The ceremonial courtroom at the Dirksen Federal Building in Chicago was all but packed.
Frank Calabrese Sr. and his attorney, Joseph "The Shark" Lopez, were at a large table in the center of the room. To their left at another table sat federal prosecutor Markus Funk and FBI Agent Mike Maseth.
The ceremonial courtroom is more than twice the size of regular courtrooms at the federal building and on its walls are black-and-white photographs of all the federal judges in the building. The judges all bore silent witness to the proceedings.
One deputy U.S. marshal sat directly behind Calabrese Sr. Four more were poised directly to Calabrese Sr.'s right. They were ready if Calabrese Sr. decided to make a move.
U.S. District Judge James Zagel sat front and center, speaking in a soft voice, amplified by a microphone.
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