Brandon had a pretty close relationship with those kids, didn't he?

Yeah.

Brandon's children were best friends with JJ and Tylee.

We saw many photos of them together doing things.

And they played together multiple times a week at the park because they lived so close to each other.

And it was a huge part of JJ's life.

And so when Brandon took a break from Charles and Lori at the request of Melanie, we saw text messages that Brandon never got that were along the lines of like, J.J. misses his best friend.

Tell me about his life now, Brittany.

Can you tell us what was on the agenda here, Brittany?

So this case has captured the nation's attention, no doubt.

And that undeniably raises questions about whether the spectacle of the trial could overshadow the trial itself.

So both the defense and prosecution have strong takes on how open the trial should be.

And a lot of what they talked about on Tuesday involved media access to the trial.

How did that shake out?

So it was a very quick hearing where the judge reiterated that there has never been a decision to exclude press from access to the trial.

The judge did not comment on how those 68 journalists were selected, but said he will now allow an overflow room for the press.

On Monday, Courtney was back in court, and this was a pretty big moment in this case, right?

It was, Blayne.

So she was there to enter a guilty plea.

Judge Andrea Ricker Wolfson walked Courtney through what we usually see in these types of situations, a plea colloquy.

So in other words, the judge makes sure Courtney has spoken to her lawyer about the plea deal and understands the ramifications of taking a guilty plea.

Can you tell us what was on the agenda here, Brittany?

So this case has captured the nation's attention, no doubt, and that undeniably raises questions about whether the spectacle of the trial could overshadow the trial itself.

Um, so both the defense and prosecution have strong takes on how open the trial should be, and a lot of what they talked about on Tuesday involved media access to the trial.

Before we get to the news, just remind us what exactly happened to Allison.

Sure.

So just after Valentine's Day in 2015, Allison's boyfriend came over to her house and found her lying naked in a pool of blood, covered in bleach.

Allison had been sexually assaulted, violently beaten, and strangled to death.

The police found crucial DNA evidence at the scene that led them to Ian Mitcham, who is, according to police, a total stranger to Allison.

We still don't know how or why he targeted her.

For over a month, the jury actually heard testimony from both sides on whether Mitcham should be sentenced to death for murdering Allison.

The jury heard from Allison's loved ones, including her mother, late father, and sister.