of justice when American media is given the opportunity to convict citizens not in the interests of justice, but in the interests of profit.
I would like to have known more about the possible motives of the power-base in the city of Durham to ensure a conviction of Peterson. Something stinks there. Again, just another glimpse (not that we want many) of what its like to be tried for murder south of Phillie.
God bless Amer…really? Could even an all-knowing deity bless the travesty of civilisation that is America?
this is american democracy.
WOW.. based on what I just saw, I could not have found this man “guilty beyond a reasonable doubt”.
there was the REALITY of the incident portrayed by the court
the reality of the court portrayed by the doco
but as you say and i do agree
based on what I just saw, I could not have found this man “guilty beyond a reasonable doubt”.
Motive
Opportunity
Circumstantial evidence
Crime Scene evidence
The jury had more than enough to convict this guy. What more do you need, a video posted on Youtube of Peterson actually offing his wife? A CSI TV show moment of eureka?
Great series; funny that in the cofines of reality a far richer story was crafted than fiction would have made possible.
I feel for the family, especially the children. I hope they were able to move on with their lives.
I watched the esntire program. Having said that I have the following comments
1…The amoungt of blood is what bothered me the most, but I am not the blood expert.
2…The scientific evidence would have had more weight in the decision if it had been explained in a more easy to understand common folks language. the blood evidence and the bio mechanic evidence got me all confused and put me to sleep nad I do think is extremely importantthat this is clearly understood.
3….Wouldn,t have been important to show that he has no blood on him when he was found ? unless he assited in CPR.
4….It did not bother me it all and I did not think about any set u-p c the blow poke shown as evidence when it did, to me it really poked holes on the prosecution case.
5…..I found the most credible witnessed the prostitute male. I think it really helped the defense especially when he said that is not unusual for wives to know about bisexuality, as then there was no motive for the crime.
6…..Children should have testified as character witnesses in my view.
7…..in a portion of the program there was some relative apparently testifying that he was violent, then the writer said that he onle met her twice. I did not see the defense cross examining this witness. In my view it would destroy her credibility if she only met him twsice.
Finally…my gut feeling tells me that he is not quilty but the amount of blood bothers me so i do not really know. However, I do not think that he should have been found quilty beyond a reasonable doubt, in fact I ended up c a lot of doubts about his quilt. May be there was gay bashing.
Also I do not beieve in my hiumble opinion that the closing statements helped because instead of presenting him as not quilty by reason of not being quilty, he was presented as not quilty because it could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt as if Attney did not believe completly in his inocence. Anyway that was my perception.
Please notify me of new developments
ratty little psycho,the kids will see the truth after they have been awaay from this wicked man.he should be studied.
2staircases,two women,2deaths,one nutcase=no doubt,not in one lifetime.
Ok.
First of all, brilliant work from the Frenchman(again).
However, did anyone think it was a bit biased?
For legal reasons we Don’t see It from the prosecution side. Only the defence.
However(again), I think there is more than a reasonable doubt. The justice system is flawed worldwide.
U.N? Human rights? Well, first off they should be about protecting the indivual against the state. Peterson had the money (he complained about this himself to be fair)to give himself excellent protection from this. The poor are screwed.
This is WRONG WRONG WRONG!
I have had a few beers but SURELY seeking the truth should come into it.
You’ve got the state vs a lawyer who both want to win at all costs. Ego takes over and the truth goes out of the window.
I have a suggestion.
How about a VOLUNTARY legal middleman. I would call it the ‘PROBABILTY ATTORNEY/LAWYER’.
From voluntary attorneys (via voluntary donations) jurors could hear expert testimony on a case. Pure science. They would place their testimony after the prosecution’s case.
Voluntary, BUT IF A DEFENDANT/SPOUSE/BROTHER/SISTER/MOTHER/ FATHER/ SON/DAUGHTER GIVES A DONATION AFTER THE ALLEGED CRIME IS COMMITTED, then he/she cannot access this service.
It’s not foolproof, but can you think of better?
Should’ve been NOT GUILTY BTW!
