What I saw at the Theranos trial: long lines, superfans and the enduring power of Elizabeth Holmes

The trial of Elizabeth Holmes has seen plenty of courtroom drama, but outside the courthouse in San Jose, California, a spectacle of another sort has unfolded week after week.

In earlier days of the trial, most onlookers could show up as late as 9am when the trial began and still be seated. But as the proceedings intensified, securing one of the approximately 80 spots has required lining up as early as 2am on the sidewalk. Later in the trial, rumors emerged that a handful of people showing up were line holders hired from apps like TaskRabbit.

From jury selection, during which it seemed nearly impossible to find a single juror who had not at least heard of Theranos, to the final days of press chaos outside the court house, Holmes remains one of the most-watched women in Silicon Valley.