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believes happened that night. his scenario of an accidental death has come to be known as the "owl theory." >> he's seen owls in the area. he thought that this was very plausible. he put together this whole theory himself. >> reporter: so here's how the neighbor's theory goes, according to brother bill. kathleen, who has spent the day putting up christmas decorations, goes out front that night while michael is back by the pool. she's checking on her lawn display beneath the trees. >> the owl flew down and landed on kathleen's head and then tore her scalp in a manner that would be consistent with the lacerations that were found on her scalp. >> reporter: bleeding, kathleen leaves drops on the walk and a smear on the door as she struggles into the house, getting only as far as the staircase where she joins the defense's depiction of falling, passing out, coming to, and rising again only to fall for the final time. the owl theory was not completely new.