People v. Peterson CA4/2

I. FACTS

In September 2019, Peterson and her approximately 55-year-old sister, Renee,

were living at the home of their 89-year-old mother, Maryann. Maryann used a walker

to move around and took medication for her heart and her arthritis. Peterson helped

with Maryann’s care by cooking, cleaning, and assisting with other various day-to-day

tasks. Another sister, Sandra, drove the mother to her health care appointments and

2 was responsible for administering her medications. Maryann’s home had a

surveillance system—installed so the family could keep watch on her late husband in his

old age—which recorded audio and video and streamed footage live over the internet.

On the morning of September 23, as Peterson was making oatmeal for Maryann’s

breakfast, Renee saw her sprinkle something into the bowl. Maryann commented that the

oatmeal tasted funny but finished it anyway. Not long after, Peterson’s brother texted

Sandra asking why their mother was asleep at the table. Sandra checked the cameras and

saw her mother was indeed slumped over the table, apparently fast asleep. This struck the

siblings as odd because Maryann didn’t usually nap during the day. Sandra rewound…