In his opinion about a case that has stirred up more local public attention than any in recent memory, Zobel made it clear that his ruling was based upon law, not emotional outcry.

"Judges must follow their oaths and do their duty, heedless of editorials, letters, telegrams, picketers, threats, petitions, panelists, and talk shows. In this country, we do not administer justice by plebiscite."

Return to Normalcy

For Cambridge residents, however, the flood of attention surrounding the trial was tough to ignore.

"Parking here has been miserable," said John Nickerson, who lives directly behind the court-house on Spring Street.

"We've had this for about two months," he said, referring to the recent media coverage two other murders involving Cambridge resident.

Edward O'Brien, a Somerville teenager, was convicted of first-degree murder in the stabbing death of his best friend's mother about a month ago. In October, Cambridge youth Jeffrey Curley was found dead in a Maine river.

But Nickerson, a tall, cheerful Cantabrigian with shaggy white hair and a causal demeanor, found reasons to be positive.

"To tell you the truth, I don't mind that much. I was on a business trip in Atlanta watching CNN, and I saw my house" on television, he said.

Other residents, however, were glad to see the media go.

"I'm highly offended by their presence," said Abraham Lom, a landlord who owns a residential building behind the courthouse.

"Most of them tried to be polite, but nevertheless they still did whatever they damn well pleased," he said.

His long list of complaints continued. "They're totally indifferent to traffic violations," he said.

He also pointed to litter and debris scattered around the sidewalks and streets by reporters.

"We usually have a pretty clean neighborhood around here," he said, adding that the area's last scheduled street cleanup this year had already taken place.