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A listener note, this episode contains graphic details and may not be suitable for a younger audience.

It's the afternoon of April 25, 1997.

Elena Garrett is standing at the front of a federal court room in Denver, Colorado.

The place is packed with journalists, attorneys and members of the public, all sitting quietly waiting for Garrett to testify.

Garrett knows that what she says today will be printed in newspapers across America.

Her words will be scrutinized by members of Congress and people will probably talk about her testimony over dinner and at the water cooler.

It's a lot of pressure, especially considering that she's about to lay bare the most painful memories of her life, a grief that's almost seemed boundless.

So when Garrett raises her right hand and swears to tell the truth and nothing but the truth, her voice almost comes out in a whisper.

The judge tells Garrett to speak up for the court reporter. Garrett swallows and answers the court bailiff again, louder this time, swearing to tell the truth.

And as she settles into the witness box, Garrett can't help but look at the skinny man with a military-style haircut sitting at the defense table.

He is the reason Garrett is here today in the federal court room.

Two years ago, this man parked a truck in front of a federal building in Oklahoma City and set off a bomb that killed 168 people.

Since then, he's been the subject of a national conversation about political violence and the rise of domestic terrorism.

Everyone seems to have something to say about the tragedy in Oklahoma City.

But Helena Garrett has tried to tune out all that noise.

At this point, she can really only do one thing, bear witness to the truth and bring this man to justice for killing her baby.

Garrett's son, Tevin, was only 16 months old.

He was among 18 other children who were killed in the blast in downtown Oklahoma City.

It's been two whole years since that day. The day her life changed and Garrett was plunged into endless grief.

The federal prosecutors told Garrett that she could serve as a witness at the trial and that it could be one small way to get a measure of justice.

So even though the national spotlight is now on her and even though she's still suffering from the pangs of loss, Garrett agreed to take the stand and give the strongest, most damning testimony possible.

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