Naomi Fenwick

In other words, for the defense team, this is roughly the equivalent of the Fifth Circuit saying, we suspect something really fishy going on here, but we are not going to be the ones to stop this execution.

Jeremy snaps into action.

Actually snaps so fast that he runs into me as he's barking out orders to one of the lawyers.

The machine wearing into action is impressive to watch.

The lawyers start typing away.

They're trying to file a motion for a stay in a lower federal court to see if they'll stop the execution, even though the Fifth Circuit refused to.

Everyone seems somewhat gobsmacked that this is all happening because of something Ramona Dismukes declared at a Whataburger two months ago.

Officially, exhibit number 62 in the defense filings.

Exhibit 62 is the winner.

As the lawyers are busy trying to figure out how to deal with this unexpected development from the federal courts, they get some more news.

The prosecution has its say about David Wood.

That's after the break.

Meanwhile, back in Dallas, David Wood's pathway to a state gets a little more narrow.

The Board of Pardons and Paroles has sent word that they voted unanimously against giving David Wood a reprieve or commutation.

They're the ones who can give a recommendation to the governor, so it looks like that's the end of Avenue 1.

Though that's not really a big surprise to the lawyers.

So, they have a tangled decision from the Fifth Circuit, which they're trying to deal with.

They've got their chances with the Supreme Court, too.

But really, the big thing they're waiting on is word from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the CCA.

I don't know what I was expecting when the CCA ruled.