Blaine Alexander

Jennifer was dead before the fire even began.

She'd been strangled.

Paul quickly came under suspicion, especially after police uncovered holes in his alibi and fractures in his relationship with Jennifer.

In 2011, he went on trial for murder and arson and was found guilty on both charges.

But now, over a decade later, Paul is back in front of a jury after a federal judge ruled his initial conviction was based on false evidence.

Could Paul, who has always maintained his innocence, walk free?

Here to bring us up to speed on the latest is Dateline producer Brittany Tom.

Hi, Brittany.

Hey, Andrea.

Tell us a bit more about Paul Zumott and Jennifer Skipsy.

Well, Paul and Jennifer, they were a young, popular it couple in Palo Alto.

Jennifer was a real estate agent.

Paul was originally from Jordan, and they'd been dating for two years.

So back in October 2009, Paul said he was out running errands and learned his house was in flames.

After Jennifer's body was found, investigators went pretty quickly to arson and then to murder, right?

Right.

When firefighters and investigators entered that home, they were struck by the overwhelming smell of gasoline.

And they also located a gasoline can next to Jennifer's body.

So that was enough for them to determine this fire was likely set intentionally.

Then when the autopsy results came back, Jennifer actually had died hours before the fire was set.