Why could Scott Petterson be convicted of second degree murder of his UNBORN son?
464282
Actually, I think both should be illegal!!!! \nAt what point these days does society think that life begins? It seems that answer is directly related to the value the mother puts on the child. \n\nIf it's not a baby....you're not pregnant!
1081179
Good Lord what judge in his right mind would let your ex have that child when he has a criminal record like that? If a judge gave Him custody the judge is just as guilty of the same crimes.
670591
In my logic NO he shouldn't have, but by the screwed up justice system sadly yes.  I know if I was molested or raped and my husband or dad found out they'd kill the other person.  It would be premeditated - that would be the courts case.  Now if the victim did it in self-defense it might be a different outcome.
1146399
You're the mother of the son of Darwin!?!  Holy hail be unto thee blessed virgin(?) mother of our savior.  Wait...Jim wouldn't sacrifice his son...Nevermind.  We're screwed.  Could Jim adopt a kid and crucify him, and have it count?
611564
IT IS MURDER TO ABORT AN INNOCENT CHILD.\nTHE GUILT WILL EAT AWAY AT YOU.\nMY COUSIN STACY HAD 3. SHE LATER TURN TO DRUGS AND BOOZE TO FORGET THE MURDERS SHE COMMITED AND ALSO TRIED TO KILL HERSELF..
497402
There was a man here in Texas that spent 14 years on death row for rape and murder of a teenage girl at a volleyball tournament. He was released after 14 years for wrongful conviction. I don't think that the state paid anything to him for those 14 years. In fact, after they released him, they picked him up again for failure to pay child support while he was in the state penitentiary. His family spent everything that they had for appeals and finally there were a couple of attorneys who donated their time to his cause.
1139201
He is innocent until proven guilty, and his wife was the one to bail him out, so who knows what's going on there.\n\nHe should keep playing until he is (IF he is) declared guilty. It would be horrible (and pretty un-American) to kill the guys career on an allegation. If he is found guilty, he should be banned; he would be a felon, and a pretty big dirtbag as well.
67824
Yes.  But if the book is about the murder, then the victim's family are able to get the money for restitution.  He can write a book about other things and keep the money.
1132919
Uh...that's really crppy!  I don't know how people could live with themselves by letting others believe stuff like this.  Talk about scr@wing up in every direction.  I'm sure the kid's real father is a gem too.
1031106
I think she is morally wrong to have him charged with manslaughter.  Sounds like the family found a way to make a quick fortune.  My ex did something similar.  Disgusting.
1134354
no thats a mistrial..double jeopardy would be if he was found not guilty....they could never trie him again for the same crime.
346924
Was it a related charge?  ie 1st degree murder to 2nd degree murder?  Then there's no material change in the charges and it can proceed.  If they went from shoplifting to assault and battery though they'd have to give time to prepare a defense to that since that was not the orginial charge.
888242
No, I doubt there's a "special law" for it. It would be considered murder, homocide or voluntary manslaughter.\n\nBut if the pregnant woman kills her own child after birth, then there's a law for that.
611120
All crimes require intent. Murder[1] requires "intent to kill"\nThe intent is clearly lacking in this case. So even if it was an Adult he could not be convicted of murder.\nThis is at most negligent homicide[2]. I.E. a person failed to removed the pillow by negligence and let a child die.\nSo if it was an adult he would be convicted of that.\nBut a child is usually deemed not capable of negligence[3] because he cannot foresee the result of his actions. \nSo there would be no charges.
482657
They believe the life begins at conception and no reason is good enough to murder a child. I always found it funny that those same conservative people are the same ones who are all for the death penalty. It OK to murder a grown person if they are found guilty in the court of law weather they are truly guilty or not but it is not OK to destroy a cluster of cells the will eventually turn into a human.
692374
I'm with you. I've often wondered the exact same thing! Like with Lacy Peterson, or other murdered pregnant women. There's this huge uproar...Oh that poor baby...it was...murdered. Ok, so then why is it legal to go and voluntarily murder that baby? Is it ok because it kills only the baby, not you? Sad thing is, if abortion were made illeagel women would still do it, and possibly get themselves killed in the process. But, why? Is it worth it to you?? To be rid of this "burden" as you see it, at the risk of your own life? If people aborted every unplanned pregancy, a lot of us wouldn't be here. Look, it isn't a choice between aborting the child or becoming a mother. there's another option...adoption. Heck, they even have laws now saying you can just leave the baby at a hospital or fire station or other drop points with no questions asked, no reprecussions. There are thousands of loving families out there who want a baby so bad and adoption is the only way they can. You say you were raped or something? Well, two wrongs don't make a right. Murdering an innocent baby changes nothing. Now you have to deal with the rape and the guilt of knowing you murdered your own child. I'm sorry, nothing makes this right. JMO
726698
I'm certain he is guilty. What kind of innocent person would lead the cops to chase after him for a long time after he lied and told them he would turn himself in? There were no other suspects that the police could find, and guilty people are let free a lot. The problem seems to be the amendment in the Consitution that says that a person can't be tried twice (double jeopardy), even if substatial evidence amounts against that person. I have heard a lot of rumors that a murder weapon was found, but that eveidence is now usless thanks to that amendment. Rich people like him can afford the best of lawyers, and his lawyer certainly was no amateur. He helped many other famous people walk free, and your lawyer runs most of the show at a trial. He knows all of the loopholes and how to bring his client out of a hole.