Another key complaint of city residents was the presence of satellite trucks, specially outfitted RV's with built-in power generators and satellite dishes to broadcast news live from almost anywhere in the world.

According to reporters on the scene, there were between 15 and 20 satellite trucks at the height of media coverage. Trucks would typically arrive at 5 a.m., and some media crews would leave generators running until late in the night.

An elderly woman who lives behind the court-house bitterly criticized the proliferation of these trucks and the rumbling of their generators.

"They abused their privileges," said the woman, who asked not to be named. "When they're running their satellite dishes at 3 a.m. on a Sunday, the vibration is nerve-shattering.

"If you're disabled--as I am--you want some relief, you want some sleep."

She said her efforts to complain were ignored by members of the media. "When I tried to talk to someone in charge, there would never be anyone to talk to," she said.

"They should respect the people that have to live here. I found most of them disregarded me as an old lady."

In response to residents' complaints, Robert W. Healy, city manager of Cambridge, issued a letter ordering "all Media Satellite Broadcast vehicles" to "vacate the courthouse area" by 5 p.m. on Nov. 5.

Healy argued that since Zobel's decision was to be announced electronically, there was "no reason to occupy residential streets with large commercial vehicles for extended periods of time."

Almost no media organizations complied with the order. In fact, according to a satellite truck engineer with New England Cable News, "people laughed at it."

The engineer added that he "had very very little sympathy" for complaints from residents.

"It's a public street," he said.

Alan Cohn, a television reporter for New England Cable News, said that it would have been "impossible" for representatives of the media to follow the order.

"You couldn't not cover this [trial]," he said.

Other reporters said that some tension with residents was inevitable.