Details On His Past, 'The Staircase': Unpacking The Peterson Family, Where Is Michael Peterson From The Staircase Now, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. After eight years, Peterson was granted a new trial after the judge ruled a critical prosecution witness gave misleading testimony. He believes the evidence in the case indicates there were two shooters at Moselle, which is a theory the defense has raised since Maggie and Paul were killed with two different weapons. Metzgoff believes the documentary expertly demonstrates how criminal defense cases develop and unfold. After her death, Petersons became the guardian of her children; their father had died some time ago. Michael told Dr. Phil McGraw that medical reports have confirmed that Liz Ratliff died as a result of a stroke. The case also inspired an episode of the CBS police procedural drama Cold Case. Caitlin Atwater, Kathleen's only biological child and Michael's stepdaughter, sided with the prosecution during Michael's trial for Kathleen's death. Want to tell us to write facts on a topic? The first 3 episodes of The Staircase premiere on Thursday, May 5, and the remaining episodes drop weekly on HBO Max. Catherine of Aragon is now infamous as King Henry VIIIs rejected queenbut few people know her even darker history. In 2002, his step-daughter, Caitlin, filed a wrongful death claim against him. Where Is 'Murdaugh Murders' Buster Murdaugh Now? Australian actor Olivia DeJonge plays the role of Caitlin Atwater, Kathleen's daughter from a previous relationship. Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. (Pool ) The shooter, he said, likely had blood in his eyes, was . In the early morning hours of December 9, 2001, Michael Peterson frantically called 9-1-1 to report that he has found the lifeless body of his wife Kathleen at the bottom of a staircase in their Durham, North Carolina mansion. At the defenses request, the jury who will decide his fate will visit the property where Maggie and Paul Murdaugh were killed. As he had already served time for his first conviction, he did not have to serve any more time in prison. As if that's not enough, he reportedly loaned his brother around $300,000 to pay for his mounting legal expenses, stayed in North Carolina instead of his home in Nevada as much as possible, and also defended his sexuality publicly. She recently starred in BBC's Wanderlust and the Netflix true-crime drama, Unbelievable. Read More: Best True Crime Documentaries on Netflix. Though one of the most intriguing individuals in this baffling tale, as appropriately profiled in HBO Max's 'The Staircase,' is not Kathleen or her accused life partner but actually [] According to a 2018 write-up by Bustle, the lives of Michael Peterson's children changed literally overnight following the death of his second wife, Kathleen Peterson. As a case was constructed against him, several details and discrepancies in his story were highlighted. Where -- Bill Peterson, attorney. Though there hasn't been a more recent update on how Todd is handling things, it seems as though he has done just that: moved on with his life far from the cameras. They married in 1965 and moved to Durham, North Carolina, and had two sons together, Clayton and Todd Peterson. On December 9, 2001, the death of Kathleen Peterson turned several lives upside down, especially considering the blended brood she shared with her husband, Michael Peterson. What Are Michael Peterson's Kids Doing Today? What happened that night is still a huge mystery. Defense attorney Jim Griffin asked John Marvin if he has found Pauls killer. We saw Bill Peterson featured a lot in the early episodes of The Staircase. He liked to show them off on walks around the property. Cloud, Sharon (Frank) Brandt of Sartell, Bonnie (Lee) Harrier of Willmar, Carolyn (Peter) Klinghagen of Grove City and Darin (Kari) Malvin of Atwater; grandchildren, Laila, Camden, & Porter Zaeska, nieces and nephews, besides other relatives and friends. In 1985, Elizabeth Ratliff was found dead at the bottom of a staircase in her West Germany home. At the end of the final installment of The Staircase, Judge Orlando Hudsonwho presided over the initial trial, the hearing for a new trial, and the final Alford plea hearingis finally interviewed by de Lestrade. Sources:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 44 Disturbing Facts About the O.J. And it's probably better that it remains unknown, because if Todd wanted the general public to know about his daily life he would likely find there was no shortage of publications eager for the information. As for Martha, who admitted on Netflixs The Staircase that she lives with anxiety, the now Colorado resident is seemingly staying away from the spotlight these days for the sake of her mental health. Perhaps the biggest twist in The Staircase saga is the revelation that Kathleen Petersons death was, in fact, the second such tragic incident to happen on a staircase involving Michael Peterson. The Staircase and the Michael Peterson case have an interesting connection to another case that inspired a