Why didn't Scott Peterson ever take the stand?

[GoPackGo]

Not even in the death penalty phase?

 

[Modeps]

Defendants dont have to take the stand.

 

[Mo0o]

Maybe it might hurt his chances?

 

[StageLeft]

Cause he's a murderous bitch and he knows it.

 

[Hankerton]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Cause he's a murderous bitch and he knows it.

 

[GoPackGo]

I know he doesnt have too....

but if my life was on the line...I would like to say something.

 

[Mo0o]

Originally posted by: GoPackGo
I know he doesnt have too....

but if my life was on the line...I would like to say something.

Maybe you'll just end up in more sh1t than you already are

 

[SpunkyJones]

Originally posted by: Hankerton

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Cause he's a murderous bitch and he knows it.

 

[Stark]

they generally advise murderers not to take the stand. They couldn't even come up with one picture or witness who said he grieved for his wife.

 

[axelfox]

He'll be subject to cross examination and most of the time you DON'T want that if you are the defense.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: GoPackGo
I know he doesnt have too....

but if my life was on the line...I would like to say something.

But you're not a murderous bitch. I'm not being facetious - I think he knows that he did it and probably hates himself for it, but is too weak of a person to admit it. All he has to do is admit what he did and repent to the court, and I'm sure that they would recommend life sentence only. He probably knows he can't convincly lie to a jury in some monologue speech.

 

[JulesMaximus]

It is a common belief that if the defendant takes the stand and says he didn't do it it just makes him look more guilty in the eyes of the jury. Counsel generally advises that defendants do not take the stand. Besides, if he took the stand the prosecution would get to cross examine him and that's the LAST thing the defense would want.

 

[TheAudit]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Cause he's a murderous bitch and he knows it.

Goddamnit, it was a cult!

 

[RichPLS]

Cause he is harmfull to himself and knows he is a liar and cant gain anything by opening himself up to interogation...
He will not live through prison life, not even as someones bitch!

 

[Phoenix86]

His chances of life are better if he admits what he did to the jury. He shouldn't have taken the stand in the trial, but he should have for the punishment phase.

Do they allow a cross-examination in the punishment phase too?

 

[GoPackGo]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: GoPackGo
I know he doesnt have too....

but if my life was on the line...I would like to say something.

But you're not a murderous bitch. I'm not being facetious - I think he knows that he did it and probably hates himself for it, but is too weak of a person to admit it. All he has to do is admit what he did and repent to the court, and I'm sure that they would recommend life sentence only. He probably knows he can't convincly lie to a jury in some monologue speech.

Can't the jury only suggest the death sentence or is their decision final?

Plus I think he has an opportunity to make statement just before he is sentenced.

 

[Vinney]

Depends on the state, some states what the jury says is a recommendation and others what the jury says is what happens

 

[Vinney]

Yes there can be cross-examination at the penalty phase too