Delay For Laci Trial

The preliminary hearing in the Laci Peterson murder case was postponed Tuesday to late next month to give the defense more time to review evidence.

The hearing, at which prosecutors are expected to lay out their case against Scott Peterson in the deaths of his wife, Laci, and their unborn son, was originally set for Sept. 9.

But Judge Al Girolami rescheduled the hearing for Oct. 20 after Peterson attorney Mark Geragos said he needed more time to review thousands of pieces of evidence, including some 1,500 items that he has not yet received.

Prosecutors did not oppose the delay.

Prosecutors said they have turned over to the defense more than 23,700 pages of documents, as well as 18 videotapes, 100 audiotapes, five DVDs and three compact discs from a wiretap on Peterson's phone.

Peterson, 30, could get the death penalty if convicted.

His pregnant, 27-year-old wife disappeared from her home Christmas Eve. The two bodies were found in April along the San Francisco Bay.

Last week, the defense fought to close the preliminary hearing to the public, arguing that the proceedings would taint prospective jurors. A state appeals court upheld a judge's ruling keeping the hearing open. The judge, however, banned cameras.