The Michael Peterson Murder Trial Explained

For his second trial, in 2017, Michael Peterson could not afford to pay an attorney and his original defense lawyer, David Rudolf, could no longer afford to work pro bono, per WRAL. The court appointed Michael an attorney named Mike Klinkosum, who had experience representing defendants in similar murder cases.

Although Michael refused to plead guilty to second-degree murder, he took an Alford plea to a voluntary manslaughter charge, per WRAL. Alford pleas allow defendants to maintain innocence while accepting that there is sufficient evidence for a conviction. Superior Court Judge Orlando Hudson sentenced Michael to 64 to 86 months in prison, and recognized his previous 89 months served, which allowed him to walk free. "I don't see it as a victory at all," Michael said after the 35-minute hearing. He described taking the plea as "the most difficult thing I've done in my life."

Kathleen Peterson's sisters were not satisfied either. "It's wrong that, after a jury sentenced him to life in prison for the murder of his wife, he gets to be a free man while Kathleen lies in her grave," Lori Campbell said. "Closure is for a door, not for my murdered sister." Kathleen's other sister, Candace Zamperini, said that Michael's Alford plea "means nothing," adding, "Michael Peterson, you are pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter. You will be treated as guilty for murdering my sister Kathleen, and you will be a convicted felon forever."

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