The Art Of Courtoom Drama

When cameras are banned, it falls upon sketches to capture a trial's drama. From Martha to Moussaoui, a small group of courtroom artists work under tight deadlines, in cramped quarters and with often fussy subjects.

Here, Dana Verkouteren depicts Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Spencer, right, questioning firefighter Juan Rivero, center, as Zacarias Moussaoui, left, and Judge Leonie Brinkema listen, April 11, 2006.

The Moussaoui Trial

Dana Verkouteren's sketch of Judge Leonie Brinkema, center, listening to testimony by C. Lee Hanson, second from left, during the death penalty trial of al Qaeda conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui, left, April 10, 2006. Hanson's son, daughter-in-law and 2-year-old granddaughter, pictured on the monitor, were on their way to Disneyland when their flight hit the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. (AP)

The Moussaoui Trial

Dana Verkouteren's rendering shows Zacarias Moussaoui, left, being questioned by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Spencer, second from right, as David Novak, right, and Federal Judge Leonie Brinkema, second from left, listen, March 27, 2006, in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Va.

The Moussaoui Trial

Dana Verkouteren's sketch of Zacarias Moussaoui, foreground, listening as Edward MacMahon, at the podium, gives his closing arguments to the jury in the penalty phase of the Sept. 11 terror attacks trial, March 29, 2006.

The Moussaoui Trial

Dana Verkouteren's rendering shows Zacarias Moussaoui, left, and two unidentified security guards listening to a 911 tape recorded by Melissa Doi, pictured on the courtroom monitor, during Moussaoui's sentencing trial at the U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Va., April 10, 2006. Doi was on one of the upper floors of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

General Picochet Trial

Elizabeth Cook's sketch of General Picochet during the extradition hearings in the High Court brought against the former Chilean dictator by the Spanish government. Because U.K. law prohibits drawing in the courtroom, Cook sketches from memory.

Scott Peterson Trial

Vicki Behringer's sketch of Sharon Rocha, mother of Laci Peterson, who looks at Scott Peterson, lower second from left, as she testifies in the penalty phase of the Peterson trial in Redwood City, Calif., Nov. 30, 2004. At upper right is prosecutor David Harris. At lower left is defense attorney Pat Harris. Sitting on the bench is judge Alfred Delucchi. A photo of Laci Peterson is shown at upper left.

The 'Preppy Murder' Trial

Marilyn Church's sketch of Robert Chambers, who looks on as a witness testifies in the "The Preppy Murder Trial," in 1988.

The Central Park Jogger Trial

Marilyn Church's sketch of jurors reacting to photographs during the Central Park Jogger Trial in 1990.

The Unabomber Trial

Vicki Behringer's sketch of the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski, at his arraignment, June 25, 1996.

The Michael Jackson Trial

Vicki Behringer's sketch of the Michael Jackson trial, March 7, 2005. From left to right, district attorney Tom Sneddon, Michael Jackson, Judge Rodney Melville, attorney Tom Mesereau, and Kate and Joseph Jackson.

Scott Peterson Trial

Vicki Behringer's sketch shows attorney Mark Geragos erupting and asking for a mistrial in the courtroom of the Scott Peterson trial.