NEW YORK — Martha Stewart, known as a perfectionist on etiquette and style, maintained a stoic demeanor throughout her six-week trial — even when she learned she was a convicted felon.
But the federal courthouse turned chaotic after the verdict was announced.
Scores of journalists — from veteran court reporters to wide-eyed television production assistants — stampeded through a revolving front door and down the stately set of stairs to spread news of the verdict.
Some wildly waved red banners and neon signs — prearranged codes for "guilty." That did not prevent erroneous television news reports that the jury had found Stewart innocent of conspiracy.
Stewart had been forced to wait more than an hour for U.S. District Judge Miriam Goldman Cedarbaum to arrive to read the verdict.
The mood inside the courtroom was tense.
Stewart repeatedly checked her watch and twirled a pen in her fingers. Meanwhile, the courtroom filled to standing room only with Stewart supporters, prosecutors, U.S. marshals, reporters and curiosity seekers.
Cedarbaum's reading of the verdict took less than two minutes, the four pronouncements of "guilty" — for conspiracy, obstruction of justice and two counts of false statements — coming in rapid succession. Stewart slightly grimaced, and her eyes widened slightly, but she otherwise kept her composure.
As reporters broke for the door, the judge admonished, "Please — this is a courtroom."
Stewart heard the judge set a June 17 sentencing date before standing and being escorted out of the courtroom by lawyers and a bodyguard. Her daughter, Alexis Stewart, was in tears.
Afterward, juror Chappell Hartridge said he was "a little bit surprised" that the celebrity defendant was not as emotional as her daughter.
"I expected a strong reaction," he said.
When Stewart exited the courthouse, several dozen bystanders chanted, "We love Martha." A few even hissed when U.S. Attorney David Kelley came out to appear before TV cameras.
College student Daniele Frazier wore a button with Stewart's picture and a homemade T-shirt emblazoned with "Save Martha Stewart." She called Stewart a scapegoat.
"I think there are a lot of other people who deserve this before her," she said. "I think a lot of the stuff against her is because she's a woman and a celebrity."
Stewart rewarded her fans with a hint of a smile. Then, as she had each day of her trial, she disappeared into a sport-utility vehicle and was driven away.