fellow Netflix true crime docuseries. His other credit includes Hell on Wheels and The Punisher. As the outlet noted, their family unit was the product of divorce and an incident that took place years prior to Peterson's trial, one which would become a point of extreme interest for investigators and others who followed the case. I guess were at Mr. Waters mercy, said defense attorney Dick Harpootlian, who mentioned the prosecution has often gone longer than anticipated. During the filming of the initial installment of The Staircase, Michael Peterson began a relationship with Sophie Brunet, who served as an editor for the documentary crew. The case went through a lot of ups and downs, and several other things came to light, one of which was the death of Elizabeth Ratliff. Historys most fascinating stories and darkest secrets, delivered to your inbox daily. Where Is 'Murdaugh Murders' Morgan Doughty Now? The house is currently owned by a psychic, who ironically was not aware of the houses history or the Peterson case when he purchased it. He was released on time served. Michael Peterson served his sentence in Nash Correctional Institution near Rocky Mountain until 2011, after which he was released on bail and was placed under house arrest. CBC Newsworld French actress Binoche is best known for her Oscar-winning performance in The English Patient. It is believed that Petersons penchant for writing notes throughout the trial was to aid a future book to be published by Harper Collins. WALTERBORO, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - Alex Murdaughs defense team rested their case on the 25th day of his double murder trial. The suspicious circumstances led the cops to believe that it was a murder. On October 26, 1985 David married Linda Fredrick in Spicer and they had son Michael and two daughters Christine and Courtney. This new installment follows Peterson as he and his legal team weigh their options on whether to go through with a new trial or put forward an Alford plea. Clayton Clay Peterson is his eldest, followed by Todd Peterson both from Michaels first marriage with Patricia Sue Peterson, which once made their domestic quartet an undeniably happy one. -- Lestrade article, TheAge.com, "It's either a very unusual fall, or a very unusual beating." Everything To Know About 'Ted Lasso' Season 3, Super Chic Under $50 Home Decor Finds On Amazon, A Timeline Of All This Hailey And Selena Drama, Where Is Elizabeth Holmes Now? "After 17 years, I still believe that." The prosecution dug up the case and demanded a re-examination. Why Trust Us? Enormous amounts of her blood were smeared and spattered across the floors and up the walls to the ceiling. Margaret is a psychotherapist, while Martha is said to work in the entertainment industry (via The News & Observer). Posey has numerous acting credits to her name, including Lost in Space, Search Party, The Good Wife, Boston Legal, and Parks and Recreation. Standard text messaging rates apply. Joan, younger brother, Tommy, and younger sisters, Dorothy (Dot) and Denice. Thanks for your help! This led to a retrial for Peterson, which after some hiccups, took place in 2016. Michael Peterson is the subject of one of Netflix's most riveting and polarizing true crime documentaries, The Staircase. It was in this vibrant city that Michael married Kathleen following years of live-in in 1997, leading to the official, joyous welcome of Kathleens biological daughter Caitlin Atwater (with Fred Atwater) into the clan as well. Learning about the North Carolina attorney can give you a little more insight into how Michael was defended in court. Their near 15-year relationship was never mentioned during The Staircase. Michael Peterson reportedly had a book deal lined up to share his side of the story. Moreover, during his failed 1999 Durham mayoral bid, it was found by local reporters that his claim of receiving two Purple Hearts was also bogus. There was concern that filming the interactions between Michael Peterson and his defense team might nullify client privilegesince they were witnessed by a third party, the prosecution could potentially ask de Lestrade for his tapes of the defense teams conversations with Peterson. In cross-examination, the prosecution asked about the Murdaugh siblings cooperation with the SLED investigation. The smell of fresh cut alfalfa on a warm summer breeze was one of his favorites. Forensic expert Henry Lee testified that the blood splatter evidence indicated a fall, so the defense speculated that Kathleen had been drunk and slipped down the stairs. ", Per Bustle, it seems that Michael Peterson's sons and daughters have continued to stand by their father and remain in each other's lives. Kathleen Peterson's "flip-flops" were found oddly placed in the hall near several bloody towels. Dick Harpootlian said people have been trespassing at Moselle and taking distasteful selfies in front of the feed room where Paul was murdered. Although Judge Hudson feels that Petersons eventual freedom is proof that the criminal system does indeed work, he is regretful of two aspects of the