Colin Firth plays Michael Peterson in the latest retelling of Kathleen Petersons murder and Michaels attempts to prove his innocence. 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. Before going AWOL, however, he changed his mind about his dads involvement in Kathleens death. One of the prosecutors in Michael's case, Freda Black, will be played by Parker Posey. HBO is yet to announce a release date forThe Staircase. Following Elizabeths death, Margaret and her younger sister Martha (Odessa Young) were adopted by the Petersons. 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. The pair moved in together in 2019. 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. And that spawned other real-life programs it's just a tragedy that there's this great appetite that people have for sex, murder, and money. 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. And the fact that another woman very close to Peterson was also found dead at the bottom of a staircase 16 years before Kathleen. 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. Together they had two sons Clayton and Todd Peterson before removing to Germany. The Staircase. According to the News and Observer, Peterson has not owned the home since he sold it to Jason Balius for $640,000 in 2004. Taking a cue from O.J. The listing photos show the changes that have been made since Petersons departure. Michael Peterson is the subject of one of Netflixs most riveting and polarizing true crime documentaries,The Staircase. While many elements have been updated, the layout is the same, making it very recognizable from The Staircase.. They took care of each other.". 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. 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. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. It occurred when Michael and Kathleen were visiting Germany and dropped by the home of their friend, Elizabeth Ratliff. Kathleen left early; Michael stuck around. Colin Firth plays the writer in a new HBO Max limited series. Even after his prison release, Peterson has maintained his innocence and lives in Durham, North Carolina. "He is innocent of any involvement in Kathleen's death," she insisted to The News & Recordin 2014. Police also uncovered transactional emails the supposedly devoted husband had exchanged with a male prostitute in the months before the killing, as well as a plethora of pornographic images on his computer. 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. 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. At least three people are not fans of HBO's "The Staircase": Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, Michael Peterson, and attorney David Rudolf. In July 2020,. They lived together in Durham up until Pattys death from a heart attack in 2021. However, de Lestrades involvement with the Peterson story didnt end there, as he was the one to sell the story to Campos. Petersons overall nonchalant demeanor and regular giggling over aspects of the case are certainly perplexing. She was 78 years old. The new series starring Colin Firth and Toni Collette retells Michael Peterson's now-infamous 2001 murder charge. The same film crew began following Peterson yet again to make the multi-part docuseries for Netflix that will air on June 8 and follow the events that transpired with his 2017 plea deal and the aftermath. Todd was the first person to see Michael after Kathleen died, as shown in the first episode of HBO Max's new series. Kathleen Peterson's death became a national, long-standing mystery with the 2004 documentary The Staircase. As shown in the miniseries, Assistant District Attorney Freda Black (Parker Posey) quit law and started working as a cleaner in the decade following Michaels conviction. Hopewell Junction, NY 12533-5516 Parris Island, SC 29905-1070 Pleasant Valley, NY 12569-7731 Likes science fiction, true crime, coming-of-age stories, teen dramas, and some other things as well. 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. Firth threw everything into the part, and it turned out it changed his attitude and approach towards acting. ", 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. They married in 1987 and together they raised a large, blended family with children from previous relationships. As the first iteration of "The Staircase" detailed, Kathleen was found at the bottom of the titular staircase in the couple's Durham mansion in 2001, an incident which immediately raised the hackles of local law enforcement, who believed her death was the result of homicide on the part of her husband. 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. Michael donates the proceeds from his book to charity as he wouldnt be allowed to keep them for himself. Skyler Caruso is the Editorial Assistant of PEOPLE Digital. The new owners renovated the property and relisted it in 2007. Like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/TheSunUSand follow us from our main Twitter account at@TheSunUS, Serena Williams stepmom's debts continue to spiral amid crumbling home battle, 'Glaring error' left 'habitual liar' Alex Murdaugh 'boxed in' during trial, Alex Murdaugh jailed for life after disgraced lawyer guilty of murder, Murdaugh sentenced to LIFE in prison after being found guilty of double murder, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Michael Peterson was convicted of killing his wife Kathleen in 2003, A new HBO Max miniseries, The Staircase, will follow Peterson's murder trial. That wasnt what the documentary was going to be about. ", He told the News & Observer: "They were companions. In July 2020, the infamous five-story Cedar street mansion where Kathleen died was put up for sale. Caitlins lawyer filed another complaint against him after his release in 2017, in order to discourage him from making money from the case. In July 2020, Michael and Kathleen Peterson's five-story mansion where Kathleen lost her life was put up for sale. a livestream that has since been uploaded to YouTube, Margaret co-produced a documentary feature titled, he was also not happy with the fictional adaptation of his docuseries, The Best Korean Dramas on Netflix Right Now, 10 Best Reality Competition Shows Returning In 2023. 2020s Latitia is a true crime drama about the 2011 abduction of 18-year-old Latitia Perrais. 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. 