Wanted folks like you to see what we, criminal defense lawyers, actually do. Along with the aforementioned amenities, the 19-room home also boasts a 3.4-acre lot with a slate patio, an outdoor fireplace, and a large pool (though the latter was, for whatever reason, drained in the MLS pictures). Then I went and realized, no, I can't. His life had been dissected and picked apart by the media for almost two decades, and it was high time he got some much-needed privacy. As shown in the miniseries, Michael took the Alford plea in 2017, pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter. "Michael hasn't made a penny from the documentary," he insisted. Curiously, though he was living with Kathleen at the time, his first wife, Patty, from whom he was separated, co-signed for the loan. Scroll on to find out. Her death was investigated by the U.S. military police in Germany at the time and an autopsy concluded she had died from an intracerebral hemorrhage. Peterson retreated to Durham, North Carolina, after his release. To be fair, according to A Perfect Husband, Aphrodite Jones 2004 book about the case, Petersons defense attorney David Rudolf had the staircase boarded up on December 14, 2001, just days after the killing, in order to preserve evidence. Now Judge Clifton Newman will hand down the sentencing in the double murder trial Friday, March 3, at 9:30 a.m. Murdaugh, 54, faces 30 years to life in prison in his conviction on the murder count . After Michael Peterson and Patricia Sue divorced in 1985, Clayton and his younger brother Todd went to live with their mother. It occurred when Michael and Kathleen were visiting Germany and dropped by the home of their friend, Elizabeth Ratliff. Peterson's sons have always stood by their father, who has maintained his . Reprieve for Michael came in the form of prosecutorial impropriety, which forced the judge to grant him a new trial in 2011. What happened to Olivia Walton on The Waltons? Peterson sold the house he owned with his wife Kathleen back in 2004.Today, the 78-year-old is completely free and out of prison. ", He told the News & Observer: "They were companions. All Rights Reserved. They took care of each other.". Still estranged from her step-siblings, she currently lives with her husband and twin children in Virginia. Michael and Patty became even closer post-trial. Currently, he resides in Durham, North Carolina but has since sold the house where Kathleen died. "He's in a ground floor apartment with no stairs that was a really important accommodation," Defense Attorney David Rudolf said of his former client at CrimeCon in New Orleans, per Oxygen. But that proved a tad more challenging in this case. At the time of Kathleens death, Deaver (portrayed by Myke Holmes in the show) worked as a blood spatter analyst for the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). Where is Michael Peterson now? Since Michael cant profit from his crime, the proceeds from the books sales go to charity. Ratliff died at the age of 43. They didnt really care whether he did it or not, Rudolf said Friday at CrimeCon in New Orleans. HBO Max's latest true crime series, The Staircase, chronicles the lengthy saga of Michael Peterson, an author who was convicted of killing his wife, Kathleen, who died on the stairs in their Durham, N.C. home in December 2001. We all know that these characters have names of living people, but its very carefully calibrated to tell the story in a certain way. He still lives in Durham, though in a ground-floor apartment, which David Rudolf explained to Oxygen has no stairs that was a really important accommodation. Ill say! Since Deavers testimony was what eventually led the jury to agree upon Michaels guilt, the writer was released in 2011 under a $300,000 bail and placed under house arrest. Following an investigation and an ensuing murder trial, the latter of which became one of the longest of its kind in North Carolina history, Michael Peterson was eventually found guilty. The Staircase, starring Colin Firth and Toni Collette as Michael and Kathleen Peterson, explores the life of Michael Peterson, who was accused of murdering his wife Kathleen at their sprawling North Carolina home after she died under suspicious circumstances in December 2001.. On December 9, 2001, Michael Peterson's wife, Kathleen Peterson was found dead at the bottom of their staircase with severe injuries. Michael and Kathleen led an extravagant lifestyle and were, by all accounts, happy. What Happened to Michael Peterson After Prison? Now 79 years old, he lives alone in a ground-floor . The couple discussed moving to France and settling in the capital once the trial was finally over. ", It turns out Firth landed the role out of pure Hollywood happenstance. The home where Michael Peterson allegedly killed his wife, Kathleen, nearly two decades ago as documented in the docuseries "The Staircase" is now on the market for a pricey sum. Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. Ahead of Michael Petersons' trial, Ratliff's body was exhumed for a second autopsy in April 2003, where a Durham medical examiner concluded the cause of death as "homicide." They did, however, use her death as an example of an incident that could help him "fake" Kathleen's accident. Flash-forward to the present day and true-crime enthusiasts want to know every possible detail about Peterson's life and personal relationshipslike, does he have a new wife? Despite actors playing the people involved, the limited series is very much a true story in which Peterson is still alive (and living freely) today. "He released his archive to Campos, who then created a fictional account of events, most of which trashed me (which I really don't care about) and my children which I really do care about," Peterson told Variety. Though the kitchen island was moved (it was formerly attached to the kitchen counter, cutting across the room at a diagonal), the space still looks much as it did when Michael lived there. Three episodes in, the series-runners drop a major bombshell: Peterson was the last person to see another woman who was found dead at the bottom of a staircase in Germany in 1985. Peterson was placed on house arrest in 2011 before his retrial, then officially freed in 2017 after submitting an Alford Plea (he admitted the evidence against him could prove he was guilty, while proclaiming his innocence). Above (L-R): The real Todd Peterson, Martha Ratliff, Margaret (Ratliff) Blakemore, and Clayton Peterson. The listing photos show the changes that have been made since Petersons departure. Her partnership with de Lestrade is still going strong, with Brunet having edited his two TV series after The Staircase, true crime drama Latitia, and the political thriller Jeux dInfluence. Where does The Staircase's Michael Peterson live now? Before the new trial commenced, Peter submitted an Alford plea to the lesser charge of manslaughter and was set free as hed already served time for murder. Where Is Cary Stayner from Hulu's Captive Audience Now? The case that dominated such a large part of his life still haunted him, however. Sophie and Michael were together from 2004 to 2017. The Staircase follows Michaels more than decade-long legal battle toward freedom and paints a portrait of the Peterson family both before and after Kathleens death. Hes in a ground floor apartment with no stairs that was really important accommodation.. And [Sophie] said, well, if you can't commit to live with me all the time, let's end it and it was a great blow to both of usI could not give her what she really needed and deserved.". "They took care of each other." Todd and Clayton are Michael Peterson's sons from his first marriage to Patricia Peterson. The latest offering from the HBO crime series is The Staircase which takes an in-depth look into the saga of Michael Peterson, an author who was convicted of killing his wife, Kathleen Peterson. MICHAEL Peterson was convicted of killing his second wife, Kathleen, in 2003. We want to hear from you! Michael purchased the 9,372-square-foot property in August 1992 for $600,000. After breaking up with Sophie (Juliette Binoche) and refusing to move to Paris, Michael went to live with his ex-wife Patty (Trini Alvarado). Currently living in Colorado, Martha works as a psychotherapist, helping people that suffer from the same problems that afflicted her. His plans, he said, are to spend the time he lost behind bars with family and write a new book. He donated all of the proceeds to charity. Clayton and Todd chose to live with their mom, while Martha and Margaret moved to North Carolina with Michael. In 2018, AP reported that Michael Peterson now lives in a 1,200-square-foot, two-bedroom condo in the same town, Durham, North Carolina. Colin Firth plays the writer in a new HBO Max limited series. And although his initial murder trial took place in 2003, Michael Peterson's saga didn't have definitive ending until 2018. Throughout Michael Peterson's murder trial, his ex-wife was not only his emotional support but also his financial, and until her death, she believed him to be innocent. 