Copyright Margaret H. Small Donna Moonda listens to testimony during her trial.

By Milan Simonich, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The 32-seat courtroom where Donna Moonda is on trial for her life fills quickly each morning. U.S. District Judge David Dowd, 78, runs a tight operation. He created a seating chart for spectators, and will not allow anyone to enter his courtroom once the doors are closed.

Copyright Margaret H. Small U.S. District Judge David Dowd -- Running a tight ship The jurors -- Taking notes as they focus on the question of guilt The The prosecution table -- Nancy Kelley, standing, and Linda Barr have called more than 20 witnesses in four days.

Judge Dowd also has been a stickler on courtroom procedures. The judge yesterday for the second time admonished Mrs. Moonda's lead attorney, Roger Synenberg, for making statements rather than asking questions when speaking to witnesses. "You're testifying, and we're not going to do it that way," the judge said.

Mr. Synenberg said the case has exacted a heavy toll on Mrs. Moonda, 48, who is charged with masterminding the murder of her husband, Dr. Gulam Moonda, on the Ohio Turnpike. She wept yesterday when court recessed for the day and exchanged long looks with four of her relatives. But when court is in session, Mrs. Moonda frequently confers with her three lawyers and smiles at her supporters in the audience.

Damian Bradford, 25, who was having an affair with Mrs. Moonda, has confessed to the killing and told police she hired him to commit the murder.

Two assistant U.S. attorneys are prosecuting Mrs. Moonda. Nancy Kelley and Linda Barr have called more than 20 witnesses in four days. The jury includes 16 people, four of whom are alternates. Judge Dowd advised them to take notes if they want to, and many are doing so. The jurors now are focused on Mrs. Moonda's guilt or innocence. If they convict her, they will decide in a separate phase of the trial whether she should go to prison for life or be put to death.