Court Denies Appeal of Peyer Conviction
The California Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to hear an appeal by former California Highway Patrol Officer Craig Peyer, who was convicted of first-degree murder in June, 1988, for the strangulation death of Cara Knott.
“The court denied a petition for review,” said a clerk.
Peyer, 40, killed Knott, 20, on Dec. 27, 1986, near the Mercy Road off-ramp and Interstate 15 and tossed her body into a dry creek bed. The body was discovered the following day.
He is currently serving a sentence of 25-years-to-life in state prison. A previous appeal to the state 4th District Court of Appeal was denied in June. His first trial ended with the jury deadlocked 7 to 5 for conviction in early 1988.
A 13-year CHP veteran, Peyer is the first CHP officer convicted of committing murder while on duty.
Christopher Schatz, Peyer’s appellate attorney, was not availble for comment Thursday.
Deputy Atty. Gen. Janelle Davis said that Peyer has exhausted his appeal rights in the state courts. Davis, who represented the state in Peyer’s appeal to the 4th District, said the only legal avenue left for Peyer is to ask the federal courts to review the case.
“But he really doesn’t have any more appeal rights,” Davis said.
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