“The jury is returning,” someone whispered from the gallery, the words igniting a fresh wave of movement as latecomers rushed to claim their spots. The international students pressed forward in their reserved section, tabs poised to record this moment in legal history. A young law student nearly tripped in her haste to reach her seat, her face flushing as several heads turned at the sound of her stumbling feet.

Through the settling chaos, Judge Donahue emerged from chambers with measured steps, his dark robes refracting from the warm light. The morning snow still fell outside, visible through the windows…