Elizabeth Vargas

Two years after his arrest.

Two years after his arrest.

A jury convicts Bart Whitaker of the murders of his mother, Tricia, and his younger brother, Kevin, and sentences him to death.

A jury convicts Bart Whitaker of the murders of his mother, Tricia, and his younger brother, Kevin, and sentences him to death.

Earlier this week, Kent took his fight to its final round, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. The prosecutor unmoved.

Earlier this week, Kent took his fight to its final round, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. The prosecutor unmoved.

Kent, who has now spent more than a decade making the weekly drive to death row, asked his son be given a life sentence with no chance of parole. The odds were stacked against him. Since 1982, there have been only three commutations so close to an execution.

Kent, who has now spent more than a decade making the weekly drive to death row, asked his son be given a life sentence with no chance of parole. The odds were stacked against him. Since 1982, there have been only three commutations so close to an execution.

A phone call to Kent's lawyer with news beyond his best hopes. A unanimous vote to recommend clemency.

A phone call to Kent's lawyer with news beyond his best hopes. A unanimous vote to recommend clemency.

But that controversial decision isn't the final word. Would Governor Greg Abbott accept the board's recommendation? Kent goes to the governor's office but isn't able to meet anyone in person.

But that controversial decision isn't the final word. Would Governor Greg Abbott accept the board's recommendation? Kent goes to the governor's office but isn't able to meet anyone in person.

For the longest time, Governor Abbott did nothing. Bart is a dead man walking. He is taken to the death house, prepped for execution. Bart speaks to a chaplain. A last meal is served, chicken enchiladas.

For the longest time, Governor Abbott did nothing. Bart is a dead man walking. He is taken to the death house, prepped for execution. Bart speaks to a chaplain. A last meal is served, chicken enchiladas.

With barely 40 minutes to spare, for the first time in more than a decade, a condemned man gets clemency.

With barely 40 minutes to spare, for the first time in more than a decade, a condemned man gets clemency.

For this father who has endured so much, the long, bittersweet journey has come to a close.

For this father who has endured so much, the long, bittersweet journey has come to a close.

The smallest gesture promising to turn their past into a future together.

The smallest gesture promising to turn their past into a future together.