Where As "The Staircase" covered in its exploration of the case, and as HBO's series of the same name does as well, the Peterson brood was, at least for a time, a close-knit bunch. It was just to look at the way the justice system would treat the case, and it took 17 years.. Despite not being an official member of the defense team, Bill Peterson ( Tim Guinee) played a huge role in getting his brother Michael out of jail. In Episode 1, Todd described what he was feeling when he arrived at his father's home the night Kathleen died. 100% where did he go he is an attorney and then vanished. He made his debut on the country music scene in 1997 with his second self-titled album (following his 1986 release featuring contemporary Christian songs), which produced five Top 40 hits on Billboards Hot Country Singles & Tracks, including the Number One hit "From Here to Eternity". Colin Firth as Michael Peterson, Sophie Turner as Margaret Ratliff, Odessa Young as Martha Ratliff, Patrick Schwarznegger as Todd Peterson, Dane DeHaan as Clayton Peterson and Olivia DeJonge as Caitlin Atwater. He did not see evidence of any defensive actions taken by Paul and believes Paul did not see the attack coming. Turns out, he knew a thing or two about mechanics. After being arrested for the murder of his second wife, Kathleen Peterson, Michael Peterson was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. I promised [Paul] Id find out who did this to him, John Marvin said. Michael's brother, Bill Peterson, was an attorney and referrals led him to Rudolf Widenhouse. It hasnt been paid yet; so, even if Peterson did take those deals, he would not have anything left for himself. Guinee is best known for his role as the United States Air Force Major Allen in Iron Man and Iron Man 2. Todd appeared most often in the earliest episodes of The Staircase, which began filming not long after Michael was indicted for Kathleen's murder in 2001. Margaret is a psychotherapist, while Martha is said to work in the entertainment industry (via The News & Observer). At first, Caitlin Atwater is a supporter of Peterson but begins to question his innocence after reading her mother's autopsy report. After eight years, Peterson was granted a new trial after the judge ruled a critical prosecution witness gave misleading testimony. Known For. At that time, only Michael had been there, who claimed he was outside and did not witness the fall. On October 26, 1985 David married Linda Fredrick in Spicer and they had son Michael and two daughters Christine and Courtney. Atwater was the only one of the couple's five children to state that she believed Peterson had murdered her mother; she subsequently won a $25 million civil suit for wrongful death against him in 2007, per WRAL. His war experiences led him to write three war-themed novels and he also co-authored two military biographies. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. John Marvin was heavily involved in the case beginning on the night of the double homicide. He also believes the shotgun wound killing Paul was a contact wound to the back of his head. While the death of Elizabeth Ratliff wasn't one that viewers were aware of in the initial episodes of "The Staircase," it can be more or less assumed that Peterson's children generally knew about the basics of the case. Clayton Clay Peterson is his eldest, followed by Todd Peterson both from Michaels first marriage with Patricia Sue Peterson, which once made their domestic quartet an undeniably happy one. Among the components explored in the Netflix series (either satisfactorily or not, depending on any given critic or viewer) are how Peterson's sexuality, past, and more contributed to the alleged homicide of his wife, and the process a defense team will go through in order to get their client acquitted. The once-giant in the field became a major casualty of the dot-com crash. The Sun pointed out that the mansion was puton the market in 2020, noting that Peterson sold it in 2004.). Clayton Peterson is the eldest child of Michael Peterson. And it's probably better that it remains unknown, because if Todd wanted the general public to know about his daily life he would likely find there was no shortage of publications eager for the information. We want our readers to trust us. In 2017, Peterson submitted an Alford plea to the reduced charge of manslaughter and was released on time served. The Staircase and the Michael Peterson case have an interesting connection to another case that inspired a fellow Netflix true crime docuseries. Message Board However, despite our best efforts, we sometimes miss the mark. Tim Guinee portrays Bill Peterson in HBO Max's The Staircase, Michael Peterson's brother. It is believed that Petersons penchant for writing notes throughout the trial was to aid a future book to be published by Harper Collins. Celebration of life will be held on a later Spring date. Details On His Past, 'The Staircase': Unpacking The Peterson Family, Where Is Michael Peterson From The Staircase Now, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. He appeared in Episode 10 to talk to his father through glass in jail, offering up a few tidbits about his life: there was a woman he was interested in, and he joked a little about the prospect of grandchildren. Sabrina is an