By Marc Klaas

Heads bowed in anguish and disgust at the end of another day of damning evidence, the jury passes a smiling picture of Polly, sitting on the courtroom floor, leaning against a wall. This, in sharp contrast to the grisly photographs of a decomposed, decapitated Polly that passed through their hands and brought tears to their eyes only moments before.

Forensic Pathologist Dr. A.J. Chapman and FBI evidence expert Tony Maxwell took turns describing Polly's condition and surroundings to a stunned courtroom sinking ever deeper into the depths of Richard Allen Davis' depravity. Lying on her back, legs spread, knees bent, clothing hiked above her waist, waiting forever in the brambles and garbage where the killer tossed her at the end of her night of terror. The descriptions resemble more the mind of the killer than the angelic visage of the child. Rotting, void of life and incomprehensible.

Pre-trial documents released over the weekend describe the killer telling cell mates how he would avoid AIDS upon release. His definition of safe sex is to "Get a young one." Words in sharp contrast to the protests that he never molested his final victim. Words that contradict the overwhelming evidence that points an unwavering finger at his penchant for sexual sadism. Words that fly in the face of reason.

Rape is the theme revisited time and time again since the opening statements three weeks ago. The defense is adamant that it never occurred, yet the killer equivocates. He says that he does not remember, or he challenges the interrogators to prove that he molested her. Constantly through eight and a half hours of video and audio tape he thrusts and parries the questions and accusations of rape. On one point he is adamant. "I ain't taking a polygraph. I ain't takin' one. I ain't takin' one."

"If you took one, what do you think it would show? There's nothing else to ask," replies the interrogator.

"I don't know, man, but I ain't. If I did do anything to her, I don't want to know."

There is one who knows the horrors of that night, but her voice is silent forever more. America's child does not sit at a lawyer's table objecting to points of law. Instead, she hails from afar. A clarion call for innocence lost and justice served.