That was a devastating verdict. I don’t know who disturbed me the most — the D.A. and other prosecutors; the (ha!) medical examiner or Kathleen’s oldest sister? Each one of them was equally arrogant, obnoxious and sorely mistaken! Seemingly, Mr. Peterson was judged primarily upon his lifestyle. I am still reeling from the entire process I just witnessed.
More plausible is the possibility Mrs. Peterson was, indeed, attacked by an owl when returning to the house. The various injuries she suffered match up with what can transpire during such an attack. Plus, there is forensic evidence to suggest such an attack. (talon tears, feathers and the possibility of an actual portion of a talon left behind)
For information on this possibility, one can Google the following phrase, “Attorney wants owl theory reconsidered in Peterson murder case” or one can read a synopsis in Michael Peterson’s Wikipedia article. The former has an excellent interview with the attorney and a PDF file of Kathleen’s autopsy report.
@Neil, it’s my understanding there may be an unintentional bias because there was little, if any, cooperation from the prosecution. There is a wonderful follow-up mini-documentary about “The Staircase” called, “The Making of The Staircase.” It can be found in its entirety on YouTube.
That was a devastating verdict. I don’t know who disturbed me the most — the D.A. and other prosecutors; the (ha!) medical examiner or Kathleen’s oldest sister? Each one of them was equally arrogant, obnoxious and sorely mistaken! Seemingly, Mr. Peterson was judged primarily upon his lifestyle. I am still reeling from the entire process I just witnessed.
More plausible is the possibility Mrs. Peterson was, indeed, attacked by an owl when returning to the house. The various injuries she suffered match up with what can transpire during such an attack. Plus, there is forensic evidence to suggest such an attack. (talon tears, feathers and the possibility of an actual portion of a talon left behind)
For information on this possibility, one can Google the following phrase, “Attorney wants owl theory reconsidered in Peterson murder case” or one can read a synopsis in Michael Peterson’s Wikipedia article. The former has an excellent interview with the attorney and a PDF file of Kathleen’s autopsy report.
@Neil, it’s my understanding there may be an unintentional bias because there was little, if any, cooperation from the prosecution. There is a wonderful follow-up mini-documentary about “The Staircase” called, “The Making of The Staircase.” It can be found in its entirety on YouTube.
Guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty. His 911 phone call sounded worse than an amateur actor. His daughters are naive. His defence team was just as ridiculous, so damned confident that they would win it was annoying. On top of all this the documentary is all one sided, clearly biased in favor of Mike Peterson’s image.
They had it right. This guy killed his ‘friend’ to get her girls from her. Then when that worked to his advantage he repeated the process with his ‘soulmate’ because she found out he was ‘dating’ men. But this time justice was served. He deserved what he got. As to the blowpoke…he knew where it was the whole time! I’ve read the book that was written on this. Its not an easy thing to show an unbiased opinion when all the evidence there showed he took her life. Maybe it wasn’t intentional but he still did it. And he showed absolutely no emotion during the whole thing. Even laughing and joking when it wasn’t appropriate.
They had it right. This guy killed his ‘friend’ to get her girls from her. Then when that worked to his advantage he repeated the process with his ‘soulmate’ because she found out he was ‘dating’ men. But this time justice was served. He deserved what he got. As to the blowpoke…he knew where it was the whole time! I’ve read the book that was written on this. Its not an easy thing to show an unbiased opinion when all the evidence there showed he took her life. Maybe it wasn’t intentional but he still did it. And he showed absolutely no emotion during the whole thing. Even laughing and joking when it wasn’t appropriate.
They had it right. This guy killed his ‘friend’ to get her girls from her. Then when that worked to his advantage he repeated the process with his ‘soulmate’ because she found out he was ‘dating’ men. But this time justice was served. He deserved what he got. As to the blowpoke…he knew where it was the whole time! I’ve read the book that was written on this. Its not an easy thing to show an unbiased opinion when all the evidence there showed he took her life. Maybe it wasn’t intentional but he still did it. And he showed absolutely no emotion during the whole thing. Even laughing and joking when it wasn’t appropriate.
