County reimbursement sought for Peterson trial County reimbursement sought for Peterson trial (December 22, 2004)

The Scott Peterson murder trial cost the San Mateo County Superior courts and the Sheriff's Office approximately $825,000, and so far the departments have been reimbursed at only 10 cents on the dollar, according to presiding Judge Mark Forcum and Sheriff Don Horsley.

In a December 16 news conference, Judge Forcum and Sheriff Horsley discussed procedures they followed in hosting the murder trial.

The Sheriff's Office issued more than 800 press credentials and estimates its costs at approximately $200,000. Reimbursement from Stanislaus County, which had original jurisdiction for the case, so far has been about $33,000, said Sheriff Horsley.

The Superior Court costs were $625,000, with Stanislaus County contributing $53,000, says Judge Forcum.

Mr. Peterson remains housed in the maximum security wing of San Mateo County's Maguire Correctional Facility.

"He is very cheerful. He is very compliant," says Mr. Horsley.

Mr. Peterson continues to receive twice-weekly visits from his family and gets a lot of mail. "He does have a fan club," says Mr. Horsley.

He spends 22 hours a day in his solitary cell. During the two hours he is allowed out of his cell, he likes watching golf tournaments when they are on television, said Mr. Horsley.

Mr. Peterson was convicted on November 12 for the murders of his pregnant wife, Laci, and unborn son, and sentenced to death last week.

He is scheduled to be formally sentenced by the judge on February 25, after which he will be transferred to San Quentin State Prison.

-- Bay City News service

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