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For alal precedent as well as moral imperatives In conclusion, she said, “It is a travesty of justice, what our legal syste and exonerate him”

The courtroo at once

The judge hit his gavel and said, “Silence” Then he looked at Sara “The state’s response, Ms Hamm?”

The prosecuting attorney stood up, looking as calm as Winona looked harried “Your Honor, the record in this case is clear and cogent, and no interpretation of this DNA evidence can lead to exoneration of the defendant If it did, ould have joined the defense’sinnocent men in prison Quite the contrary, but in this case, a jury studied the evidence in its totality and found Dallas Raintree guilty beyond a reasonable doubt And as that evidence? Let h it”

For nearly two hours, Sara Hamm wielded her evidence like a blunt object When she was done, she looked up at the judge “So you see, Your Honor, the right man was convicted in 1996 The state asks that the conviction be upheld”

Winona’s throat was dry It took ree read through the pleadings

Finally, the judge turned the last page and looked up “I see no reason to take this under adviseuments seem clear The defendant’s ed his gavel; it sounded like thunder “Next case”

The courtrooain

Winona sat there, stunned

“Nice try,” Dallas said “Tell Vivi—”

And then the guards were there, taking hi out; he was probably trying to push through the crowd, but it was too late

Slowly, she turned around and saw Vivi Ann, holding Noah Both of the

Winona sank onto her chair and sat there, staring dully at the bench Behind her, she could hear the courtroo out, hear the raised voices of the spectators, who said I knew it to one another She knew Aurora would be confused right now, her loyalties split, herwhich sister needed her h, it would be Vivi Ann who seemed the more broken, and thus would Aurora’s choice be made As it should be

“You were fantastic”

She was so desperate for coined his voice Expecting nothing, she glanced to her left