'I Didn't Murder My Wife': The True Story Behind 'The Staircase' | This Morning

It’s the infamous murder case which has inspired documentaries, and now a hit drama series, but what’s the real story behind ‘The Staircase’? Back in 2001, Kathleen Peterson was found dead at the bottom of her staircase, and police soon came to believe this was no accident. Her husband Michael Peterson was later arrested, charged and then jailed for her murder… but 16 years later a judge set him free. Michael, who has always professed his innocence, joins us live in the studio to tell us what really happened on that fateful night.
Broadcast on 25/05/22
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[@ksc9954]

The way Phil is so accusing 😮 and he told so many lies in his life

[@DrRevival]

I liked how he remarks the gay photos isn't it

[@GypsyChlo]

The most suspicious are usually the most guilty

[@DG-mv6zw]

​@@GypsyChloObviously based on your comprehensive and illustrious career as a legal prosecutor! Let's hope you're never chosen for jury duty.😂

[@GypsyChlo]

@DG-mv6zw paranoia always shows itself, I mean with actual guilty people. Should've really said guilty people.arw usually the ones most suspicious of others.

[@clarebell5926]

Well, I think he’s pretty spot on here……..

[@Pizzaking-tl5kf]

Look at Phillip saying that hiding ones sexuality is bad..... oops

[@sarahmoon9857]

This guy is guilty AF

[@bambambam9444]

​@frollockinthemeadowcorrection! in the eyes of the law, he is guilty

[@BillyTurner-vb3hf]

In the eye's of the law. I seem to remember a man named O.J.

[@vicente8705]

@@BillyTurner-vb3hf what's your point??

[@andrewk2996]

It's not about whether we think Michael Peterson is innocent or not, it's about whether the prosecution did enough to prove his guilt, and they didn't.

[@kathconserv]

You’re right.

[@heddigirl8438]

we were watching the same trial?? I'm sry but you're opinion is just an opinion. They proved their case enough for me to believe he did it without a reasonable doubt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@kathconserv]

@@heddigirl8438 you didn’t watch the trial. You watched a Netflix documentary. I believe that he’s guilty based on his narcissism showed in the documentary. The trial is the trial and we did not see it. We saw pieces of it.

[@andrewk2996]

@@heddigirl8438 The trial where Duane Deaver lied about his history dealing with blood spatter cases? The same Duane Deaver that used questionable methods to act out the trajectory of blood spatter? The same Duane Deaver that used similar methods in another earlier case that lead to a conviction and then years later, after Deaver was exposed as a fraud, to an acquittal.

[@sephiroth4543]

You must be joking. You are probably one of those guys that believe in the "Owl theory"

[@TedCohen1]

"I'm happy not knowing." That's actually what her widower said. That tells you everything you need to know.

[@GLayton123]

In general, if you're a defendant you do better to stay silent and not answer questions. This guy is an author. He'll go on camera talking and talking. He misspoke.

[@logicandreason8090]

seriously, my wife isn't a bigot so she would have been totally ok with me cheating on her with men, is this guy for real? Guilty AF

[@nathan19811]

Won't ever know the truth but I believe he killed her, motive, extensive injuries, history of a partner being killed on stairs, no grief

[@Rob-ew9id]

The other woman who died was not his partner.

[@lukasrlleattermann7043]

that was his neighbor and friend, also the german police examined Liz and found out she had brain aneurysm, and was complaining about crazy headaches weeks up to her fall. So thats factually incorrect about being killed on stairs. Officially evidence pointed to an accident and was declared that as well.

[@RonniePickeringMate]

@@lukasrlleattermann7043Either way, he is the unluckiest man ever. What are the chances of being involved in 2 mysterious deaths of women falling down stairs? The odds must be astronomical

[@RonniePickeringMate]

Maybe that neighbour in Germany found out his secret 🤔

[@sephiroth4543]

​@RonniePickeringMate he is not unlucky. He is a serial killer

[@hollytooker507]

Michael Peterson belongs in prison still and is lucky to be free. Even his son knows he’s a killer and said so in a video.

