Granite Bay teacher paints picture of sandal for Peterson's defense
eartha...@yahoo.com
Granite Bay teacher uses artistic talent in high-profile trial
Stephens paints picture of sandal for Peterson's defense
By: Susan Belknap, The Press-Tribune
Saturday, April 9, 2005 12:59 PM PDT
Myron Stephens knows every picture tells a story. As a Granite Bay High
School art teacher he emphasizes that concept to his students every
day.
But he never imagined one of his pieces would be involved in such a
high-profile way, used in the Scott Peterson murder trial.
Stephens became involved with the controversial case last spring when
he was asked to paint a picture of a missing sandal that the defense
team believe belonged to Peterson's wife, Laci, who was murdered, along
with her unborn child.
"I was approached by detective Carl Jenson (of Roseville), who was
working on the case. His daughter had been in one of my classes,"
Stephens recalled. "I went back and forth, trying to decide if I should
do it. Everyone had an opinion about whether Scott was guilty or not.
"Then I talked with my dad and he said I should. I finally decided it
didn't matter what my opinion about the case was, I was to paint the
truth based on what Scott told me."
Jensen, the lead investigator for Peterson's defense, said it is often
difficult to find artists who are willing to draw for the defense side
of a trial.
Before asking Stephens, Jensen says he tried to hire a few artists from
the Bay Area, including the one who composed numerous composite
drawings of the nationally covered Unabomber and Polly Klaus trials
several years ago.
"But then I realized I didn't need composites, I needed someone to
paint something real life and I knew of Myron's work," Jensen said.
Stephens said Jensen accompanied him to the jail in Redwood City where
Peterson was being held. He brought his computer, a box of colored
pencils and paper and was ready to draw whatever Peterson described.
"It was bizarre," Stephens said. "When we arrived, I saw all the TV
cables and there were security guards as we checked in. I soon realized
this was not anything like teaching."
Stephens recalled meeting Peterson in a small, cinder-block room. He
was told not to address Peterson in regards to anything personal. The
only questions Stephens was allowed to ask were those related to the
sandal he was asked to draw.
"He (Scott) had chains around his waist and he was in handcuffs,"
Stephens said. "I spent about 3½ hours with Scott, listening to his
description of the sandal. I really tried to read his mind as he was
describing it to me."
Stephens said several attempts were made in an effort to capture the
exact curvature of the heel, toe and flower petals of the sandal before
the final version was complete.
"Scott's personality really never came out," Stephens said. "There was
no chit-chat. He seemed lighthearted."
For Stephens, painting a picture of a woman's sandal was nothing
extraordinary. But his experience of being involved with such a high
profile murder case and media event was anything but ordinary.
"I think the severity of the crime and all the security when we checked
in made it a totally surreal experience for me," he said.
Jensen said a photograph of the sandal Stephens drew was used during
the actual trial as part of Peterson's defense. The sandals were never
found, but witnesses claimed to have seen them located in an area where
Laci Peterson was last seen, just days after her disappearance.
According to Jensen, the possibility of using Stephens again for
another case is good. It was the first time Stephens had ever used his
art ability in such a manner, but Jensen said he was pleased with
Stephen's work.
"I would use Myron again as he is a fantastic artist. He's a humble man
and great to work with," Jensen said.
Stephens has been teaching art at Granite Bay High School since the
school opened 10 years ago. He enjoys painting still life, figures and
landscapes.
"I'm constantly working on something," he said. "I currently have about
four projects going."
In addition to teaching art, his own work appears in galleries in
Sacramento and Davis. He enjoys teaching and feels that even if he made
enough money with his art he would still teach.
"This is an awesome job," he said. "Kids come in here thinking the
class is going to be easy. But they get going and find out you have to
work. If you're willing to work, you can do amazing things. I have high
expectations for students and they meet them. Art is not about talent.
It's about hard work."
Jensen's daughter, Heather, a 2004 Granite Bay graduate, recalls
Stephens' passion for his work. She began her first art class with
Stephens when she was a freshman and ended up completing three more of
his courses.
She credits her former teacher with developing the interest she still
has in art today.
"He is amazing. His passion makes everyone excited," she said.
Betsy
<eartha...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1113117197....@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
http://www.thepresstribune.com/articles/2005/04/09/news/top_stories/02te
What is this supposed to mean? They believe Laci was walking the dog
wearing *sandals* in December? Ha ha ha. That's a good one. Some
detective.
Betsy
G W Shrub
"Betsy" <b.fe...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:FaGdnUk3_bs...@comcast.com...
> What is this supposed to mean? They believe Laci was walking the dog
> wearing *sandals* in December? Ha ha ha. That's a good one. Some
> detective.
WAKE UP! She had a flower tattoo on her ankle. She was wearing sandals with
a flower motif. She was looking up items on her computer that morning with a
flower motif. Hello!
And as for December, so much for the idiot Anne Byrd and her 'drowned in the
swimming pool' idea. When they had a hot tub?
When did Americans lose all ability to think?
--
GW