Peterson's apparent fumbles and his lies to Frey, some experts say, seem laughable and hardly characteristic of someone who could plan a nearly perfect murder and leave no traces of physical evidence.
"He's a liar, he's a cheater, he comes off as sounding dumb, not a bright guy [in his taped conversations with Frey and in interviews]," said California defense attorney Steve Cron. "What you may find the defense say is you can't have it both ways. You can't have this criminal mastermind who seemed to have covered up this crime scene perfectly who also comes off so dumb and does all these things that make him look guilty."
But Geragos may not rely on these two contradictory portrayals because they could also hurt Peterson and emphasize his suspicious behavior.
Geragos has presented an explanation for the questionable circumstances of Peterson's arrest. Peterson, police detectives testified, looked like someone trying to elude authorities when he was arrested. In addition to the altered appearance, he had purchased a car under his mother's name, had $15,000 cash, a large backpack, and an overnight bag stuffed with hunting knives, a water purifier, snorkeling and fishing equipment, a shovel, and duct tape. Peterson also had several changes of clothes, four cell phones, two driver's licenses and six credit cards. Geragos argued his client was trying to evade the media and normally traveled with camping equipment.
Despite the explanations, some courtroom observers say, Peterson may not be believable to jurors. Geragos, some experts believe, will not focus on the seemingly contradictory portrayals of Peterson or put him on the stand because his lies and behavior are problematic and he may appear to lack credibility.
"You ask yourself a simple question: 'Is it necessary to win an acquittal to put my client on the stand?' " Atlanta defense attorney Chris Pixley said on ABC News' Good Morning America. "In this case, I don't think Mark Geragos believes it is necessary. And he should be afraid to put him [Peterson] on."
Still, other courtroom observers say the lack of physical evidence does not prove that Peterson is a criminal mastermind. Prosecutors have not presented a theory on how Peterson killed Laci and he may not have had much physical evidence to allegedly cover up.