[@LilyCalla24]

It’s frustrating when people hastily comment on clips without understanding the case or even watch it to full extent. I’ve followed this case for a while and from the beginning before the trial believed in the man’s innocence, just based on how consistent he stuck to his story and innocence. During the trial, my conviction strengthened as I observed the prosecution focus more on contaminating evidence than proving guilt. Despite the debate on his innocence, the prosecution had the chance to prove it, but their efforts seemed questionable with expert witness fabricating evidence and committing perjury. Some may argue so ‘why did he took the alphord plea if innocent’ THIS he explains in detail over over again, considering his age, exhaustion, lost trust in the justice system to even want to do a re-trial, and the desire to move on. From this perspective, his decision makes sense, and I might have done the same.

[@samanthaerakovich2454]

Agree! Me as well!

[@dlc2479]

How do you explain the amount of blood at the end of the stairs, his shoe prints around the blood, the blood INSIDE his pants

[@LilyCalla24]

@@dlc2479 Amount of Blood on the Stairs: The Owl Theory provides an explanation for the blood on the stairs. You can refer to the interview with the neighbor, who is also a prosecutor, for more details. Blood on the Shoes: It’s not complicated. If I walk into the house and find a family member in a pool of blood, it’s inevitable that my shoes will get all over. Blood Inside the Pants: Have you reviewed all the evidence from the case? In court, it was demonstrated that some blood spatter evidence was fabricated including that of the pants. Half of the evidence was proven to be manipulated.

[@ORIGINAL.O.G-j5d]

Phil is a fine one to talk, both men in this video were secretly in the closet.

[@FOR-THE-RECORD-ICLOUD-HELPER]

😂😂

[@robertmckenzie8106]

neighbour saw him running out door when liz fell down stairs years ago

[@sarahbartlett1196]

He said in the netflix doco that She was FINE with it... Which one is it??

[@doubllechief6926]

At the end of the doc he says he lied about her knowing...

[@dlc2479]

She didn't know, he's lying

[@alvislancaster9638]

No one was there to see what happened....All i know is that I've known people who have fallen down a flight of stairs... we lived in a 2 story house with a tall staircase and my sister fell down it in the middle of the night...but she didnt bleed one drop....mi chaels wife had blood all over the staircase and the walls.Blood was everywhere ......no one is gonna bleed like that falling down stairs...may get some bruises, may even die from a bad hit on the head, but blood wouldnt be all over the place .... Thats the only evidence i need.....GUILTY !!!. He murdered his wife !!!

[@sasha_sash9660]

Suuure an owl ! He murdered her and that woman in germany.He was the last person to see BOTH 2 dead ppl that BOTH fell from the stairs ! What a coincedense !

[@jklayup]

Many people saw a few times of deaths in car accidents in their lifetime too... what a coincidence! Wow

[@truthtransistorradio6716]

The owl theory is the best theory yet! Please look it up and hear the details before you mock it!

[@sephiroth4543]

​@truthtransistorradio6716 good joke, you probably believe a mouse did it 😂😂😂😂😂

[@sarimhashmi9701]

The owl killed both people

[@sasha_sash9660]

@@sarimhashmi9701 Exactly ! Thats how ridicolous that owl theory is !

[@kathleensteeves488]

Two times on the steps with the same MO very quickly quilts……he snapped! He’s very lucky……he can deceive himself too😊

[@MrMooremelody]

You don't fall down the stairs and create that sort of crime scene. The amount of blood was completely unaligned with a falling down the stars. Most likely, there wouldn't even be any blood. let alone pools of blood and splatters all over the place. Literally 0 chance she fell down the stairs.

[@erichmacfarlane]

You don't know what literally means

[@MrMooremelody]

@erichmacfarlane actually I've used it in correct context here. embarassing by you. I'm saying there's not a 5% chance or even a 1% chance but literally a 0% chance. imagine bringing someone up on grammar only to be incorrect. 🤣

[@xxxEmstarxxx]

I would’ve thought that too but the one case that I remember in particular was a lady who fell down the stairs and the hospital staff thought she was attacked by a machete - but she regained consciousness and turns out she fell when her stair lift got stuck half way - her injuries, blood splatter, etc all looked very similar to in the staircase

[@gvn-xk6eq]

@@MrMooremelodytheir a photo on daily mail of a woman falling down the stairs which is a photo of the aftermath and it literally looks like the same scene from the staircase

[@g8le]

@MrMooremelody Except it isn't literally 0%. You don't know the meaning of that either apparently

[@anastasia2657]

Liar. The colleague of Kathleen sent her the material at around 11 p.m.

