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FRESNO (FOX NEWS)— Jailed murder suspect Scott Peterson met with members of a neo-Nazi gang to discuss the kidnapping of his pregnant wife only days before she disappeared, according to a published report in Saturday’s editions of the Fresno Bee.
Peterson spoke with two members of the Nazi Low Riders (search) gang known as “Dirty” and “Skeeter,” Cory Lee Carroll, 34, told investigators from the Modesto Police Department and the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office in a jailhouse interview last week.
According to Carroll, who passed a polygraph exam on the matter before being questioned by police, Peterson met up with him at the Fresno-based City Lights strip club (search) last November. As the two watched dancers, talked and played pool, Carroll revealed that he had spent time in prison.
Soon thereafter, the two men headed for another bar and then a fast food restaurant, where Peterson allegedly asked Carroll if he knew anyone willing to steal his wife’s car, paving the way for him to cash in through an insurance fraud. The two allegedly agreed on a price of $300 for Carroll to introduce Peterson to the two men willing to do the job.
It was during that November 29 meeting at Chili’s Grill & Bar in northeast Fresno, Carroll alleges, where the subject of kidnapping Laci Peterson was first discussed.
Prosecutors have since charged Scott Peterson with the Christmas Eve murder of his wife and their unborn child, both of whose remains washed ashore from the San Francisco Bay in April.
Carroll first made his claim to his attorney, Frank Muna, who said he only reported it to authorities after having his private investigator administer a polygraph test.
Citing a court-imposed gag order, Modesto police spokesman Lt. Doug Ridenour declined to comment on the new revelations, adding only that it is the duty of law enforcement to follow up on all leads.
"It doesn't matter where or what time; if it has a potential connection to a case we're going to investigate it," he said. The Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office did not respond to inquiries.
"Unfortunately, I can't comment," said Peterson lead attorney Mark Geragos, also citing the gag order. "I would love to, but unfortunately, I can't."
Peterson, 30, has pleaded innocent to two counts of murder that could bring the death penalty. His next court date is his preliminary hearing, set for Oct. 20, to determine whether there is sufficient evidence for him to stand trial.
Meanwhile, Carroll's statement is detailed in a memo that summarizes the polygraph exam. The memo, obtained by the Fresno Bee on Friday, was written by polygraph examiner and private investigator Melvin W. King, a former Fresno police lieutenant.
Carroll truthfully answered questions during the examination, according to the memo. Polygraph, or lie detector, tests are not admissible in court.
According to the memo, on the night the four men got together, Carroll overheard something about kidnapping and left because he didn't want to get involved. He stayed away about 45 minutes. When he returned, the two neo-Nazi gang members said they were going to take care of something. Carroll said he didn't want to hear anything about it.
In December, Carroll was arrested for violating parole after a conviction for receiving stolen property, records from the California Department of Corrections show.
Carroll said he recognized Peterson later when he saw him on a television report about the Modesto man's arrest.
According to the polygraph report, these questions and answers were given during the examination:
Question: "Have you lied to me about anything during our interview?"
Answer: "No."
Q: "Did you lie when you said you introduced Dirty and Skeeter to Scott Peterson?"
A: "No."
Q: "Did you lie when you said you heard Scott Peterson mention to Dirty and Skeeter something about kidnapping Laci?"
A: "No."
"Mr. Carroll appears to believe his statement about meeting Scott Peterson and introducing him to Tony and Anthony also known as Dirty and Skeeter," the report concludes, while suggesting a second polygraph outside jail if there is further investigation into Carroll's claims.
"I can't confirm or deny anything," King said when asked about the report. "It's been made very clear to me — I'm under a gag order."
A few things in Carroll's statement match what has been reported in the media, including his assertion that Peterson drove a Ford F-150 truck on the night they met in late November, which police have since taken into their possession.
A van he highlighted, similar to the one he said Dirty and Skeeter owned, has been described by a witness as being across the street from Laci Peterson's home the day she disappeared. Police have discounted reports of a suspicious van in the neighborhood, saying it belonged to landscapers.
Muna defended his client's statements, saying Carroll had nothing to gain by coming forward. "We've never asked for anything, and we don't plan to," Muna said. "This puts my client in a lot of danger."
Muna said Carroll has been attacked twice since he was released from prison in July. The last time, the attackers told him to keep his mouth shut, Muna said. Muna said he didn't know who the attackers were.