'The Staircase': Where Are Michael Peterson and His Family Now? The new series starring Colin Firth and Toni Collette retells Michael Peterson's now-infamous 2001 murder charge. However, Brunet claims to have waited until she was finished with the eight original episodes of The Staircase before sending her first letter to Peterson. Peterson was convicted of first-degree murder in connection with Kathleens death, and spent nearly a decade behind bars. However, back in 2002, streaming hadnt been invented yet, and young Margaret had no idea just how much her life would be in the public eye in the following decades. Michael Peterson's conviction and life sentence in 2003 was only some of the story. And according to .css-16acfp5{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.125rem;text-decoration-color:#d2232e;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-16acfp5:hover{color:#000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;background-color:yellow;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}Newsweek, Peterson entered a relationship with an editor on the 2004 documentary The Staircase, and the two dated from 2011 to 2017. At the time, Council of Residential Specialists spokesman Jack Cotton expressed that the murder shouldnt affect the sale, telling The News & Observer, Crimes of passion dont have a huge negative impact on the value of the house. The company had also begun massive layoffs at the same time and Kathleens job security seemed tenuous at best. Kathleen left early; Michael stuck around. Then there was Kathleens $725,000 life insurance policy (which doubled to $1.4 million in the case of accidental death) of which Michael was the beneficiary (not to mention the almost $400,000 in deferred compensation benefits he was owed from Nortel upon her passing). Her secluded life and career, Who are Gradey Dicks parents? Still married to journalist Sonya Pfeiffer (Teri Wyble), defense attorney David Rudolf (Michael Stuhlbarg) relocated to Toronto in 2021, where he works for litigation and corporate law firm Brauti Thorning LLP. Speaking to the French publication L'Express, de Lestrade shared: "This is one of the incredible things that happened during those 15 years. Lestrades documentary played an important part in the Peterson affair and served as the main inspiration for Campos show. Get the latest scoop directly in your inbox. According to their son Clayton Peterson, Michael and Patricia lived together between 2019 and 2021 as "companions. In a recent interview with the Wrongful Conviction podcast, he talked about the role of the documentary in his trial and criticized the HBO miniseries, calling it an abomination and stating that Campos trashed his familys life. Instead, he submitted an Alford Plea for manslaughter. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Kathleen had daughter Caitlin from her first marriage as well. The Staircase. The two lived together until Patty's deathfrom a massive heart attack in July 2021. She didnt like the idea of being a character in Campos miniseries and felt betrayed by the showrunner. Michael was resentenced to 86 weeks in prison but was let free since he had already served more than that time. Stalk It: Michael Petersons former house, featured in The Staircase, is located at 1810 Cedar Street in Durham, North Carolina. Black died in 2018, at age 57 of end-stage liver disease. Where are the real-life people of 'The Staircase' now? The conclusion painted Michael as a murderer with a propensity for pushing his victims down staircases and no doubt contributed to his conviction. And, Rudolf gave a wry summary of a key feature of Petersons new living situation: Hes in a ground floor apartment with no stairs that was a really important accommodation.. The Staircaseis set to return to our screens as a HBO Max series. "He is living in Durham. Selling the house at its [original $1.175 million] asking price would still not cover all of Petersons debts.. In 2003, the North Carolina medical examiner reexamined Ratliffs remains after they were exhumed in Texas. In 2002, Caitlin filed a civil wrongful death lawsuit against Michael. "I've always believed he did not do this, and I always will.". Soon after Georges death in an overseas operation, in 1983, Elizabeth lost her life in circumstances so similar to Katherines death that her body was exhumed during Michaels trial in search of evidence of foul play. .css-13y9o4w{display:block;font-family:GraphikBold,GraphikBold-fallback,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-13y9o4w:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-13y9o4w{font-size:1.05rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.25rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-13y9o4w{font-size:1.28598rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-13y9o4w{font-size:1.39461rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.5rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-13y9o4w{font-size:1.23488rem;line-height:1.3;}}Who Was Mallory Beach in 'Murdaugh Murders'? Margaret and Michael are both featured in the movie as interviewees. Lestrade told Vanity Fair that he felt "betrayed" by show creator Anthony Campos' adaptation of his Peabody Award-winning docu-series and claimed the facts were altered for dramatic effect. "Michael Peterson, you are pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter," Zamperini said, according to local news sources. Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. Michael had two sons - Todd and Clayton - from his first marriage. Featuring a library, game room, a whopping five fireplaces, fourteen-foot ceilings, hardwood flooring throughout, and a large master wing, theres no arguing that the couple and their children lived in style. Most eerie of all, though, is the fact that a segment took place on the infamous back staircase! I can't live in Paris. Michael Peterson listens as his defense attorney David Rudolf makes opening statements in Peterson's request for a new trial on December 6, 2011, in Durham, North Carolina Advertisement The original Staircase docuseries is largely told from Peterson's perspective, and there is an undeniable appeal to witnessing him in action. Were it not for SBI analyst Duane Deavers corruption, Michael Peterson would probably still be in jail. He had been living with his first wife, Patricia, (although divorced) for the past two years until her death from a heart attack, his son Clayton told North Carolina's News & Observer in 2021. Originally built in 1940 by architect George Watts Carr, Sr. for wealthy Durham businessman John Adams Buchanan, the lavish five-bedroom, six-bathroom property had plenty of room for Kathleen and Michaels large blended family, which included Michaels two sons with his first wife and his two adopted daughters, as well as Kathleens daughter from a previous marriage. The novelist spent the past almost eight years in prison after a jury found him guilty of murdering his wife, but in 2011, he was released and since then hes been living a quiet life in Durham, North Carolina, the same city he once lived with his second wife at the time of her death. In 2010, he was found culpable of withholding crucial evidence from defense attorneys in other cases. At first, their two sons lived in Germany with their mother but eventually went to live in Durham, North Carolina with their father. Judge Clifton . According to a June report by The Sun, Peterson continues to live in Durham and has self-published two books about his life during the murder trial and his life following his release from prison. I couldn't afford to live in Paris, and my children and grandchildren were in America." Caitlins lawyer filed another complaint against him after his release in 2017, in order to discourage him from making money from the case. He concluded her death to be a homicide caused by blunt force trauma. At the time of her mother's death, Caitlin Atwater supported her stepfather and after his arrest told the press of his innocence. Despite being found guilty of murder, in 2011, Peterson was granted another trial which was set to take place in 2017. The 9,400-square-foot mansion at 1810 Cedar St. in Durham, North Carolina was listed for $1.9 million on Tuesday, according to local outlet WRAL. Colin Firthwill play the main subject Michael Peterson; the role was originally slated to be played by Harrison Ford. Kathleen was apparently bludgeoned to death after a medical examiner noticed several lacerations on her scalp. 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. Blood-spatter analyst Duane Deaver (Myke Holmes) was found to have exaggerated his credentials in the field of forensic investigation. Usually when you're convicted of murder, you're sentenced to something like life, or close to it, in prison and that's essentially that. But, as Peterson was being investigated for the staircase death of his wife in the early 2000s, Ratliffs body was exhumed in Texas in 2003. However, de Lestrades involvement with the Peterson story didnt end there, as he was the one to sell the story to Campos. Ever since Patty died, Todd changed his mind about his dads involvement in Kathleens death, and now believes to have murdered not only his stepmom but also Elizabeth Ratliff. Investigators swiftly homed in on Michael as a prime suspect as he was alone in the premises with Kathleen when she passed away. Kathleen Peterson, ne Hunt, and Michael Peterson became acquainted when Kathleen Peterson moved to Durham and became one of Michael's neighbors. Michael was born in Nashville, Tennessee in 1943 before moving to work for the U.S. Department of Defense after college. Per The News & Observer, Petersons defense left him indigent. On the flip-side, Petersons