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. "I didn't know if Michael Peterson's presentation of himself was going to be helpful to me in terms of finding out what lies underneath, and I found it kept moving," Firth explained to The Wrap. 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). 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! According to Detective Art Holland of Durham police, Kathleen was "splayed out on the floor, her head resting on the landing of a back staircase" details that sparked suspicion due to the awfully close similarities to Elizabeth's death in 1985. In 2017, Michael submitted an Alford plea to voluntary manslaughter. It explores the life of crime novelist Michael Peterson (played by Colin Firth), his sprawling North Carolina family, and the suspicious death of his wife, Kathleen Peterson (Toni Collette). He's published at least one, maybe two books, since he's been out and, and he goes to the gym, and he sort of lives a normal life," the attorney told Newsweek. So beloved was the residence that Kathleen and Michael decided to tie the knot there, surrounded by family and friends, on June 21, 1997. And, Rudolf gave a wry summary of a key feature of Peterson's new living situation: The documentary follows Michael Peterson from his wifes death in December 2001 to his release in 2017. They were companions, Clayton told News & Observer. During a CrimeCon speech, Peterson's attorney, David Rudolf, shot down reports his client made bank from the Netflix series. The couple also hosts a podcast together, Abuse of Power, which focuses on stories of people victimized by the justice system. Michael, who has maintained his innocence, spent nearly a decade behind bars after being . The most confounding aspect of The Staircase is tough to pinpoint. Juliette Binoche will star as Sophie Brunet, the editor of The Staircase documentary. Simpson, Peterson wrote a book about the crime titled Behind the Staircase and his website claims its a best-seller! Everything about Alla Bout. The case that dominated such a large part of his life still haunted him, however. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. The two lived together until Patty's deathfrom a massive heart attack in July 2021. It is a great deal for the district attorney.". 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.". 2023 Dirt.com, LLC. HBO Maxs true crime drama The Staircase is no exception to this rule. Elizabeth Ratliffs death had a huge impact on her youngest daughter, Martha (Odessa Young). Ratliff died at the age of 43. But severe cracks in their foundation came to light following Michaels arrest and during his subsequent lengthy trial. Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. The reason, according to him, was money. Pattys death, however, is surrounded by its fair share of mystery and controversy. Michael's late wife Kathleen will be played byToni Collette. 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. Click back to the main page for more Dirt on the house. Curiously, though he was living with Kathleen at the time, his first wife, Patty, from whom he was separated, co-signed for the loan. But with only eight episodes, the show has to leave a few details out, including the aftermath of the initial trial, and what happened to Michael Peterson after the jury gave him their verdict. Patricia Peterson died in July 2021 of a heart attack when she was 78 years old. She didnt like the idea of being a character in Campos miniseries and felt betrayed by the showrunner. I can't live in Paris. His character in the show is a troubled young man who decides to turn his life around. Kathleen had daughter Caitlin from her first marriage as well. Here's everything we know about what happened to Michael Peterson after HBO Max's The Staircase. Today, Michael Peterson, 78, is still alive and remains a free man. At a time when true crime is easily one of the more popular TV genres, Netflix, home of the ever popular Making a Murderer series, is now set to premiere The Staircase on June 8. However, Rudolf is the one who finds the dramatization most egregious. Selling the house at its [original $1.175 million] asking price would still not cover all of Petersons debts.. As The News & Observer noted, the former columnist's Alford plea was distinctly tied to the charge of manslaughter, which means that Peterson asserted his opinion of his innocence while simultaneously accepting charges (via Metro). Dirt is a part of Penske Media Corporation. We want to hear from you! 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. What happened to Olivia Walton on The Waltons? In 2019, he self-published two books Behind the StaircaseandBeyond the Staircase that detail his side of the story. But since it's been some time since the 2001 alleged crime and initial trial in 2003, where is Michael Peterson now? 'The Staircase' Ending Explained: What Is the Truth? Her son, Todd, has accused Michael of waiting over three hours to call 911 after realizing that Patty was feeling sick. The political thriller Jeux dInfluence had two seasons released between 2018 and 2022 in the European streaming service Arte. I can't live in Paris. They separated in the 1980s and divorced in the early 1990s. The riches he had before his incarceration no longer exist. In this case, the house was an innocent bystander. Buyers didnt agree, though. 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. After breaking up with Sophie ( Juliette Binoche) and refusing to move to Paris, Michael went to live with his ex-wife Patty ( Trini Alvarado ). To recap the case, Kathleen Peterson was found dead at the bottom of her staircase in 2001. With The Staircase, de Lestrade embarked on a project that took him 15 years to finish, with the final episodes of the documentary coming out only in 2018. But, theres one thing that pretty much everyone can agree on: The man needs to avoid a home with staircases. Even after his prison release, Peterson has maintained his innocence and lives in Durham, North Carolina. Above (L-R): Tim Guinee, Sophie Turner, Colin Firth, Olivia DeJonge, Patrick Schwarzenegger appear as the Peterson family in "The Staircase" on HBO Max. Get the latest scoop directly in your inbox. It'll never go away now, it's just a part of our culture., Todd (Patrick Schwarzenegger) stood by his father's side throughout every twist and turn of the case. 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." Played by Vincent Vermignon, de Lestrade was already an Academy Award winner when he got involved with Michael Petersons case. 