The case first captured the nation 's attention when Laci Peterson disappeared from her Modesto home the day before Christmas 2002 and has engrossed the country ever since .
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case capture nation attention laci peterson disappear her modesto home day christmas 2002 engross country
The case first captured the nation 's attention when Laci Peterson disappeared from her Modesto home the day before Christmas 2002 and has engrossed the <m> country </m> ever since .
The case first captured the nation 's attention when Laci Peterson disappeared from her Modesto home the day before Christmas 2002 and has engrossed the <m> country </m> ever since .
Unlike on Nov. 12 , when sobs filled the air as Peterson was found guilty of murdering his wife and their unborn child , there was an almost surreal stillness in the courtroom while the death recommendation was announced .
Peterson was convicted Nov. 12 of first-degree murder for the death of Laci Peterson and second-degree murder for the death of their unborn son just before Christmas 2002 .
The same jury that recommended Peterson 's penalty found him guilty of the first-degree murder of his wife and the second-degree murder of his unborn child .