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This year's Burrell Mock Trial Team was the first Burrell team to compete in the trial since 2007. The defendant was charged with conspiracy and 1st-degree murder. Two witnesses were sworn in as expert witnesses, while the other team had none. Most of their objections were sustained and were successful in having several of the opposing team's objections overruled. Ultimately Burrell lost their first day, but went back on day two and crushed it! Here is what some students had to say about the experience:
Freshman Abby Junod (Attorney):"We worked our hardest and tenaciously, leading us to win one of our trials."
Freshman Madelyn Seelye (Expert Witness, Robyn Lesco): "It was an interesting experience and good if you are not scared of arguing your side. It was definitely pressure building."
Freshman William York (Expert Witness, Pookey Thomas): "I would recommend it to people who find law interesting because it allows students to learn about how people in the justice field do their work and solve court cases and crimes."
JOURNEY WENNER won an award from the PA Bar Association for Best Advocate for Prosecution, representing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
MIKAYLA GORSUCH won an award from the PA Bar Association for Best Witness as "Jayden Kobayashi" - a detective (and expert witness) in a murder trial.
AUBREY TURK won the first annual MVP award chosen by our attorney advisor and Mrs Pagnotta - in recognition of exceptional dedication, legal expertise, and adaptability throughout the 2023-24 Mock Trial season. Not only did Aubrey do an excellent job as the star witness in our first round, but when a member of our team was sick, she stepped in as a prosecuting attorney with a day's notice to create and refine an opening statement, and direct and cross-examination questions.
Congratulations to the Mock Trial Team: Journey Wenner, Aubrey Turk, Abby Junod, Ryan Burkett, Mikayla Gorsuch, Maddy Seelye, Noah Mayes, and William York for their win!!
The Mock Trial Team ready to take on their case!
Students plead their case.
Junior Mikayla Gorsuch and Freshmen Aubrey Turk & Journey Wenner with their awards!
The Bucs lost their first match by 10.85 to Derry, scoring 68.86 to 79.71 (out of 100).
They won their second match by 13.75 points versus Marion Center, scoring 76.25 to 62.25.
They improved by 7% from their first and second matches.
When they compare us as the prosecution to Derry as the prosecution, they were pretty close and even did better than them at the closing!
When they compare us as the defense to Marion Center as the defense, they had a stronger opening, but we scored better in all other categories!
Writing Contributors: Sierra Brown & Adyson Speer
Photo Contributor: Mrs. Pagnotta
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