Dad implicated in child's death can't be charged

In 2007, a man named Lucas Peterson led authorities in Butler County, Neb., to the spot where his missing child, 1-year-old Trista, was buried. (The little girl died from repeated blunt force trauma.) But he did so because they promised that he would not be charged with a felony. Since then, police and prosecutors have been searching for a charge, any charge, they could use to keep him behind bars. But the courts have consistently said that all of the evidence is "fruit of a poisonous tree" and can't be used.

And just to play devil's advocate: Knowing the location of your missing child's buried remains is, yeah, pretty damning. But it's possible that someone else killed the little girl. Or that she died in a freak accident. Despite the prosecutor's belief, Peterson might very well be innocent.

(AP Photo/Lincoln Journal Star, Gwyneth Roberts)

Comments

[S]

not a chance in hell is he innocent. What goes around comes around... he'll get his eventually.

[AJ]

WHAT? Whoever the idiots are who "promised" him that need fired STAT!!!

[Keith G. in P.V.]

If those whose job it is to enforce the law don't obey the law, there is no law but their whim. Sounds like the judge did right. Unlike law enforcement.

And what is it with all the "Peterson" guys with family murders??????

[146]

Yea, someone in LE needs their peepee smacked for sure.

But it's not the first time that's happened.

[Thin The Herd]

Obviously, a poor choice by some cop or lawyer on this one.

And yes, he could be innocent, with the same probability that the Royals will finish with a winning record this year.

[Jo Jo]

Keith, let me help you out. The judge ruled according to law. He did NOT do the right thing.