The Confession

On Sunday, newspapers nationwide call for a six-month moratorium on executions in Texas.

Nicole’s emotionally devastated family arranges a funeral for their daughter.

In Topeka, Schroeder delivers an emotional sermon, more than an hour long, excoriating the justice system for perpetuating the moral obscenity of the death penalty, asking, “Would Jesus approve of laws that allow us to kill those who have killed?” (445). He doesn’t reveal his own involvement with Boyette.

On Monday, Schroeder talks with his lawyer. His best bet is to accept a light punishment for obstructing justice and then hope the escaped Boyette is found. Schroeder is energized by his experiences.

The governor’s team races to frame an answer to growing criticism about his response to the execution, which has risen to the level of “a shit storm” (454). When staffers hear about the fact that the governor has been named in Flak’s $50 million wrongful death lawsuit, they scramble for a response—the next execution is less than two weeks away.

A Houston investigative reporter calls Schroeder to ask why a Kansas Lutheran minister was among those who witnessed Donté’s execution. Schroeder is cautious, but refuses to lie. He explains exactly what he did, and then calls his lawyer, who tells him that any responsible story about his association with Boyette would show that Schroeder was trying to save an innocent man.