They had it right. This guy killed his ‘friend’ to get her girls from her. Then when that worked to his advantage he repeated the process with his ‘soulmate’ because she found out he was ‘dating’ men. But this time justice was served. He deserved what he got. As to the blowpoke…he knew where it was the whole time! I’ve read the book that was written on this. Its not an easy thing to show an unbiased opinion when all the evidence there showed he took her life. Maybe it wasn’t intentional but he still did it. And he showed absolutely no emotion during the whole thing. Even laughing and joking when it wasn’t appropriate.
Oh yeah and I forgot to mention the blood. Wayyyy too much blood to be an accidental fall. They even said she would have had to have bounced like a pogo stick to get the injuries she had. And of course the poker wouldn’t have damaged her brain it wasn’t heavy enough. He hit her, knocked her out then pushed her down 20 something stairs. And agreed I really hope those poor kids finally got some sense and realized their dad was a psychopath. Incapable of feeling anything beside self love.
Oh yeah and I forgot to mention the blood. Wayyyy too much blood to be an accidental fall. They even said she would have had to have bounced like a pogo stick to get the injuries she had. And of course the poker wouldn’t have damaged her brain it wasn’t heavy enough. He hit her, knocked her out then pushed her down 20 something stairs. And agreed I really hope those poor kids finally got some sense and realized their dad was a psychopath. Incapable of feeling anything beside self love.
Oh yeah and I forgot to mention the blood. Wayyyy too much blood to be an accidental fall. They even said she would have had to have bounced like a pogo stick to get the injuries she had. And of course the poker wouldn’t have damaged her brain it wasn’t heavy enough. He hit her, knocked her out then pushed her down 20 something stairs. And agreed I really hope those poor kids finally got some sense and realized their dad was a psychopath. Incapable of feeling anything beside self love.
Your limited understanding of crime scenes and forensics is comparable with the shocking lack of ability displayed by the prosecution in this programme. All who knew this man, describe a loving husband and father, his bi-sexuality is not relevant, and was shown not to be a motive, he had no motive to kill his wife. The police however clearly had a motive to want to see him prosecuted, he having written a column in the local paper in which he attacks the DA and the police for failing in there ability to keep law and order, they the police had motive, and if you are nieve enough to not think many police forces are not corrupt, then I feel really sorry for you.
The blood was not excessive for such an apparent fall resulting in such injuries, what is important is the total lack of blood spatter, of which there was none, no weapon was used. She did not fall down 20 stairs, she apparently lost her balance and fell backwards on the 3rd or 4th stair, as no blood was found going up the stairs.
My argument here, is this man was not given a fair trial, and that has implications for people everywhere, because one day it might just be you facing such an accusation, so do not be so quick to judge, when clearly you have little understanding of basic investigation. I suggest you watch this many more times until you do have understanding, then you can comment on this without doing as the prosecution clearly did, make things up.
I agree completely with you, the whole german aspect of the case should have been inadmissable and only one of the witnesses from that time was credible. I hate to think the jurors convicted him out of homophobia but I suspect it was a factor.
As for the blood, remember that she had a 0.7 alcohol level and had taken a Valium which is a muscle relaxant and a tranquilizer. I can completely see how she could lose her balance and bounce off walls in that small landing area. And I’m a nurse and let me tell you, head wound bleed like crazy. At the beginning of the series, Mike walked back by the pool to show where they were sitting and he said it was about 11pm. EMS 911 wasn’t called until after 2:30 so if she slipped on her way up the stairs, she could have been there for 3 hours plus, more than enough time for the blood at the scene.
I felt like Dr. Radisch wrote it in expecting that her opinion would not be questioned but the one Rudolf raised abut Rigor Mortis was right on to put her in her place, I feel like she thought she could just phone it in because she was already on the prosecution’s side and the fix was in.
Finally my heart is with Clayton, Todd, Martha and Margaret as well as Bob and Jack. I thought Rudolf and his team did a great job and I will try to keep up with the appeal.
Good luck, Mike
.
Is there more from this producer, I really liked his style?
Yes i agree with your comments, there is so much wrong with this case that wherever you look, you find even more wrong with it.
It’s Directed by Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, who did Murder on a Sunday Morning, which is another shocking case of police corruption, if you hav’nt seen it I would recommend.
WORD!
