Posted at 2:15 p.m. by Wendell Edwards at the Quintero trial

HOUSTON --- The stress of a capital murder trial is easily measured.
You can see it on each face, in each tear, no matter where you stand.

Like similar trials, there are two sides: the prosecution and the defense
There are two families: Rodney Johnson's and Juan Quintero's.

But there is only one verdict.
And now all sides must wait...together.
Sort of.

As of this writing, Quintero's family is sitting near the windows in the hallway of the 20th floor. His mother's expression is stoic, distant, almost painful. Understandable, given her stress load. How do you wait for 12 strangers to decide whether your child lives or dies?

Johnson's family was sitting in those very same seats, before I went to lunch. But now, afterwards, they are all now in the courtroom itself, taking up the first few front rows.

It's been a bitter-sweet family reunion for them. Joslyn Johnson's family, including her mom and sister have been here supporting her. Rodney's mom, his sister, his brother, many of them here everyday, too, supporting each other, listening intently to every part of this trial.

They ask: How do you wait for justice to catch up to a convicted murderer?

"The hardest part for me was the conviction part," said Regina Crawford, Joslyn Johnson's sister.

We spoke briefly in an elevator ride down to the first floor. She was going to change her shoes, preparing for a long day.

"As a Christian, I struggle with the death penalty but in this case he has shown no remorse," she said referring to Juan Quintero.

Since his conviction, it has always been a question of life or death for Juan Quintero.
A question now, that only this jury can answer.

Perhaps, the most stressful part of it all.

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