By Zachary Keenan ‘18
After nearly four months of hard work and preparation, the University School Mock Trial season has come to an end. Joining the ranks of Orange, Solon, Hathaway Brown, and dozens of other local public and private schools, Teams Maroon and Black battled downtown at the Cleveland Justice Center this past Friday. Below is a capsule of the case, provided by the tournament hosts, the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education:
AJ Bryant has attended the medieval fair in Buckeye, Harmony for several years, and is hoping that this year’s archer costume is authentic enough to win the costume contest. AJ is attending the fair with a friend, Sam Jones, who lives near the fairgrounds. As they are walking to the fair, the pair stop at a convenience store and while inside, AJ causes a disturbance while playing in character with a bow and arrow. The store owner calls the police, and as Officer Green arrives on the scene, he finds Sam and AJ arguing in the parking lot. AJ pulls out his bow and arrow, and Officer Green makes the decision to use deadly force to prevent further harm. Officer Green is charged with felonious assault and the case has been bifurcated; the Court will first hear testimony on Defendant’s affirmative defense that the use of deadly force was justified. This case will explore the Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable searches and seizures as it applies to the use of force by an officer to deter or eliminate the threat of harm to the public and officer.
Both teams were divided into 2 sides, prosecution and defense. Team Maroon, was coached by Dr. Thomas, with legal advisory from Mr. Malbasa. Attorneys John Piazza ’16 and Henry Shapard ’16 led the prosecution; alongside witnesses Rahul Jagetia ’18, and myself, playing the roles of Justice Smith and Sam Jones respectively. Representing Officer Riley Green were Jimmy Abbott ’16 and Danny Andreini ’16, and they called Chris Abbott and Pat Sweeny, played by Dante Sudilovsky ’17 and Andrew Gilmore ’17.
Mr. Cate and US News’ own Dr. Trutor coached team Black, with attorneys Justice Hubbard ’16, Reese Sparacia ’17, Davis Klimek ’16, and Matt Locker ’17. Called to the stand were witnesses Firas Abboud ’18, Alec Bashein ’17, Felix Benenson ’16, and Thomas Deibele ’18.
Once arrived at the Justice Center at 11:00 in the morning, the teams separated for the first trials of the day, at 12. Team Maroon headed to the main courtroom of the neighboring Beaux Art Cuyahoga Country Courthouse. As prosecution lawyer, Henry Shapard commended the building for its incredible architectural styles as the defense began preparations to face Hathaway Brown’s senior team.
The result included a landslide vote in favor of US by the three judges. Customarily, mock trial awards etiquette asks the judges to award the Best Attorney award to one school and the Best Witness award to the other. However, because of the preparation and wit of Team Maroon defense, Danny Andreini won Best Attorney for his opening argument, and Dante Sudilovsky won Best Witness for his role as storeowner Chris Abbott. Later that day, the Maroon defense faced Beaumont School’s senior team, resulting in what could be considered a coin flip decision. After the three-hour trial concluded, judges deliberated for nearly 45 minutes, and if Scout Finch taught me anything in sixth grade, the longer the deliberation, the bigger chance of a paper-thin margin. After the extended conference between the three scoring judges, Henry Shapard was awarded Best Attorney, and well-deserving Beaumont witness won her respective prize. The winner of the case would not be revealed for another hour, during the awards ceremony.
Meanwhile, Mr. Cate’s team was hot off of a win vs. Orange, where Justice Hubbard received Best Attorney, and Firas Abboud was awarded Best Witness. At the 3 o’clock trial, the team battled a built team from Brecksville and Thomas Deibele was awarded Best Witness, for his second year in a row. Again, the 3 o’clock trial results would not be revealed until later that afternoon, at the ceremony in the lobby of the courthouse.
At 6:15, the judges finally left their chambers to announce the teams heading to regionals: a 2-0 record on the day was required to advance. Both US teams won their noon trials, and lost the 3 o’clock trials. Worth mentioning, however, is that the US teams all received commendation from the judges on their speaking and preparedness, and lost by superfine margins. Mr. Cate was immensely proud of both teams, saying they have been the best during his tenure at US. While I may have taken to Twitter that night to complain of corruption and bias in our mock trial system, all was in good fun, as I happily reminisce of the hard work and determination from all students, teachers, and legal advisors of the ’15-’16 US Mock Trial Team.
