Wow, that's exactly how I've described it. Just did this afternoon to one of our producers, actually.

And you're absolutely right about a strong beat writer's advantage. It's been a treat to see Kimball Perry in action, and that's why I've incorporated my observations of him into my Kirkland coverage, in addition to harvesting occasional Twitter posts (which, contrary to what he's tweeted, are clearly attributed to him). He apparently doesn't see it that way, but he can of course think whatever he wants. I'm trying paint a total picture of the trial for my readers — not just of what happens and what's said. The public can get that more concisely from a newspaper story or a television report, but I'm trying to show them what it's like to be in the room every day. Murder trials are intense, but they're also boring and occasionally funny and always sad. I'm trying to communicate that, and help them understand how all of it — from the investigation to the trial process to the coverage — actually works.

Based on the comments and questions I get, people understand very little of that stuff.