A different set of judges might well have chosen another book.
We had a distinguished set of judges and some terrific books.
That mindset is not unique to this set of judges; history shows that it is an occupational hazard.
"What we have now is a set of judges who are independent by conviction," Mr Ahsan says.
"We have a dreadful shortlist put together by a set of judges who were not fit for purpose.
(All while an entirely separate set of judges grade how gracefully the barista moves and performs behind the bar — this is the dog show part).
He trots out the same defenses before the same small set of judges year after year, and cross-examines the same police officers.
Recent innovations include introducing a fresh set of judges, including Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw, and making increased use of live coverage rather than edited recordings.
However, a review court objected and a new set of judges then ruled the murder "intentional," confirming head injuries as the cause, and condemned him to death.
A new set of judges chooses the finalists each year, meeting as a group for the first time over lunch on the day of the event to pick the winners.
"One would hope that one set of judges would bow out in favor of the other, but they don't have to," said Richard Briffault, a professor of election law at Columbia Law School.
