was dead. reporter: chiquita s loved ones were huddled together when veteran homicide detectives chris johnson and elvin howard rolled up to the scene. so the responding officers told you, that s the husband over there, but he s on the edge of things for you. you haven t approached him yet? that s that s correct. he was upset to the point where uniform patrol had to put him in the back of the unit. so do you go up at the point? no. at that time, we try to gather as much information as possible. reporter: the detectives began their standard investigative ritual putting together a timeline of the victim s last day. assistant lessie hookfin knew some of it. so that thursday, how does that fit in your recollection? what was that day like? pretty regular day. reporter: chiquita had gone to court and that very day talked to reporters about her latest case. the statute is the question that i would like the appellate court to review. reporter: after a quick chat,