. >> reporter: judge timothy kincaid presided over carver's murder trial. that's what did it for you? >> that was a turning point of that trial for me. >> reporter: and with that, the prosecution rests its case. >> everyone was then sort of on the edge of their chairs, waiting for the defense to present a case. >> reporter: but to the shock of carver's family, ratchford decides the state's case is so weak, he will present no witnesses or evidence for the defense. >> they could not explain how the crime oc well, based on that, the jury's not going to be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt. >> they told us no way that they were going to be convicted. >> reporter: they're wrong. it takes the jury just a few hours to return with a verdict, guilty of first degree murder. >> when i heard that verdict come down i couldn't breathe. i was like, they got it wrong. >> reporter: judge kincaid sentences carver to life in prison. but while his cell door slams just beginning. so, let's send you over to where ira was. how much of the state's case really holds water? tell h