The Verdict

His parents have heard some harsh words against their son in the nearly two-week trial. But they've never believed that he had anything to do with the tragic death of Emily Woodruff.

Now, the opinions of 12 jurors are all that matters.

The jury deliberated for just eight hours.

Chris was found not guilty of all counts.

For the Routh family, it was a welcome verdict and an expensive one. Chris' defense cost them nearly $400,000. But at this moment, freedom is priceless.

"It felt like a million pounds had just been pushed off from me," Chris said. "I could just feel all that stress and all that pressure just shroooom! It went right out."

It was not a verdict the Woodruffs were prepared to hear.

They've lost their daughter forever. They still feel that Chris somehow had something to do with their daughter's death. "I believe what I believe about what happened," Lewis says.

Two years ago, Chris Routh was a normal kid living a normal life.

Now he's trying to piece that life back together. The first step: removing the ankle monitor he's had to wear the past four months.

Then, it's driving lessons with Mom.

Finally, the biggest step of all: it's Orientation Day at high school.

Chris is 16 now, and tomorrow he'll join the class of 2005 as a sophomore.

"I cannot wait," Chris says. "Tomorrow marks the beginning of my normal life again. I hope!"