Post-trial Report
A post-trial report is due ONE WEEK after the day of the judge’s deliberation. (by email)
Use a variety of sources including the handouts, the text, the net, and your own notes from trial but please remember… this MUST BE IN YOUR OWN WORDS!
The Mock Trial report is different depending on your role.
Summary of your role in the trial.
Explain your role and responsibilities in the trial and why they were important. You can summarize the package but make sure to explain in your own words and relate it to the preparations that occurred in class as well as the trial itself.
Witness Character sheet
In addition to the summary of your role in the trial, explain who your character was, what their responsibilities were, and why they were important to the trial. You can summarize the package but make sure to explain in your own words. This should include all the “truth” whether they were presented in trial or not. Discuss the impact of evidence omissions if there were any. Also discuss the tactics you employed to deceive the council and how effective they were.
A properly formatted Legal Brief of the trial.
This means you will be taking notes of each event during the trial.
Crown, & Defence council:
A complete breakdown of who did what on your team signed by all members.
You can simply get each person to write out their tasks and then put it all together or you could make a chart. This info must be complete and detailed.
Your reaction
Provide a reaction to the process and the verdict. Voice your concerns and your criticisms. Also, indicate why the verdict was correct or incorrect.
A detailed and properly formatted Legal Brief of the trial.
I will be paying special attention to the section that applies most to your team (Crown & Defence Argument section should include a discussion on the trial strategy used by the group)
The Judge:
You will write a full and complete legal brief on your trial (see legal brief instructions below).
The Legal Brief assignment should include the following information for all students:
1. The case name and the date of the trial and the name of the presiding Judges
2. The charges against the accused as well as the plea on these charges
3. A summary of the Judge’s instructions to the jury
4. A summary, discussion and assessment of:
a. Crown Counsel’s opening statement and their view of the facts of the case
b. Crown Counsel’s argument, including commentary on each direct and cross examination
c. Crown Counsel’s closing statement
5. A summary, discussion and assessment of:
a. Defense Counsel’s opening statement and their view of the facts of the case
b. Defense Counsel’s argument, including commentary on each direct and cross examination
c. Defense Counsel’s closing statement
6. A summary of the verdict and your interpretation of the accuracy based on evidence
The Legal Brief and Report should be formatted in the following manner:
· A title page that clearly provides the student or students’ name(s) and their role in the case
· All pages should be typed in 12 point Times New Roman
· Provide accurate citation and a bibliography (if sources are used)
· Margins should be no larger than 1.5 inches
Pre-trial Report
Block C
Judge- Emma
Crown (3-4)- Helena, Ella, Sonja, Kami
Defence (3-4)- Sophia, Emily, Caio, Jacqueline
Wally Brogue- David
Peter Pomas- Riley
Bonner Brager- Maggie
Officer Low- Marcus
Tom Brogue- Petite
Sandra Volsky- Piper
Dr. Linden/Forensic expert- Max
Officer Sandhu- Silas
Jaime Pymar- Aiden
Jay Rayan- Marcus
Kris Ty- Silas
Block D
Judge- Ellie
Crown (3-4)- Shyann, Ezrie, Carson, Dawson
Defence (3-4)- Sonja, Alex, Everett, Brooke
Wally Brogue- Chase
Peter Pomas- Colbey
Bonner Brager- Ava
Officer Low- Chase
Tom Brogue- Colbey
Sandra Volsky- Aurora
Dr. Linden/Forensic Expert- Lindsay
Officer Sandhu- Braiden?
Jaime Pymar- Jose
Jay Rayan- Jose
Kris Ty- Cayden?
Mock Trial Role Application Instructions
As we prepare for the mock trial, you will need to submit a short, written application outlining your preferred roles and why you believe you are suited to them. Think of this as a cover letter: it should be clear, well-organized, and professional in tone.
Your application should include:
1. Introduction: Begin with a brief paragraph introducing yourself and stating that you are applying for a role in the mock trial.
2. Top Three Role Choices: List your top three preferred roles in order of preference (e.g., 1. Crown Counsel, 2. Defence Counsel, 3. Tom Brogue, etc).
o For each role, include a short paragraph explaining:
§ Why you are interested in the position
§ What skills, qualities, or experience you have that would make you well-suited for the role (e.g., strong speaking ability, organization, etc)
3. Conclusion: A sentence or two indicating that you are willing to take on any role assigned and will approach the task with a serious and committed attitude.
Guidelines:
Use full sentences and proper grammar.
Be thoughtful and specific—generic applications are less helpful when making role assignments.
Email it to Ms. McDonald holly.mcdonald@sd71.bc.ca
COURT ROLES
KEY ROLES (must have ranking over 80)
JUDGE (80-100%)
You must familiarize yourself with the charge and with courtroom procedure for such a trial, run the trial from start to finish (with the help of the clerk), including reading of the charge, the plea, calling of witnesses, verdict and sentence if necessary.
CROWN COUNSEL (3-4 people) (80-100%)
You represent the Canadian government. You must establish a case, prepare arguments and questions and call witnesses in an attempt to obtain a guilty verdict. Divide the tasks and work out strategies amongst yourselves to best accomplish this job.
