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. Their son, Clayton, shared that the former spouses cohabited an apartment in Durham, the same town in which Michael and Kathleen had lived. Her son, Todd, has accused Michael of waiting over three hours to call 911 after realizing that Patty was feeling sick. So beloved was the residence that Kathleen and Michael decided to tie the knot there, surrounded by family and friends, on June 21, 1997. Brunet still works as a film and TV editor in France. In 2001, Kathleen Peterson was found dead at the bottom of the . Currently, he resides in Durham, North Carolina but has since sold the house where Kathleen died. Curiously, though he was living with Kathleen at the time, his first wife, Patty, from whom he was separated, co-signed for the loan. In 2010, he was found culpable of withholding crucial evidence from defense attorneys in other cases. Wanted folks like you to see what we, criminal defense lawyers, actually do. Sue remained supportive of Peterson through his trial, incarceration, and release. But severe cracks in their foundation came to light following Michaels arrest and during his subsequent lengthy trial. The Staircase airs on Thursdays on HBO Max and Sky Atlantic. Like Patty's father, Michael Peterson was a military man, having served in Vietnam as part of the U.S. Marine Corps from August 1968 until September 1969. Where is Peterson's Durham house? The couple shared two sons, Clayton Peterson and Todd Peterson. According to him, Michael waited three hours to call 911 while Patty was having a heart attack. Then I went and realized, no, I can't. Michael's late wife Kathleen will be played byToni Collette. He concluded her death to be a homicide caused by blunt force trauma. The Staircaseis set to return to our screens as a HBO Max series. Man Made Pros and Cons List About Leaving Her, Missouri Man Killed Expectant Wife Who Googled 'What to Do if Your Husband Is Upset You Are Pregnant', Andrea Yates, Who Drowned Her 5 Kids in a Tub in 2001, Annually Declines Release from Mental Hospital, Robert Durst, Convicted Murderer and Real Estate Scion, Dies at 78, Scott Peterson Resentenced to Life in Prison After Being Spared Death, as Laci's Family Confronts Him, Robert Durst's Murder Conviction Will Be Vacated on Legal Technicality, L.A. Michael was born in Nashville, Tennessee in 1943 before moving to work for the U.S. Department of Defense after college. He later met his first wife Patricia Sue, an elementary school teacher, in West Germany. Speaking with Variety, he also complained about his characterization in the show, singling out the scene in which he and Michael chat over a pastrami sandwich: We could have put a little blimp over my head saying, Jewish lawyer from New York. Peterson was charged with her murder, convicted at trial, and sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Game of ThronesactressSophie Turnerwill appear as one of Michael's adopted daughters, Margaret Ratliff. He's in a ground-floor apartment with no stairs that was a really important accommodation," Rudolf shared. But, theres one thing that pretty much everyone can agree on: The man needs to avoid a home with staircases. Caitlins lawyer filed another complaint against him after his release in 2017, in order to discourage him from making money from the case. 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.". Peterson's sons have always stood by their father, who has maintained his . In July 2020, the infamous five-story Cedar street mansion where Kathleen died was put up for sale. "He is living in Durham. Peterson's defense attorney David Rudolf told Oxygen in 2019 that Peterson is currently living in Durham in a ground floor apartmentso no staircase. The pair divorced, paving the way for Michaels marriage to Kathleen Atwater. Following his release from prison, Michael Peterson, 78, has written two books detailing a behind-the-scenes account of his trial, imprisonment, and life after jail. According to theNews and Observer, Peterson has not owned the home since he sold it to Jason Balius for $640,000 in 2004. 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). In July 2020, Michael and Kathleen Peterson's five-story mansion where Kathleen lost her life was put up for sale. Still estranged from her step-siblings, she currently lives with her husband and twin children in Virginia. The steps sit just beyond the darkened opening on the right side of the kitchen in the photograph above. Now 79 years old, he lives alone in a ground-floor . No, not that staircase. Peterson's lawyers took issue with the examiner's assessment. Hes living in Durham Im not sure why hes living in Durham, but he is, Rudolf told the audience at CrimeCon. Then I went and realized, no, I can't. Debra Messing Calls a Flatbush Stunner Home on The Mysteries of Laura, Jason Segel Grieves in Style at an Altadena Craftsman on Shrinking, Sean Penn Romances Julia Roberts at a Landmark Reseda Restaurant in Gaslit, 1810 Cedar Street in Durham, North Carolina, Michael Peterson's Former Durham Estate, Made Infamous in 'The Staircase,' Has Sold Once Again, Ellen DeGeneres Buys Another Grand Old Montecito Estate, Debra Messing Calls a Flatbush Stunner Home on 'The Mysteries of Laura'. Because of all of the twists and turns that developed in the case, from the death itself having multiple theories, to the news of another woman from petersons past dying in a similar fashion, The Staircase originally premiered on TV in 2004 with eight episodes detailing the case and trial. The pair are believed to have formed a relationship whilst Peterson was in prison and following his release in 2011. One was a sweeping oval shape, a centerpiece of the home, while the other lead [sic] down to the kitchen area, a more practical structure, hidden behind doors. It was the front staircase, situated near the main entrance, that the couple posed on that joyous day. In 2019, he self-published two books Behind the StaircaseandBeyond the Staircase that detail his side of the story. 