No motive? Huh, most rational individuals would call a $1.4 million life insurance policy a pretty strong motive, especially when the Petersons were heavily in debt. Bi-sexuality had nothing to do with it, the sexuality card is just as tiresome as the race card when used cynically by lawyers to sway a jury.
how in the world would you know how much blood is an acceptable amount as a result of an accidental fall down the stairs?
Oh yeah and I forgot to mention the blood. Wayyyy too much blood to be an accidental fall. They even said she would have had to have bounced like a pogo stick to get the injuries she had. And of course the poker wouldn’t have damaged her brain it wasn’t heavy enough. He hit her, knocked her out then pushed her down 20 something stairs. And agreed I really hope those poor kids finally got some sense and realized their dad was a psychopath. Incapable of feeling anything beside self love.
I would have said not guilty. That being said it was filmed entirley from the defence side of things. To get the guilty verdict how much did we not get to see in the trail? I thought the biomechanical engineers recreation would support the case and be vital and sway the jury to a not guilty verdict..
I would have said not guilty. That being said it was filmed entirley from the defence side of things. To get the guilty verdict how much did we not get to see in the trail? I thought the biomechanical engineers recreation would support the case and be vital and sway the jury to a not guilty verdict..
The prosecution in this trial had nothing, the forensic experts for the prosecution put together a woefully inadequate case which was easily taken apart by the experts for the defence. In effect the blowpoke was inadmissable, it should have been recovered during the police investigation, and one wonders how or why they could fail to have found it at that time. Finding it a year later, makes it worthless as evidence.
Blood spatter evidence is huge in this case, clearly there was no evidence consistent with the use of a weapon. The lack of blood on Mike Peterson can be viewed in two ways, one would expect him to have had blood on his cloths, if his wife had died in his arms as he claims, however, this programme does not give enough information to understand this.
The seven lacerations to Kathleens head, look disturbing, they appear to be consistent with the complex wooden moulding on the doorframe. My only doubt would be whether a fall backwards from the third step, could have caused lacerations deep enough to cause her death. The prosecution and defence, should have tried to replicate her head injury lacerations, with ballistic gell or similar, and at falling velocity. Clearly they were caused by the wooden door moulding, but was her apparent fall, able to cause these lacerations ? or was her head forced into the door moulding, causing the lacerations ?
It is very unusual for the victim not to have suffered even a skull fracture or any brain damage, as the lacerations do look severe at least from what we see in the photo. This is suggestive of much less force causing her injuries.
The photo’s taken by the police of blood and then blood which had been wiped, is quite serious, this is contamination AND manipulation of the crime scene, if it was a crime scene, and many cases have been thrown out as a result of just this and this alone.
The prosecutions forensic experts, made statements in court which they simply had no found basis to make. They did in FACT lie, to try to convince a jury of there outlandish theories.
In conclusion, regardless of whether this man is guilty or innocent, he did not receive a fair trial. There were elements in this documentary, when it was more than clear to the audience, of the prosecution going to extroadinary lengths to effectively try to ’frame’ the man on trial. As a result of this, I felt the defence always had a very difficult uphill struggle, to which I feel they did about as good a job as the situation allowed.
The reporting on this trial by the media, was both shocking and atrocious. It often appeared to me as if the media were obtaining there information from the prosecutor, which would clearly be an attempt to predudice the outcome of the trial. I felt on this basis alone, the defendant deserved a new trial.
It is highly unethical for the prosecution to have exhumed the mother of the daughters, and had her taken to the same forensic pathologist some 1200 miles away for a second post mortum. I can only assume the Judge who presided over this case not to have been impartial. One MUST ask why this was done ? As it appears to have been done to arrive at the same conclusion as the first woman, ie : Homicide. It is also HIGHLY suspicious how the police officer who took the exhumed body to this forensic pahologist, not having seen the body himself, appears to make very definite statements as to the outcome of this examination. He appears to be in no doubt whatsoever, that this will be ruled a homicide also, yet he gives no explanation as to why he is so confident of the outcome.
I could go on, this entire case is just about one of the worst I have seen for convicting someone as guilty, presumed innocent. This person 100% should be given a new trial by the Supreme Court, for all of the above reasons and many many more.
