in front of judge quinlan and quinlan vacated the death sentence but he refused to vacate guilt. >> judge quinlan refused to grant a new trial. we were devastated. yes, it was wonderful to have john thompson spared from execution but we were still looking at a man in his 30s who is going to be facing the rest of his life in jail. >> so you're going to take the death penalty back and give me a life sentence. i was scared to death even more so now. you're telling me, i will never go home again. that didn't give me no relief. none whatsoever. i was doomed. >> michael and gordon appealed the judge's decision. they knew this would be thompson's last chance for a new trial. >> john was going to go free or spend the rest of his life in prison. our arguments were twofold.