Boat’s Stability Argued in Scott Peterson Case

The 14-foot boat that prosecutors say Scott Peterson used to dump his wife’s body into San Francisco Bay doesn’t capsize easily, an engineer from the boat maker testified Tuesday at Peterson’s trial.

Prosecutors apparently want to establish that -- contrary to defense claims -- Peterson could have heaved Laci Peterson’s 153-pound, eight-months pregnant body overboard without flipping the boat.

Jurors in the double-murder case took a brief morning field trip to inspect the small aluminum launch Peterson bought in December 2002, weeks before his wife was reported missing. They returned to hear testimony from David Weber, vice president of engineering for Missouri-based Lowe Boats.

Prosecutors say Peterson killed his wife in their Modesto home, drove to the bay with the body in a tool box, ferried the body onto open water and dumped it. The remains of Laci Peterson and the couple’s fetus washed ashore about two miles from the marina where Peterson set off on what he says was a solo fishing trip.

Peterson, 31, could face the death penalty or life without parole if convicted.