initial trial. The Staircase viewers may also recognize her from Call My Agent!, Chocolat, and The Unbearable Lightness of Being. My mom never told me how her best friend died. Her other credits include the United States of Tara and Rachel Getting Married. Even though de Lestrade was not in pursuit of the truth, he still feels that Michael Peterson was not guilty of the crime he was accused of committing. The NBC series Trial & Error is a comedic mockumentary that parodies many notable true crime shows, most notably The Staircase. All rights reserved. I knew that she was going to take it badly, but I had no idea about the insane lengths she would go to just to get revenge and mess with my life. The first new Netflix episode screened at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival. At a Q & A session following the premiere of the final installment of the series at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival, de Lestrade said, The purpose has never been to look for the truth. Kathleen Peterson, who was his second wife, was a business executive. Defense attorneys said they want the jury to see the area around the kennels where Maggie and Paul were gunned down on June 7, 2021. Heres What To Know. While Todd and his siblings were of the opinion that Michael did not harm Kathleen, according to AP News they still encouraged him to settle the case instead of having a retrial. (2016) They discovered a collection of gay pornography in his possession, and found that he had been emailing with a 28-year-old male escort, according to CNN. Todd was reportedly one of the first on the scene after Michael discovered Kathleen's body, arriving not long after the ambulances did. Shock was the first emotion he felt upon seeing ambulances outside the house and, since he didn't yet know what was going on, he was afraid his father had suffered a heart attack. By entering an Alford plea, Michael pled guilty to manslaughter while still claiming to be innocent. He testified the damage caused by the shotgun wounds would have left the gunman covered in biological material - and potentially even injured. They didn't think that he would ever be able to get a fair trial from the Durham police or prosecutors. At that time, only Michael had been there, who claimed he was outside and did not witness the fall. Peterson was found to have greatly exaggerated some of his war experiences. Parker Posey stars as Durham County assistant district attorney, the lead prosecutor at Peterson's trial. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Peterson was convicted in 2003 for the death of his second wife, Kathleen, and hewas released in 2011 after a retrial was declared over cases of corruption involving a prosecutorial expert who was involved in Peterson's court battle. E-Mail Behindthe Website Riemer testified that the .300 Blackout bullet that went through Maggies chest traveled upward, but Eisenstat said he believes it traveled downward based on his analysis of the wound. The latest installment of the series was released on Netflix earlier this year. And while the camera focuses its lens primarily on Peterson, a menagerie of other key figures are also featured, including all five of his children. Colin Firth and Toni Colette as Michael and Kathleen Peterson in HBO Max's The Staircase. Portions of what eventually became the miniseries The Staircase were first aired in the summer of 2004 as part of an episode of ABCs news magazine show Primetime Thursday. Daisy Jones & The Six Is A Nostalgic Series Based On A Best-Selling Book, The 'Ted Lasso' Season 3 Trailer Is Finally Here & Fellas, It'll Give You Goosebumps, '1923' Will Deliver More Dutton Family Drama In Season 2 Of The 'Yellowstone' Prequel, 'Yellowjackets' Season 3 Is Officially Happening, What Parents Are Talking About Delivered Straight To Your Inbox, By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. Coupled with the fact that Kathleen was listed as the sole owner of their Durham mansion and that she had a $1.4 million life insurance policy in her name, the prosecution argued that Peterson had killed his wife to alleviate his financial burdens. Clayton Peterson is the eldest child of Michael Peterson. "But I wouldn't say I worry about my dad. Clayton Peterson is the eldest child of Michael Peterson. Calling authorities at 2:30 in the morning, Michael intended for everyone to believe his wife had been drinking heavily and then recklessly tripped on her own sandals. At first, Caitlin Atwater is a supporter of Peterson but begins to question his innocence after reading her mother's autopsy report. Thanks for your time! The Petersons even had dinner with Ratliff the night before she was found dead and Michael Peterson is thought to be the last person to see her alive. Whether you believe the time he spent locked up was justified or not, Michael Peterson is not the only one in the family to have spent time in