Scott Peterson, the infamous wife-killer, was reportedly attacked by another inmate while playing pickleball at Mule Creek State Prison in California. The incident happened on Sunday when a fellow prisoner became angry with Peterson’s style of play, according to a report from TMZ.
What Happened?
Peterson, 52, was playing a game of pickleball in the prison yard when he smashed the ball directly at his opponent. This upset the other inmate, who responded by attacking Peterson with punches. The situation quickly escalated, and Peterson suffered injuries from the fight.
According to TMZ, Peterson did not require hospitalization, but he did sustain some injuries. The prison has not officially commented on the altercation.
Who Is Scott Peterson?
Scott Peterson was convicted in 2004 for the murder of his wife, Laci Peterson, who was eight months pregnant at the time of her disappearance. Laci vanished on Christmas Eve in 2002 from their home in Modesto, California. Her body was discovered months later in the San Francisco Bay, not far from where Peterson had told police he went fishing that day. Just days after her remains were found, authorities arrested Peterson.
Peterson was found guilty of first-degree murder for Laci’s death and second-degree murder for their unborn son, Conner. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole and is currently serving his sentence at Mule Creek State Prison, located near Sacramento, California.
Peterson Still Claims Innocence
Even though he was convicted, Peterson continues to claim he is innocent. In a 2024 Peacock documentary series titled Face to Face with Scott Peterson, he insisted that he did not kill his family.
“If I have a chance to show people what the truth is, and they are willing to accept it, it would be the biggest thing that I can accomplish right now — because I didn’t kill my family,” Peterson said in the documentary.
Recent Developments in His Case
Last year, the Los Angeles Innocence Project took interest in Peterson’s case. The group, which works to exonerate wrongly convicted individuals, has pushed for a discovery process to reevaluate the evidence. However, Peterson remains in prison and has not been granted a new trial.
A Case That Shocked the Nation
The Peterson case gained national attention and even inspired the bestselling book Gone Girl, which was later adapted into a movie. The case remains one of the most infamous murder trials in recent history.
Despite ongoing claims of innocence, Peterson continues to serve his life sentence at Mule Creek State Prison, where he now seems to have added a prison yard brawl to his list of troubles. The prison has yet to release an official statement on the altercation.