[@sadiqalam2815]

Sent but was it open?

[@mattb6704]

If he remarries he should live in a bungalow. Can’t risk another one being found at the bottom of the stairs.

[@elena911000]

Very cold murderer.

[@GA-fz2wt]

These two can't sit and judge anybody! 😮

[@vicente8705]

You wouldn't judge a man who killed his wife?

[@biankan.1635]

I believed he's innocent, but like 2-3 years ago, his son Todd posted a few videos about what a monster MP is. Todd is now sure that MP not only killed both women but also his mother Patty, and that MP cheated on her with Kathleen before they were separated. It's clear to see that his son was under the influence of drugs; he's open about it, and in his videos, he looks like he's not sober. But since I've seen them, this whole case is my new roman empire.

[@harrychanner8409]

Is Todd the same son who crashed the car and did a prison stint for using an explosive or attempting to use an explosive device? If so, where is this sudden revelation coming from? Does he have evidence when he's quite clearly out his tree?

[@biankan.1635]

@@harrychanner8409 Did this happen? This is even more messed up than I thought. I want to hear more about this.

[@harrychanner8409]

@@biankan.1635 supposedly according to I Murdered A Podcast but I don't remember which son but you gotta think it's the same one

[@biankan.1635]

@@harrychanner8409 Yeah, that would make sense!

[@biankan.1635]

@@harrychanner8409 I've looked it up now. It was the other brother. Didn't know, both of them were so problematic 😳

[@ReturnOfTheJ.D.]

For some bizarre reason they never mention that falls in the home are the most common cause of death for people with age-related or medical conditions.

[@samanthaerakovich2454]

True!

[@ReturnOfTheJ.D.]

@@samanthaerakovich2454 I'm not American but I lived in a house built around the same time as the Peterson's (1940s) but in New Jersey when I was 22, for several weeks. One of the things I remember to this day is how badly the staircase was made compared to what it would have been in my home country. I often teetered at the top of it due to that, because I wasn't used to poorly made staircases that had a heightened risk of falling like that. So having used that staircase many times I have to say that it doesn't surprise me at all that someone would fall down one after an owl attack, or for any number of reasons (headache, slippage).

[@ANOOPBAL]

It is said in the court the documentary shows that.

[@dlc2479]

She was neither...

[@Bob-qq4is]

The medical examiner literally said she had a ton of abrasions on her face and back of her head from a brutal beating

[@truthtransistorradio6716]

The same examiner that falsified evidence? I can't trust any of his conclusions.

[@chicobells4175]

The medical examiner also missed that she had microscopic feathers and twigs in her hair and hand. So she is wrong.

[@desixox]

@@chicobells4175obviously the fight started outside and she tried to run in the house and he dragged her back down the stairs and she fell

[@samanthaerakovich2454]

No, the medical examiner initially said she couldn't say it was a beating with blunt head trauma, she said she died from a loss of blood.

[@truthtransistorradio6716]

@@samanthaerakovich2454 It was said to be natural causes by the German police. There wasn't much blood in her case. I really don't trust any results from the prosecution investigator, who is proven to be corrupt.

[@paulacounihan1139]

Hard one to call but i dont really trust him Dont know why

[@mandybradley3079]

Yes, he did. So much evidence.

[@Crystal-yn9qb]

Which one?

[@nilsador9630]

He is beyond lucky being free

[@GINGER_KING_]

Stop spamming comments especially when you judge em guilty and cant understand the evidence correctly

[@liamdonnelly1034]

Didnt he say she did know about it?

[@jackmartin4320]

Can't believe how misinformed these two interviewers are. Shocking.

[@clareshaughnessy2745]

What are they getting wrong?

[@thomasreed49]

@@clareshaughnessy2745 Just being there

[@Saysayso]

He seems to be talking in circles distracting and unfeeling from my pov

[@kabilan]

He’s 78

[@jsafla666]

Anyone who has a film crew create a documentary shortly after their spouse's death is not normal. Not to mention the missing fire poker. He's a pathological liar stemming from his lies of being awarded 2 purple hearts to his second wife.

