>> very close. >> reporter: kevin was instructed by his attorneys, allison miller and jessica manuele the jurors. >> we said if you expect them to believe what you're saying, you better look them in the eye and tell them the truth. >> did you ever call your mom a bitch? >> i did. >> did you ever call your mom a retard? >> we said, "kevin, is this true? are you disrespectful?" "yes, ma'am." "well then, you concede it all." >> reporter: a pre-emptive strike, part of the plan to soften kevin and give jurors reason to doubt that an immature, bratty 23-year-old could turn into a cold-blooded killer. >> what this jury wants to hear is you say you didn't kill your mother. >> kevin, did you kill your mom? >> no, ma'am. >> reporter: but evidence of kevin's blood on diane's thigh had always been the defense's toughest challenge. >> the state's theory is the blood got there once bill and kevin start struggling. >> reporter: but, from day one, kevin had maintained he never entered the room when he was attacked by bill. now, he would give himself and his blood some wiggle room to get closer to his