Dueber and his father left immediately for their Colorado hometown. Portman planned to return to his Missouri home. Jurors quickly left the Polk County Courthouse after District Associate Judge Douglas Staskal announced the not-guilty verdict. Dueber's attorney, John Sandre, said the 10 women and two men's decision renewed his faith in the jury system. The death was tragic, and we grieve for the family, but this was never a crime. . . .
Nobody can ever replace their son.
Sandre's cross examination of Polk County Medical Examiner Francis Garrity thrilled many courthouse spectators. Garrity said the bruises on Lovelady's neck muscles could have come when bouncers at Graffiti's initially kicked him out of the bar. Under cross examination, Garrity could not pinpoint what ultimately led to Lovelady's death. Prosecutors acknowledged the case was challenging. The state called 20 witnesses, many contradicting themselves and each other about what occurred at the Merle Hay Road nightclub.