jail. .css-26w0xw{display:block;font-family:NationalBold,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-26w0xw:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-26w0xw{font-size:1.18581rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.625rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-26w0xw{line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-26w0xw{font-size:1.28598rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-26w0xw{font-size:1.575rem;line-height:1.1;margin-bottom:-0.5rem;}}How To Avoid Unexpected Health Bills. HBO's thrilling true crime series The Staircase has captivated audience members across the globe as it follows the life and trial of Michael Peterson after the suspicious death of his second wife Kathleen Peterson in 2001.. However, he maintained his innocence. Michael Iver Peterson (born October 23, 1943) is an American novelist who was convicted in 2003 of murdering his second wife, Kathleen Peterson, on December 9, 2001. The eldest of Michael and Kathleen Peterson's two adopted daughters, Margaret, now 36, got married in her late twenties and is now known as Margaret Blakemore. This case consumed these people's lives . But in the final episode, which was filmed the most recently, Michael remarked on the phone to his daughter Margaret that Todd "doesn't want this," seeming to refer to the attention that came with the court case. The Staircase on HBO Max dramatizes Peterson's ordeal, the explosive drama within the family, and the introduction of Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, played by Vincent Vermignon, who filmed the documentary. 'Murdaugh Murders' Mallory Beach: Her Life & Death. But during the five-month trial, his guilt was not proven to me.. The documentary follows Michael Peterson from his wife's death in December 2001 to his release in 2017. Totulkaos6 4 yr. ago. David resided on the family farm in Atwater, Minnesota where he gained strong ties to the Lord. David Michael Malvin was born July 7, 1963, in Willmar, Minnesota. He graduated from Atwater High School in 1981. Colin Firth as Michael Peterson, Sophie Turner as Margaret Ratliff, Odessa Young as Martha Ratliff, Patrick Schwarznegger as Todd Peterson, Dane DeHaan as Clayton Peterson and Olivia DeJonge as Caitlin Atwater. Here are some chilling facts about the Michael Peterson trial and The Staircase. Clayton and Todd Peterson were Michael's children with his first wife, Patty, and, like their sisters, they believed their father was innocent of his second wife Kathleen's murder. His mother is Michael's first wife, Patricia Patty Sue, per The Cinemaholic. Turns out, the vacation in question involved Clayton planting a pipe bomb in Duke University's administrative building in 1994. Tim Guinee, Michael Stuhlbarg and Colin Firth in The Staircase on HBO Max. When Kathleen Peterson was found dead at the bottom of her Durham home stairs in the early hours of December 9, 2001, everything changed for the brood she shared with her then-husband. But the docuseries inadvertently followed the unspooling of their family ties. He was emotional during portions of his testimony in defense of his older brother, especially when talking about Paul. Rosemarie Dewitt stars as Candace Hunt Zamperini, Kathleen's sister. Message Board Murderers are not nice people, and neither is Michael Peterson. Rudolf said, "She fell, and she bled to death.". He was there at least some of the time. Rosemarie DeWitt as Candace, Kathleen Peterson's sister in HBO Max's The Staircase. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. To distract from the theft, Peterson left a pipe bomb that he claims was rigged to not detonate. He is probably the strongest person that I've ever met. It was just to look at the way the justice system would treat the case, and it took 17 years.. In real life and in the documentary series, Bill was present for much of Michael. Visitation for David will be from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, March 3, at Peterson Brothers Atwater Funeral Home in Atwater. I tried to get my ex-wife served with divorce papers. Reports & Files The defense also called two forensic witnesses as they continued their push to challenge the integrity of the investigation conducted by SLED and other officials. Actors Sophie Turner andOdessa Young portray Margaret and Martha, respectively, in HBO's "The Staircase," whileDane DeHaan andPatrick Schwarzenegger play Clayton and Todd. Enormous amounts of her blood were smeared and spattered across the floors and up the walls to the ceiling. 508 W Altantic Ave, If he wants to fly under the radar, then that is his choice to be respected. Palmbach was an expert witness in the trial of Michael Peterson, whose . Jesus Christ died to save us from our sins and we need him as our Lord and Savior. She had lived with my brother Michael and . The completed miniseries first aired later that year on French television station Canal+, where it was released with the title: Soupons (meaning: Suspicions). The story will be familiar to many viewers as his case was the focus of the 13-part series (available on Netflix) following Peterson's trial and appeals. However, Peterson claimed that his sexuality was not a secret to his wife, and he asserted that the cops were trying to pin this on him because he had written articles against them in his newspaper column. Caitlin Atwater still remains estranged from Peterson to this day, per Bustle. He is survived by son Michael (Ashley) Malvin of Willmar, daughters Christine Malvin; Courtney (Damian) Zaeska of Atwater. He was fired from the job in 2011 after it was discovered that he had falsely represented evidence. The completed series hit British and American airwaves in 2005, on BBC Four and the Sundance Channel, respectively. John Marvin testified that Alex never told him he was at the kennels shortly before the murders. Even The Staircase chose to respect his privacy by not focusing on him very much. