pause, and a gunshot. it is absolutely inconsistent with a hired hit. >> reporter: if not a hit, then what happened? the defense had a theory. it involves this photo of crystal's son javonte found near her body. >> it's obvious that miss taylor was holding that picture when she got shot. >> reporter: schneider wasn't allowed to directly spell out his theory for the jury. he did for us. >> i think she was confronting her killer saying, the only thing you're going to see is a photograph of your son until you pay child support. >> and you think that's when she was shot? >> absolutely. >> reporter: the defense suggested javonte's father killed crystal. never mind that police had cleared him early on. derek's lawyer told the jury his client was an innocent man. >> but this tragedy, it will be compounded if you convict a person that is not involved. and i'm asking for a not guilty