LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Innocence Project has taken up the notorious case of convicted wife killer Scott Peterson, and Friday the organization is pursuing an investigation into his claim of innocence.

Peterson, 51, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife and second-degree murder in the death of their unborn son. He was convicted in 2004 and sentenced to death in 2005. He was later sentenced to life in prison without parole.

"The Los Angeles Innocence Project (LAIP) represents Scott Peterson and is investigating his claim of actual innocence," according to a statement from the organization.

The group provides pro bono legal services to people incarcerated in Central and Southern California who might have been wrongfully convicted.

Laci Peterson, who was 27 years old and eight months pregnant, disappeared on Christmas Eve from her Modesto home in 2002. Scott Peterson told investigators that he left that morning to fish in Berkeley. The remains surfaced months later in San Francisco Bay, a few miles from where Peterson said he was fishing.

Attorneys with the Los Angeles Innocence Project claimed that Peterson's state and federal constitutional rights were violated, including a "claim of actual innocence that is supported by newly discovered evidence," according to court filings obtained by a local news outlet.

"New evidence now supports Mr. Peterson's longstanding claim of innocence and raises many questions into who abducted and killed Laci," the filings state.

His attorneys are seeking dozens of items they say they could not locate after reviewing the trial files from his prior counsel "after a thorough search," according to the filings.

Peterson, who pleaded not guilty, has maintained his innocence and claimed he received an unfair trial based on possible jury misconduct. His lawyers have previously claimed that a woman, known as Juror 7, had not disclosed involvement in other legal proceedings.

Pat Harris, Peterson's attorney, said he is pleased with the organization's decision.

"I will confirm that we are thrilled to have the incredibly skilled attorneys at the LA Innocence Project and their expertise becoming involved in the efforts to prove Scott's innocence," Harris said in a statement to a local news outlet.