The staircase a documentary on the Micheal Petersen murder trial has its final episode on sundance this evening. A complicated case with a long series of documentaries [10 years] showing the trial of a Durham novelist convicted of murdering his wife and how it ruined every one associated with the trial and crime.
[h=1]More About the Case[/h]
[h=3]Uncover Photos from the Trial[/h]
[h=3]About THE STAIRCASE[/h]
[h=3]More Sundance Originals[/h]
Follow the Shocking Trial
In 2001, Michael Peterson made a 911 call that would launch one of the most stunning and complex trials of our times. Devastated that his wife had fallen to her death in their North Carolina mansion, he was utterly shocked when the District Attorney arrested him for murder. According to friends and family, the marriage of Michael and Kathleen Peterson had been a loving, wonderful relationship. But as investigators found her body lying in a sea of blood, they suspected all was not right. What emerged was a series of outrageous revelations they never could have expected. From illicit sexual activities to political intrigue to possible links to another death, the Peterson case became front-page news across the nation.
This unrestricted docu-series follows the entire case from the first few days after Kathleen’s death to its unbelievable conclusion in court. Get unprecedented access to the defendant and his team of lawyers, investigators and forensics experts as they react to every surprise revelation and astonishing accusation. And see the controversial events through the eyes of the unusual family battling for their father’s life. Will the jury believe Peterson’s an innocent man or condemn him as a cold-blooded killer? Each staggering twist will keep you guessing right up to the final verdict.
[h=3]Uncover Photos from the Trial[/h]
[h=3]About THE STAIRCASE[/h]
[h=3]More Sundance Originals[/h] Follow the Shocking Trial
In 2001, Michael Peterson made a 911 call that would launch one of the most stunning and complex trials of our times. Devastated that his wife had fallen to her death in their North Carolina mansion, he was utterly shocked when the District Attorney arrested him for murder. According to friends and family, the marriage of Michael and Kathleen Peterson had been a loving, wonderful relationship. But as investigators found her body lying in a sea of blood, they suspected all was not right. What emerged was a series of outrageous revelations they never could have expected. From illicit sexual activities to political intrigue to possible links to another death, the Peterson case became front-page news across the nation.
This unrestricted docu-series follows the entire case from the first few days after Kathleen’s death to its unbelievable conclusion in court. Get unprecedented access to the defendant and his team of lawyers, investigators and forensics experts as they react to every surprise revelation and astonishing accusation. And see the controversial events through the eyes of the unusual family battling for their father’s life. Will the jury believe Peterson’s an innocent man or condemn him as a cold-blooded killer? Each staggering twist will keep you guessing right up to the final verdict.
Whenever someone asks about my all-time favorite documentaries, I make sure to mention The Staircase. The eight-part feature, which aired on the Sundance Channel in 2005, is absolutely gripping and illustrates just how powerful documentary filmmaking can be.
The Staircase follows a complicated murder case in Durham, N.C., where a man is put on trial for killing his wife. Throughout the investigation, Michael Peterson maintains that his wife, Kathleen, accidentally fell down a staircase and died. However, evidence points to foul play, and the jury (and viewers) are left to determine what really happened.
Years after the movie's release, Peterson's lawyers are still trying to prove his innocence. (Among the twists: One of the prosecution's experts has admitted to tampering with evidence in other cases.) Sundance will air two new episodes of The Staircase in March, but until then, the network wants to make sure everyone catches up with the original.
If you've never seen The Staircase or if it's been years since you watched it, set the DVR for Monday nights at 10 ET (starting tonight), when Sundance airs the series from the beginning. To get you started, you also can watch the first episode online.
I've seen the new installments, and they're pretty stunning. (It's also crazy to see how much everyone involved has aged in eight years.) If you become obsessed with the doc as I did, note the series also is available on DVD with several bonus features and commentary from director Jean-Xavier de Lestrade.
The Staircase follows a complicated murder case in Durham, N.C., where a man is put on trial for killing his wife. Throughout the investigation, Michael Peterson maintains that his wife, Kathleen, accidentally fell down a staircase and died. However, evidence points to foul play, and the jury (and viewers) are left to determine what really happened.
