Mock Trial wins in NYC competition
By: Sarah Fowler
Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: News
Furman University's mock trial team claimed victory in the elite Downtown Classic Tournament the weekend of January 17. The team traveled to New York City to compete against teams such as Yale, Michigan University, University of Richmond and University of Virginia. Seniors Meredith Dempsey and Will Gyuach led the team to victory over UVA, along with freshman Thomas Hydrick, sophomore Morgan Bridgman, junior Brice Cantrell and seniors Katherine Meyers, Jan-Paul Lukas and Latasia Fields.
The tournament, which was held in the federal district courthouse in Brooklyn, consisted of four rounds and an additional championship round. As the name suggests, the competitions are modeled after trials. At the beginning of each year, all teams are assigned the same case. This year the case was Jackie Owens vs. State of Midlands, a fictional high profile murder trial.
Teams prepare for both the prosecution and defense of the case since that will not be determined until the beginning of each round.
"We practice a lot heading up to the tournament," said freshman Thomas Hydrick. "Since there were some changes to the case over Christmas break, we were trying to make the appropriate changes to our side of the case."
Each side is allowed three attorneys and five witnesses. Only the three best witnesses are called to testify. After opening statements are issued, witnesses from the prosecution side are called and questioned. The defense then has the opportunity to cross-examine the prosecution's witnesses and call their own witnesses.
After each team has called three witnesses, the defense rests and each team gives closing statements. At the end of the trial, where a verdict of guilty or not guilty would normally be issued, the judges add their scores together and the winning team is named.
Overall, Furman's team swept most of their rounds. The team went 4-0 against Yale in the first round. They faced Michigan in the second round and won 3.5-.5, with a tie on one ballot. In the third round, Furman defeated Richmond 4-0. The team lost to Virginia 0-4 in the last round, but had a second chance in the championship round and defeated them 13-2.
"The championship round was honestly fantastic," said Hydrick. "It was exciting and thrilling when we found out we won."
The tournament, which was held in the federal district courthouse in Brooklyn, consisted of four rounds and an additional championship round. As the name suggests, the competitions are modeled after trials. At the beginning of each year, all teams are assigned the same case. This year the case was Jackie Owens vs. State of Midlands, a fictional high profile murder trial.
Teams prepare for both the prosecution and defense of the case since that will not be determined until the beginning of each round.
"We practice a lot heading up to the tournament," said freshman Thomas Hydrick. "Since there were some changes to the case over Christmas break, we were trying to make the appropriate changes to our side of the case."
Each side is allowed three attorneys and five witnesses. Only the three best witnesses are called to testify. After opening statements are issued, witnesses from the prosecution side are called and questioned. The defense then has the opportunity to cross-examine the prosecution's witnesses and call their own witnesses.
After each team has called three witnesses, the defense rests and each team gives closing statements. At the end of the trial, where a verdict of guilty or not guilty would normally be issued, the judges add their scores together and the winning team is named.
Overall, Furman's team swept most of their rounds. The team went 4-0 against Yale in the first round. They faced Michigan in the second round and won 3.5-.5, with a tie on one ballot. In the third round, Furman defeated Richmond 4-0. The team lost to Virginia 0-4 in the last round, but had a second chance in the championship round and defeated them 13-2.
"The championship round was honestly fantastic," said Hydrick. "It was exciting and thrilling when we found out we won."