editorial assistant for Womens Health. Please submit feedback to contribute@factinate.com. A lawyer himself, Bill was the one that. Clayton and Todd Peterson were Michael's children with his first wife, Patty, and, like their sisters, they believed their father was innocent of his second wife Kathleen's murder. They were reported to have $142,000 in 2001. Peterson's other son, Todd, resides in Tennessee. The house is currently owned by a psychic, who ironically was not aware of the houses history or the Peterson case when he purchased it. The revelation, however, did begin to turn Kathleens sister Candace Zamperini away from supporting Michael in the case. Collette is best known for starring in the films Muriel's Wedding and Knives Out. The company had just laid-off 45,000 employees and Kathleen was worried that she herself would lose her position by the end of 2001. Making distraction rewarding since 2017. They didn't think that he would ever be able to get a fair trial from the Durham police or prosecutors. For instance, he backtracked on his claim that he was injured by shrapnel by later revealing that the injury was actually the result of a car accident. Michael, who has maintained his innocence, spent nearly a decade behind bars after being . Michael "MP" Peterson (24 September 1952 - 29 March 2012) was a professional Australian surfer. Her system had only trace amounts of Valium and a blood alcohol level below the state's legal limit to drive -- so she certainly wasn't too drunk to walk. Factinate is a fact website that is dedicated to finding and sharing fun facts about science, history, animals, films, people, and much more. www.petersonbrothers.com . E-Mail Todd appeared most often in the earliest episodes. An Alford plea allows the defendant to plead guilty when the prosecution has enough evidence to convict, while still asserting their innocence. As he had already served time for his first conviction, he did not have to serve any more time in prison. Thomas B. Metzgoff, a Duke University law professor and a neighbor of the Petersons at the time of Kathleens death, includes The Staircase on his syllabus. The story will be familiar to many viewers as his case was the focus of the 13-part series (available on Netflix) following Peterson's trial and appeals. In an Alford plea, one admits that there is enough evidence to prove they are guilty even though they insist they did not commit the crime in question. Years later, I was using her phone when I made an utterly chilling discovery. StrangerThan Fiction:Trial Commentary Terms of Service apply. Be that as it may, medical records exposed the lies about Mrs. Peterson's intoxicated condition. Hours later, during the autopsy, medical examiners discounted the possibility of an accidental fall, noting the victim had seven bruises matching seven lacerations on her head, and multiple bruises on her arms -- yet no bruising to her legs or buttocks. Guinee is best known for his role as the United States Air Force Major Allen in Iron Man and Iron Man 2. During the investigation, detectives discovered that Michael Peterson was secretly hiding his bisexuality. In 2018, de Lestrade released three more episodes of The Staircase, this time for Netflix. The Staircase is easily one of the most gripping docuseries that has come out this century. We saw Bill Peterson featured a lot in the early episodes of The Staircase. In the first episode, its clear that something happened with Clayton during spring break in college, but it isnt explained or further discussed at that time. The farm was where he would shine light on the gospel of Jesus Christ. His other credit includes Hell on Wheels and The Punisher. The eight-part series, which premieres on Thursday, May 5, and will be airing weekly, brings to the small screen the gripping and controversial case of Michael Peterson. He's a liar, a narcissist, a grandiose self-absorbed cheating blowhard. However, the relationship didnt last much longer after Petersons regained freedomthe two split in May 2017. Clayton and Todd Peterson were Michael's children with his first wife, Patty, and, like their sisters, they believed their father was innocent of his second wife Kathleen's murder. Riemer testified that the .300 Blackout bullet that went through Maggies chest traveled upward, but Eisenstat said he believes it traveled downward based on his analysis of the wound. Even Michael Peterson's brother, Bill, concedes the evidence shows something truly awful happened to Kathleen Peterson in the very early morning hours of December 9, 2001. Read the full blog from Mondays testimony below: Copyright 2023 WHNS. So now, if you wish to learn more about the individuals Michael Peterson once candidly referred to as his rocks throughout the legal proceedings, that is, his children, weve got the details for you. Michael and Patty, along with their young boys, reportedly resided in Germany for quite a while around the 1980s, where they befriended their closeby neighbors, George and Elizabeth Ratliff. However in. David was preceded in death by his parents; Michael Clark Malvin in 1995; Mary Jean Malvin in 2016. Rosemarie DeWitt as Candace, Kathleen Peterson's sister in HBO Max's The Staircase. Catherine of Aragon is now infamous as King Henry VIIIs rejected queenbut few people