Erika Del Priore took a short “disco nap” Sunday night and was in line for the Trump trial at 1:30 a.m. Monday. Joining her at 2 a.m. was Jennifer Weinstein, whom she had befriended earlier this month on another all-night line wait. Behind them was John Lamb, a Montana farmer who traveled all night and arrived at 4:30 a.m.
They almost made it in.
With closing arguments in the first criminal trial of an American president came a sudden surge of interest, with citizens and professional line sitters waiting through the night for the handful of seats available in the Manhattan Criminal Courts Building.
Outside the courthouse, lines were as long as they have been since the trial began April 15. Normally most reporters get a seat, either in the courtroom itself or in an overflow room, where the trial is broadcast. On Tuesday, some reporters were turned away.
The overflow room was packed, and court officers opened up normally empty jury seats for lawyers who were not involved in this case but eager to hear closing arguments.
Outside the courthouse, Ms. Del Priore and Ms. Weinstein put a positive spin on their defeat, saying they enjoyed the company of each other and Mr. Lamb.
“To me, this is New York,” Ms. Del Priore said.
“I’m thrilled to be this close,” Ms. Weinstein added. Mr. Lamb hoped to see Mr. Trump for the second time in a few days. He had traveled to New York from the Libertarian convention in Washington, D.C.
“We booed him so hard!” said Mr. Lamb, who is running as a Libertarian for Montana’s secretary of state.
Ms. Del Priore, Ms. Weinstein and Mr. Lamb were 19th, 20th and 21st in line. The last person to get in was 17th and had arrived at 9 p.m. Sunday.
Susanne Craig contributed reporting.
