CANTON, Ohio — I am quite taken by the historic Stark County courthouse and, in particular, the courtroom where Bobby Cutts Jr. is being tried in the slaying of his pregnant girlfriend.

The 25th U.S. president lived in Canton, Ohio. In fact, William McKinley was a prosecutor here before he was elected to the U.S. Congress, then governor of Ohio and finally, in 1896, commander-in-chief. As a prosecutor, McKinley practiced in this courtroom.

Constructed in the late 1860s, the courtroom still has two fireplaces on either side of the public gallery. A huge portrait of McKinley hangs on the wall behind the judge.

McKinley was assassinated in September 1901, in the first year of his second term. His body was transported back to Canton for burial. At this courthouse, Ohioans paid respects at his flag-draped coffin. Photos of the event line the hallway outside.

On Tuesday, I was able to peek into the courtroom just before the jury instruction. The witness box is not between the judge and jury as we see in most courtrooms around the country. In fact, the witness box is movable and sits in front of the public gallery at an angle toward to the jury box. The witness’ back is to the spectators.

When questioning a witness, the attorney stands at a lectern between the judge and jury facing the witness and public gallery. It’s a configuration I’ve never seen used, although I recall something similar in a historic courthouse in Tennessee.

– Beth Karas, In Session correspondent