Crowd fills two courtrooms as two reporters face judge in contempt case

WASHINGTON – In a crowded hallway on the fourth floor U.S. District Court, the public and members of the press waited in two lines for coveted seats to hear the case of two reporters who had refused to testify about their confidential sources.

Some waited quietly, while others chatted noisily about what was about to happen.

But the loud hallway quickly grew silent as reporter Judith Miller of the New York Times walked toward the courtroom, surrounded by five or six men. As if they were paying respect, everyone remained quiet until Miller was in the courtroom.