The blowpoke was brought into evidence by the defense, not prosecution, after it was conveniently “found” at the 11th hour by the son, and after that part of the house was searched numerous times. The circumstantial evidence alone is enough to get Peterson along way towards a conviction, the crime scene forensics merely sealed the deal with this rational jury. I agree with the comment below, the 911 call from Peterson was one of the most atrocious cases of bad acting.
i noticed that one of his adopted daughters- the oldest- does seem to have the same profile as michael when they were sitting side by side during breaktime in the court compared to the other girl. just wondering if it was a motive to kill the neighbor in germany when he found out that she is his daughter and doesnt want to expose one of his secrets- that he did something to the wife of his best friend and neighbor? maybe some more secrets are yet to be uncovered
i noticed that one of his adopted daughters- the oldest- does seem to have the same profile as michael when they were sitting side by side during breaktime in the court compared to the other girl. just wondering if it was a motive to kill the neighbor in germany when he found out that she is his daughter and doesnt want to expose one of his secrets- that he did something to the wife of his best friend and neighbor? maybe some more secrets are yet to be uncovered
i noticed that one of his adopted daughters- the oldest- does seem to have the same profile as michael when they were sitting side by side during breaktime in the court compared to the other girl. just wondering if it was a motive to kill the neighbor in germany when he found out that she is his daughter and doesnt want to expose one of his secrets- that he did something to the wife of his best friend and neighbor? maybe some more secrets are yet to be uncovered
very interesting observation about the profile,i 2 noticed the same in the last episode or more 2 the point how they were different,the sisters ,different parents i thought.
The one thing that made him guilty in my eyes,that never came up,was the call itself to 911,Peterson was straight away saying”she’s still breathing,she’s still breathing” as if to make a point of it,before the operator even asked,that sunk him in my eyes,because it made me think he wanted the operator to think that she was still alive,when in fact she was probably well dead ,he had set the whole thing up i think,maybe not even killed her there,then threw her down the stairs ,or threw her into the stairwell and ‘eve’ or skirting and that killed her.
He should not of been found guilty on the evidence,but it was written all over his face throughout the doco and justice was served,and yes it was obvious he was having an affair with the first one ,killed her and tried the same ‘set-up’ second time.Why else would you be okay with “whatever they decide”-the dude was guilty !
very interesting observation about the profile,i 2 noticed the same in the last episode or more 2 the point how they were different,the sisters ,different parents i thought.
The one thing that made him guilty in my eyes,that never came up,was the call itself to 911,Peterson was straight away saying”she’s still breathing,she’s still breathing” as if to make a point of it,before the operator even asked,that sunk him in my eyes,because it made me think he wanted the operator to think that she was still alive,when in fact she was probably well dead ,he had set the whole thing up i think,maybe not even killed her there,then threw her down the stairs ,or threw her into the stairwell and ‘eve’ or skirting and that killed her.
He should not of been found guilty on the evidence,but it was written all over his face throughout the doco and justice was served,and yes it was obvious he was having an affair with the first one ,killed her and tried the same ‘set-up’ second time.Why else would you be okay with “whatever they decide”-the dude was guilty !
very interesting observation about the profile,i 2 noticed the same in the last episode or more 2 the point how they were different,the sisters ,different parents i thought.
The one thing that made him guilty in my eyes,that never came up,was the call itself to 911,Peterson was straight away saying”she’s still breathing,she’s still breathing” as if to make a point of it,before the operator even asked,that sunk him in my eyes,because it made me think he wanted the operator to think that she was still alive,when in fact she was probably well dead ,he had set the whole thing up i think,maybe not even killed her there,then threw her down the stairs ,or threw her into the stairwell and ‘eve’ or skirting and that killed her.
He should not of been found guilty on the evidence,but it was written all over his face throughout the doco and justice was served,and yes it was obvious he was having an affair with the first one ,killed her and tried the same ‘set-up’ second time.Why else would you be okay with “whatever they decide”-the dude was guilty !
yea, run with that.. now get a job as an investigator.. you clearly have deep insight into the complex matters the rest of us are too blind to see.
