1 May 2003 Gwen Kemple called Grogan

Gwen Kemple testified that she called Det. Grogan and volunteered the information that Scott was at the Covena home from 9:00-11:30 on the morning of the 25th and wasn't doing anything to assist the search for Laci.  She told started to think about things that she thought were a little unusual and mentioned it to Sharon, who told her to call Grogan.  She said she didn't provide the information earlier because no one asked her. 

1 May 2003 Meeting with Ralph Cheng, USGS Sr. Research Hydrologist

Detectives Dodge Hendee and Phil Owen met with Dr. Ralph Cheng of the USGS to enlist his help in identifying a high probability area for the FBI divers out of New York to search for Laci's missing body parts and the anchors.  Attending the meeting were FBI divers Richard Tait and Robert Chacon, FBI agent Laura Nielson, and Dr. Cheng's associate, Hank Chezar. The detectives took the others out to the site where Laci was found and pointed out the site where Conner was found and Brooks Island.  Subsequently, Dr. Cheng sent Detective Owen a projected path that the bodies traveled and a time at the height of the previous storm during which Laci could have broken free.  This meeting re-opened the water operations.

2 May 2003 McAllister uncovered exonerating evidence

In interviews on the 1st and 2nd, Kirk McAllister said the police approached this entire case with the attitude "We have our theory, don't confuse me with the facts." "I've made a bond with the citizens who've come forward and talked to me and talked to my investigator, and what I could promise these people was what they tell us will ultimately come out in trial. But I'm not gonna do like the police have and call a press conference and visit this hurricane of publicity on these people. ... I'm not gonna disclose what I have before I have to do it either to stroke my ego or kiss the media's a--."

2 May 2003 MPD contacted Sonic Technologies

Detective Hendee placed a phone call to Demille, of Sonic Technologies, and then talked to him on the phone on May 5.  Initially, Sonic said it would participate in a new search, but then offered to review the sonar images collected by Gene Ralston in earlier searches of the Bay and give a second opinion on what information they provided. 

4 May 2003 Laci's Memorial Service

Thousands attended the public Memorial Service for Laci on her 28th birthday. Scott asked to attend the Memorial, but the request was denied by his jailers. Some reports suggest Laci's family barred him from attendance. None of Scott's family attended.   

5 May 2003 McAllister's response to the DA's request for Discovery

On May 5, 2003, prosecution investigator Kevin Bertalotto wrote this report: "On 5-5-2003 at approximately 0730 hours, I opened an email sent to me by Deputy District Attorney Rick Distaso, which requested that Kirk McAllister be contacted and asked if he had any information, which might clear Scott Peterson of the charges he is accused of. On 5-5 at approximately 0825 hours, in the Stanislaus County Court Building in the hallway near Department 8, I saw Kirk McAllister standing in the hallway. I know Kirk McAllister as a local criminal defense attorney and have had dealings with him in the past on criminal cases that I was working. I approached Kirk and said good morning and shook hands with him and he reciprocated. I asked Kirk if he wanted to share any information to clear Scott Peterson to the District Attorney's Office. Kirk responded, "Go f--- yourself." I responded by saying, "Don't shoot the messenger, we've always got along good." Kirk said, "Yeah I know," and reached out and touched my upper arm and then said, "Well take this message to whoever, go f--- yourselves."

6 May 2003 Bail Hearing

8 May 2003 Jury pool survey

A Channel 5 poll of the jury pool showed that 83% in the Bay Area already believe Scott is guilty or probably guilty. In the Central Valley, which includes his hometown of Modesto, eight out of ten people felt same way.

9 May 2003 Karen Servas filed complaint against Mark Geragos

A reporter for the Globe showed up at Servas' place of employment to ask questions.  Servas suspected Mark Geragos sent him because of some remarks Geragos made to the press earlier that day about a mystery woman.  Geragos suggested she suspected he sent the reporter merely because the reporter was also from Los Angeles.

16 May 2003 Dr. Cheng provided the MPD with his high probability area

Dr. Cheng sent his identification of the high probability area to the MPD, which Detective Hendee then expanded to include a broader search area, in case the evidence being searched for wasn't in Cheng's specific area.  The Coast Guard divided the broader search area into 1/4 mile x 1/4 mile grids, making a total of 35 grids.  The search operations began the same day.  6-7 FBI divers from New York were assigned  with the Marine 1 boat to search the 700 meter x 700 meter high probability area. 

17 May 2003 Bay search continued

Besides Laci's missing head and limbs, Investigators are still searching the San Francisco Bay for missing items they believe belong to Scott: a 55-gallon drum, for which he had a receipt, but whose disappearance he could not explain; several large, cement blocks; several fishing weights; and fishing hooks. Sources say those items could be on the floor of the San Francisco Bay, where Laci's body was found in mid-March. Defense pursues a "two-killer" theory and also looking into whether a satanic cult killed Laci, a theory they say was first introduced by police.   

19 May 2003 Amber hired Allred

Amber Frey hired victim rights attorney Gloria Allred.

22 May 2003 Mystery woman in defense custody

KNBC-TV in Los Angeles reported that Scott's defense team had in protective custody a woman who called police to say she could clear Scott Peterson's name. The woman alleges that the deaths are linked to a satanic or cult killing and that "crazies" are involved, and is providing the defense with crucial information that may lead to the identification of Laci's murderer(s). The district attorney in Modesto had no comment. 

28 May 2003 SDEA search warrant

Detectives obtained a search warrant to receive records from AT&T Wireless, Nextel, Cingular, Sprint, and SBC in connection with the SDEA's investigation of Scott's drug connection.  The summary of evidence filed June 16 revealed very little about the case.  

30 May 2003 Peterson - Rocha feud erupted

Several days earlier, Greta van Susteren interviewed Sharon and Ron on On the Record. They indicated that the Petersons were denying them access to the Covena home, and that Sharon very much wanted to be able to go into the house and just sit and be with Laci. At the end of the show, Jackie Peterson called in and said the Petersons were unaware of this desire. The two families agreed that the Rochas would have full access to the house once the Defense had its opportunity to thoroughly examine it, and they set a date. They also agreed that both families would cease to do media interviews. Apparently inflamed by the leak of Conner's autopsy report, and alleged refusal by Geragos to let them in the house, Sharon, Brent, Ron and a group of friends entered the home, removing pickup loads of possessions, including a rocking chair and Conner's crib.