Juju Chang

He says it was all part of his cold-blooded betrayal.

But the defense says, again, that there just isn't enough evidence to prove Liam is guilty.

Diaz-Cobo tells the jury to question what they've heard, to be wary of Preston, who was quick to throw his friend under the bus, to be skeptical about why no physical evidence has been recovered.

And if the jury still has questions about the case after four weeks of trial, then they need to acquit Liam of any wrongdoing.

Michael Stern is in the audience during closing statements.

By the end of the day, after hearing both sides lay out their arguments one last time and reliving the details of how his daughter died, Michael again has his head in his hands, sobbing.

He described what it was like to be there in an interview with ABC News.

But as strong as he thought the prosecution's case was, he understood there was always a chance the verdict wouldn't go their way.

It's now a waiting game to see when the jurors will make their final decision.

On February 26th, the court reconvenes after just two days of jury deliberations.

The jury is ready to deliver a verdict.

The room is tense as everyone waits for them to file in.

The presiding juror stands and the court clerk starts to read through the list of charges one by one.

The jury finds Liam guilty on all seven counts against him.

Four months later, he's sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole and an additional 10 years for the desecration of human remains.

He'd later file two appeals to overturn his conviction, which were denied in 2023 and 2025.

At Liam's sentencing hearing, Michael takes the stand again, this time to confront his daughter's killer.

For the most part, Liam keeps his head down as Michael speaks.

He looks older.

He's wearing a blue prison jumpsuit and handcuffs.