Career criminal Lionel Wayne Sturgis is traveling from Florida to California to visit his dying mother. The only problem is that he has to steal a string of vehicles to get there. His plan goes horribly wrong when he takes a truck in Louisiana and is later pulled over outside of Alpine, Texas. Sturgis starts shooting, killing a police officer in the process.
Faced with a jury trial, Sturgis works with Garrison Trask, a criminal defense attorney with 25 years experience. An anti-death penalty advocate, Trask defends the surly Sturgis who appears to have no remorse and no redeeming qualities.
Sturgis ultimately battles more than just a jury of his peers, and learns that the rugged Big Bend region of Texas is no place to be taken lightly.