decision -- since recordings of tate didn't make him look like a dangerous killer, they would not show tapes of him to the jury, and they'd roll the dice hoping the prosecutors wouldn't either. the caldwells and techels had been put through the wringer for more than two years. their once close relationship had frayed, and now the third trial was pushing everyone to the brink. it was an impossible situation, but somehow todd caldwell and doug techel managed to find a moment of grace. >> i went over to him and just said, doug, i want you to know that i think you're a great guy. i think you're a good person. >> reporter: did you really? >> no matter how this turns out, i want you to know that. he said, "i think the same thing with you, todd," and i went to shake his hand and heap just hugged me, and we both just hugged. >> reporter: the two fathers returned to pot side of a murder -- opposite sides of a murder trial. for the third time the state of i what versus seth techel.