For over 40 years, artist William Hennessy Jr. went where cameras couldn’t go, capturing drama from the Supreme Court to circuit and district courts throughout D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

His family told news organizations Wednesday that Hennessy, of Ashburn, Virginia, died on Monday, Dec. 9, his birthday. He was 67.

A statement from his family outlined the range of Hennessy’s work, which captured the atmosphere in trials from Iran Contra to the CIA White House leak “and countless other high-profile cases,” and said: “His powerful sketches offered the public a unique insight.” Dynamics in the courtroom.”

CBS News congressional correspondent Scott MacFarlane, who worked with Hennessy on some of these high-profile cases, told WTOP he was “the fastest and best” courtroom artist in the business, perfecting a suspect’s body language, a prosecutor’s dramatic gesture and more have captured.

“Bill could do it faster than you could cook your dinner in the microwave,” MacFarlane said.

In an age when taking pictures is as easy as pulling a cell phone out of your pocket, Hennessy’s work for television news networks has been invaluable.

“Across our region, Maryland, D.C. and Virginia, there are camera bans in courthouses,” MacFarlane said. “The only way to see what was happening as history was being made was through Bill’s sketches.”

NBC Washington reporter Paul Wagner estimated that he covered hundreds of cases in which Hennessy’s sketches brought a courtroom story to life.

“The accuracy of his shots is absolutely amazing,” Wagner said. Hennessy’s artistic ability coupled with his speed made him the first choice court performer for many broadcasters.”

McFarlane said, “He wasn’t just an artist, he was a journalist.” Wagner agreed.

“Bill was a journalist. He was a reporter. He knew what to look for. If he was on the case, Bill didn’t need to be told what to draw. …You didn’t really have to write a lot of words for the broadcast story because “Bill had it, he had it outlined for you, you could see it for yourself,” Wagner told WTOP.

Hennessy was also known for his demeanor – friendly, friendly and always calm – even on deadlines.

McFarlane said, “Because he was so graceful and kind-hearted and gentle and kind, he formed good relationships with some pretty tough customers,” explaining that defendants sometimes asked if they could buy one of his sketches. McFarlane said Hennessy sometimes responded that they might want to wait to see the outcome of their case.

During court cases, reporters can sometimes wait hours or even days for a verdict. During those downtimes, Wagner said, “We told a lot of stories.”

Hennessy was “just a nice guy,” Wagner told WTOP.

Wagner reported primarily on local court cases where Hennessy was the court artist, and looking back on Hennessy’s career, Wagner said, “He had a front row seat to history like no one else.”

Hennessy is survived by his wife Arezou and their seven children and 13 grandchildren.

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