NATCHEZ &045; Courtroom tension in the murder trial of Greg Moffett led to several incidents in the first two days of testimony and authorities are expecting high emotions at today’s verdict.

Sheriff Ronny Brown said the courthouse cleaning staff discovered two box cutters and two knives left in the women’s bathroom Tuesday after the trial recessed.

As a result of the discoveries, the court beefed up security Wednesday including closely watching everyone who entered the courtroom through a metal detector and placing additional law enforcement officers in the building.

At the close of Wednesday’s testimony Judge Forrest A. Johnson released the jury but held the audience in the courtroom to discuss the incidents of the day.

&uot;I know we have a lot of family members here and I realize this is a very emotional issue,&uot; Johnson said. &uot;Today there were some problems and we are going to see that this is run as a court of law.&uot;

Johnson referred to a disturbance in the hallway and another disturbance involving yelling and fighting that started during the noon recess and was carried outside the courthouse.

&uot;This court is not going to tolerate any kind of emotional outbursts,&uot; Johnson said. &uot;Everyone will be searched and subject to being arrested. We’ve had two serious matters.

&uot;Let’s take a deep breath and get through this. Whichever way this matter ends, it will be handled according to the law.&uot;

The family and friends of Moffett have been sitting in the balcony of the courtroom, while friends and family of victim Tatanisha Thomas have been sitting on the ground level.

Moffett, who sits with his lawyer at the defense table, has waved and smiled to supporters in the balcony during several breaks in the trial.

A brief disturbance during the trial while jurors were silently viewing a video of the crime scene led to one man being escorted from the balcony and outside the courtroom.