Special Agent Timothy Coll of the FBI was asked during his cross-examination whether Mr. Aref had been under 24-hour surveillance. Mr. Pericak objected. "I'm concerned that a truthful answer should implicate classified information," he said.

His caution stems from the murky legal status of unlocking cellphones.

"I would characterize it as tantalizing evidence."

"I don't sic the cops on them," Mr. McGhee said. "I preach to them. That's all I have to give them: Jesus."

Tom has great ears.

This was supposed to make us feel better. It did not.

It was one in a series of regrettable events and choices that brought out the relentless self-questioner in him.

It wasn't quite humility, but it was a start.

"This has been going on for a while," he said, "and this is the latest salvo."

What is really needed to protect consumers is a national database.

"As far as I remember, we have always discouraged that as being somewhat nonsensical."

"The net effect is to capture more and more mind space," Mr. Hanke said. "I want to be left alone."

Through the ages, humans have generally remembered the important stuff and forgotten the trivial. The computer age has turned that upside down. Now, everything lasts forever, whether it is insignificant or important, ancient or recent, complete or overtaken by events.