political fortunes would come to rest on his decision. >> we're going to have an election in 2014 where one of the questions is, do we want to kill this one person? >> the case sparked a raging debate over capital punishment and posed the question, what should be done with society's most heinous criminals? >> the death penalty encompasses the most highly emotional issues for all of us. it's life and death. it's justice. all that stuff comes back together on trying to decide what we do with the worst of the worst. >> kill them all. [ bleep ]. >> there was a body under the water. >> butchered and murdered. >> many people proclaim innocence. >> in this case, there are a number of things that stink. >> this man is remorseless. >> needs to pay for it with his life. >> the electric chair flashed in front of my eyes. >> get a conviction at all costs that the truth fall where it may.