50p
Brentwood Mock Trial 2021
On December 7th, two multipurpose rooms in the Foote Athletic Centre were converted into courtrooms so the annual Brentwood mock trial could take place. Each year, two Law 12 classes filled with ambitious and enthusiastic legal scholars depart on a journey of cross-examinations, opening statements, and court procedures. This year, the case was thrilling and nerves were high as 6 pm rolled around and the court was officially in session.
The indictment this year, written by Mr Bryant himself, was a tension-filled eviction case during Covid-19. Marnie Mason was a tenant of Vincent Benedict until June 15th, 2020, when she finally moved out due to two eviction notices issued by Benedict. Marnie always struggled with finances, though Vincent was under the impression that there was a lot more to Marnie’s supposedly bad character. Marnie then filed a T5 complaint against her former landlord and so began the court case. A worldwide pandemic obviously didn’t aid the case in terms of simplicity, but the lawyers certainly capitalized off of a large number of regulations and laws in place during this time.
Both of the multipurpose rooms demonstrated the usual courtroom structure with a defense counsel, a prosecution counsel, witnesses, two clerks, a jury team, and a judge. The defense counsel valiantly defended Benedict against the accusations and claims of Mason and the prosecution. “The tension between the prosecution counsel and the defense counsel was absolutely palpable. All I could do was sit back and watch” stated Lucy M, Mack ‘23, who was portraying Marnie Mason.
The witnesses were allowed no notes during the trial and were pushed to stick to their stories with convincing sincerity during their questioning. Throughout the trial, the clerks rushed back and forth, producing evidence, swearing witnesses in, and confirming the defendant's plea. The jury team was an elite group of Law 12 alumni, who took detailed notes. The judges had the hardest job by far; they were played by Rowland L, Rogers ‘22, and Lisa M, Hope ‘23.
The trial started with the introductions, swearing in members of the jury, and the initial opening address of the judge. Then, the prosecution proceeded to make their opening statement, followed by calling their first witness to the stand. Next, the defense delivered their opening statement and called their witnesses. At the end of the trial, the peak of tension, the verdict was announced.
Palms were sweaty and people clutched onto their chairs. Surprisingly, both of the mock trials ended with the same verdict. The defendant was fully dismissed as not guilty. Tommy M, Privett ‘23, a lawyer on the prosecution side, spoke about the verdict: “The verdict didn’t go the way the prosecution wanted it to go, but we presented all of our points how we wanted to and made our argument as strongly as possible. At the end of the day it was all up to the interpretation of the jury”.
By the end of the trial, no matter the outcome, everyone’s eyes sparkled with the joy of debate, as well as the prospect of one of the hardest assessments of the year coming to a close. The mock trials this year were exceptionally organized. All the law students would like to thank Mr. Bryant and the members of the jury for participating.
Neve M, Hope ‘23
The indictment this year, written by Mr Bryant himself, was a tension-filled eviction case during Covid-19. Marnie Mason was a tenant of Vincent Benedict until June 15th, 2020, when she finally moved out due to two eviction notices issued by Benedict. Marnie always struggled with finances, though Vincent was under the impression that there was a lot more to Marnie’s supposedly bad character. Marnie then filed a T5 complaint against her former landlord and so began the court case. A worldwide pandemic obviously didn’t aid the case in terms of simplicity, but the lawyers certainly capitalized off of a large number of regulations and laws in place during this time.
Both of the multipurpose rooms demonstrated the usual courtroom structure with a defense counsel, a prosecution counsel, witnesses, two clerks, a jury team, and a judge. The defense counsel valiantly defended Benedict against the accusations and claims of Mason and the prosecution. “The tension between the prosecution counsel and the defense counsel was absolutely palpable. All I could do was sit back and watch” stated Lucy M, Mack ‘23, who was portraying Marnie Mason.
The witnesses were allowed no notes during the trial and were pushed to stick to their stories with convincing sincerity during their questioning. Throughout the trial, the clerks rushed back and forth, producing evidence, swearing witnesses in, and confirming the defendant's plea. The jury team was an elite group of Law 12 alumni, who took detailed notes. The judges had the hardest job by far; they were played by Rowland L, Rogers ‘22, and Lisa M, Hope ‘23.
The trial started with the introductions, swearing in members of the jury, and the initial opening address of the judge. Then, the prosecution proceeded to make their opening statement, followed by calling their first witness to the stand. Next, the defense delivered their opening statement and called their witnesses. At the end of the trial, the peak of tension, the verdict was announced.
Palms were sweaty and people clutched onto their chairs. Surprisingly, both of the mock trials ended with the same verdict. The defendant was fully dismissed as not guilty. Tommy M, Privett ‘23, a lawyer on the prosecution side, spoke about the verdict: “The verdict didn’t go the way the prosecution wanted it to go, but we presented all of our points how we wanted to and made our argument as strongly as possible. At the end of the day it was all up to the interpretation of the jury”.
By the end of the trial, no matter the outcome, everyone’s eyes sparkled with the joy of debate, as well as the prospect of one of the hardest assessments of the year coming to a close. The mock trials this year were exceptionally organized. All the law students would like to thank Mr. Bryant and the members of the jury for participating.
Neve M, Hope ‘23