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.". The prosecution suggested that Michael killed his wife after they got in a fight supposedly initiated by Kathleen's discovery of more than 2,000 explicit images of men on Michael's computer in addition to emails in conversation with a young male escort he was planning on reuniting with after meeting a few months prior. Defense Attorney David Rudolf says his famous former clientfeatured on Netflixs The Staircase is keeping it on one level now. Today, Michael Peterson, 78, is still alive and remains a free man. "Michael Peterson, you are pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter," Zamperini said, according to local news sources. The riches he had before his incarceration no longer exist. (Crime obviously doesnt pay!) Skyler Caruso is the Editorial Assistant of PEOPLE Digital. '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. Michael Peterson murder trial in July 2003. Michael Peterson married Patricia Sue in 1968 and they later welcomed two boys: Todd and Clayton. But, in February 2017, just months before the scheduled retrial, Peterson submitted an. Patricia Peterson died in July 2021 of a heart attack when she was 78 years old. 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. Stalk It: Michael Petersons former house, featured in The Staircase, is located at 1810 Cedar Street in Durham, North Carolina. She did not sign the deed over to Michael until their divorce was finally finalized in 1996. 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 political thriller Jeux dInfluence had two seasons released between 2018 and 2022 in the European streaming service Arte. The house was showing signs of wear, too, with many expensive much-needed repairs awaiting completion. At the moment, very little is known about Peterson's private life. On Oct. 10, 2003, the jury found Michael guilty of Kathleen's murder and sentenced him to life without the possibility of parole. With every episode of The Staircase on HBO Max, more and more details and jaw-dropping twists and turns continue to play out in the story and criminal case against Michael Peterson. He was granted a new trial in 2011, after a judge determined that a key prosecution witness lied on the stand during the original trial. The video above will play a live feed of Alex Murdaugh's sentencing beginning at 9:30 a.m. Friday. The shy, dull, and very British Mark Darcy is as far as you can get from the confounding and unpredictable American novelist Michael Peterson. The conclusion painted Michael as a murderer with a propensity for pushing his victims down staircases and no doubt contributed to his conviction. Peterson retreated to Durham, North Carolina, after his release. 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. The woman who The Staircase viewers may be mistaking for Peterson's new wife could well be Sophie Brunet (played by Juliette Binoche), an . However, Colin Firth has won over critics, with the show earning a 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Currently, he resides in Durham, North Carolina but has since sold the house. Still, in the same year, the North Carolina Human Resources Commission ruled that he should have merely been demoted from his position and that the SBI owed him 34 months of wages. Selling the house at its [original $1.175 million] asking price would still not cover all of Petersons debts.. And although his initial murder trial took place in 2003, Michael Peterson's saga didn't have definitive ending until 2018. Since Michael cant profit from his crime, the proceeds from the books sales go to charity. He said that when he previously prepared for a role, he liked to delve right in and get "to the heart" of the character. His moms cancer battle. 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. He also opines that by agreeing to pay, he would be admitting to murdering Kathleen. 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? 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. In April 2001, they took out a second mortgage to help with the squeeze in finances. Scroll on to find out. They married in 1987 and together they raised a large, blended family with children from previous relationships. After Michael Peterson and Patricia Sue divorced in 1985, Clayton and his younger brother Todd went to live with their mother. Before going AWOL, however, he changed his mind about his dads involvement in Kathleens death. Todd and Clayton are Michael Peterson's sons from his first marriage to Patricia Peterson. Together they had two sons Clayton and Todd Peterson before removing to Germany. Michael was resentenced to 86 weeks in prison but was let free since he had already served more than that time. The prosecution at Michael Peterson's trial alleged Kathleen had found thousands of pornographic images of men on his computer and several emails between him and a man named Brad, where they discussed sex in detail. He donated all of the proceeds to charity. He lives in Durham in a house without a staircase by Chege Karomo - on May 06, 2022 in People Netflix Michael Peterson is the subject of one of Netflix's most riveting and polarizing true crime documentaries, The Staircase . Pattys death, however, is