here again is josh mank wits w the early shift. >> reporter: after waiting a full day without hearing, michelle's siblings were on pins and nields snooze when the first day comes and goes and there was no verdict, were you worried at all? >> stressed. >> stressed. >> yeah, it was agonizing waiting. >> reporter: then after celebritying some 16 hours over two days word came from the jury. there was a verdict. >> we the jury find the defd david dooley guilty of murder. >> reporter: guilty for the murder of michelle mockbee. did you have anything to do with the death of michelle mockbee? >> no, i did not. i did not kill her. >> reporter: david dooley was sentenced to life in prison. he filed an appeal. you know getting convictions reversed on appeal is a long shot. >> when you are innocent, it does happen. and it will happen. >> reporter: dooley was right. it wasn't over. two years after his conviction, a whistle-blower came forward to reveal a secret romance between detective bruce mcvay and prosecutor linda tally smith. the scandal rocked the prosecutor's office and would lead to seriou