By:
VLMonthly Staff Reporters
On November 14, the Courtroom was hushed as the Bailiff called the
court to order and the well-prepared lawyers proceeded to present their
case before a rapt jury.
This was Vassal Lane’s Eighth Grade Mock Trial Elective’s first
trial, and the “courtroom” was our Auditorium, transformed for the
occasion. The jury included both staff members and students, who gave up
their lunch and recess period to perform their civic duty.
The issue at trial was whether the Defendant-the shipping company
that owned and operated the legendary Titanic-was negligent in its
operation of the Titanic on that fateful night in April 1912 when the
ship struck an iceberg and sank. The Plaintiff was the Estate of a young
man who perished in the icy waters that night, and his fiancé, who
escaped to safety on a lifeboat, was a witness at the trial.
The
witnesses’ parts were played expertly by our psychology intern from
Columbia University Melanie Phruksachart, Mr. Grimm, and Stephen
Lassonde from Harvard. Melanie said “It was an honor to play a role in
the Eighth Grade mock trial! The students were so motivated, prepared,
and professional. It was great to see so many people get involved to
help make it a great experience.”
The Jury heard the lawyers’ statements and their examination of the
three witnesses, and then, after deliberating, returned a verdict
finding that the Titanic’s crew had been negligent.
The members of the elective are Adam Hermon, Jaden Jarvis, Anderson
Guichette, Helina Mekonnen, Aidan Keefer, Jackson Moore-Otto, Caroline
Workman, Dante Greco-Henderson, and Francesco Lupia. Bailiff Jaden
Jarvis said about the trial “It was very fun and very cool.” Aidan
Keefer, who made the closing argument for his client, the Defendant, had
this to say about the experience: “Outstanding! Organized and great
fun. I’m looking forward to the next time.”
Dante Greco-Henderson, also representing the Defendant, said he
thought the jury was biased. (The Jury found that his client was found
to have operated the Titanic in a negligent manner.)
But the jurors themselves reported that they carefully considered all
the facts and the law and unanimously agreed that the crew-which failed
to post ice warnings and was trying to break a speed record that
night-failed to operate the boat with the care required. Ms. Peloquin,
who was a member of the Jury, said “ I was intrigued by both the process
of the court proceedings and the level of maturity and seriousness of
the students. The lawyers in the proceedings were very professional and
presented the case in a realistic manner. It was also fun to be
discussing the case with other jurors and to come up with our "verdict".
I finally agreed with the other jurors based on their noticing a small
technicality in the case that swayed my opinion. Overall, it was a very
memorable experience.” Mr. Sharif, who was in the courtroom as a
spectator, said “I loved it. It was a great opportunity for these
scholars to argue in a reasoned fashion, incorporating legal knowledge,
and tying in historic fact.”
On December 11 the Eighth Grade Mock Trial group will travel to the
Moakley Federal Courthouse in Boston to practice arguing a First
Amendment case as part of a program sponsored by the organization
Discovering Justice.