there were probably five different people that got up and sang and played music, and just so many people that really have nothing. but they all pulled together, and whatever they had to offer, they did. >> reporter: vera wondered if her former lover was being targeted because he was a biker. but she says even that doesn't matter. >> whether he's a nice man or whether he's a jerk, the bottom line is there was not enough evidence to accuse this man of this. >> reporter: adkin's defense attorney neil mcelroy couldn't agree more. >> my first instinct when i got the case was, "it's a 1982 case, there must've been a dna hit. something has been discovered, some dna match." and of course, there was nothing. >> reporter: a point he emphasized in his opening argument at russell adkins' trial. >> law enforcement lost or destroyed several pieces of evidence. >> reporter: neil mcelroy and his partner, ronnie wingate, drilled into the prosecution witnesses, challenging their 30-year-old memories. >> but you didn't remember where it was found? >> no, i couldn't tell you the exact spot. >> i don't remember. i mean it was 30-some years ago. >> reporter: as for the original detective, bob bratton? the defense got him to concede just how much evidence was missing. >> as it relates to the clothes, the pool cue, any photos, the map of the scene that was made that night, all that information is gone, is that correct? >> that's what i've been