Years after the movie's release, Peterson's lawyers are still trying to prove his innocence. (Among the twists: One of the prosecution's experts has admitted to tampering with evidence in other cases.) Sundance will air two new episodes of The Staircase in March, but until then, the network wants to make sure everyone catches up with the original.
If you've never seen The Staircase or if it's been years since you watched it, set the DVR for Monday nights at 10 ET (starting tonight), when Sundance airs the series from the beginning. To get you started, you also can watch the first episode online.
I've seen the new installments, and they're pretty stunning. (It's also crazy to see how much everyone involved has aged in eight years.) If you become obsessed with the doc as I did, note the series also is available on DVD with several bonus features and commentary from director Jean-Xavier de Lestrade.
Looks very compelling. Will definitely plan on watching the entire series.
If you like these types of documentaries, Paradise Lost (3 or 4 now in this series) is also really interesting. Follows the murder of three children in West Memphis, Arkansas. The convicted just got released a year or so ago after an odd plea deal where the state of Arkansas basically admitted they didn't have enough proof to hold them in prison because they knew they would lose the next appeal.
If you like these types of documentaries, Paradise Lost (3 or 4 now in this series) is also really interesting. Follows the murder of three children in West Memphis, Arkansas. The convicted just got released a year or so ago after an odd plea deal where the state of Arkansas basically admitted they didn't have enough proof to hold them in prison because they knew they would lose the next appeal.
Owl theory
In late 2009, Peterson's attorneys raised a new theory of Kathleen Peterson's death, that she had been attacked by an owl outside, fallen after rushing inside, and been knocked unconscious after hitting her head on the first tread of the stairs. The owl theory was raised by Durham attorney T. Lawrence Pollard, who was not involved in the case at the time but approached the police suggesting an owl might have been responsible. He raised this possibility after reading the SBI evidence list and finding a "feather" listed. Although Pollard did not speak of the theory to anyone else, the Durham Herald-Sun newspaper published an article ridiculing him and discrediting his theory. Other media picked it up, propagating the Herald-Sun story, which was later criticized as inaccurate. Peterson's attorneys subsequently determined that the SBI crime lab report listed a microscopic owl feather and a wooden sliver from a tree limb entangled in a clump of hair that had been pulled out by the roots found clutched in Kathleen's left hand.[SUP][10][/SUP][SUP][11][/SUP] A re-examination of the hair in September 2008 found two more microscopic owl feathers.[SUP][citation needed][/SUP] Advocates allege the existence of other evidence supports the theory, namely that the scalp wounds were tri-lobed and paired, consistent with marks left by talons, the feathers are similar to those on owl feet, cedar needles were found on her hands and body indicating she had fallen over outside shortly before entering the house, that Kathleen's blood had splattered up the staircase rather than down, that Kathleen's footprints in her own blood indicated that she was already bleeding before she reached the foot of the stairs and that two drops of Kathleen's blood were found outside the house on the front walkway along with a finger smear on the front door consistent with her pushing the door shut. The advocates for the owl attack hypothesis also note that owl attacks on people are common in the area, with one victim stating that the impact was similar to being hit in the head with a baseball bat.[4] According to attorney T. Lawrence Pollard, had a jury been presented with this evidence it would have "materially affected their deliberation and therefore would have materially affected their ultimate verdict." Prosecutors have ridiculed the claim and Dr. Deborah Radisch, who conducted Kathleen Peterson's autopsy, says it is unlikely that an owl or any other bird could have made wounds as deep as those on Kathleen's scalp. Dr. Radisch's opinion, however, was challenged by other experts in three affidavits filed in 2010. Dr. Alan van Norman wrote "The multiple wounds present suggest to me that an owl and Ms. Peterson somehow became entangled. Perhaps the owl got tangled in her hair or perhaps she grabbed the owl's foot."[SUP][12][/SUP]
Dr. Patrick T. Redig, a professor of veterinary medicine at the University of Minnesota wrote:
