Not surprisingly, a judge has ordered that Scott Peterson's murder trial be moved from Stanislaus County (where Modesto is) because of all the pre-trial publicity. Presumably, because of this pre-trial publicity, he wouldn't get a "fair trial" in Stanislaus County.

First: Scott Peterson is largely responsible for much of the publicity surrounding this case. He's been "vilified"? He seemed to have gone out of his way to make himself look guilty. From telling a not-very-believable story at the start, to appearing to be ready to leave the country--with a new hair colour and his brother's identification--when he was arrested. Oh, and messing around with another woman, or trading in his "missing" wife's car to buy himself a new truck...Of course, I couldn't vote to convict him just because I think he's a jerk.

Second: Here's the story about the trial relocation...from the Los Angeles Times! Folks, this is at the top of their website this afternoon...just below the "major" story of the Blackhawk helicopter crash in Fallujah. Los Angeles is a little over 300 miles from Modesto, as the crow flies. This story has been all over Fox, CNN, MSNBC, you name it. I communicate daily with people all over the world, most of whom are very familiar with this case. This story is everywhere!

So tell me, where isn't there going to be a great deal of publicity? Of course, the networks had fingers crossed it would be moved to LA...that would save them so much money in terms of not having to send teams to remote locales. Alas, it looks like their choices are all in the Bay Area: Santa Clara, San Mateo or Alameda counties. Thankfully, for Laci's family, it's a reasonable distance to Modesto, so attending the trial shouldn't be too much of a hardship for them (all things considered). Hopefully, the networks have fully-staffed bureaus in San Francisco. Hotel rates around here are a real beeyotch.

Personally, I can't wait to hear what Mark Gerragos comes up with next. He's so far tried everything except space aliens abducting and killing Laci and their unborn child. Bring the trial on, already! If for no other reason, because Laci's family needs to close this chapter and really let the healing begin.