The trial of the five arrested burglars and two accomplices began in federal court less than two weeks before Nixon’s second-term inauguration. The relatively narrow indictment on charges of burglary, conspiracy, and violation of federal wiretapping laws itself spoke to the success of the White House in containing the scandal. The presiding judge, John J. Sirica, however, kept badgering defendants and witnesses on matters not covered in the indictment—namely, the financial and institutional involvement of the White House and reelection campaign. All the defendants pleaded guilty except Liddy and McCord, who were convicted at the end of January. The court ...(100 of 2961 words)