It speedily takes sides for or against the accused, and recognizes as quickly its favorites among the lawyers.
Nothing delights it more than the sharp retort of a witness and the discomfiture of an obnoxious attorney.

A joke, even if it be a lame, one, is no where so keenly relished or quickly applauded as in a murder trial.
Within the bar the young lawyers and the privileged hangers-on filled all the chairs except those reserved at the table for those engaged in the case.

Without, the throng occupied all the seats, the window ledges and the standing room.

The atmosphere was already something horrible.
It was the peculiar odor of a criminal court, as if it were tainted by the presence, in different persons, of all the crimes that men and women can commit.
There was a little stir when the Prosecuting Attorney, with two assistants, made his way in, seated himself at the table, and spread his papers before him.

There was more stir when the counsel of the defense appeared.