judge sam madrano. noted carefully the da objection. spent months reviewing the file. finally decided -- yes. he granted daniel's writ of habeas corpus and a hearing whether there was evidence to warrant a trial. >> we knew we had to get the hearing, we had a chance of freeing daniel. we got it. >> reporter: there would be no jury at the hearing. the judge alone would hear witnesses and then decide whether or not to recommend to the texas court of criminal appeals that daniel get a new trial. >> hope started to build. we all knew it was an uphill battle. this was the last chance. >> reporter: a few weeks before the hearing. daniel headed west on the prisoner transpart bus to el paso. he was in high spirits. the first time he had been to his home town in 15 years. we met with him shortly after he arrived at his new residence. the county jail. >> to finally see the city again after so many years. you are still hoping that, a court will take a decision that courts very rarely take. so you may not get out. >> yeah. >> reporter: you faced up to that? >> yeah. i faced up to