Mark’s mother had sat through nearly nine weeks of the trial and sold her house to pay for her only son’s defense.

Bette, Mark’s mother: My son is innocent, he would never hurt anyone.  I think the world knows that... except for those people.

And Flo’s mother spoke to reporters...

Reporter:  What was the first thing that went through your mind when you heard them say... 

Claire Stern, Flo's mother:  Thank you God, Justice is served.

Our interview with Mark took place two weeks later in the Benzie county jail. 

Chris Hansen, Dateline correspondent: How does a guy who’s married, two great kids.  Living in—one of the most desirable suburbs of Detroit, end up in your situation?

Mark Unger: I wish I knew.  It was a shock.  A surprise.  Every step of the way.

Now facing a life behind bars, Mark is adamant he has no idea what happened that dark October night three years ago.

Hansen: Did you kill your wife Flo?

Unger: I would never, ever hurt Flo.

Hansen: Did you kill her?

Unger: I would never do anything to hurt her.

The Unger boys are with Flo’s parents, who are planning to adopt them. Mark’s mother is suing them for more visitation.  Mark says he is heartbroken the boys are growing up without him.

Hansen: What are you going to say to them to explain what has happened here?

Unger: Just not having contact with them and—and—and you saying, you know, you will be able to.  That gives me so much hope, I can’t even tell you. And I know my boys and they know that I would never hurt their mother...

Bob Harrison calls Mark’s conviction a horrendous miscarriage of justice.

Hansen: Did you take this as a personal defeat?

Bob Harrison, defense attorney: You always do.  You can’t help it.  You are in a war of sorts with the other side and it hurts. 

Hansen: Is an innocent man now in jail?

Harrison: Absolutely.

But to the prosecution and Flo’s family, justice was served.

Donna Pendergast, prosecutor:  If you have time and you make a conscious decision to end somebody’s life, as I believed Mr. Unger did in this case, then that’s a crime, that’s not an accident.

Crystal clear days still give way to dark, dark nights...in Northern Michigan. Donna Pendergast, now 91 wins 2 losses, says her victory is Flo’s victory, and it’s bittersweet.

Pendergast: To have a wonderful mother just cut down in the prime of her life.  All murders are terrible, but this one just yanked a few strings in my heart.

Hansen: Were you the voice of Flo?

Pendergast: I like to think I was. 

Since we spoke with Mark Unger, he has lost his parental rights.

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