former sister-in-law, Candace Zamperini, said during the hearing in 2017 that shell always see him responsible for her sisters death. In a series of emails to Variety, he accused Lestrade of pimping him and his family out Still, he admits that Lestrade's work was instrumental in getting him out of prison. Speaking to The News & Observer, Michael Peterson shared their relationship came to an end because he did not want to live in Paris. Im innocent. Elizabeth Ratliffs death had a huge impact on her youngest daughter, Martha (Odessa Young). No, Michael Peterson does not have a new wife today. His moms cancer battle. Played by Vincent Vermignon, de Lestrade was already an Academy Award winner when he got involved with Michael Petersons case. Kathleen Peterson, seen above, died on December 1, 2009. Today, Michael Peterson, 78, is still alive and remains a free man. Brad even testified at Michael Peterson's trial and under cross-examination, stated Michael Peterson spoke about Kathleen Peterson, calling her a "dynamite wife," reported the NZ Herald. 'The Bear''s Jeremy Allen White Keeps His Awards In His Kids' Room For A Cute Reason, 'Yellowstone' Prequel '1923' Really Earned Its TV-MA Rating, 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, What Parents Are Talking About Delivered Straight To Your Inbox, By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. The filmmakers had explored the American justice system in a case with a public defender, and wanted to explore a case with a wealthy defendant. He also wasn't a fan of the portrayal of himself and his client regularly fighting, the implication Peterson kept important information secret from him, and the depiction of his relationship with reporter Sonya Pfeiffer. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. He was caustic and sarcastic and mean sometimes, Rudolf said. All the evidence added up to a guilty verdict and on October 10, 2003, Michael was sent to prison for life without the possibility of parole. After her death, German officials concluded that Ratliff died of a cerebral hemorrhage which led to her falling down the stairs. Click back to the main page for more Dirt on the house. "I'm too old. At least three people are not fans of HBO's "The Staircase": Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, Michael Peterson, and attorney David Rudolf. Patty was also a staunch defender of Michael. (Crime obviously doesnt pay!) Since his release from prison on bond in 2011 and his official release in 2017, Peterson has returned to his passion for writing, publishing two books about his trial, his life behind bars, and the taste of freedom. Patricia Peterson died in July 2021 of a heart attack when she was 78 years old. He got back to writing and released two books telling his side of the story: 2019s Behind the Staircase and 2020s Beyond the Staircase. During Petersons trial, he testified that the blood spatters surrounding the spot in which Kathleen had died were consistent with a person being beaten to death. The film, which examines the ethics of documentary filmmaking, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. Now, he resides in a 1,200-square-foot, two bedroom condo and. At the center of the story is Kathleen and Michaels sprawling Colonial home, located in Durhams tony Forest Hills neighborhood. The political thriller Jeux dInfluence had two seasons released between 2018 and 2022 in the European streaming service Arte. The staircase where Kathleen Peterson was found dead on Dec. 8, 2001 is seen above Credit: Netflix. From the comments Ive gotten from a lot of people, it [The Staircase] achieved that purpose; it opens eyes to what criminal defense lawyers do.. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! According to CBS News, Peterson now lives in a 1,200 square foot condo, a big change from the mansion he once shared with his late wife, but as he told the news outlet, its a life hes happy to now live. The shy, dull, and very British Mark Darcy is as far as you can get from the confounding and unpredictable American novelist Michael Peterson. Instead, Peterson is now living the life of "a 75-year-old grandfather" and surviving "[on a] fairly modest pension," Rudolph told "True Crime Interviews" host Steve Wraith. The TV drama miniseries focuses on the real-life 2003 murder trial that saw Michael accused of . In 2001, Kathleen was found unconscious at the bottom of their staircase in Durham, North Carolina and was pronounced dead. I'm too old. Firth threw everything into the part, and it turned out it changed his attitude and approach towards acting. In a livestream that has since been uploaded to YouTube, he accuses Michael of murdering not only