Michael Peterson's trial had been the subject of three different theories. His story is explored in HBO's True crime series, The Staircase.

Michael Peterson is the president and co-founder of Franchise Beacon. He is also a recognized writer who is convicted of his wife's murder.

Kathleen Peterson was mysteriously found dead in her North Carolina home. She was found unconscious in a pool of blood at the bottom of her staircase. Following this, her husband had become the prime target. Eventually, multiple theories emerged during Michael Peterson's trial in 2003. 

HBO's True crime series, The Staircase, has covered the saga of the Peterson case. The sixth episode of the first season titled “Red in Tooth and Claw” is set to air on Thursday, May 26, 2022.

The Staircase Murder: Who Lied In The Michael Peterson Case? 

Michael Peterson was the one who made the shocking discovery of Kathleen's body. He had reported to the police claiming she had fallen from the staircase. However, the examination revealed that the injuries she suffered were irrelevant to a fall.

The forensics revealed that Kathleen's scalp was torn or deeply cut. Thus, with the evidence of laceration, the case had been ruled a homicide.

While Peterson had always maintained his innocence, many of the points he made during the trials were speculated to be false. 

Therefore, Kathleen Peterson's death has been the subject of three different theories.

Guilty or innocent? Decide for yourself. The Staircase is now streaming only on @netflix. pic.twitter.com/10FrQRUd2e

— The Staircase (@The_Staircase) June 8, 2018

An "Owl Theory," was proposed by Peterson's neighbor. It implies that Kathleen had been attacked by a barred owl. As a result, she fell down the stairwell. Furthermore, the neighbor had described that the laceration was caused by the owl's attack. As evidence, a feather was registered in the case, which was revealed to be of an owl. The investigation team had also discovered a Barred owls nest near the residence and smears of blood were seen outside Kathleen's door.

However, the "Owl Theory" remains in doubt because no human death from a barred owl attack has ever been recorded.

Two other theories advanced do not hold water either. According to one of them, Michael had bludgeoned her with a fireplace tool or 'blow poke,' causing scalp lacerations and knocking her down the stairs. Interestingly, the blow poke was never recovered from the home.

The third theory states Kathleen Peterson was under the influence of drugs and pills when she fell from the stairs. However, forensics has never mentioned finding such substances in Kathleen's dead body. 

Is Michael Peterson Still In Jail In 2022?

Michael was convicted of the murder in the year 2003. He was given a life sentence by the courts which was decreased after a retrial.

Toni Collette and Colin Firth open up about filming the murder scene, building trust on set and why they’re not sharing whether they believe Michael Peterson is guilty. https://t.co/egiFesbA9t

— Variety (@Variety) May 12, 2022

The author was granted his retrial after eight years in 2017, upon which his charges were reduced to manslaughter. He was sentenced to time already served and eventually released. 

As of 2022, he is living as a free man at his home in Durham, North Carolina.

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