they had brought something for prosecutor sonia balleste. uff to have right there that she could hold on to. >> reporter: they learned the evidence-driven prosecutor had a superstitious side. she wanted to have something of ariet's to touch during her last closing argument to channel ariet's spirit and courage. >> she took the witness stand in the preliminary hearing and faced evil and for the first time in her life, stood up to him. she knew exactly what he would do to her for it. >> he's done some bad things in his life, but he didn't hire anybody to murder ariet girgis. he's innocent. >> reporter: there was nothing left to do now but wait. after nearly a decade, these final moments were perhaps the most excruciating. >> it's a lot of anxiety built up right now, just wondering when the verdict's gonna come in. it's going to be like any moment. >> reporter: sonia, already at her new job, waited for the phone to ring. she had played the waiting game numerous times. it wasn't any easier this last time. >> i didn't want to let those boys down.