know her even darker history. And what are the Peterson kids doing today? De Lestrade and his crew are given unprecedented access to Peterson and his defense team as they documented the arduous and lengthy legal proceedings over a period of more than 15 years. Tim Guinee, Michael Stuhlbarg and Colin Firth in The Staircase on HBO Max. Michael Peterson served his sentence in Nash Correctional Institution near Rocky Mountain until 2011, after which he was released on bail and was placed under house arrest. Although it was initially presented as a single feature-length documentary film, it was released as two new episodes of The Staircase when it aired on American television. Want to tell us to write facts on a topic? They discovered a collection of gay pornography in his possession, and found that he had been emailing with a 28-year-old male escort, according to CNN. MICHAEL Peterson was convicted of killing his second wife, Kathleen, in 2003. Its a place where the air smelled fresher, the food tasted better, and the message was clearer. Here are some chilling facts about the Michael Peterson trial and The Staircase. The eldest of Michael and Kathleen Peterson's two adopted daughters, Margaret, now 36, got married in her late twenties and is now known as Margaret Blakemore. She reportedly lives in Virginia and is a mom to twins (via The Cinemaholic). In 2019, Michael Peterson also made a two-part appearance onDr. Phil. Interviewing Michael led Rudolf to believe his side of the story: that he and Kathleen had a very happy marriage and there was no reason for him to kill her. In 2010, it came to light that SBI analyst Duane Deaver, who had been one of the crucial witnesses in Petersons case, was suspended, owing to his questionable work ethic. Kathleen Peterson, who was his second wife, was a business executive. Peterson was convicted in 2003 for the death of his second wife, Kathleen, and hewas released in 2011 after a retrial was declared over cases of corruption involving a prosecutorial expert who was involved in Peterson's court battle. Peterson currently lives in Durham, North Carolina, and, time and again, has talked to reporters about him being innocent of the crime. Even The Staircase chose to respect his privacy by not focusing on him very much. All Rights Reserved. Michael's wife was found lying in a pool of blood at the bottom of a staircase in the couple's residence. I would say that yes, he lied, John Marvin said. Shock was the first emotion he felt upon seeing ambulances outside the house and, since he didn't yet know what was going on, he was afraid his father had suffered a heart attack. He also explained that after Kathleens death, the only reason he engaged legal help immediately is because his son insisted upon it, calling in Michaels lawyer brother, Bill Peterson. Despite years of trials and mistrial both inside the courtroom and outside, the public has been split on whether he is really the killer or not. Even Michael Peterson's brother, Bill, concedes the evidence shows something truly awful happened to Kathleen Peterson in the very early morning hours of December 9, 2001. He spent most of his early life in West Germany and lived with Patricia after his parents' divorce, per Newsweek. He graduated from Atwater High School in 1981. Copyright 2023 by Factinate.com. Keep reading to find out. The NBC series Trial & Error is a comedic mockumentary that parodies many notable true crime shows, most notably The Staircase. The Staircase on HBO Max dramatizes Peterson's ordeal, the explosive drama within the family, and the introduction of Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, played by Vincent Vermignon, who filmed the documentary. [1] Do you question the accuracy of a fact you just read? Dewitt most recently starred as Linda McCullough in Little Fires Everywhere. Bringing up this aspect of Petersons personal life was seen by the defense team as irrelevant considering that Kathleen Peterson was aware and supportive of her husbands sexuality. I knew that she was going to take it badly, but I had no idea about the insane lengths she would go to just to get revenge and mess with my life. In cross-examination, the prosecution asked about the Murdaugh siblings cooperation with the SLED investigation. After losing his fake ID, Peterson apparently broke into the university building to steal $1,700 worth of equipment so he could create a new ID for a trip to Myrtle Beach, according to News & Record. He had also co-written two other books and has worked as a newspaper columnist for Durham Herald-Sun. As the outlet noted, their family unit was the product of divorce and an incident that took place years prior to Peterson's trial, one which would become a point of extreme interest for investigators and others who followed the case. Recently, however, he was able to secure a release through a plea deal thanks to his team of lawyers. Though there hasn't been a more recent update on how Todd is handling things, it seems as though he has done just that: moved on with his life far from the cameras. Michael was convicted and sentenced to life, including Rae Carruth and Reade Seligmann. During the initial murder trial, the prosecutors brought up Michael Petersons bisexuality. He was there. However, they eventually joined