Male Escort Claims Mike Peterson Had Warmth, Affection For Wife

DURHAM, N.C. — A male escort testified Monday that while he never met Mike Peterson, he agreed to have sex with him for a price.

Brent Wolgamott, whose identity was revealed in a Durham County court Monday, said Peterson first contacted him in August 2001.

In an e-mail to Wolgamott, Peterson wrote:

"You're not looking for a relationship and neither am I. We each have lives.... I understand we're in a client relationship and I'm paying for the services. No problem. If we get together, I'll pay for the time."

He said he and Peterson were supposed to meet on the night of Sept. 5, 2001, in Durham to have sex for $150 per hour. After that, Wolgamott planned to fly to California.

Wolgamott, a 28-year-old chemistry student at N.C. State, told prosecutor Freda Black that the meeting never took place because he was too tired. He said he sent an apology to Peterson 25 days later, but never got a response.

Under cross-examination by defense attorney David Rudolf, Wolgamott said Peterson indicated he had warmth and affection for his wife.

"Did Mike Peterson ever do or say anything either on the phone or through e-mail that indicated that he was not in love with his wife," Rudolf asked.

"To the contrary, in his e-mail unlike most of my clients, he indicated that he had a great relationship. Most clients don't want to say anything about their relationship. He indicated that he had a warm relationship with his wife and nothing would ever destroy that," Walgamott said.

Rudolf also suggested Kathleen Peterson knew about her husband's sex habits and tried to show they did not interfere with the marriage. Peterson avoided eye contact with Wolgamott throughout testimony.

Prosecutors contend that Peterson beat Kathleen Peterson to death and are trying to show the Petersons did not have the storybook marriage the defense has portrayed. The defense says Kathleen Peterson accidentally fell down a stairway at the family's home.

Later in the day, testimony turned from fidelity to forensics. SBI agent John Bendure had jurors take a close look at the shorts Peterson wore the night his wife died.

Bendure pointed out eight droplets of blood found on the inside of Peterson's shorts.

"I believe he was straddled over the source of blood and was inflicting trauma to the source and these stains appeared on the surface," he said.

Court will be in recess Tuesday, but on Wednesday, more forensic evidence is expected to be introduced and the state's blood spatter expert is expected to take the stand.

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