Laci and Scott Peterson pictured in a memorial January 10, 2003.Photo:AP Photo/Paul Sakuma

An undated photo of the missing woman, Laci Peterson, and her husband, Scott, is shown along with with stuffed animals and a candles at a command center in Modesto, Calif., Friday, Jan. 10, 2003

AP Photo/Paul Sakuma

At the2004 murder trial,Scott Petersonclaimed through his lawyersthat he had been on a lone fishing trip when hiseight-months pregnant wife disappearedfrom their Modesto, Calif., home Christmas Eve 2002. Scott was later convicted of the murder ofLaci Petersonand their unborn son and sentenced to death row.

But in recent years, Scott has scored some legal victories, and new developments have opened the door to the possibility that Scott’s fate isn’t sealed.

In 2021 Scott was taken off death row and later, he was re-sentenced to life in prison.

Then, last week, theLos Angeles Innocence Projectsaid in a statement to PEOPLE that it was “investigating” Scott’s “claim of actual innocence.”

Laci and Scott Peterson.Modesto Police Dept/ZUMAPRESS.com

Images from the court case of Scott Peterson convicted for killing his wife and their unborn child.

Modesto Police Dept/ZUMAPRESS.com

And now, in interviews with PEOPLE, family members on both sides of the couple, are reacting to the news that Scott’s case could be reopened.

Scott Peterson (R) hands out missing person posters to volunteers during a search for his eight-months pregnant wife, Laci Peterson, January 19, 2003.AP Photo/Ann Johansson

Scott Peterson, standing at right, hands out leaflets to volunteers who are searching for his missing wife, Laci Peterson, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2003,

AP Photo/Ann Johansson

Bonds recalls a candlelight vigil shortly after Laci’s death in which he approached Scott to speak, only to find the man on his phone throughout the service.

“As far as we’re concerned it’s a done deal: He killed Laci,” says Bonds. “I say turn him loose: We’ll take him on a one-way fishing trip.”

Scott Peterson talking to investigators, February 18, 2003.Debbie Noda/Modesto Bee/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Scott Peterson talks to investigators who are looking at his truck while investigating in the murder of his wife, Laci Peterson, on February 18, 2003, in Modesto, California.

Debbie Noda/Modesto Bee/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Scott, now 51, who has always maintained his innocence, claimed at the time that he believed his wife to have been killed after witnessing a home invasion next door.

The L.A. Innocence Project argues that Scott’s state and federal rights were violated in the original case, alleging deficiencies in police reports, tip sheets and other evidentiary material at trial.

Scott Peterson in a prison photo, October 21, 2022.California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation/AP

Scott Peterson

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation/AP

Bird met the young Laci and Scott at a family wedding, which she described as “a little Hallmark-y.”

A memorial is placed near where Laci Peterson and her unborn fetus were found dead, in a photograph dated April 19, 2003.David Paul Morris/Getty Images

Michael Accurso of El Sobrante, California pours water on some flowers at a memorial that includes flowers, candles and stuffed toys April 19, 2003 in Richmond, California.

David Paul Morris/Getty Images

Bird noted that the L.A. Innocence Project is known for working on cases of low-income defendants, and says for the organization taking on Scott’s case is “huge.”

“I found it interesting that an organization as credible as the Innocence Project was getting involved,” Bird says. “There’s a ton of people who are reaching out for help — the kind that get railroaded, and Scott just doesn’t seem to fit.”

“Maybe that’s because I believe he’s guilty,” she adds. “Maybe that’s the problem.”

source: people.com