China's winning flush hinged on three cards the multinational giants -- Amoco, Texaco and a Unocal-Petronas venture -- just could not match.

CNN: THE BIG OIL SHOCK

The focus of the three-week trial had hinged on whether Mr. Pride, who has a lengthy criminal record, fired a 9mm handgun with the intent to murder a police officer, a crime that carries a sentence of life without the possibility of parole.

WSJ: Officer's Murder Accidental, Jury Finds