Winona's attorney may take Scott Peterson's case
By Matt Bean
Court TV
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Mark Geragos
Story Tools
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(Court TV) -- A defense attorney whose roster of clients has included Winona Ryder, Whitewater scandal figure Susan McDougal, and rapper "Nate Dogg" wants to defend Scott Peterson against charges that he murdered his wife and unborn son last Christmas.
"I would definitely say I'm leaning toward helping him," said Los Angeles-area attorney Mark Geragos on a Wednesday taping of Larry King Live. "I'm going to sleep on it tonight and I'll make the decision."
Prosecutors say Peterson, 30, killed his wife and dumped her body in the waters off the coast of San Francisco Bay.
The goateed suspect was arrested days after the bodies of his wife and their unborn son, whom they had named Conner, washed ashore not far away. Peterson pleaded not guilty to two charges of murder, which carry a special circumstance that could qualify him for the death penalty if convicted.
Geragos' last high-profile gig was defending actress Winona Ryder, who was convicted last year of shoplifting from a Beverly Hills store. Ryder was convicted of two of the three counts she faced, and served 480 hours of community service.
Peterson won't get off so easily if convicted.
Stanislaus County District Attorney James Brazelton has said he intends to seek the death penalty for the former fertilizer salesman, a decision that could be finalized with the approval of an internal committee and Laci Peterson's family.
"I owe it to Laci, Conner, the community and especially the family, who are the most important people here," Brazelton said in a TV interview on The John Walsh Show last week.
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Scott Peterson is seen during an April court appearance.
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Geragos' familiarity with the media could prove helpful to Peterson at a time when public support seems entirely against him.
"It's almost like a public lynching at this point, said Eric Dubin, a Los Angeles attorney who is representing some of the surviving relatives of Bonny Bakley, actor Robert Blake's wife and alleged murder victim. "I really think they need to do some damage control and if they have a side of the case to get it out."
Geragos did not respond to Courttv.com's request for comment.
A bail review hearing for Peterson is scheduled for May 6 but could be postponed if Geragos is appointed. Superior Court Judge Al Girolami will preside over a change of attorney hearing Friday.