their father in Durham, North. He took pride in his pickups and shining them up for his drives. Though one of the most intriguing individuals in this baffling tale, as appropriately profiled in HBO Max's 'The Staircase,' is not Kathleen or her accused life partner but actually [] Michael Peterson is an American novelist who came into the limelight after the suspicion of his wife's death fell on him. But the docuseries inadvertently followed the unspooling of their family ties. Defense attorney Jim Griffin asked John Marvin if he has found Pauls killer. The 9,500 square foot mansion in Durham, North Carolina in which Kathleen and Michael Peterson resided and where Kathleen was later found dead was a prominent filming location for the 1990 movie The Handmaids Tale, an adaptation of Margaret Atwoods critically acclaimed novel of the same name. "Sometimes it gets to us all, and that's when everybody starts worrying about everyone else," she stated at the time (via Heavy). Jesus Christ died to save us from our sins and we need him as our Lord and Savior. And who can blame him? (2016) As a result, de Lestrade would ship completed tapes to Paris, France and away from the DA and the prosecution. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Peterson was eventually convicted of first-degree murder and imprisoned. Michael Petersons lead defense attorney, David Rudolf, was the clinical law professor of Jerry Buting, who, along with Dean Strang, formed the defense team for Steven Avery, the wrongly accused murderer at the center of Making a Murderer. In light of new developments surrounding the case, de Lestrade made a new installment to The Staircase saga in 2012, entitled The Last Chance. According to Bustle, Peterson's son Clayton now lives in Maryland with his two children. As for Martha, who admitted on Netflixs The Staircase that she lives with anxiety, the now Colorado resident is seemingly staying away from the spotlight these days for the sake of her mental health. On the other hand, it is believed that Margaret has found a base in Los Angeles, California, where she primarily works behind the scenes in the television and movie industry. Game of Thrones alum Sophie Turner portrays Margaret Ratliff in HBO Max's The Staircase. It is, of course, yet another mystery why a business executive with a 10 AM meeting would still be up at 2:30 AM drinking and throwing herself down the stairs. Bill Peterson, Peterson's. Despite Claytons troubled past, including a 4-year stint in federal prison for planting a bomb in a campus office as a 19-year-old freshman at Duke University, he has managed to build a good life for himself. It was then that Peterson entered an Alford Plea for manslaughter. The defense also called two forensic witnesses as they continued their push to challenge the integrity of the investigation conducted by SLED and other officials. (Pool ) The shooter, he said, likely had blood in his eyes, was . But in the final episode, which was filmed the most recently, Michael remarked on the phone to his daughter Margaret that Todd "doesn't want this," seeming to refer to the attention that came with the court case. His message was constant. www.petersonbrothers.com. David resided on the family farm in Atwater, Minnesota where he gained strong ties to the Lord. MN 56209. Even their 1987 divorce did not shift their internal standing, especially as the girls relocated with Michael to Durham, North Carolina, where Clay and Todd later joined them for good. When Kathleen Peterson was found dead at the bottom of her Durham home stairs in the early hours of December 9, 2001, everything changed for the brood she shared with her then-husband. Comments, Durham,North Carolina ONE VOICE Peterson later submitted an Alford plea, which entails that he plead guilty due to the evidence against him, but is still about to assert his innocence. Forensic expert Henry Lee testified that the blood splatter evidence indicated a fall, so the defense speculated that Kathleen had been drunk and slipped down the stairs. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. In fact, post-mortem examinations revealed that her hair contained microscopic owl feather remnants and the lacerations seemed to resemble marks that would be created by owl talons. So, what exactly happened? It seemed he was always in the courtroom with Michael. Michael told Dr. Phil McGraw that medical reports have confirmed that Liz Ratliff died as a result of a stroke. Newsweek has everything you need to know about the cast of The Staircase and their real-life characters. At the center of this documentary is Michael Peterson, who is accused of murdering his wife. (2004) The Staircase II: The Last Chance Self - Michael Peterson's Brother. Rudolf said, "She fell, and she bled to death.". He and his brother, Todd, later moved to Durham, North Carolina, to be with their father. Schwarzenegger is best known for his leading role in 2018's Midnight Sun and DeHaan is best known for his role as Harry Osborn/Green Goblin in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. On December 9, 2001, Kathleen Peterson was found dead at the bottom of the stairs at her home. Its ripping up open all the wounds again., Clayton also said that he wanted to see justice served and confirmed with a reporter that his father has always maintained his innocence, adding, and we do as well.". French actress Binoche is best known for her Oscar-winning performance in The English Patient. Longtime fans of The Staircase will be very familiar with an alternate cause of Kathleen Petersons death dubbed The Owl Theory. The Owl Theory proposes that Kathleen Peterson died as the result of being attacked by an owl and subsequently hitting her head on one of the steps of the staircase. Portions of what eventually became the miniseries The Staircase were first aired in the summer of 2004 as part of an episode of ABCs news magazine show Primetime Thursday. His grass was always cut and he enjoyed taking the time to do so. Toni Collette portrays the late Kathleen Peterson in The Staircase on HBO Max. