Charged With Seeking Daughter’s Death : Prisoner Denies Soliciting Slayings

A Tarzana man accused of murdering his wife and attempting to kill his daughter pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges he solicited the death of his daughter and her attorney while in County Jail awaiting trial.

Robert Peernock, 50, was taken into custody Sept. 4 after his estranged wife, Claire Laurence Peernock, 45, and his oldest daughter, Natasha Sims, 18, were found July 22 in Peernock’s car at 4:30 a.m. in Sun Valley. The auto had been doused with gasoline and had struck a utility pole in what police said was a staged accident.

An autopsy on Claire Peernock determined that she died before the crash from head wounds that were inconsistent with a traffic accident, Los Angeles Police Lt. Bernard D. Conine said. Sims survived similar wounds, which were probably inflicted with a blunt instrument, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Pamela Davis-Springer.

Peernock pleaded not guilty Sept. 15 to one count each of murder, attempted murder, arson and kidnaping in connection with the July 22 incident.

Prosecutors filed the murder-solicitation charge Wednesday after a County Jail inmate told them that Peernock offered to pay him to murder Sims and her attorney, Victoria W. Doom. Davis-Springer said police believe that more than one inmate was approached.

Doom said she is representing Sims, who is married, in a personal injury suit against Peernock, filed in San Fernando Superior Court. The suit asks for $5 million in compensatory and punitive damages, she said.

Doom said she is also representing Peernock’s other daughter, an 11-year-old, and Sims in a wrongful-death suit also filed in San Fernando Superior Court against Peernock. She said she first became involved with the family in December, 1986, when Claire Peernock hired her to seek a divorce.

Doom said Claire Peernock’s estate, which includes assets jointly owned by her and Peernock, is worth about $500,000. A 1972 will signed by Claire Peernock leaves her estate to her husband, Doom said.

Sonia Bianca Siegel, 43, described by police as Peernock’s girlfriend, was charged Oct. 13 with aiding Peernock while he was being sought by police. Siegel pleaded not guilty to one count of being an accessory after the fact.

If Peernock is convicted of murder, attempted murder, kidnaping and arson, he could be sentenced to 33 years to life in state prison, Davis-Springer said. If he is convicted of soliciting murder, an additional six years could be added to his sentence, she said.

Peernock, who is being held without bail at County Jail, was ordered to return for a preliminary hearing on the murder-solicitation charge on Dec. 22. A preliminary hearing on the murder and attempted murder charge is scheduled for Dec. 16.