Episode 5: A Quiet Morning

Episode 4: David Wood

Jun 18, 202630 minSummary

In this episode of The Last 12 Weeks, host Maurice Chammah explores the complex case of David Wood, a man currently on death row in Texas. Convicted of the desert murders thirty-three years ago, Wood maintains his innocence despite a history of violent crimes that made him an easy target for law enforcement. The episode features an interview with one of Wood’s past victims, Christie, who recounts her harrowing experience as a teenager and provides a compelling argument based on neighborhood geography to explain why she is convinced of his guilt. The narrative shifts as the host visits Wood in prison, offering a rare glimpse into the life of a man facing execution in just three weeks. Wood discusses his difficult upbringing and his turbulent history within the prison system, while attempting to distance himself from the murder charges. Through conversations with both the survivor and the man on death row, the episode examines the difficulty of assessing human capacity for change and questions whether a flawed justice system can ever truly guarantee an accurate verdict in high-stakes capital cases.

Episode 3: The Mother & The Informant

Jun 18, 202643 minSummary

In the third episode of The Last 12 Weeks, the legal team defending death row inmate David Wood faces an escalating sense of urgency as his execution date nears. The episode follows the defense lawyers as they pursue desperate, long-shot leads in hopes of uncovering new evidence that might spare their client. This includes an awkward and ultimately fruitless trip to an assisted living facility to interview an alternate suspect who once confessed to similar crimes, as well as a sensitive, high-stakes attempt to obtain a recantation from a dying jailhouse informant. Beyond the legal maneuverings, the narrative delves into the complex human impact of the case by profiling Marsha Fulton, the mother of one of the victims. Marsha has been a steadfast advocate for Wood’s execution for over thirty years. The episode contrasts the lawyers’ frantic, emotionally taxing struggle to save their client with the unwavering resolve of a mother who has spent decades waiting for a sense of justice. Through these encounters, the podcast highlights the crushing pressure on defense attorneys and the lingering, transformative power of grief that continues to shape the lives of all involved.

Episode 2: The Whataburger Declaration

Jun 18, 202645 minSummary

In this episode of The Last 12 Weeks, the legal team representing David Wood faces a race against time as they work to challenge a conviction for a series of serial murders. With the execution date approaching, lead attorney Greg Worchuck and his team must navigate a case built primarily on circumstantial evidence and disputed fibers. The lawyers are under immense pressure to uncover new, compelling evidence that can convince the courts to pause the execution. The narrative follows the team as they pursue a new lead involving a woman named Michelle Bradley, who suggests her father may have been responsible for the crimes. The team’s efforts to investigate this claim reveal the complexities of legal strategy, as they weigh the benefits of pursuing alternative suspects against the danger of following dead ends. Throughout the process, the podcast examines the challenges of the defense, the skepticism surrounding police conduct and potential tunnel vision, and the emotional weight of investigating cold cases. By balancing witness interviews, forensic debates, and the high-stakes reality of capital punishment, the episode highlights the grueling, often messy process of post-conviction legal work.

Episode 1: What If I Follow You Around?

Jun 18, 202641 minSummary

In the premiere episode of The Last 12 Weeks, journalist Maurice Chammah explores the high-stakes world of capital defense as he shadows attorney Greg Warchuck. The episode focuses on the case of David Wood, a man labeled a notorious serial killer in El Paso, Texas, who is facing execution after more than thirty years on death row. Warchuck, a veteran defense lawyer, is convinced of his client’s innocence and is racing against a 17-week deadline to halt the process. The narrative centers on the emergence of a new witness, George Hall, who claims that key informants in Wood’s original trial fabricated their testimony after being coached by authorities. The episode details the challenges Warchuck faces, including the state’s refusal to allow modern DNA testing on evidence and the reluctance of local officials to intervene in a long-settled case. Through shadowing the legal team’s attempts to generate media interest and secure meetings with local district attorneys, the episode highlights the grueling, often discouraging process of challenging a death penalty conviction, questioning the reliability of the justice system when public perception and past findings are firmly set.

Trailer

Jun 15, 20261 minSummary

The Last 12 Weeks introduces listeners to the complex and high-stakes world of capital defense. The podcast centers on the case of David Wood, who has spent over three decades on death row following his 1992 conviction for the murders of young women and girls in the desert outside El Paso. This inaugural episode sets the stage for a tense narrative as a dedicated legal team battles against an impending deadline to halt an execution that has been looming for thirty years. Listeners can expect an immersive, behind-the-scenes look at the grueling preparation, moral dilemmas, and intense pressure involved in death penalty defense. Through this series, the program explores the intricate intersection of justice, history, and the finality of the legal system, offering a compelling investigation into a case that has remained unresolved in the public consciousness for generations.