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Whether it be his biological sons, his adopted daughters, or his step-daughter, Michael Petersons sprawling yet tight-knit blended family was the one aspect he was always immensely proud of. In 2002, his step-daughter, Caitlin, filed a wrongful death claim against him. He was fired from the job in 2011 after it was discovered that he had falsely represented evidence. He'd previously spent time behind bars for reportedly placing a bomb in a Duke University office, according to The News & Observer. What Are Michael Peterson's Kids Doing Today? At just 20, he was later sentenced to four years at a federal penitentiary. Historys most fascinating stories and darkest secrets, delivered to your inbox daily. WALTERBORO, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - Alex Murdaughs defense team rested their case on the 25th day of his double murder trial. In 2017, David Rudolf, one of the defense attorneys working on the case, told the News & Observer that Todd now lives in Tennessee. Reportedly in his late forties now, Peterson works as an Electrical, Digital, and Printed Circuit Board (PCB) engineer, per The Cinemaholic. She will next be seen in the Elvis Presley biopic as Priscilla Presley. A Vietnam war veteran, he wrote three novels- The Immortal Dragon, A Time of War, and A Bitter Peace- that depicted his experience in the war. Palmbach was an expert witness in the trial of Michael Peterson, whose case rose to prominence after The Staircase became a popular documentary and later drama on Netflix and HBO Max. However, months into the case, the prosecution stopped working with the filmmaker. DeJonge is best known for playing Elle in Netflix's The Society. Calling authorities at 2:30 in the morning, Michael intended for everyone to believe his wife had been drinking heavily and then recklessly tripped on her own sandals. Parker Posey stars as Durham County assistant district attorney, the lead prosecutor at Peterson's trial. This content is imported from poll. Coupled with the fact that Kathleen was listed as the sole owner of their Durham mansion and that she had a $1.4 million life insurance policy in her name, the prosecution argued that Peterson had killed his wife to alleviate his financial burdens. Mike Peterson's sex life was made public during the three-month trial. The staircase where Kathleen Peterson was found dead on Dec. 8, 2001 is seen above Credit: Netflix. Michael James Peterson (born August 7, 1959) is an American country music artist. The case was eerily similar to what happened to Kathleen nearly two decades later. In the early morning hours of December 9, 2001, Michael Peterson frantically called 9-1-1 to report that he has found the lifeless body of his wife Kathleen at the bottom of a staircase in their Durham, North Carolina mansion. Controversially, Ratliffs death was brought up in the Michael Peterson murder trial. This led to problems in their marriage, and he eventually killed his wife. At the time of her death, Kathleen Peterson was worried about her job security. Peterson was found to have greatly exaggerated some of his war experiences. Totulkaos6 4 yr. ago. Shortly after filming, the house was purchased by scholar and PBS television host Henry Louis Gates Jr., who at the time was teaching at nearby Duke University. Michael's attorney said Kathleen Peterson, "after drinking . Oscar-winning actor Colin Firth portrays Michael Peterson in HBO Max's The Staircase. . Murdaugh trial, Day 25: Defense rests case, jury to visit Moselle, John Marvin testified in his brother's defense today, while another defense witness theorized Maggie and Paul Murdaugh were killed by two shooters, Murdaugh defense to make closing arguments at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Murdaugh Trial, Day 26: Testimony gets heated during states rebuttal, One dead, driver and 3-year-old injured during crash in Greer, Teen charged, suspect wanted after shots fired during break-in, Upstate woman charged after deadly stabbing in Mauldin, Attorney Jack Swerling Discusses Closing Arguments in Murdaugh Trial, High School in Rutherford Co. responds to reported threat, Veterans Museum of The Carolinas Launches Lecture Series, kelli.radcliff@foxcarolina.com - 864-213-2103. Firth portrays Michael Peterson trial and the Michael Peterson murder trial, the didnt. Paul and believes Paul did not see the attack michael peterson brother 100 % where did he go he an... 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