investigators said ross had done internet research on hot car death and even visited an online forum for people interested in living a child-free life. a monstrous pore tras was emerging. but even after weighing all the allegations, ross' friends were still convinced he never meant to hurt cooper. did you ever hear ross get frustrated with cooper? >> no. >> reporter: treat him like he was a burden at times? >> no. >> reporter: because you know there are times when kids can get on our nerves. >> no. no. there are times when you definitely need a break. okay? but he loved that boy. >> reporter: ross harris' family enlisted the help of defense attorney maddox kilgore and his team. >> the entire case was a house of cards. we felt that, despite public sentiment, and despite the bravado of the state and the charges, we felt extremely confident that that house of