and her husband, david pietz, never saw her again. what happened to nicole is a mystery. >> after ten days of trial, with more than 40 witnesses, the state the defense lawyers argued had failed to produce a smoking gun or even a possible motivation for murder. >> in this case, there are many reasonable doubts. >> could anyone say with absolute certainty that she always wore her wedding ring? that she never went out in public with her retainer? the picture the defense portrayed was david pietz open and honest with detectives from the start. a husband hoping the police would locate his wife. detective kathleen decker took a stand. >> when you first saw david at his residence, i believe you described as anxious and upset? >> yes. >> the defense willingly conceded that david pietz was a crummy husband, but skirt chasing didn't give him a motive for murder.