Michael Iver Peterson, affectionately known to his acquaintances as "Mike", is a 78-year-old novelist and decorated military veteran who has also ventured into local politics, having run for the mayorship of Durham, North Carolina.
However, in 2003, his life took an unexpected turn, as he was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, following his conviction for the 2001 murder of his wife, Kathleen Peterson.
Following a retrial, the judge ultimately vacated the jury's verdict in 2011, paving the way for a new chapter in Peterson's life.
In 2017, Michael Peterson opted for an Alford plea, admitting to the charge of voluntary manslaughter, and was subsequently resentenced to 86 weeks in prison.
Notably, he was officially released from prison in 2017, having already served more than the time stipulated in his new sentence.
