five months to the day after the murder of karen duenas.d their son casey were watching tv. there was a knock at the door. and when mark saw the detectives -- >> he was upset. couldn't believe it. like, "are you kidding me?" >> reporter: they were not. detectives had suspected mark all along and now they had a warrant for his arrest. mark duenas was charged with first degree murder, held on a million dollars bail to await trial. >> to see him in that situation is surreal. man, you hope the system works because there's an innocent man up there having to go through this. >> reporter: the whole extended clan, including karen's family, told anybody who would listen that the police made a huge mistake. >> i've never heard him call anybody a name! i've never -- he just isn't that type of guy. >> i can't think of one time where he raised his voice to anybody! >> reporter: that family support was what persuaded an attorney 600 miles away in southern california to take the case. ron powell is his name. >> at first, i'm not thinking i want to go up t