I had to do some research to affirm that these were the actual people involved who were filmed throughout. It seems so irregular that a film crew followed everyone around virtually from Kathleen’s funeral through the verdict in the case (even certain persons not friendly to the accused) – that everyone would have consented to this. Anyway, it was a biased documentary. Based on what I’ve seen here, I wouldn’t have found him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, but I suspect there’s a lot of footage and facts unfavorable to Michael Petersen that was left out. I found Petersen himself to be shifty and insincere, his lawyer slick and unlikable, the DA and his assistant like a used car salesman and his harpy sidekick … the defense attorney’s assistant was sympathetic and seemed real, as did the children, his ex-wife, and a few others. But if the film’s purpose was to paint Petersen in a sympathetic light, I don’t think it entirely succeeded.
I had to do some research to affirm that these were the actual people involved who were filmed throughout. It seems so irregular that a film crew followed everyone around virtually from Kathleen’s funeral through the verdict in the case (even certain persons not friendly to the accused) – that everyone would have consented to this. Anyway, it was a biased documentary. Based on what I’ve seen here, I wouldn’t have found him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, but I suspect there’s a lot of footage and facts unfavorable to Michael Petersen that was left out. I found Petersen himself to be shifty and insincere, his lawyer slick and unlikable, the DA and his assistant like a used car salesman and his harpy sidekick … the defense attorney’s assistant was sympathetic and seemed real, as did the children, his ex-wife, and a few others. But if the film’s purpose was to paint Petersen in a sympathetic light, I don’t think it entirely succeeded.
I think he was guilty but not because of DA or the evidence the DA blew it on all accounts. He put himself in jail that jury saw right through him the 911 call was pathetic. His failed attempts at crying during the trial etc. You don’t need to be trained to read people and this jury had enough time to see through the facade that Michael Peterson was trying too hard to put up. I think he should have been found not guilty based on the evidence alone. I am torn.
Doesn’t make sense how they came to a guilty verdict….the reason they give for it, is ridiculous.
Also, I wonder why no one mentioned about the amount of blood, maybe could be related to the fact that she had a .07 blood alcohol content, therefore she bled out more?
it was a owl
I can’t help but feel that the blowpoke was planted by the kids, as a final act of desperation to have their father exonerated. I personally think he did it, and if the evidence doesn’t prove it, his actions certainly do. It’s up to God from here.
So glad hes been granted a new trial and released on bond. Personaly I hated the guy, his lawyer, everyone but the kids ad the defense experts (who I found sound and likeable) but the judge has been since removed from the bench for questionable decisions, the DAs blood spatter expert has been fired AND LIED about his credibility, hes the guy who falsified evidence in the Duke U Case, was only ever involved in 4 trials and his “mentor” said he doesnt remember the guy let alone mentoring him. Read the wikipedia people, much as I disliked this guy, I could see all the way from Sweden HE DIDNT DO IT. It was the owl.
Nature seems to have been the only victor in this case, nobody suspected that crafty owl officially or gave the theory credibility for almost a damn decade.
Totally amazing documentary not going to spoil the ending for others, really fancied the defense lawyer Mr Rudolph phhwwoooar – hope i never get called for jury service
Also would just like to say that the prosecution was corrupt check out the defense lawyer in first part of documentary , finding it hard to contain his smirks – COrrupt
One more thing – I am still undecided on his guilt or not but am leaning more towards not guilty – is there was no real emotion or fond memories of Cathleen – no grieving etc and when the verdict was given he did not even react!!!
Amazing film!!!
SPOILER ALERT!!!!!
Apparently the States bloodexpert Duane Deavers has been fired for incompetence.
A judge has released MP from jail on a 300 000 $ bail and awarded him a new trial.
He was released just before christmas 2011. Peterson had a new attorney for a number of years but Rudolph has been said to take the new case pro bono.
We will see, facinating stuff. I think Not proven is a good verdict they should implement everywhere.
