Appeal
Fast forward to 2006, Michael Peterson’s defense counsel argues before the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Even though they rejected Michael Peterson’s argument that he didn’t receive a fair trial, their ruling was not unanimous. Therefore, Michael Peterson appealed to the North Carolina Supreme Court, which affirmed the previous decision in 2007. With new lawyers in 2008, they filed a new motion because they said the prosecution withheld crucial evidence about a tire iron, an expert witness’ statement was disputed and one juror had used racial factors to make a decision. Though, the motion was denied, the case would soon be reopened.
Appeal
Owl Theory
One bizarre theory began circulating in late 2009. A neighbor of the Petersons, attorney T. Lawrence Pollard theorized that a large owl may have attacked Kathleen Peterson, who rushed inside and knocked herself unconscious after hitting her head on the staircase banister. He found a feather was listed in the evidence report and that two microscopic owl feathers had been found in her hair in September 2008. Pollard did not speak to the public about this theory, but many newspapers and media companies began criticizing him for it. No motion for a retrial was filed yet, at this point.
Owl Theory
