[That was followed by passage through a metal-detection device and a pat down by a US marshal. Only then were the reporters allowed to walk into the press room of the courtroom, where they were given pencils and yellow legal pads. Finally, they went through a second sonic screening machine before entering a soundproof room with bulletproof glass separating them from the courtroom.] But we couldn't hear anything for the first half-hour of the trial because the audio wasn't working, ... It was one of the most frustrating experiences of my journalistic life. Saddam is 10 feet away, and I can't hear a word he's saying. The people watching TV had a better view. Dan Murphy