1. Mike Peterson case

2. Michael Peterson case “The Staircase” DVD (minutes shown in class) – Vol. I: 0-14, 21-27, 32-36 – Vol. II: 0-17, 34-45 – Vol. III: 0-21, 37-40 – Vol. IV: 0-17, 32-44 – Vol. V: 8-18, 23-37, 39-47 – Vol. VI: 5-18, 24-47 – Vol. VII: 0-30, 37-44 – Vol. VIII: 5-11, 15-31, 39-46 Links – News-Observer (best) News-Observer – WRAL WRAL – Court TV Court TV

3. Key evidence against Peterson In “The Staircase” – Suspect’s extramarital sexual escapades (rebut “happy marriage” in defense opening statement & testimony) – 1985 death of Elizabeth Ratliff in Germany – Large amount of blood on staircase Not in “The Staircase” – Heavy spending by the Petersons led to financial problems – Victim had $1.4 million insurance policy – Bloody print from defendant’s sneaker was on the back of the victim's sweat pants – Suspect’s shirt and shorts were covered with his wife's blood. There were bloodstains on the inside of the shorts. – “Cast-off blood” in hallway – Neuropathologist testified that victim suffered a brain injury several hours before her death

4. Key evidence for Peterson First doctor arriving from the Medical Examiner’s office thought it was an accident Dr. Henry Lee’s assessment that blood spatter was more consistent with a fall Biomechanical engineer who studies injuries in car crashes said the injuries resulted from a fall Police bumbled collection of physical evidence