Disclaimer: This article contains mentions of murder. Reader discretion is advised.
Laci Peterson’s mom, Sharon Rocha, features in Netflix’s new documentary, American Murder. In the three-part series, Rocha discusses her first impression of her son-in-law Scott Peterson, who has been in prison for Laci’s murder for more than two decades now. She recalled thinking to herself, “I hope he’s not filling her with crap.” The docuseries also features interviews with Scott Peterson’s former girlfriend, Amber Frey. Reportedly, Frey played a key role in Scott’s murder trial as the prosecution’s star witness.
American Murder: Laci Peterson premieres on Netflix ahead of Peacock’s Face to Face with Scott Peterson’s release. Scott, now serving life without parole for the murders of Laci Peterson and their unborn son, speaks for the first time in 20 years in the docuseries. Face to Face will air on the network this August 20, 2024.
American Murder: Laci Peterson: Mom Sharon Rocha discusses Scott Peterson’s first impression
Netflix’s American Murder: Laci Peterson includes an interview with Laci’s mom, Sharon Rocha. According to People Magazine, in the rare interview, Rocha discusses her first impression of Scott Peterson. Laci Peterson’s mom talks about how she felt when Scott and her daughter first started dating. Rocha recalled in a trailer clip, “Laci was telling me all these things about Scott. And I remember saying, as her mother, ‘I hope he’s not filling her with crap.'” She added, “I have learned to go with my gut feeling.”
Besides Laci Peterson’s mom, Sharon Rocha, Scott Peterson’s ex-girlfriend, Amber Frey, also features in the new documentary. Frey was crucial in the investigation against Scott, his incrimination in Laci’s murder, and his ultimate conviction in 2004. She revealed that she did not know about Scott’s marriage as he claimed to be a widower when their affair began. Moreover, Frey alleged she only learned about Scott and Laci Peterson’s marriage after the latter went missing on Christmas Eve in 2002.
American Murder interviewed several others who were actively involved in the sensational murder case. The limited series revisits the harrowing moment when Laci Peterson’s mom and her other family members learned about her murder. The news first reached them after the discovery of the body of Laci and Scott Peterson’s unborn son, Conner. The body had washed up on the shores of San Francisco Bay. Laci’s badly decomposed remains were discovered not far from there.
Scott Peterson’s subsequent arrest and conviction came without a hitch due to an abundance of evidence against him. Moreover, Amber Frey played a crucial role when she secretly recorded their conversations in an undercover operation. American Murder: Laci Peterson also included the calls between Frey and Scott, which served as key evidence. In the call, Amber Frey asks Scott Peterson, “So what do you want to be together with me?” Scott replies, “For the rest of our lives I think we could care for each other.”
At the time, prosecutors had alleged the accused murdered Laci and their unborn son to escape fatherhood. They also believed Scott Peterson’s affair with Amber Frey was another cause. Scott, however, has maintained his innocence in the murders, claiming he was fishing in Berkeley the day Laci disappeared.
In recent developments in the case, the Los Angeles Innocence Project has started representing Scott’s claim of actual innocence. The organization believes DNA evidence can link a burglary that happened near the Peterson home to Laci’s murder. In May of this year, a judge granted new DNA testing on a piece of duct tape from the case, per NBC News.
Scott Peterson is now serving life without parole in the Mule Creek State Prison.
