No cameras, cellphones – or socks? Inside the Manafort trial
Every morning, like clockwork, a crowd gathers on the 9th floor of the federal courthouse here. They arrive alone or in twos or threes – some as early as 7 a.m. – to get a bird’s-eye view of the ongoing tax evasion and bank fraud trial of President Trump’s former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort.
While many of the seats are occupied by news reporters, many others are claimed by curious members of the public hoping to watch a portion of the real-life drama unfolding in Courtroom 900.
“I find it fascinating that you can just walk into a courtroom like this and watch a major trial,” says Kate, who lives in Alexandria.
Debbie Loving is far from home in Colts Neck, N.J. She was in the nation’s capital last week to view some real estate when she noticed the Manafort trial was about to start.
She has been a regular in court every day since. “We got a little addicted,” she explains with a laugh.
The case, United States of America v. Paul J. Manafort,
Judge EllisNo socksThe breaking news stampedeHigh drama