Lively’s most recent mock trial was held on Friday, April 4.
The case presented was about aiding and abetting a first-degree burglary. The three lawyers for the defense were Charlie Murphy, Vera Marsh, and Belen Garcia. The lawyers for the prosecution were Henry Logerot, William Cawley, and Wylie Wright. Both sides fought as hard as they could, in a formal way, but the defense got the win.
Trials always start with the opening statements, then come the direct, cross, and redirect examination for the prosecution’s witnesses, then for the defense’s witnesses, and finally the closing arguments. The lawyers deliver the opening and closing arguments and ask the witnesses questions, and the witnesses answer the lawyers based on their witness statement and memorization. I interviewed the defense’s main witness, 8th grader Olivia Patrin. She shared with me how she feels about winning the trial: “I’m happy we won, but I’m a little nervous to go up against the other super trial team. But I’m really proud of us, and I’m glad that we did a really good job.” On the other hand, 8th grader Chella Pfeifle, a witness for the prosecution, told me about how she felt about losing: I don’t feel to bad about losing, because I have never won a trial.”
Lawyers from each side think their teams could do better next time. “I think we should have made more objections and I think next time we should know the trial packet so well that we can remember what page something is on without having to look,” said Murphy. “I think next time I could help prepare the witnesses better, so that we are all ready for the trial,” said Wright.
I interviewed Lawton Mickelson, a member of the jury, what side he voted for and why, and he answered this: “ I voted prosecution because I didn’t believe the arguments of the other side. I don’t believe that an official would just hand over government documents.”
I, myself, was a lawyer for the defense, and I feel very proud that we won. I think that our lawyers came up with very good questions and that our witnesses were very good at memorizing everything. I think we all were very confident and knew what we were doing, but what I think we could do better next time is being more spontaneous (coming up with questions on the spot, editing closing arguments during the trial, etc.) for the redirect and closing arguments.