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. At one point, Marthatold the filmmakers behind "The Staircase" that although the time leading up to Peterson's trial was difficult to endure, it seemingly drew the remaining members of the Peterson clan (sans Caitlin) closer together. Therefore, after they both sadly passed away mere years apart, Michael and Patty chose to take in their two toddler daughters, Margaret Ratliff and Martha Ratliff, just to raise them as their own. She reportedly lives in Virginia and is a mom to twins (via The Cinemaholic). Michael Peterson is an American novelist who came into the limelight after the suspicion of his wifes death fell on him. It was also claimed by the prosecution that he was bisexual and had been indulged in the activities deemed unacceptable by his wife. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. However, despite our best efforts, we sometimes miss the mark. . Be that as it may, medical records exposed the lies about Mrs. Peterson's intoxicated condition. At first, Candace believed Peterson's innocence, but as viewers will come to see in HBO Max's The Staircase, she changed her view and became one of his strongest opponents. Lets quickly recap the case and provide you the information on what happened to Michael Peterson and where is he now. Her system had only trace amounts of Valium and a blood alcohol level below the state's legal limit to drive -- so she certainly wasn't too drunk to walk. And what are the Peterson kids doing today? www.petersonbrothers.com. John Marvin Murdaugh took the stand as the final witness on Monday. Possibly. Law enforcement will go with the jury to keep the scene secure. In short, that means he accepted that it would be possible to convict him based on the evidence, even though he insisted he did not do the crime. On the other hand, it is believed that Margaret has found a base in Los Angeles, California, where she primarily works behind the scenes in the television and movie industry. The prosecution opposed the visit because lead prosecutor Creighton Waters said additional witnesses would need to be called to explain changes in the scene since 2021. He'd previously spent time behind bars for reportedly placing a bomb in a Duke University office, according to The News & Observer. He also explained that after Kathleens death, the only reason he engaged legal help immediately is because his son insisted upon it, calling in Michaels lawyer brother, Bill Peterson. one of Elizabeth Ratliff's two daughters. Our credibility is the turbo-charged engine of our success. In 2019, Michael Peterson also made a two-part appearance onDr. Phil. The next day, he escorted a South Carolina Law Enforcement Division agent through each room of the Moselle house as they searched for guns. Flash forward to the newer episodes of The Staircase (after Michael had been in prison for 8 years) Bill isn't seen again. Read More: Where is Michaels Brother Bill Peterson Now? Duke had apparently held him back due to a drunk driving charge, per News & Record. Murdaugh trial, Day 25: Defense rests case, jury to visit Moselle, John Marvin testified in his brother's defense today, while another defense witness theorized Maggie and Paul Murdaugh were killed by two shooters, Murdaugh defense to make closing arguments at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Murdaugh Trial, Day 26: Testimony gets heated during states rebuttal, One dead, driver and 3-year-old injured during crash in Greer, Teen charged, suspect wanted after shots fired during break-in, Upstate woman charged after deadly stabbing in Mauldin, Attorney Jack Swerling Discusses Closing Arguments in Murdaugh Trial, High School in Rutherford Co. responds to reported threat, Veterans Museum of The Carolinas Launches Lecture Series, kelli.radcliff@foxcarolina.com - 864-213-2103. By Julie Miller May 19, 2022 The. Not long after, Michael Peterson became the prime suspect and was indicted on the charge of killing his wife. When he wasnt at the farm you could catch him cruising the country side to some of his favorite spots enjoying Gods beauty. The case served as the subject of the riveting documentary series The Staircase, directed by French filmmaker Jean-Xavier de Lestrade. The plea is the result of a US Supreme Court case from 1970 (Alford v. North Carolina), where an alleged murderer had submitted a coerced plea. And although