For Laci by Sharon Rocha

Laci Rocha Peterson, 8 months pregnant, was last seen by her sister, Amy, in the late afternoon of December 23, 2002. She spoke to her mother, Sharon Rocha, at 8: 30 p.m. that night. This would be the last time anyone from her immediate family ever spoke to her. A search began which lasted an agonizing four months. Sadly, Laci Peterson and her son Conner were found dead on the shores of San Francisco Bay on April 18, 2003. Her husband, Scott, was eventually arrested and charged with the murder of Laci and Connor. After a sensational, media-saturated trial, Peterson was found guilty of capital murder and was sentenced to death on March 16, 2005.

That's right,another book on Laci Rocha Peterson.But this one is special because it is written by her mother and takes you to the heart of this tragic case.Sharon Rocha provides bitter sweet memories of Laci as a child.We all have funny stories that are unique to each child.I remember my daughter and I having a conversation once.I think she was about 10 years old and she made a reference to her "pagina" and when I started laughing she said "Ag Mom I know it's called a "bagina".This book details all those little quirks that were unique to Laci and told from her mother's perspective as only a Mom can tell.I really felt I had a good idea of the kind of little person she was and therefore a good idea of the adult she became.Sharon Rocha doesn't just sugarcoat all the details (as we are wont to do when someone has passed on).She does include the fact that Laci was stubborn and very strong willed.That she was the bossy one when it came to relationships.To me she was still very likeable.The next part of the book covers Laci as a young adult,her experiences when she was studying,her dreams of owning her own shop one day,her relationship with the one boyfriend and finally meeting Scott Peterson and their subsequent marriage.This is all told from Sharon Rocha's perspective.If she did not know details firsthand then it was not included.Some of the information is from direct conversations with Laci herself or gained from the extended family.And finally,Laci's disappearance,what the family goes through finding out what is going on,the discovery of the bodies,Sharon's own insight as to the behavior of Scott Peterson while this is going on and then last,but not least,what the family goes through during the court case which finally ends in a conviction for Scott Peterson,where he is sentenced to death.

I am (as my daughter would say) very "emo" but when it comes to stories written by mothers about their dead daughters,I am out of control "emo".I seem to be reading those books lately as in "Loving Natalee"."Who Killed My Daughter" is another one I have read.I was,true to form,crying from the first page,and then I regained some composure as we went through Laci's early childhood and young adulthood,then I started losing it and finally when Sharon Rocha read out her letter to Scott Peterson which she did just before he was sentenced.It was an amazing letter and by that time I was bawling,loudly.I feel stupid now but the letter was wonderfully written and straight from the heart.

During the court case Scott Peterson's parents treated Laci's family like dirt.Snide comments,vile unnuendoes,you name it.Instead of being angry with their son for being in this situation they chose to direct that anger towards Laci's family.At the end
when Scott Peterson is sentenced to death Laci's Dad turns to Lee Peterson(Scott's dad) and says "sorry".Lee Peterson then swears at him.I have read books on this case and this book confirmed my stance on "nurture" being the most basic reason for the creation of monsters.His parents spoiled him and yet seemed to mix this up with selfish interests of their own.Over and above the fact that his mother Jackie Peterson herself had a horrific childhood.This is going to sound terrible but I was so angry about this behavior that my first thought was "Thank goodness Jackie Peterson gave up two of her children for adoption as the one she raised herself,she raised to be a monster".She actually raised John as well and he has turned out ok,as far as I know.

Since then Sharon Rocha fought hard for the rights of unborn victims.The jury in this case only charged Scott Peterson with the 2nd degree murder of the baby,Conner Peterson and that was a bitter pill to swallow especially if you consider and believe the fact that Laci Peterson only ended up murdered because she was pregnant.Scott Peterson did not want children.I believe baby Conner was the primary target in this crime.This case is truly highlighted in the book Erased by Marilee Strong(link below).

On a previous post I asked the question:if a pregnant woman is murdered should it be considered 1 murder or 2?A big thank you to my readers who commented.Here are the results of Sharon Rocha and others' campaign to have this bill accepted into law:

Full-Coverage Unborn Victim States (25)
States With Homicide Laws That Recognize Unborn Children as Victims Throughout the Period of Pre-natal Development)
Alabama,Alaska,Arizona,Georgia,Illinois,Idaho,Kansas,Kentucky,Louisiana,Michigan,Minnesota,Mississippi,Missouri,Nebraska,North Dakota,Ohio,Oklahoma,Pennsylvania,SouthCarolina,South Dakota,Texas,Utah,Virginia,West Virginia,Wisconsin

Partial-Coverage Unborn Victim States (10)
States with Homicide Laws That Recognize Unborn Children as Victims, But only During Part of the Period of Pre-natal Development)
Arkansas,California,Florida,Indiana,Maryland,Nevada,Rhode Island,Tennessee,Washington

For more detailed information on above please go here

Now to answer Missy's question about which Laci Peterson book I would suggest reading.If you are manic like me then you should read all the books I list below but otherwise consider from which angle you would like to get your information.

If you would like to find out what was going on behind the scenes and what families of victims go through in crime cases then I would suggest the book above,For Laci by Sharon Rocha.

To get a bird's eye view of this true crime story where all the major components of a crime case is listed as in background/childhood,crime,investigation,court case but in lesser detail then you must try this book by Michael Fleeman
Laci: Inside the Laci Peterson Murder (St. Martin's True Crime Library)

If you are interested in the psychology behind a crime then Keith Ablow MD more than provides in this book
Inside the Mind of Scott Peterson

If you would like to delve even further into what went on during jury deliberations bearing in mind that juror no 5 was kicked off the jury.He is the one that says he would have acquitted Scott Peterson because Laci was much better looking than Amber Frey,that pregnant women are full of s**t.I dread to think what would have happened if this bombastic oaf had remained on the jury.
We, the Jury: Deciding the Scott Peterson Case

Or if you would like to get the version of the story from the "other woman" Amber Frey.I hated this book's cover and still do.Also I do not have much sympathy for women who sleep with other women's husbands.Granted she did not know at the time that Scott was married but she had had an affair with a married man before so I don't think this would have stopped her if Scott Peterson didn't end up killing his wife.In fact she would have done Laci a favor by sparing her life.
Witness: For the Prosecution of Scott Peterson

And then finally if the thought of all these books are terrifying then there is a DVD on this story although Sharon Rocha says it is mostly inaccurate.I did see it and actually would love to watch it again now that I have all this other information gained from these books.
Perfect Husband - The Laci Peterson Story

For extra information the book Erased by Marilee Strong.This book however covers a few cases and is meant to highlight Eraser Killings which is the "wiping out" of one's spouse from your life for no other reason than they have now become inconvenient.

Missy,you can get the ISDN numbers of these book by clicking the links.They are just further down the page.

Now for my question:
I virtually cringe every time I have to type Laci Peterson.I would prefer to type Laci Rocha.I have a BIG problem with the fact that women who are murdered by their husbands still have this murderer's surname on their gravestone.I think that you take on a man's surname in honor of your marriage to him.When he ends up murdering you I think that should fall away,especially if there are no children from the marriage.(I think the little ones would like their mother to have the same surname as they do.)Do you agree with me or have I lost the plot finally?