California fertilizer salesman Mr Scott Peterson (32) was convicted last night of the Christmas Eve 2002 murder of his pregnant wife, Laci, in a case that riveted Americans caught up in the tragic story of a seemingly perfect couple.
The jury, which must still decide whether to impose the death penalty, found Peterson guilty of first-degree murder for killing his wife and second-degree murder for the death of their unborn child.
Peterson as charged with killing his eight-months pregnant wife in a crime prosecutors said was motivated in part by a desire to carry on an affair with his massage therapist mistress.
The decaying bodies of his wife and unborn son washed ashore in April 2003 along an area of the San Francisco Bay where Peterson said he was fishing the day Laci disappeared from their home in Modesto, California.
Peterson showed little reaction as the verdict was read but his mother, Jackie, appeared numb with shock. Laci's mother wept while some of the hundreds of people gathered outside the court cheered upon hearing the decision.
"It is shocking that a family that can look so normal can have something like this happen to them," said retired flight attendant Ms Bobbi Barrett (56) explaining why she was so gripped by the case that she attended much of the trial.
Prosecutors said Peterson pretended to be concerned about his missing wife when he was instead more interested in his mistress, Amber Frey, and living a bachelor lifestyle free from family obligations.
Defense attorney Mark Geragos, who was not present in court, had argued that Peterson was framed and that prosecutors provided no evidence or motive to connect him with the murders.
Neither the prosecution nor defense commented on the decision because of a gag order that remains in effect until the jury decides whether to impose the death penalty or life without parole. That phase of the case begins on November 22nd.