Nineteen year old William Martin is on death row in the Ohio State Penitentiary for a double homicide. Musically talented, but socially inept, he remains supported by two strong women, his mother, Susan, and his childhood nanny, Sally Miller, who are convinced there has been a miscarriage of justice. Their trust in William leads to complications which threaten not only his chance of an appeal but also their own freedom.

This is a story of the strong bond between mother and son, whose relationship contrasts starkly with that of William and his proud and arrogant father. Jealous of his son's musical talent, he is equally jealous of his wife's success. It is against this background that William's world crumbles when he is charged and convicted of murder.