surrounded by its fair share of mystery and controversy. A retrial was later ordered after the judge vacated the jury's verdict in 2011, finding that the blood splatter analysts gave a false and misleading testimony in the first trial, resulting in an unsound conviction. He stated Kathleen Peterson was aware of his interest in men and his first wife, Patricia Sue, was also there to support Michael Peterson's bisexuality claims. Created by Antonio Campos, the eight-episode long miniseries stars Colin Firth and Toni Collette as novelist Michael Peterson and his second wife, Nortel executive, Kathleen Peterson. RELATED: 'The Staircase' Ending Explained: What Is the Truth? The True Story Behind Netflix's New Docuseries Bad Vegan, The Tinder Swindler True Story: Everything to Know About Netflix's New True Crime Documentary, Anna Delvey, German Con Artist Who Scammed N.Y.C. "He visits his grandchildren; he's writing. Where Is Cary Stayner from Hulu's Captive Audience Now? 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. Nowadays, she prefers to stay away from the spotlight, living a quiet life in Alexandria, Virgnia. The TV drama miniseries focuses on the real-life 2003 murder trial that saw Michael accused of . 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. The story behind The Staircase. Portrayed by Olivia DeJonge, Caitlin was Kathleens only biological child and the sole child from the Peterson household to believe that Michael was responsible for her mothers death. In 2002, Caitlin filed a civil wrongful death lawsuit against Michael. It occurred when Michael and Kathleen were visiting Germany and dropped by the home of their friend, Elizabeth Ratliff. Is 'Daisy Jones & The Six' Based on a True Story? Firth told Deadline that he didnt meet Michael before playing him in HBOs The Staircase. 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. 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. As the later episodes of "The Staircase" covered, Peterson was eventually granted a retrial hearing in 2011 after it was discovered that Duane Deaver a blood-spatter analyst for North Carolina's State Bureau of Investigation who had testified under oath at Peterson's initial trial that evidence pointed towards his guilt had covered up evidence in other trials that would've benefited the defense. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! As shown in the miniseries, Clayton Peterson (Dane DeHaan) served four years in prison for an attempted bombing at Duke University years before Kathleen Petersons death. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Michael and Patty split up in 1986. While the multi-part true-crime docuseries "The Staircase" might not be the gold standard of the genre like it once was at the time of its 2004 debut, it's become the go-to source for the strange case of Michael Peterson, a North Carolina novelist who may or may not have murdered his second wife, Nortel executive Kathleen Peterson. Nowadays, Margaret lives in California and works in the entertainment industry as an actor, assistant director, and production manager, among other things. Alongside Pfeiffer, Rudolf is the owner of the Elder Gallery of Contemporary Art, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Peterson now lives in a 1,200 square foot condo, shell always see him responsible for her sisters death, Peterson will be considered a convicted felon. It's the story of novelist Michael Peterson and the trial that followed his arrest for the murder of his second wife, Kathleen Peterson. 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). In . The couple discussed moving to France and settling in the capital once the trial was finally over. 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 production, deemed largely forgettable by critics, made extensive use of both the interior and exterior of the property. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. According to News and Observer, Peterson sold the house in 2004. Judge Clifton . Michael purchased the 9,372-square-foot property in August 1992 for $600,000. 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. As a result, he was re-sentenced to time served and released from prison at that time. And although his initial murder trial took place in 2003, Michael Peterson's saga didn't have definitive ending until 2018. 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. Curiously, though he was living with Kathleen at the time, his first wife, Patty, from whom he was separated, co-signed for the loan. 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. At the time, authorities concluded that Elizabeth fell down the stairs after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage. But perhaps most disconcerting is the fact that the crime scene, complete with blood-splattered walls and floors, was left intact for years while Peterson and his children continued to live in the home! The couple also hosts a podcast together, Abuse of Power, which focuses on stories of people victimized by the justice system. However, de Lestrades involvement with the Peterson story didnt end there, as he was the one to sell the story to Campos. Defense attorney David Rudolf talked toOxygenabout Michaels current living situation: He is living in Durham Im not sure why hes living in Durham, but he is. Folks can sign up for HBO Max for a monthly rate of $14.99. Since his 2017 Alford plea, Michael Peterson has managed to keep to himself while continuing to remain in the spotlight. Michael insists that he didnt kill either Elizabeth or Kathleen. Michael suggested that Kathleen fell down the stairs after drinking too much alcohol and Valium, but no fingerprints were detected on the wine bottle or glasses out in the kitchen. Her stepfather's lies, including about his sexuality, also played a role, as depicted in the HBO Max miniseries, The Staircase. