Lauren Angelina, a quick-witted brunette in her early thirties, never drew as much attention as Deborah Merlino, largely because her husband was alleged to be only a mob soldier. Still, she paced courtroom corridors every minute the jury deliberated and warmed to some reporters before long ­ as long as her name didn't show up in the paper the next day.

She too has opinions, and she shared them while smoking her Kent cigarettes during breaks.

"You just have to know Marty to understand. He's just a ball-breaker," she said. "You'd like him, though. He's really a great guy."