The nearly monthlong trial, in courtroom 26A in downtown Manhattan, of one-time crypto billionaire Sam Bankman-Fried was courtroom drama.

The line to get into the courthouse could start as early as 11:30 p.m. the night before, and, on some days, courtroom slots were claimed by 4:30 a.m. Anyone who didn’t make it into the courtroom could watch the action on TV screens in overflow rooms. There, it could get rowdy, with laughing or heckling in response to witness testimony.