[@skibbitybebop]

fire poker wasn't missing tho

[@truthtransistorradio6716]

You obviously don't know the facts. Most of the documentary was months or years after. The blowpoke was found by the investigation team on the first day! They took a picture of it that the defense team didn't know about. The defense team found the blowpoke years later and there was no blood on it.

[@billyong6878]

they not only found the fire poker... Police actually took photo with it! But they didnt found any blood on it to help the case! So they put the fire poker back!

[@dr.hanscrucrute]

atiçador desaparecido que nunca desapareceu… estava lá o tempo todo! não fale o que não sabe

[@Emy53]

She fell backward from the bottom steps, not from up on top. The reenactment with that vitural image, made me change my mine that he was quilty. It's very possible that Dr. Henry Lee's understanding of blood spatter was accurate. I believe this man is innocent, even if his character is less than favorable, but I don't believe he killed his wife.

[@samanthaerakovich2454]

Totally agree with you. Like when you drop a watermelon is how it was explained.

[@lc86_65]

I witnessed a family member falling backwards on a step before and hitting a piece of metal with his head and his wounds were like that too.

[@C_Xx7xX]

You 100% did. This man is a monster

[@clareshaughnessy2745]

The owl thing is complete nonsense. The only owls nesting anywhere near - according to the guy that made up the owl theory - were barn owls. Barn owls are tiny 10/12 inches and weigh next to nothing, there is no way on earth a barn owl could inflict that kind of damage. Not to mention that the autopsy stated blunt trauma. Had it been sharp talons the wording would be ‘incised wounds’. The whole thing is a non starter

[@jackhadroom4540]

It is the most ridiculous defence I think I've ever encountered.

[@HerrLilleman]

Wasn't it was barred owls? Barred owl attacks on humans are a relatively rare occurrence, but they do happen.

[@kathleensteeves488]

You can tell by their body language they believe he did it ❤❤❤❤god love us

[@susannecromwell3461]

He's free, but not really free ..

[@anastasia2657]

He got away with the first staircase case very easy, and figured he could do the same with this one.

[@oregoncountrygirl]

And he did!

[@francinejean1430]

He is guilty no doubt😮

[@Leeuwy]

I watched the documentary a long time ago, I guess when it was originally broadcasted. The last episode, with the verdict being read out loud, I was in shock they found him guilty. It blew my mind. Why ? Obviously there's a possibility that he killed his wife, but there is no proof of that ! You need proof beyond a reasonable doubt to send somebody to prison for many many years. A conviction without any proof makes me wonder about the American justice system.

[@dlc2479]

And murderers walking free doesn't make you wonder about the justice system

[@audkarinen6875]

Bottom line is the truth, and he alone knows the truth

[@nilsador9630]

Of course he killed her, you bafoons saying otherwise haven't seen all the evidence

[@samanthaerakovich2454]

I have seen all the evidence, watched the trial, listened to every expert witness. He is not guilty and it was proven by experts, 2 leading experts!

[@lc86_65]

What evidence? There was no none...

[@GINGER_KING_]

The owl attack makes sense so speak to your slow self.

[@GINGER_KING_]

@@samanthaerakovich2454ignore the slow people. The owl did it and anyone slow wont understand it.

[@GINGER_KING_]

And thats why you would be a bad juror nilsador9630

[@BlueEyes499]

I believe him. Watched the documentary and his interaction with his kids & grandkids who stand by him & believe his innocence. He clearly adored his wife and had no reason to kill her. Love how Phillip is making accusing comments like he’s holier than thou 😂 get off your high horse Phil

[@Hanane-w8k]

Loved her lol he just used her as a financial source and to cover his homosexuality

[@missyo1283]

Some things I understand they would ask as presenters but the ending was a little low of them.

[@Hdj-dka2k]

An owl???😂😂😂 Nice video😂😂😂

[@truthtransistorradio6716]

It's the best theory I have heard! Please look it up!

[@sephiroth4543]

​@@truthtransistorradio6716😂😂😂😂

[@jagudaza]

Guilty… 100%.

[@Crystal-yn9qb]

Proof? None

[@jagudaza]

@@Crystal-yn9qb Solid 'Proof' he didn't do it? None....

[@Crystal-yn9qb]

@@jagudaza It's what you can prove , innocent until proven guilty, you still don't get it!

