Truman Capote’s book In Cold Blood describes the dilemma faced by Smith and Hickock. Shortly after the crime, they had agreed to stick together so that they could back up their planned alibi if arrested. Yet held in isolation, each doubted the other’s will or ability to hold out. Smith saw Hickock as a convincing liar, but thought his "guts were unreliable." Similarly, Hickock feared dying on the gallows because he thought Smith would lose his nerve. Often in jointly committed homicides, the suspect who turns state’s evidence gains immunity while the other one, who feigns innocence, gets the death penalty. This differential treatment provides a strong temptation to cop out. But admitting guilt doesn’t always achieve leniency. If both suspects confess, the government has more evidence than it needs to convict for murder, and both killers get a life sentence. Yet if both stonewall, the prosecutor can get a conviction only on a lesser charge. This is the classic prisoner’s dilemma: Confess the crime or maintain innocence?