SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Prosecutors in the Scott Peterson murder case filed a motion Thursday to unseal autopsy results after news reports surfaced that the body of Laci Peterson's infant son had a significant cut and plastic tape wrapped around his neck.

A source close to the case who requested anonymity confirmed information in the autopsy report to The Associated Press, but prosecutors responded later in the day by saying it was misleading.

"The information being leaked has clearly been skewed in favor of the defense," wrote Deputy Stanislaus County District Attorney David Harris. "By releasing the autopsy reports the court will allow the media to see what the actual facts are and then accurate information may be reported to mitigate recent adverse publicity."

The information was first reported by MSNBC, a cable news channel that said it had received part of the autopsy report completed by the Contra Costa County coroner's office.

MSNBC said the autopsy report indicated the baby had 1 1/2 loops of plastic tape around his neck. The network said it is possible the body was cut shoulder to shoulder and became wrapped in the tape during its long submersion in San Francisco Bay.

Autopsy results were sealed by court order after Stanislaus County prosecutors said releasing the reports would jeopardize Scott Peterson's right to a fair trial.

In a statement, District Attorney James Brazelton decried the news reports, saying evidence should not be "selectively leaked to the news media by unknown persons whom the press will not identify."

The Contra Costa County coroner's office refused to comment on the autopsy report.

Scott Peterson, 30, of Modesto, is accused of killing his wife and unborn son, whom the couple had planned to name Conner, on Dec. 23 or 24 in their home. His 27-year-old wife was eight months pregnant. The bodies washed up on the shore of San Francisco Bay last month.

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Contra Costa County authorities completed the autopsies earlier this month but did not disclose the cause of death.

Peterson's attorney, Mark Geragos, would not comment on the MSNBC report. He said Superior Court Judge Al Girolami has "more than telegraphed that he does not want us commenting on the case."

Girolami had said he was considering a gag order to prevent news leaks.

Geragos has suggested that the victims were killed by members of a satanic cult. He has also hinted that a female mystery witness could lead authorities to the real killer and free Scott Peterson.

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