On the first full day of deliberations the jury had a question that so perplexed the judge and lawyers that clarification was sought before it could be answered.
A first for this trial, we heard Tsarnaev laugh. While waiting for jurors to enter the courtroom to be dismissed for the day Tsarnaev, chatting with his lawyers as he usually does, let out a guffaw, then quickly checked himself.
Courtroom sketching is a form of visual journalism or reportage drawing that is slowly dying out. Where once upon a time news organization each had their own artist covering a story, today a “pool” artist often sketches for all. It is a demanding and stressful discipline where the drawing is often done directly and under tight deadline.
After forty-five years of news sketching in courtrooms and congress I’m calling it quits. It’s been sometimes fun, sometimes frustrating, almost always interesting. I’ve been lucky to work with some really great people. Don’t think I’ll miss it, but a little scared of not having a deadline.
While I won’t be sketching in court anymore, I may continue to post to this blog from time to time. Not sure what that might be. I’m about to start a new assignment documenting infrastructure and construction. Could be interesting.
Read More > 