Michael Iver Peterson (born October 23, 1943, near Nashville, Tennessee, U.S., to Eugen Iver Peterson and Eleanor Bartolino) is a novelist and politician. In 2003, he was convicted of murdering his second wife, Kathleen Peterson. On December 15, 2011, Peterson was granted a new trial.
sequel coming up?
just watched this, he loved having his legal team around him all the time, all the jokes all the wise cracks, he never once said take this serios please, his brother did mention it at one point, near the end his “daughter” said she could not go on if he were found guilty, she is a grown woman, he seemed to always be the centre of attention when his family were around, poncing about with a pipe in his mouth like he was the wise grand father of his family, he always got what he wanted out of life, he got the young wife, the gay prostitutes, and revelled in the attention the case brought, even to the point of allowing the film crew to be there all the way, he summed up his illusions of grandeur at the end when he said he can cope with anything, be it at home after the verdict or somewhere else(jail), because in his mind he is superior to those around him, he feels people loook up to him, he will convince himself in jail he is better than every other inmate, they are scum and deserve to be there, he will belive he does not and how dare his life be taken away by non entities on a jury who are not worthy to even utter his name never mind judge him, he is a frightening man, he is a coward.
These are views of what i got from the actual man, Did he kill her?……….i don,t know
I would like to add something here – I am very surprised that the defense did not bring up the alcohol & valium consumption as a possible explanation for the amount of blood. Both alcohol and valium have an effect on blood’s ability to clot – so a wound would probably bleed significantly more than usual. (I don’t know what she took the valium for, but I used to for anxiety and insomnia and was warned by my doctor to be careful and to apply lots of pressure and look after even a small cut, as it would take a lot longer to stop bleeding.) I’m very curious as to why the defense didn’t talk more about the alcohol and valium. Not only would it make her clumsy and prone to fall, she would have fallen like a ‘rag doll’ and bled more, I think.
I come to the comments section and the first one I read is from some Ignorant Homo Phobic LOSER – who screen name is Lingo. There must have been a lot of Lingo’s on the Jury!!! I live in Canada but justice is similar enough and the fact that the jury came back w/ a Guilty verdict makes me sick to my stomach. The whole death 18 years before NEVER should have been allowed. I can see the whole bisexual aspect being allowed, going to motive – and I do realize that the film is edited, preventing us from seeing everything that occurred, but the when the defense raised the question and researched all the Death’s by blunt force head trauma (in over 240 cases) – and the fact that there were NO brain injuries, bruises or fractures in this case was a huge piece of evidence that should have caused the jury to come back w/ a none guilty plea. Among other evidence brought fourth. There are SO MANY things about this case that bothers me. I was thinking about ANY movie I have seen where someone falls down a flight of stairs – either on their own or by struggle and they might break their neck – but NEVER have head injuries that result in blood lose, especially the amount of blood shown in this case and I really feel that the fact that people just couldn’t believe that a fall would cause that amount of blood lose was really what did it. Yet if you have ever seen someone or have had a head injury you know how much it actually bleeds. Even the smallest of cuts – I remember one that caused a fellow camp counselor to lose her cool and it wasn’t until she saw the size of the cut on the head that she calmed down and realized that it’s just an area of the body that bleeds A LOT! I am disgusted by Southern Americans and there racist homophobic opinions! If they think they are ANY better then crazy Islamic dictatorships like Syria or Iran they are wrong!
Here is the link to the ABC News story on his new trial and Duane Deaver is mentioned. He was fired. Whatever you might believe (guilty, not guilty) it is important that everyone have a fair trial and it appears now that Michael Peterson may never have had that. Link: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2011/12/novelist-michael-peterson-convicted-of-wifes-murder-is-released-from-prison-and-will-get-new-trial/
I read about 10 comments and had to stop because I got a sharp pain over my left eye
Let’s put it this way. Anybody that thinks the outcome (of guilty) was a correct one fails to understand the fundamental principles of the justice system. Like Rudolph (that dude is brilliant btw) mentioned several times, it’s ALL about reasonable doubt. The prosecution was asserting in their under-oath-argument that the victim was killed with a blow-poke. That was obviously not the case…
That said, who fuckin knows, the dude probably killed her with a baseball bat. BUT THAT DOESN’T MATTER. What matters is that he didn’t kill her with the blow-poke, which by judicial logic renders him not guilty. That’s not to say he shouldn’t be re-tried and convicted by way of a different theory (and weapon), but not under the blow-poke theory. And personally, I think it’s fucked to let a group of random patrons decide on someone’s life. The jury looked hokey to me. They didn’t strike me as the type that would be able to put his penchant for anal w/ men aside.