This day in WND history: Scott Peterson guilty of killing Laci

Scott and Laci Peterson

Scott Peterson guilty of killing Laci

Laci Peterson

Nov. 12, 2004: In a case thrust to the national stage by cable news channels, a jury in Redwood City, California, found Scott Peterson guilty of first-degree murder in the death of his wife and second-degree murder for death of his unborn child.

A pregnant Laci Peterson, 27, disappeared on Christmas Eve in 2002 from her Modesto home. Her body and the body of her unborn son, named Conner, washed ashore four months later in San Francisco Bay, in the area where her husband said he was fishing.

TRENDING: 'Last line of defense': Sarah Huckabee Sanders runs for governor

Prosecutor Rick Distaso told the jury Scott Peterson could not stand the thought of being trapped in a "dull, boring, married life with kids."

"He wants to live the rich, successful, freewheeling bachelor life," Distaso said. "He can't do that when he's paying child support, alimony and everything else. He didn't want to be tied to this kid the rest of his life. He didn't want to be tied to Laci for the rest of his life. So he killed her."

To see WND highlights from every calendar date, click here.
Never miss another big story. Sign up for WND's free email news alerts right now!