>> the dunlap case arose in arapaho county, part of the 18th judicial district which is in colorado, is now and has been in the past in love with the death penalty. >> by the time the trial beghaen 1996, the verdict seemed to be a foregone conclusion. >> the trial then essentially becomes about whether what nathan dunlap did is deserving of the death penalty. >> in fact, before trial, nathan's defense team made an offer to the state. nathan would plead guilty in exchange for a life sentence. >> it comes down to what's the appropriate sentence that we were seeking? is this appropriate to plead this to a life in prison? and it was not. >> at trial, nathan's lawyers called almost no witnesses and offered little defense for his actions. it took the jury only 3 1/2