Carroll was arrested Aug. 1 after missing a court date for driving with a suspended license. He is being held without bail because he is on parole.
Peterson spoke with two members of the Nazi Low Riders (search) gang known as “Dirty” and “Skeeter,” Cory Lee Carroll, 34, told investigators from the Modesto Police Department and the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office in a jailhouse interview last week.
According to Carroll, who passed a polygraph exam on the matter before being questioned by police, Peterson met up with him at the Fresno-based City Lights strip club (search) last November. As the two watched dancers, talked and played pool, Carroll revealed that he had spent time in prison.
Soon thereafter, the two men headed for another bar and then a fast food restaurant, where Peterson allegedly asked Carroll if he knew anyone willing to steal his wife’s car, paving the way for him to cash in through an insurance fraud. The two allegedly agreed on a price of $300 for Carroll to introduce Peterson to the two men willing to do the job.
It was during that November 29 meeting at Chili’s Grill & Bar in northeast Fresno, Carroll alleges, where the subject of kidnapping Laci Peterson was first discussed.
Prosecutors have since charged Scott Peterson with the Christmas Eve murder of his wife and their unborn child, both of whose remains washed ashore from the San Francisco Bay in April.
Carroll first made his claim to his attorney, Frank Muna, who said he only reported it to authorities after having his private investigator administer a polygraph test.
Citing a court-imposed gag order, Modesto police spokesman Lt. Doug Ridenour declined to comment on the new revelations, adding only that it is the duty of law enforcement to follow up on all leads.
"It doesn't matter where or what time; if it has a potential connection to a case we're going to investigate it," he said. The Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office did not respond to inquiries.
"Unfortunately, I can't comment," said Peterson lead attorney Mark Geragos, also citing the gag order. "I would love to, but unfortunately, I can't."
Peterson, 30, has pleaded innocent to two counts of murder that could bring the death penalty. His next court date is his preliminary hearing, set for Oct. 20, to determine whether there is sufficient evidence for him to stand trial.
Meanwhile, Carroll's statement is detailed in a memo that summarizes the polygraph exam. The memo, obtained by the Fresno Bee on Friday, was written by polygraph examiner and private investigator Melvin W. King, a former Fresno police lieutenant.
Carroll truthfully answered questions during the examination, according to the memo. Polygraph, or lie detector, tests are not admissible in court.
According to the memo, on the night the four men got together, Carroll overheard something about kidnapping and left because he didn't want to get involved. He stayed away about 45 minutes. When he returned, the two neo-Nazi gang members said they were going to take care of something. Carroll said he didn't want to hear anything about it.
In December, Carroll was arrested for violating parole after a conviction for receiving stolen property, records from the California Department of Corrections show.
Carroll said he recognized Peterson later when he saw him on a television report about the Modesto man's arrest.
According to the polygraph report, these questions and answers were given during the examination:
Question: "Have you lied to me about anything during our interview?"
Answer: "No."
Q: "Did you lie when you said you introduced Dirty and Skeeter to Scott Peterson?"
A: "No."
Q: "Did you lie when you said you heard Scott Peterson mention to Dirty and Skeeter something about kidnapping Laci?"
A: "No."
"Mr. Carroll appears to believe his statement about meeting Scott Peterson and introducing him to Tony and Anthony also known as Dirty and Skeeter," the report concludes, while suggesting a second polygraph outside jail if there is further investigation into Carroll's claims.
"I can't confirm or deny anything," King said when asked about the report. "It's been made very clear to me — I'm under a gag order."
A few things in Carroll's statement match what has been reported in the media, including his assertion that Peterson drove a Ford F-150 truck on the night they met in late November, which police have since taken into their possession.
A van he highlighted, similar to the one he said Dirty and Skeeter owned, has been described by a witness as being across the street from Laci Peterson's home the day she disappeared. Police have discounted reports of a suspicious van in the neighborhood, saying it belonged to landscapers.
Muna defended his client's statements, saying Carroll had nothing to gain by coming forward. "We've never asked for anything, and we don't plan to," Muna said. "This puts my client in a lot of danger."
Muna said Carroll has been attacked twice since he was released from prison in July. The last time, the attackers told him to keep his mouth shut, Muna said. Muna said he didn't know who the attackers were.
Carroll was arrested Aug. 1 after missing a court date for driving with a suspended license. He is being held without bail because he is on parole.