Travis, I hesitate to go head to head with a trial lawyer and law professor. However.... I know its possible to convict on circumstancial evidence, at times even in the absence of a body. Ive been following the trial only on your news links and wonder if closing arguments are what you base a probable NG verdict. Physical evidence including the testimony of the ME must weigh heavily on this case. Did the defense put a grain of doubt in the jurys mind as far as the indentations of buttons? Also, will they consider motive as far as the search for the silver? Would this trial be more likely to be taken more serious in a state other than Nevada? Mostly retorical questions. I think if it happened in other areas of the US you would not have thought it would have so many chances of aquital. Just my thoughts. Don