DEFENCE COUNSEL (3-4 people) (80-100%)
Your job is to construct a defense for Brogue. You must prepare arguments, questions and call witnesses in an attempt to obtain a verdict of not guilty. Divide the tasks and work out strategies amongst yourselves to best accomplish this job.
SECONDARY ROLES- THESE ROLES ARE CUT OR DOUBLE WITH WITNESS ROLES
CLERK (50-75%)- eliminated due to class size
It is your job to assist the judge, both in research before the trial and in the running of the trial itself. You should familiarize yourself with the duties of the courtroom clerk.
SHERIFF (50-70%) - eliminated due to class size
You have the powers of a constable in the courtroom and will provide security for the judge and jury. You are also responsible for the security of the accused.
JURORS (6-8 people) (50-60%)- do not apply, will be made up of witnesses who want extra credit
It is your job to hear the evidence at the trial, and to decide at the conclusion of the trial as to the defendant’s innocence or guilt.
CHARACTER ROLES
THE ACCUSED- MAJOR - WALLY BROGUE (70-85%)
Wally Brogue is 30 years old and is a teacher and counselor at a local high school. He has been charged with murdering David Benning, a man who he believes framed his brother Tom in a drug trafficking case. Wally is very close to Tom and is convinced his brother is innocent of any wrongdoing. He has never been in trouble with the law before and claims to hate violence.
Shortly before David Benning’s death, Wally visited Tom in prison. Wally felt frustrated and angry during this meeting. He was very concerned about Tom’s mental state and decided he should do everything he could to help Tom.
WITNESSES- MAJOR
PETER POMAS (70-85%)
24 years old, you are an inmate at the North Vancouver City Jail. You are from Toronto and moved out the west coast at a young age with your mother. You were kicked out of school in the 9th grade and have been in and out of trouble all your life.
BONNIE BRAGER (70-85%)
28 years old, you are a real estate agent and lives at 4119 Hadden Place, apartment 1509. You met Wally Brogue – a teacher – through mutual friends and have been going out with him for about one year. You and Wally are engaged to be married.
OFFICER LOW (70-85%)
35 years old, you were the senior officer attending the incident at #405-509 Industrial Street on July 14, 1986. You worked your way up the ranks and were at the time partnered with a rookie officer named Sandu. You are experienced in the many facets of being an officer including murder investigation, crime scene analysis, evidence collection, and blood alcohol analysis.
TOM BROGUE (70-85%)
You are the younger brother of Wally Brogue. You met David while you were in high school through drugs. You knew that David was a low-level drug dealer but also knew that he had a violent history. In 1986, you were in between jobs and had to borrow money from David for drugs. David offered you a deal in which you would not have to repay him if you took the fall for a Drug Trafficking charge that was facing David. You were found guilty of trafficking and sentenced to 9 months in jail plus a year of probation. On July 7th your brother came to visit you and he seemed more upset than usual regarding your current situation. You expressed concerns about being able to stay clean after you get out of jail.
SANDRA VOLSKY (70-85%)
18 years old, you are the girlfriend of David Benning – the deceased. You have not been in school since grade 10. You have been going out with David Benning for about two years and moved in with him the January before this incident. On the evening of July 14, you was with David at your apartment, #405 – 509 Industrial Street. You were listening to music on your portable stereo radio – cassette tape player and watching TV. Both of you were mildly stoned. You had smoked a joint of marijuana with David, who had also been drinking beer.
WITNESSES- MINOR
DR. LINDEN (55-70%)
You are a coroner in the city and have been for 10 years. You specialize in tissue damage and have testified at many trials as an expert.
OFFICER SANDU (55-70%)
Aged 23, you were a rookie officer attending the incident at #405 -509 Industrial Street on July 14. You just graduated from the police academy and were partnered with Officer Low who is an experienced mentor showing you the ropes.
JAIME PYMAR (55-70%)
You are a 911 operator. You are responsible for taking all calls, recording and documenting all calls, and contacting the dispatcher for the appropriate emergency. You were working the night of the incident.
JAY RAYAN (55-70%)
18 year old server at a local restaurant named Luigi’s Pasta Palace. You have been working there for the last three years. You dropped out in grade 10 with a very close friend of yours named Sandra Volsky and have been working at the restaurant ever since.
KRIS TY (55-70%)
40 year old owner of “Ty Building” a construction and renovation business. Ty Building specializes in multi-level residential apartment complexes and condominiums.
FORENSIC EXPERT (55-70%)
You are a forensic specialist with over 10 years of experience in crime scene analysis and evidence examination. You analyze witness testimony, crime scene physical evidence, and behaviour patterns and use this information to come up with your report.
Ranking over 80 (based on combination of grade and attendance)
Only the following students may choose to apply for the “key roles” in the mock trial:
Block C: Marcus, Helena, Ella, David, Sophia, Kami, Emily, Caio, Emma, Sonja
Block D: Everett, Ellie, Shyann, Carson, Ezrie, Sonja, Alex, Brooke, Dawson
*Other students can apply for all other roles except the “key roles” of judge or lawyer