U.S. District Judge Jennifer B. Coffman is from Lexington, so she is admittely less familiar with Louisville's layout than local judges. Attorney Ramon McGee says that worked against his case. In particular, he stipulates that everyone here knows that Broadway west of 9th Street is black, while east of 9th Street is dominated by corporations and more affluent and influential property owners, mostly white.

Coffman, though, is certainly at home in her courtroom, with all the formality you would expect for federal court, yet an evenhandedness which gives the impression that she wants each attorney to succeed in presenting the best case possible.

Here is a sampling of the observations I made during the cruising lawsuit:

-- Reverend Louis Coleman and activist Dick Gregory both arrived a few minutes after the hearing had started. Both took seats at the plaintiffs' table despite Coleman having no personal standing in the case and his Justice Resource Center's standing up for debate. Attorney Ramon McGee didn't miss a beat, shaking Gregory's hand while deftly continuing his argument before the judge.

-- Judge Coffman was due to be on vacation this week.

-- Judge Coffman has no problem interrupting attorneys for questions and clarifications. She apologizes, but those interruptions are a clue into her focus. For instance, she asked McGee to focus on the harm to others and the public interest facets of this case. Both ended up being her primary motivations for declining the injunction.

-- LMPD Chief Robert White and Deputy Chief Phillip Turner sat behind the county attorneys. White was visibly perturbed by McGee's argument, sighing and rolling his eyes.

-- McGee cited citizens' complaints that the police crackdown reminded them of a "Nazi like" state, and "martial law."

-- About fifty people, including roughly ten journalists and forty spectators sat in the gallery. But some opponents of the police plan made their sentiments too public for the judge with under their breath comments and asides. Finally, Judge Coffman quieted them, saying "This is not a party, and not church. If you can't keep quiet, just leave."

-- Coffman says the timing of the lawsuit, just one week before Derby was a problem. McGee says the police announced their plan late, giving little opportunity for protest.

-- This case may have some legs before Derby 2008. "I do believe that the plaintiffs are correct," Coffman warned, "that this notion of (vehicle) passes raises serious logistical questions.

-- Ramon McGee says he will have camera crews shooting other Derby celebrations to show that questionable behavior is not limited to West Broadway.