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. The video above will play a live feed of Alex Murdaugh's sentencing beginning at 9:30 a.m. Friday. In 2001, Kathleen was found unconscious at the bottom of their staircase in Durham, North Carolina and was pronounced dead. While living together, Michael and Patricia became close with their neighbors-turned-friends George and Elizabeth Ratliff. 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. He explained: These are created characters but we all know what the source is. In 2003, the North Carolina medical examiner reexamined Ratliffs remains after they were exhumed in Texas. Folks can sign up for HBO Max for a monthly rate of $14.99. But, in February 2017, just months before the scheduled retrial, Peterson submitted an. However, it was nearly a very different ending. Yes, The Staircase on HBO Max is based on a true story. 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 shy, dull, and very British Mark Darcy is as far as you can get from the confounding and unpredictable American novelist Michael Peterson. 'The Staircase': Where Are Michael Peterson and His Family Now? Ratliff was found dead at the bottom of the staircase in her home in similar circumstances to Kathleen Peterson. There, Patty Peterson worked for the U.S. Department of Defense for 35 years as an elementary school teacher. Blood-spatter analyst Duane Deaver (Myke Holmes) was found to have exaggerated his credentials in the field of forensic investigation. 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. Despite the fact Michael was the one to call 911 the night Kathleen allegedly fell down the stairs, Michael soon . Curiously, though he was living with Kathleen at the time, his first wife, Patty, from whom he was separated, co-signed for the loan. Her name was Elizabeth Ratliff, and she was a family friend of Peterson and his first wife Patricia, who was also living in Germany at the time. Rudolf, sick of negative depictions of criminal defense lawyers, got on board. "Michael Peterson, you are pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter," Zamperini said, according to local news sources. 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. His defense. 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.. As shown in the miniseries, Michael took the Alford plea in 2017, pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter. (Romper reached out to Michael Peterson's representatives and Netflix for additional statements. It was a huge financial blow to Michael. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Michael and Kathleen led an extravagant lifestyle and were, by all accounts, happy. 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. 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. HBO Max's new drama The Staircase reenacts the entire story, documentary included, in a star-studded limited series out now. 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. Kathleen was apparently bludgeoned to death after a medical examiner noticed several lacerations on her scalp. That being said, it's unclear how Peterson is now making a living or if he has some kind of income. Meanwhile, Peterson said he felt "pimped out" by Lestrade for allowing HBO access to footage for a fee and co-executive producer credit. 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. Michael and Patty became even closer post-trial. She also stood by Michael Peterson when suspicions were raised during his trial about the death of their friend Elizabeth Ratliff in 1985. At the center of the story is Kathleen and Michaels sprawling Colonial home, located in Durhams tony Forest Hills neighborhood. Still estranged from her step-siblings, she currently lives with her husband and twin children in Virginia. Reprieve for Michael came in the form of prosecutorial impropriety, which forced the judge to grant him a new trial in 2011. (The house was on the market for $1.9 million, according to ABC 11 News.). 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. "But we parted ways because he had to go do an 'Indiana Jones.'" Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! She did not sign the deed over to Michael until their divorce was finally finalized in 1996. The house was showing signs of wear, too, with many expensive much-needed repairs awaiting completion. As seen in The Staircase, Michael Peterson admitted to his family and The Staircase documentary filmmaker Jean-Xavier de Lestrade (streaming on Netflix) that he was bisexual when evidence of male pornography was found on his computer. Much like his client, Rudolf took issue with Campos version of events, especially with scenes that implied Michael kept information from him and that his professional relationship with Pfeiffer was unethical. The docu-series follows Petersons trial for the murder of his wife Kathleen. Her parents influence on her career, Where is Mary Roach from American Idol now? 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. All Rights Reserved. Peterson's defense attorney David Rudolf told Oxygen in 2019 that Peterson is currently living in Durham in a ground floor apartmentso no staircase. Then I went and realized, no, I can't. It's the story of novelist Michael Peterson and the trial that followed his arrest for the murder of his second wife, Kathleen Peterson. He was fired from his job in 2011. After Michael Peterson and Patricia Sue divorced in 1985, Clayton and his younger brother Todd went to live with their mother. In 2019, he toldDr. Philthat Elizabeth fell down the stairs after suffering a stroke. Peterson was convicted of first-degree murder in connection with Kathleens death, and spent nearly a decade behind bars. He is, however, still connected with his own firm, Rudolf Widenhouse. In 2010, he was found culpable of withholding crucial evidence from defense attorneys in other cases. The woman who The Staircase viewers may be mistaking for Peterson's new wife could well be Sophie Brunet (played by Juliette Binoche), an . 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. On Oct. 10, 2003, the jury found Michael guilty of Kathleen's murder and sentenced him to life without the possibility of parole. "We could have put a little blimp over my head saying, 'Jewish lawyer from New York,'" he said. Instead, he submitted an Alford Plea for manslaughter. Since his release from prison on bond in 2011 and his official release in 2017, Peterson has returned to his passion for.