[@lisesin1]

A Narcissist with a history of rage plus HIS FIRST WIFE who also "slipped" down the stairs and died. why is this monster free??

[@mechanicalturk5202]

It wasn't his first wife.. it was a friend of the family and wasn't ALSO slipped down the stairs, German police ruled it as a brain hemorrhage.

[@Crimetvuk]

Your wrong

[@lisesin1]

spelling error : you're @@Crimetvuk

[@lisesin1]

I see. @@mechanicalturk5202

[@jackhadroom4540]

The first death was actually an accident, but it seems Peterson tried to emulate it when he staged his wife's death (assuming that as the first death had happened on the other side of the world, no-one would notice the similarities).

[@johnpoublon798]

Even his kids lie, you can read it in their eyes

[@robertmckenzie8106]

he beat his pet dog blood everywhere. found dead in pool days later.

[@hope5360]

Wow! When did this happen?

[@piciulnostru575]

He s. Guilty

[@fth_1905]

Look into the case, I say he’s innocent personally

[@현석최-q7r]

Husband is guilty. He lying

[@gordititi2276]

Don't believe him at all. I've seen all the TV series and I just can't believe him.

[@GINGER_KING_]

And any couple that has money has insurance policies like that. Just like businesses partners do.

[@Drek-67]

Guilty … but the justice system which favours the accused eventually released him

[@SuperStonerose]

terrible behaviour from the interviewers

[@ananigma7]

Oh come on!! 😏

[@tkotsakis]

I always wondered though if one of the sons did this or even their mother. The sons were mad at Kathleen because they said she was best friends with their mother Patty. And then she stole Michael away from her and them. Or maybe it could’ve even been one of these male prostitutes who had been there before and maybe came back to rob them who knows.

[@kathleensteeves488]

His family are not on here with him…..daaaaaaa❤

[@kabilan]

He didn’t do it

[@robertmckenzie8106]

dix he take lie detector test

[@timdezesde]

Diffucuilt,yes less grief. My feeling say yes.but mind say not..

[@sophiavilnara3553]

he is evil

[@sophiavilnara3553]

and i feel sorry for his family members

[@sophiavilnara3553]

alive or dead

[@pjk3854]

He did not killed her, period.

[@judefitzgerald1615]

The owl did it. No question.

[@John-mu2bv]

O.J 2.0

[@ellie3690]

Defos did it

[@calumjones]

oh well thats me convinced

[@johndocht1118]

She was a beautiful woman

[@DasSanto-d9w]

Hi is poor man I believe him

[@forgacskitti6472]

An owl??? 😂

[@DarkSaltedCaramel]

😂😂😂

[@Sk-xo3vi]

Have u ever seen an owl attack? Why did she have owl feathers in her hair and hands

[@tjCooper88]

Why is that funny? Stranger things have happened.

[@jackhadroom4540]

​​​@@Sk-xo3viOwls attack smaller creatures, not fully grown women. Feathers can easily be transferred on clothing or shoes. No human has ever been killed by an owl.

[@dottieparker7274]

So when do we get a second miniseries The Staircase about Ivana Trump? Madame knew quite a lot of extremely damning things...

[@liamdonnelly1034]

LIAR

[@philipv3098]

I believe him - poor man

[@analumedeiros4317]

Same!

[@jklayup]

Poor man, poor family... what a sad story He's innocent 99%

[@biankan.1635]

I always believed he's innocent, but like 2-3 years ago, his son Todd posted a few videos about what a monster MP is. Todd is now sure that MP not only killed both women but also his mother Patty, and that MP cheated on her with Kathleen before they were separated. It's clear to see that his son was under the influence of drugs; he's open about it, and in his videos, he looks like he's not sober. But since I've seen them, I don't know what to believe anymore. He looks guilty to me now..

[@dr.hanscrucrute]

eu acredito que ele é inocente

[@kevindavis2413]

Innocent

[@Ahahahhaaah]

He killed her, what is this.

[@susann7775]

Segurísima que no es culpable.....se han pasado con el y su familia...Muy injusto..y esas hermanas están locas

[@iamaliveyoucantstopnow]

The strangest thing is, that he isn't in prison. He is 100 percent guilty and for some reason Netflix are presenting him as some sort of victim.

[@nilsador9630]

He is beyond lucky being free