The prosecution's case relied heavily on two time trials conducted by detectives a full 15 years after the murder occurred. Crucially, these trials concluded at an overpass above Balboa Coves rather than at the actual crime scene—a shortcut that made the timeframe appear more plausible. However, the data remains contradictory: the coroner estimated the time of death at 9:08 PM, while phone records show Eric placed a call at 8:52 PM.

The defense argues this 15-year delay significantly skewed the results, as the infrastructure had changed drastically; the speed limit on the 55 Freeway had increased from 55 to 65 mph, and Newport Boulevard had been expanded from two lanes to four. These modern advantages left a window of either 14 seconds or 1 minute and 52 seconds, depending on the drive. Within this narrow margin, the prosecution’s theory requires Eric to have stopped on a shoulderless overpass, descended a hillside staircase, entered through a locked pedestrian gate 200 feet away, and entered a second locked residence to commit the crime—all without accounting for the duration of his 8:52 PM phone call.