Lester Holt

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania had tried to paint Robert Ferrante as a jealous husband, driven by rage to poison his wife.

How did he do it?

Prosecutors believed he slipped the cyanide inside a drink and gave it to her shortly after she came home that night.

A theory, said Judge Manning, that was tough to prove.

No one stood there with their two eyes and said, I saw him put the cyanide in the drink and give it to her.

No one said that.

That is a weak point in the prosecution's argument.

They wish they had it, but they didn't.

Of course it is.

But keep in mind, circumstantial evidence, even though most people don't believe what it really is, is very powerful.

Prosecutor Lisa Pellegrini told the court that Ferranti used his wife's vulnerability, namely her infertility, to trick her into taking cyanide that night.

Earlier in the day, Autumn had sent him this text.

I ovulate tomorrow.

He texted back, perfect timing, creatine, smiley face.

Creatine.

Creatine.

This is the solution.

This is it.

Ferrante, the prosecutor alleged, had convinced his wife that creatine could help her get pregnant.

He whipped up a poison drink knowing she'd take it as soon as she came home.