Peterson Prosecutor Brazelton to Retire

The district attorney who led the prosecution of double-murderer Scott Peterson has announced his plans to retire early for a job in the private sector.

James Brazelton, 63, Stanislaus County’s lead prosecutor, said he will retire at the end of this month, more than a year before his term ends. Brazelton has been district attorney since 1996 and won two elections.

“I feel like I’m going out on a high note,” said Brazelton, who persuaded a jury to convict Peterson last year of murdering his pregnant wife, Laci, and her fetus. Peterson was sentenced to death.