A death row case enters its final 12 weeks
This preview is based only on the published show notes. The episode introduces David Wood, convicted in 1992 as El Paso’s most notorious serial killer, and frames a high-stakes countdown as his lawyers race to argue his innocence and stop his execution.
## What this episode appears to cover Based on the show notes alone, this opener sets up a tense legal and moral deadline. It introduces David Wood, who was convicted in 1992 and has remained on death row for more than three decades, while focusing on the narrow window his lawyers now have to try to prove his innocence and prevent his execution. The title, **"The Last 12 Weeks,"** suggests a countdown structure, and this first episode likely establishes the stakes, the timeline, and the central question of the series: what can happen when a death row case reaches its final months. If you’re drawn to criminal justice reporting, wrongful-conviction questions, or stories built around urgent legal deadlines, this episode looks designed to pull you in quickly. Because these notes are brief, they don’t reveal the evidence, the legal strategy, or how the case against Wood is presented in the audio. That means this is best approached as a setup episode preview rather than a full explanation of the case. Still, the premise alone signals a serious, high-pressure story about capital punishment, innocence claims, and the long shadow of a decades-old conviction. If you want a podcast that begins with immediate stakes and a clearly defined clock, this sounds like a strong place to start.
About this episode
<p>In 1992, David Wood became El Paso’s most notorious convicted serial killer. He has been on death row ever since. More than 30 years later, his lawyers have just a few months to argue his innocence and stop his execution.<br><br> To find out about new shows from Serial Productions, and get a look behind the scenes, sign up for our newsletter at <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/serial" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">nytimes.com/serialnewsletter.</a><br> Have a story pitch, a tip, or feedback on our shows? Email us at <a href="mailto:serialshows@nytimes.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">serialshows@nytimes.com</a></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>