"In my professional opinion, the hypothesized attack to the face and back of the head resulting in the various punctures and lacerations visible in the autopsy photographs is entirely within the behavioral repertoire of large owls".[SUP][12][/SUP]
Kate P. Davis, executive director of Raptors of the Rockies, located in western Montana, wrote:
"The lacerations on Mrs. Peterson's scalp look very much like those made by a raptor's talons, especially if she had forcibly torn the bird from the back of her head," she wrote. "That would explain the feathers found in her hand and the many hairs pulled out by the root ball, broken or cut. The size and configuration of the lacerations could certainly indicate the feet of a Barred Owl." She noted that owls can kill species much larger than themselves and that it is not uncommon for them to attack people.[SUP][12][/SUP]
No motion for a new trial was filed on this point in 2009.[SUP][13][/SUP][SUP][14[/SUP]
In late 2009, Peterson's attorneys raised a new theory of Kathleen Peterson's death, that she had been attacked by an owl outside, fallen after rushing inside, and been knocked unconscious after hitting her head on the first tread of the stairs. The owl theory was raised by Durham attorney T. Lawrence Pollard, who was not involved in the case at the time but approached the police suggesting an owl might have been responsible. He raised this possibility after reading the SBI evidence list and finding a "feather" listed. Although Pollard did not speak of the theory to anyone else, the Durham Herald-Sun newspaper published an article ridiculing him and discrediting his theory. Other media picked it up, propagating the Herald-Sun story, which was later criticized as inaccurate. Peterson's attorneys subsequently determined that the SBI crime lab report listed a microscopic owl feather and a wooden sliver from a tree limb entangled in a clump of hair that had been pulled out by the roots found clutched in Kathleen's left hand.[SUP][10][/SUP][SUP][11][/SUP] A re-examination of the hair in September 2008 found two more microscopic owl feathers.[SUP][citation needed][/SUP] Advocates allege the existence of other evidence supports the theory, namely that the scalp wounds were tri-lobed and paired, consistent with marks left by talons, the feathers are similar to those on owl feet, cedar needles were found on her hands and body indicating she had fallen over outside shortly before entering the house, that Kathleen's blood had splattered up the staircase rather than down, that Kathleen's footprints in her own blood indicated that she was already bleeding before she reached the foot of the stairs and that two drops of Kathleen's blood were found outside the house on the front walkway along with a finger smear on the front door consistent with her pushing the door shut. The advocates for the owl attack hypothesis also note that owl attacks on people are common in the area, with one victim stating that the impact was similar to being hit in the head with a baseball bat.[4] According to attorney T. Lawrence Pollard, had a jury been presented with this evidence it would have "materially affected their deliberation and therefore would have materially affected their ultimate verdict." Prosecutors have ridiculed the claim and Dr. Deborah Radisch, who conducted Kathleen Peterson's autopsy, says it is unlikely that an owl or any other bird could have made wounds as deep as those on Kathleen's scalp. Dr. Radisch's opinion, however, was challenged by other experts in three affidavits filed in 2010. Dr. Alan van Norman wrote "The multiple wounds present suggest to me that an owl and Ms. Peterson somehow became entangled. Perhaps the owl got tangled in her hair or perhaps she grabbed the owl's foot."[SUP][12][/SUP]
Dr. Patrick T. Redig, a professor of veterinary medicine at the University of Minnesota wrote:
"In my professional opinion, the hypothesized attack to the face and back of the head resulting in the various punctures and lacerations visible in the autopsy photographs is entirely within the behavioral repertoire of large owls".[SUP][12][/SUP]
Kate P. Davis, executive director of Raptors of the Rockies, located in western Montana, wrote:
"The lacerations on Mrs. Peterson's scalp look very much like those made by a raptor's talons, especially if she had forcibly torn the bird from the back of her head," she wrote. "That would explain the feathers found in her hand and the many hairs pulled out by the root ball, broken or cut. The size and configuration of the lacerations could certainly indicate the feet of a Barred Owl." She noted that owls can kill species much larger than themselves and that it is not uncommon for them to attack people.[SUP][12][/SUP]
No motion for a new trial was filed on this point in 2009.[SUP][13][/SUP][SUP][14[/SUP]