some viewers of "The Staircase"might have expected his two other daughters, Margaret and Martha, to follow suit especially considering the similarities between the deaths of their biological mother, Elizabeth Ratliff, and their adopted mother, Kathleen Peterson, roughly 17 years later they seemingly never wavered in their support, or their opinion that Kathleen's death was an accident. If the prosecution had been better, and the trial had been less of a show. StrangerThan Fiction:Trial Commentary In the first season of the show, which premiered in 2017, actor John Lithgow appears to portray a character very similar to Michael Peterson. Though none of them have spoken publicly about the case and Peterson's 2011 release from prison, which was made permanent after he entered an Alford plea in 2017, later episodes of "The Staircase," which were filmed from 2012 and 2016, suggest that Todd, Clayton, Martha, and Margaret are still close with their father. Coming to Todd, it appears as if he currently leads a quiet life in North Carolina, preferring simply to keep away from the limelight in an attempt to have relatively ordinary experiences. Your suggestions can be as general or specific as you like, from Life to Compact Cars and Trucks to A Subspecies of Capybara Called Hydrochoerus Isthmius. Well get our writers on it because we want to create articles on the topics youre interested in. He led a Criminal Law Clinic at the University of North Carolina School of Law but decided that he missed being in the courtroom. Michael's attorney said Kathleen Peterson, "after drinking . | Its ripping up open all the wounds again., Clayton also said that he wanted to see justice served and confirmed with a reporter that his father has always maintained his innocence, adding, and we do as well.". Its a place where the air smelled fresher, the food tasted better, and the message was clearer. We see Jack, but not Bill. He spent most of his early life in West Germany and. In 2017, David Rudolf, one of the defense attorneys working on the case, told the News & Observer that Todd now lives in Tennessee. Bill Peterson, Peterson's. Years later, I was using her phone when I made an utterly chilling discovery. The final episodes of the docuseries caught up with most of the kids, but mentions of Todd were minimal. In the first episode, its clear that something happened with Clayton during spring break in college, but it isnt explained or further discussed at that time. Despite not being an official member of the defense team, Bill Peterson ( Tim Guinee) played a huge role in getting his brother Michael out of jail. She will next be seen in the Elvis Presley biopic as Priscilla Presley. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google At Factinate, were dedicated to getting things right. But the series' chilling events have left some viewers wondering, "Where is Michael Peterson now?" Despite being convicted of murdering his wife in 2003 and being sentenced . It was hard to find a place with more beautiful flowers than the family farm. He doesnt want to pay it because the claim rests on him being guilty, which he doesnt believe himself to be. Michael "MP" Peterson (24 September 1952 - 29 March 2012) was a professional Australian surfer. Daisy Jones & The Six Is A Nostalgic Series Based On A Best-Selling Book, The 'Ted Lasso' Season 3 Trailer Is Finally Here & Fellas, It'll Give You Goosebumps, '1923' Will Deliver More Dutton Family Drama In Season 2 Of The 'Yellowstone' Prequel, 'Yellowjackets' Season 3 Is Officially Happening, What Parents Are Talking About Delivered Straight To Your Inbox, By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. When shes not writing, you can find her running, training in mixed martial arts, or reading. However, its imperative to mention that while Caitlin initially vehemently supported her step-father in her mothers tragic demise, she quickly switched allegiance, unlike any other sibling. Thats to say, Clayton, Todd, Margaret, and Martha stood right beside Michael at every step of the way, going as far as to give public interviews in his defense as well as help in his trial preparation. Though Rudolf has defended other high profile clients including Rae Carruth and Reade Seligmann his involvement in Michael Peterson's case has proved to be one of the most definitive of his career. Michael, who has maintained his innocence, spent nearly a decade behind bars after being . He received lucrative deals from several publishers but could not take them. He was clearly very supportive of his brother. Interviewing Michael led Rudolf to believe his side of the story: that he and Kathleen had a very . Information on what happened to Michael Peterson: that he had already served time for first!, 1985 David married Linda Fredrick in Spicer and they had son Michael ( )! The five-month trial, his guilt was not proven to me a place with more beautiful than... In real life and in the documentary series the Staircase are some chilling facts about the Murdaugh siblings cooperation the! 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