Disclaimer: This article contains mentions of murder. Reader discretion is advised.
Scott Peterson was on San Quentin State Prison’s death row before the California Supreme Court overturned his death sentence in 2020. Scott had been serving time in the facility for the murders of his pregnant wife, Laci Peterson, and their unborn son, Conner, since March 2005. The sentence came after the sensational murder trial ended with his conviction on two counts of murder the previous November. However, he has always maintained innocence in the murders, with the LA Innocence Project now investigating his “claim of actual innocence.”
The highly debated case has garnered widespread attention in the past two decades. It’s no secret that many people believe in Scott Peterson’s innocence, including the unwavering support of some of his family members. A San Quentin prison spokesperson revealed that Scott’s life there involved letters of support and frequent visits from family and friends. Since the California Supreme Court overturned his death sentence, the convicted murderer was moved to a different facility.
According to the California Department of Corrections, Scott Peterson is now in the Mule Creek State Prison. He recently gave his first interview in 20 years in Peacock’s Face to Face with Scott Peterson documentary. Viewers will hear from Scott for the first time since his conviction in the three-part docuseries.
Scott Peterson “looked healthy” while he was in San Quentin prison
Vernell Crittendon, a San Quentin State Prison spokesperson, described Scott Peterson’s life there to People Magazine. Crittendon claimed Scott adapted to the system with little effort by charming the female prison guards. The inmate even notified others about his nickname “Scottie-Too-Hottie,” which he got through a woman who sent him a letter of support.
According to Crittendon, Scott Peterson received at least 85 such letters every week when he first arrived at the facility. Moreover, the spokesperson called Scott “a sociopath,” adding, “As long as he’s getting all this attention, he’s going to be rather happy.”
The outlet also discussed investigative journalist Nancy Mullane’s encounter with Scott Peterson in San Quentin prison. Mullane had observed Scott while working on her 2012 book Life After Murder: Five Men in Search of Redemption. She claimed that “he looked healthy.”
Mullane described Scott as someone who “didn’t look depressed.” She added, “He looked like someone you’d see on the street playing basketball. He had his shirt off and his boxer shorts up. … He wasn’t ripped, but he looked healthy.”
San Quentin State Prison’s Vernell Crittendon also briefly mentioned Scott Peterson’s frequent visitors. These visitors included some of his parents, a few friends, and a woman from his former defense counsel.
A Peterson family friend had previously told People Magazine in 2005 how “Scott [Peterson]’s keeping his spirits pretty high.” The individual said that despite his conviction, Scott “has the attitude that he didn’t do anything wrong.” They noted, “He’s waiting for the day when he can come out and do his ha-ha dance and tell the world, ‘See, I didn’t do it.'”
The California Department of Corrections had Scott Peterson transferred to the Mule Creek State Prison in October 2022. The move came after he received life in prison without the possibility of parole during a resentencing trial.
Scott now continues his fight for justice, maintaining he did not murder his eight-month-pregnant wife, Laci Peterson, in 2002. He believes new DNA evidence can link a nearby break-in and the burglars to the murder. In May 2024, a judge ordered DNA testing on a piece of duct tape found on Laci’s pants.
Face to Face with Scott Peterson premiered on Peacock on August 20, 2024.
