Peterson’s Attorneys Appeal Open Hearing

Scott Peterson’s defense attorneys have appealed a judge’s order that lets the public attend the hearing at which prosecutors will lay out their evidence against the Modesto fertilizer salesman charged with killing his wife and unborn child.

“Unless this court intervenes and closes the preliminary hearing, there will be no chance of obtaining an unbiased jury,” defense attorney Mark Geragos wrote in a 28-page request filed Wednesday at the 5th District Court of Appeal in Fresno.

Stanislaus County Judge Al Girolami ruled last week that the hearing would remain open, though he later banned all cameras and recording devices. Peterson’s preliminary hearing is set for Sept. 9.

Peterson, 30, has pleaded not guilty to two murder charges in the deaths of his wife, Laci, and the couple’s unborn child.