Judge Sets Date in Michael Peterson Civil Trial
Raleigh, N.C. — A Durham judge Thursday set June 25 as the trial date in a wrongful death lawsuit against Durham novelist Michael Peterson.
Peterson was convicted in October 2003 of killing his wife, Kathleen Peterson. She was found dead at the bottom of a staircase in the couple's home in December 2001.
Caitlin Atwater, Peterson's stepdaughter, filed a civil lawsuit against him in October 2002, but the trial has been delayed because of Peterson's criminal appeal and a bankruptcy filing.
Superior Court Judge Orlando Hudson, who presided over the criminal case in 2003, will handle the civil lawsuit. He also ruled Thursday that Atwater's attorney, Jay Trehy, can depose the convicted killer within the next few weeks.
It would be the first time Peterson's responses to such questions would be on record during a court proceeding. He never testified at his criminal trial and has maintained that his wife died because of a fall down the stairs.
Hudson ruled in 2004 that, based on the criminal conviction, Peterson was financially liable for Kathleen Peterson's death. Jurors in the civil trial would have to determine only how much money Atwater should receive, if any.
Trehy acknowledged that Peterson probably wouldn't be able to pay Atwater, but said that a civil judgment would show that Kathleen Peterson's life had value.
Peterson was convicted in October 2003 of killing his wife, Kathleen Peterson. She was found dead at the bottom of a staircase in the couple's home in December 2001.
Caitlin Atwater, Peterson's stepdaughter, filed a civil lawsuit against him in October 2002, but the trial has been delayed because of Peterson's criminal appeal and a bankruptcy filing.
Superior Court Judge Orlando Hudson, who presided over the criminal case in 2003, will handle the civil lawsuit. He also ruled Thursday that Atwater's attorney, Jay Trehy, can depose the convicted killer within the next few weeks.
It would be the first time Peterson's responses to such questions would be on record during a court proceeding. He never testified at his criminal trial and has maintained that his wife died because of a fall down the stairs.
Hudson ruled in 2004 that, based on the criminal conviction, Peterson was financially liable for Kathleen Peterson's death. Jurors in the civil trial would have to determine only how much money Atwater should receive, if any.
Trehy acknowledged that Peterson probably wouldn't be able to pay Atwater, but said that a civil judgment would show that Kathleen Peterson's life had value.
RELATED TOPICS: Durham
Copyright 2011 by WRAL.com and the Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
2 Comments
| MOST | Viewed | E-mailed | Discussed | ||
Most Viewed Stories
Most Viewed VideosMost Viewed Slideshows
| |||||
| MOST | Viewed | E-mailed | Discussed |
Most E-mailed Stories
Most E-mailed Videos | |||
Multimedia
Key dates in the investigation of Lance Armstrong on charges he used performance-enhancing drugs.
Key events in Iran's relations with the West.
An interactive look at the controversial decision and reversal of the Susan G. Komen Foundation to stop funding breast exams at Planned Parenthood.
Special savings on contacts at Eye Care Associates
FREE Home Performance Assessment from GreenHorizon



![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/entertainment/out_and_about/2012/02/04/10712136/pics_agunn53833-100x75.jpg)
![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/lifestyles/travel/2012/02/09/10710709/10710709-1328829176-100x75.jpg)
![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.wralsportsfan.com/asset/basketball/2012/02/09/10705803/10705803-1328766083-100x75.jpg)
![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/lifestyles/travel/2012/02/08/10704761/10704761-1328743348-100x75.jpg)






WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.
This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Hudson sentenced Peterson on the basis of the jury’s verdict; not because of a prejudice by Hudson regarding Peterson’s guilt or innocence
January 12, 2007 10:05 a.m.
Make no mistake, I think the guy should be penalized in every manner possible for what he did. I'm simply curious about the moral and ethical justifications involved.
January 12, 2007 9:10 a.m.