I'm not sure right now

The court noted that there was no physical evidence in the trial. The court seemed slightly bothered by the lies of the jailhouse snitch. It nibbled at the edges of Donte's confession but refused to criticize Judge Grale for allowing the jury to hear it. It commented on the use of the bloodhound testimony, saying perhaps it wasn't the 'best evidence' to use in such a serious trial. But all in all, the court saw nothing wrong. The vote was nine to affirm the conviction, zero to overturn it." Chief Justice Milton Prudlowe was watching. A frantic call from his law clerk had alerted him to the press conference, and he was with his wife in their small apartment in Austin, glued to CNN. If Texas had indeed executed an innocent man, he knew his court was in for an avalanche of scorching criticism. Mr. Flak seemed prepared to lead the attack. "Last Thursday," Robbie was saying, "at exactly 3:35 p.m., lawyers for Donte Drumm filed a petition for relief, and we included a video that we had just taken of Travis Boyette confessing to the rape and murder. This was two and a half hours before the execution. I assume the court considered this matter and was not impressed with the video, or the affidavit, because an hour later the court denied relief and refused to stop the execution. Again, the vote was nine to zero." On cue, Carlos flashed up the times and actions by the court. Robbie plowed ahead. "The court closes for business each day at 5:00 p.m., even when an execution is pending. Our final filing was the last-minute affidavit and recantation by Joey Gamble. In Austin, attorneys for Donte called the court clerk, a Mr. Emerson Pugh, and informed him that they were on their way with the petition. He said the court would close at 5:00. And he was right. When the attorneys arrived at the court at 5:07, the door was locked. The petition could not be filed." Prudlowe's wife glared at him and said, "I hope he's lying." Prudlowe wanted to assure her that of course this loudmouthed lawyer was lying, but he hesitated. Flak was too shrewd to make such damning statements in public without having the facts to back them up. "Milton, tell me this guy is lying." "Well, honey, I'm not sure right now." "You're not sure? Why would the court close if the lawyers were trying to file something?" "Well, uh, we--" "You're stuttering here, Milton, and that means you're struggling to tell me something that may or may not be entirely accurate. Did you see Boyette's video two hours before the execution?" "Yes, it was passed--" "Oh my God, Milton! Then why didn't you stop things for a few days. You're the chief justice, Milton; you can do anything you want. Executions are delayed all the time. Why not give it another thirty days, or a year for that matter?" "We thought it was bogus. The guy is a serial rapist with no credibility."