A California judge ruled Wednesday that only one item from a list of evidence collected in the case of Scott Peterson, the man convicted 20 years ago of killing his pregnant wife, Laci, should undergo new DNA testing.

The Los Angeles Innocence Project argued in court that several pieces of evidence were suppressed in Peterson's trial. However, the judge ruled that only a piece of duct tape found on Laci Peterson's pants should be retested.

The defense had argued the tape contained human DNA that could point to someone other than Peterson as the perpetrator in his wife's death. A hearing is scheduled for July 1 to discuss the testing stipulations.

Prosecutors had pushed back against the testing requests by telling the court that the evidence was already tested in 2019, but Peterson's attorneys maintained that the limited testing offered inconclusive results.

They had also sought new testing on a bloody mattress discovered in a burned-out van the day after Laci Peterson disappeared.

The judge ruled that testing in 2019 showed there was no blood on the mattress cloth that Scott Peterson's team requested undergo new testing. The judge also agreed with the prosecution’s argument that the van was not related to the Peterson case and that the defense failed to prove it was.

Similarly, the judge ruled that the defense failed to prove that items found in the vicinity of where Laci Peterson’s body washed ashore were directly associated with her and her unborn child.

The judge said a glove and a hammer found in the home of one of the Petersons’ neighbors were never in police custody and therefore did not qualify for retesting.

A jury found Peterson guilty in the death of his wife, who was eight months pregnant with their son when her body washed ashore. Prosecutors at the time asserted that Peterson faked her disappearance to cover up that he dumped her body in the Berkeley Marina on Christmas Eve in 2002.

He was initially given the death penalty, but the California Supreme Court overturned the sentence in 2020. He was resentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Peterson has always maintained his innocence, and his trial defense suggested that his wife was killed after she stumbled upon a burglary.

Last year, he petitioned to be seen by a judge based on new evidence and potential juror misconduct, arguing one of the jurors hid details and had been untruthful about her personal life.

Peterson’s legal team argued the juror's failure to disclose she had been a victim of domestic abuse led to “prejudicial misconduct.” The woman co-wrote a book about the case with other jurors and has denied that she was influenced by her personal experiences.

Peterson was denied a new trial in 2022 based on the juror misconduct claim. Superior Court Judge Anne-Christine Massullo ruled that although the woman made false statements in her juror questionnaire, the answers were the result of "a combination of good faith misunderstanding of the questions and sloppiness in answering."

The Los Angeles Innocence Project, a nonprofit organization known for its mission to exonerate the wrongly convicted, has taken on Peterson's case.

It filed for post-conviction discovery along with the request for new DNA testing in an effort to overturn Peterson's conviction.

The case of Scott Peterson has remained a point of significant public and legal interest since the high-profile trial that captivated the nation in the early 2000s. Laci Peterson’s disappearance on Christmas Eve 2002, and the subsequent discovery of her body in San Francisco Bay, gripped the country and led to intense media scrutiny.

The defense's arguments for new DNA testing have focused on uncovering potential evidence that could suggest an alternative perpetrator. The duct tape found on Laci Peterson’s pants, which the defense claims may contain DNA from someone other than Scott Peterson, has been a central piece of this strategy. The upcoming hearing on July 1 will determine the protocols and conditions under which this testing will proceed.

Despite the legal setbacks, Peterson’s defense team and supporters continue to push for a thorough review of all evidence. They argue that technological advancements in DNA testing could provide new insights that were not available during the initial investigation and trial.

The broader implications of this case, including the issues of potential juror misconduct and the handling of forensic evidence, continue to resonate within the legal community. The involvement of the Los Angeles Innocence Project underscores the ongoing concerns about wrongful convictions and the need for vigilant examination of all aspects of criminal cases.

As the legal proceedings continue, the public remains deeply divided on Peterson’s guilt, with many still convinced of his culpability and others advocating for his exoneration based on the possibility of new evidence and procedural errors during the original trial.

The case highlights the complexities and challenges of the legal system, particularly in high-profile cases that attract significant media attention. The outcome of the new DNA testing and subsequent hearings may have far-reaching consequences not only for Scott Peterson but also for the broader discussion on justice and the integrity of the legal process.

Furthermore, the scrutiny surrounding Peterson's case continues to influence discussions on judicial transparency and fairness. Advocacy groups emphasize the importance of ensuring that all evidence is thoroughly examined, particularly in cases with life-altering penalties. The ongoing efforts by the Los Angeles Innocence Project and Peterson’s defense team reflect a growing movement towards addressing potential flaws in the judicial system and advocating for those who may have been wrongfully convicted.

The case also serves as a stark reminder of the emotional toll on the families involved. Laci Peterson’s family has endured two decades of legal battles, media scrutiny, and the heartache of losing a loved one. Scott Peterson’s family has similarly faced public judgment and the anguish of a potential wrongful conviction. The quest for justice, therefore, not only seeks to address legal discrepancies but also aims to bring closure and healing to those affected by this tragedy.

As new developments unfold, the legal community and the public alike will be watching closely, understanding that the implications of this case extend far beyond the courtroom. The pursuit of truth, fairness, and justice remains at the forefront as all parties involved navigate the complexities of the legal process.