Jurors Point To Peterson’s Lack of Emotion

Death sentence recommended in killing of wife, unborn son

Tuesday, December 14, 2004 Posted: 8:13 AM EST (1313 GMT)

REDWOOD CITY, California (CNN) — Jurors who decided that Scott Peterson deserves to die say his lack of emotion played a large role in their decision…

Conventional wisdom says keep an even keel in the courtroom. don’t get too fiery, don’t get too maudlin. You don’t want to be thought of as a fake or as someone who could snap. “See how well he holds up under this intense pressure” they will think admiringly.

Or not, apparently.

Jurors want to see you choke up when they mention your dead wife, if you want them to buy the innocent claim. Of course, if you don’t pull it off in terms of sincerity, you are so completely f***ed, just like when you sit there with a soul of ice.

Note to murderers. Hire a drama coach for your defense team. You will need it, unless there is a glove demo.