Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Shamed ex-deputy Peterson seeks protection from Parkland parents
Former Broward Sheriff ’s Deputy Scot Peterson wants a Broward judge to protect him from having to answer questions about his inaction the day he took cover outside Marjory Stoneman Douglas HIgh School while Nikolas Cruz went on a killing spree inside.
Peterson, who resigned under pressure days after the Feb. 14 massacre, said in court papers filed Thursday that he has been subject to insults and ridicule, and labeled a coward by members of a statewide commission investigating the shooting.
Peterson, one of several defendants named in a civil lawsuit filed by the parents of shooting victim Meadow Pollack, said he fears for his safety if he shows up at a Dec. 17 deposition and the girl’s father, Andrew, is there.
“Extraordinarily high emotionalism … is driving people involved in the MSD [Marjory Stoneman Douglas] matter,” wrote Peterson’s attorney, Michael Piper. “It would be disingenuous to deny the very real possibility of Peterson’s deposition being disrupted, even to the extent of physical violence.”
Peterson is asking Broward Circuit Judge Patti Englander Henning to postpone his scheduled deposition, make sure it takes place in the Broward courthouse, and keep everyone out of the room except for lawyers, a court reporter and a videographer.
Parents of the Stoneman Douglas victims took to Twitter to lash out at Peterson.
“He cowered while 17 were slaughtered,” Andrew Pollack said on the social media website. “He let my daughter die and doesn’t have the balls to look me in the eyes.”
Fred Guttenberg, who lost his daughter Jamie in the shooting, blasted Peterson as a “piece of crap” who is overstating the level of hostility that victims’ families have expressed.
But Peterson pointed to another internet posting to support his contention that he and Andrew Pollack should not be in the same room. In mid-November, Peterson posted on the GoFundMe web page asking for donations to cover his legal expenses.
“The comments posted on that page were openly hostile, wishing for Peterson’s death and encouraging his suicide,” his lawyer wrote. “One poster commented
that ‘The only thing we should help him with is which solid tree to hang a noose from.’ That poster was plaintiff Andrew Pollack.”
Pollack admitted writing the message and said in and interview Friday he does not regret posting it.
“He should do the honorable thing,” Pollack said. “I’m not threatening him. There’s a time in life when you have to face the consequences of your actions. He’s not going to hide from me forever. One way or another, he’s going to sit across from me at that table.”
Pollack emphasized that he did not wish to commit any violent act directed at Peterson.
Attempts to reach Peterson’s attorney Friday afternoon and evening were unsuccessful.