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. 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. In Lestrades docuseries, she speaks at length about her mental health issues. Read ahead to learn more about Michael Peterson and where he is now. However, it will be exclusively available onHBO Max. Michaels wife was found lying in a pool of blood at the bottom of a staircase in the couples residence. Likes science fiction, true crime, coming-of-age stories, teen dramas, and some other things as well. He published his first memoir, Behind the Staircase, in 2019 and went on to write a follow-up, which was released that same year, titled Beyond the Staircase. Peterson had a different rationale, Rudolf said. I guess the steps were just destined to be onscreen. That being said, it's unclear how Peterson is now making a living or if he has some kind of income. Clayton and Todd chose to live with their mom, while Martha and Margaret moved to North Carolina with Michael. At first, their two sons lived in Germany with their mother but eventually went to live in Durham, North Carolina with their father. 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. In 2003, the North Carolina medical examiner reexamined Ratliffs remains after they were exhumed in Texas. Even after his prison release, Peterson has maintained his innocence and lives in Durham, North Carolina. ViaThe Independent, The Associated Press reported Michael moved into a two-bed condo in 2018. Peterson sold the five-story home he lived in with Kathleen. 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. Rudolf said he agreed to participate in the documentary because the filmmakers had won an Academy Award in 2001 for Murder on a Sunday Morning, about a 15-year-old boy wrongfully accused of murder. Pollard is the author of "The Owl Theory" a theory that Kathleen Peterson died from injuries sustained in an owl attack. After her death, however, and during Petersons time behind bars, he was forced to file for bankruptcy. After breaking up with Sophie ( Juliette Binoche) and refusing to move to Paris, Michael went to live with his ex-wife Patty ( Trini Alvarado ). 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 . Her most high-profile works have been in the critically acclaimed movie Blue Is the Warmest Color and in the Netflix series Call My Agent! He tried to fight it, but his firing was upheld in court in 2014. Behind the Staircase and Beyond the Staircase were self-published in 2019. In 2019, he toldDr. Philthat Elizabeth fell down the stairs after suffering a stroke. As Jones explains in A Perfect Husband, There were two worlds, it seemed, present in that old house, and perhaps the most symbolic reminders of that were the Petersons two staircases. Much like his character in The Staircase, he cultivated a strong social media presence. While many elements have been updated, the layout is the same, making it very recognizable from The Staircase.. Despite the fact Michael was the one to call 911 the night Kathleen allegedly fell down the stairs, Michael soon . He was not a friendly columnist. The docu-series follows Petersons trial for the murder of his wife Kathleen,who was found dead at the bottom of their staircase in their Durham, North Carolina home on December 9, 2001 as well as the aftermath. The case that dominated such a large part of his life still haunted him, however. In 2017, Michael submitted an Alford plea to voluntary manslaughter. Taking a cue from O.J. Following Elizabeths death, Margaret and her younger sister Martha (Odessa Young) were adopted by the Petersons. Patty was also a staunch defender of Michael. Since his release, Michael has avoided staying in houses with staircases, which is perhaps a good idea. He is, however, still connected with his own firm, Rudolf Widenhouse. HBO Maxs true crime drama The Staircase is no exception to this rule. Lincoln Rileys wife, Caitlin Buckley: She attended Rileys rival school, first-degree murder and sent him to prison for life, Michael still asserts that he did not kill Kathleen Peterson, Isabella Russos ethnicity Her Asian roots explained, What is Ines Tazis ethnicity? 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. Colin Firth plays Michael Peterson in the latest retelling of Kathleen Petersons murder and Michaels attempts to prove his innocence. The murder was after Kathleen allegedly discovered that he had over 1000 explicit images of men, a window into . "He is innocent of any involvement in Kathleen's death," she insisted to The News & Recordin 2014. Lestrades documentary played an important part in the Peterson affair and served as the main inspiration for Campos show. At least three people are not fans of HBO's "The Staircase": Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, Michael Peterson, and attorney David Rudolf. He was granted a new trial in 2011, after a judge determined that a key prosecution witness lied on the stand during the original trial. ", one of the longest of its kind in North Carolina history, is not synonymous with his conviction being overturned, losing the civil suit his step-daughter, Caitlin Atwater, brought against him, Michael Peterson's first wife, Patricia "Patty" Peterson, forced to sell his assets, including the family home. However, they eventually joined their father in Durham, North. 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.