def convertTimeStringToTime(timeStr):
    """
    We assume the timeStr has the format  [hh:mm:ss.ssss]
    Returns -1.0 if conversion fails, otherwise time as a float
    """
    # noinspection PyBroadException
    try:
        if timeStr[0] != '[':
            return -1.0
        if timeStr[-1] != ']':
            return -1.0
        clippedStr = timeStr[1:-1]  # remove [] from input
        parts = clippedStr.split(':')
        hourSecs = float(parts[0]) * 60 * 60
        minSecs = float(parts[1]) * 60
        secs = float(parts[2])
        return hourSecs + minSecs + secs
    except Exception:
        return -1.0