uncovered from texas through the midwest, would be heard by the jury. >> an individual by the name of patricia hughes> on the big one, the murder charge, the d.a.s alleged that even though trish hughes might have been a willing participant in her oefrn own death it was nonetheless perez who held her head underwater. >> the primary distinction between homicide and suicide is suicide is at your own hand. literally in this case homicide, the hand of another. his hand was necessary to complete this act. >> there was circumstantial evidence presented to prove the charge. and the star testimony of only one witness. emily, 11 years old at the time of trish's death. >> was this the weakest part of the case, the one you really had to work the most on? >> this was the only count that had the testimony of one individual. so yes, it was the most difficult to prove. >> i kept thinking no one is going to really think it's as bad as it was. no one's going to think he should serve life in prison. >> beyond emily's account, the prosecution put on an expert witness to testify to the small bruises seen on the top of tr