Juju Chang

The prosecution says she was murdered by her childhood friend, someone she trusted, who they say spent months planning how he'd kill her and steal her money.

But the defense says that couldn't be true.

Sarah wasn't dead.

Because they have someone who says they saw her the day she went missing.

From ABC Audio and 2020, this is Bridge of Lies.

I'm Juju Chang.

Episode 6, The Trial.

I do.

The first person to take the stand is Liam's old roommate, turned lead witness.

Please state your name, spell your last name for the record.

Preston Taylor agreed to testify against Liam as part of a plea deal with prosecutors in exchange for a lighter sentence, a maximum of 20 years in state prison.

He pled guilty to six charges, including robbery and desecrating human remains.

Now 21, he's wearing a blue suit and matching tie.

His short brown hair is neatly combed back, but he still has a five o'clock shadow.

On the stand, he seems calm.

Prosecutors plan to use Preston to lay the groundwork for the state's case.

But Assistant Prosecutor Chris Decker says despite the evidence, this might not be an easy win.

They're facing a unique challenge.

The prosecution wants Preston to start at the very beginning.

And for them, the beginning is when Preston says he first learned that Sarah had found some money.