Book 1, Part 6 Summary

For Esplin and Snyder, Gary's court-appointed legal team, this is the case of a lifetime. First-degree murder cases are rare in Provo, and they are very high-profile. Considering that this is also a death penalty case and that no one has been executed in the U.S. during a decade-long hiatus legislated by the Supreme Court, Gary Gilmore definitely has prime-time potential. He is a bankable star right out of the gate. The two attorneys are the topic of the moment in the courthouse shop. The young attorneys are fired up, dedicated and willing to work ungodly hours to put forward a credible defense for Gary Gilmore. Their biggest obstacle, however, is an uncooperative client.

The prosecution is entering the fray with a tight circumstantial case. They have little forensic evidence and no eyewitnesses to the actual crimes, but they do...