envisioned. it wasn t a dirty, dark, nasty, gross area. reporter: kathy found some piece in that, the knowing, the seeing, but why quinna s life was taken? it s so much harder to comprehend. i don t think i ll be able to accept it. it s hard. it s hard. reporter: criminal trials are one way to grieve and find answers and with a confession on tape, the trial of steven gordon looked like a formality or so the prosecutor might have hoped. then the judge made that ruling. oh boy. a suspected serial killer turns the case against him upsidedown. coming up it s the piece that brings everything together and now it s gone. when dateline continues. who do you think takes more pride
it wasn t a dirty, dark, nasty, gross area. reporter: kathy found some piece in that, the knowing, the seeing, but why quinna s life was taken? it s so much harder to comprehend. i don t think i ll be able to accept it. it s hard. it s hard. reporter: criminal trials are one way to grieve and find answers and with a confession on tape, the trial of steven gordon looked like a formality or so the prosecutor might have hoped. then the judge made that ruling. oh boy. a suspected serial killer turns the case against him upsidedown. coming up it s the piece that brings everything together and now it s gone. when dateline continues. [ telephone ringing ] -whoa. [ indistinct talking ]