Chapter 166 Section 15

Another asset of the Peterson family is Catherine's shares in Northern Telecom. At the end of 1999, the value of Catherine’s stock was more than 1 million US dollars. By September 2000, it reached a peak value of more than 2.4 million US dollars. However, it fell all the way in the ensuing plunge of technology stocks, and it became 900,000 US dollars by the end of that year. , by July 2001, only $50,000 was left.In addition to the option stocks (options) given to employees by the company, when the stock market of Northern Telecom was bullish, Catherine also listened to her husband’s instigation to buy a large number of stocks from the company (there is a discount for employees to buy stocks through the company), at most 80% of the monthly salary.

In 2000 and 2001, the three girls of the Peterson family went to college one after another. The expensive tuition fees made the Peterson couple unable to make ends meet, but they must continue to support their two adult sons, Clayton and Ted.By the time this case happened, the Peterson family had already mortgaged most of their real estate, and even started to sell off Catherine's jewelry and other items, and they were still in debt of more than 100,000 US dollars. Catherine had told her sister, Candace Zamblini, with concern, that she liked their family's big house on Side Street, but she wondered how long they would be able to live there.The house is big, and the cost is also high. The air conditioner in summer alone costs hundreds of dollars in electricity bills per month, not to mention the age of the house, which needs major repairs everywhere.For example, the bat nest in the attic has ruined the roof, and it leaks when it rains; for example, termites have eaten into the living room. The plumbing in almost all the bathrooms was faulty, and for months the whole family had to share the only shower downstairs...all of which was hidden from outsiders.Every time there is a party at home, the only thing in front of the guests is the grandeur in the living room and by the pool.

Catherine said that she was very tired. After working at work, she was busy at home, and after serving the master, she had to take care of the young lady.The family used to hire a part-time worker, but now they can no longer afford it.Catherine said she didn't even have time to go to the hospital. To make matters worse, one month after the "September 11" incident in 2001, that is, about two months before the incident, Northern Telecom Company began to lay off employees on a large scale.Catherine herself was ordered by the board of directors to fire hundreds of employees.Later, the company made internal adjustments, shut down and transferred all departments, and senior managers at the same level as Catherine also received red slips (pinkslid, that is, notice of dismissal).At the end of November, Catherine's immediate supervisor was also fired.Before leaving, the boss told Catherine that the company didn’t need people, but wanted to take this opportunity to get rid of a group of older, long-serving, and high-salary bosses, and replace them with people who were qualified for the same job and Young people who are underpaid can at least lose a lot of pensions of old workers.

Although Catherine escaped bad luck again and again, she also realized that sooner or later she would be doomed.At that time, not only will I lose all my pension, but with my age and status, it will be almost impossible to find another suitable job.Catherine felt that she had reached the end of her career. "However, our inventive writer, Mr. Mike Peterson, with his genius for invention and fiction, has found a perfect solution to all these difficulties," said Attorney-General Janemond Harding. , "The method is to create a fatal accident so that Catherine looks like she fell down the stairs. Then, miraculously, everything is solved, and the Peterson family will no longer be in debt and have no money to live in. The big mansion will never fail to hire servants again... If anyone thinks that Mr. Peterson's move is only to preserve Catherine's pension, then he is too underestimating the protagonist of our story. Catherine's death is still Will bring $1.8 million in life insurance to her husband! . . . what a plan!"

After Catherine's death, Northern Telecom has successively issued three checks totaling US$384,166 to Mike Peterson. "Even better," continued the Attorney General, "Mr. Peterson's timing. Catherine has been the Peterson family's cash cow and laying hen. Mr. Peterson is not so stupid as to kill the goose. Catherine, who might be of no further use to him, was ruthlessly and unhesitatingly put to death when Katherine might be fired and might never find work again." "Finally, let's listen again to the two 911 calls Mike Peterson made from the scene."

On the first call, Mike Peterson told the operator his wife had fallen down the stairs.Then, according to Inspector General Harding, Mike only "selectively" answered some of the operator's questions, said Catherine was still breathing, and hung up. On the second phone call, only a short while later, Catherine suddenly "has stopped breathing."Again, Mike didn't answer any of the operator's questions. In other words, the purpose of Mike Peterson's two 911 calls was to tell the operator what he wanted to say.When the operator asked him questions, Mike carefully evaded, trying not to answer as much as possible, because "he knew that 911 calls would be recorded."

"You've all seen the factual TV specials on Emergency 911, and almost everyone who calls 911 wants the professional help of an operator, instructions on how to handle an emergency before emergency personnel arrive. They answer the operator's questions carefully , would ask: 'My wife is breathing but not feeling, what should I do?' would stay in touch with the operator until the emergency personnel arrived... But, Mike Peterson didn't do that." "They say it's an accident, we say it's a murder," repeated Attorney General Janemond Harding, turning to the jury box, "and you will decide."

David Rudolph, the defense's chief defense attorney, almost followed the prosecutor's speech, and he rang the 911 call recording left by Attorney General Harding. "The voice of a man maddened by pain and sorrow." Davey interjected in time between Mike Peterson and Mary Ellen, "... he was deliberately avoiding the operator's question." answer, or overwhelmed by sudden tragedy?"