The tension in the courtroom was palpable.  The elegance of the room only added to the solemnity in the air.  The wood- paneled walls displaying portraits of former justices framed the room, packed with people waiting for the hearing to begin. American flags adorned each corner, like soldiers protecting the justice proclaimed.  The silence ended when the sound of a gavel echoed throughout the courtroom, giving way to a procession of nine justices dressed in black robes who took their assigned seats behind the bench. Throughout the proceedings Justice Harold Melton remained quiet and focused, concentrating on the matter before him. We first met many years ago during college, so I…