Kathleen, but also his mother, Patricia, and family friend Elizabeth. The house was showing signs of wear, too, with many expensive much-needed repairs awaiting completion. You Can Stream Every 'Rocky' Movie Right Now, 'WoF' Fans Say This Is the 'Biggest Choke' on Show, Daisy Jones & the Six Is a Rock Epic in 10 Parts, See Mariska Hargitays Emotional Tribute on IG, Poker Face Is Rian Johnson's Exciting New Show, A Timeline of Events in 'Murdaugh Murders', 'White Lotus' Star Reveals 'Iconic' Scene Was Cut, How Sam Claflin Built His '70s Rock Star Body. The case is still a major discussion for true-crime fans, some of whom wonder if Michael Peterson really did kill his wife, or if it was merely an accident as he claims. "That we dont cheat or invent evidence, that we actually care about truth and representing people as well as they can be represented. Since his release, Michael has avoided staying in houses with staircases, which is perhaps a good idea. Much like Peterson and Brunet, he was also not happy with the fictional adaptation of his docuseries and claimed that Campos misinterpreted facts in a way that paints him as an unethical filmmaker. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Petersons wood-paneled office (which Aphrodite Jones describes as an imposing, ominous and intimidating space, saying It was understood that Michael Peterson didnt want people in there.) had a prominent role in the film and in a macabre foretelling was the site of a very bloody murder scene. They also became the legal guardians of two young girls, Margaret Ratcliff and Martha Ratcliff, following their mother's death in 1985. One of the most puzzling revelations of his trial was that in 1985, Michael was the last person to see Elizabeth Ratliff before she was discovered dead at the bottom of a staircase. Brunet still works as a film and TV editor in France. That being said, it's unclear how Peterson is now making a living or if he has some kind of income. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. After breaking up with Sophie ( Juliette Binoche) and refusing to move to Paris, Michael went to live with his ex-wife Patty ( Trini Alvarado ). "We could have put a little blimp over my head saying, 'Jewish lawyer from New York,'" he said. It wasnt about the crime it was about the process.. Before going AWOL, however, he changed his mind about his dads involvement in Kathleens death. It also chronicles the work of French documentarist Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, who, from 2003 to 2018, worked on a docuseries about the case also titled The Staircase. After her death, however, and during Petersons time behind bars, he was forced to file for bankruptcy. Milan Polk is an Editorial Assistant for Men's Health who specializes in entertainment and lifestyle reporting, and has worked for New York Magazine's Vulture and Chicago Tribune. Considering Deaver's testimony had largely swayed the jury at Peterson's trial in 2003, Peterson was granted a retrial hearing, and was released from prison in 2011. His character in the show is a troubled young man who decides to turn his life around. But, in February 2017, just months before the scheduled retrial, Peterson submitted an Alford plea to the reduced charge of manslaughter. "He visits his grandchildren; he's writing. Returning to the Scene of the Crime. On December 1, 2009, Kathleen Peterson was found dead at the bottom of the staircase in their North Carolina home. Is 'Daisy Jones & The Six' Based on a True Story? After spending eight years in prison, Michael Peterson was given an unexpected reprieve one granted by way of state corruption. She said: "My mother and Mike had an absolutely loving relationship and there is no way that either of them would ever wish any sort of harm on the other one.". He is, however, still connected with his own firm, Rudolf Widenhouse. That wasnt what the documentary was going to be about. Because in fact, the story didn't really end there. In July 2020, Michael and Kathleen Peterson's five-story mansion where Kathleen lost her life was put up for sale. In Lestrades docuseries, she speaks at length about her mental health issues. In Michael Peterson's case, however . She also stood by Michael Peterson when suspicions were raised during his trial about the death of their friend Elizabeth Ratliff in 1985. Peterson was charged with her murder, convicted at trial, and sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. To boot, the couple was in severe credit card debt, to the tune of $100,000. While The Guardian proclaimed Firth to be "brilliant" and that "you cannot help watching to see if and which way he will fall," CNN called his acting skills "riveting work.".
