Peel’s trial started in March 1986, with the case based on circumstantial evidence. One witness testified he was taking a nap a month after the murders when a neighbor’s target practice jogged his memory of screams and shots coming from the Investor. He assured the court he was not dreaming. A skipper who knew Peel said he saw him board the Investor on the night of the killings. Another witness said he sold Peel gasoline hours before the fire. Others talked of bad blood between the men.