ArkBar News
Virtual
2021 Arkansas High School Mock Trial Competition The annual Arkansas High School Mock Trial Competition was held on March 6 and 20, 2021. As the legal profession adapted to the changing world, so did the competition. With the closure of many public spaces, the 2021 competition was held virtually using the Zoom platform. Eleven teams participated in this year’s competition. In the Championship Round, Springdale Har-Ber High School narrowly defeated Conway High THANK YOU TO THE School to become the Arkansas State VOLUNTEERS! Champion. Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Dan Kemp presided over the Championship Round. Arkansas Adrienne Morris Griffis, Co-Chair Bar Association President Paul Keith, Anthony L. McMullen, Co-Chair Arkansas Bar Association PresidentMelanie Ann Beltran Elect Designee Joe Kolb, and Senior Beverly I. Brister Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Kelly Brown Merritt served as scoring judges. Har-Ber represented Arkansas at the Robert S. Coleman National High School Mock Trial Meagan Elizabeth Davis Championship, held virtually on Amy Freedman May 13-15, 2021, and achieved a 2-2 Sarah E. Greenwood record. Michael B. Heister This year’s state case was State of Johnathan D. Horton Arkansas v. Andie Martin. Martin, Lori D. Howard a semi-professional MMA fighter, Christopher M. Hussein was charged with second-degree Matthew C. Hutsell murder after Martin allegedly Adam Donner Jackson assaulted someone in a bar fight. The Top photo: Screenshot image of the debriefing Paul W. Keith prosecution’s theory was that Martin session following the regional championship Chief Justice Dan Kemp lost control after a championship round. Bottom two photos: the Har-Ber team Joe Kolb game. Martin pleaded self-defense. competing in the national competition. The case was authored by a group of Gabriel D. Mallard law students and mock trial alumni with the assistance of Mock Trial Subcommittee co-chair William C. Mann Anthony McMullen. The students involved were Abigail Hustead (University of Arkansas Class Richard Bryant Marshall of 2021), Nathan Johnson (UA-Little Rock Bowen School of Law Class of 2021), Olivia Moore Heather Renee Martin-Herron (Hendrix College Class of 2022), CJ Parrish (University of Central Arkansas Class of 2023), and Judge Mary Spencer McGowan Bennett Stuckey (UA-Little Rock Bowen School of Law Class of 2021). This was Arkansas’ first Jennifer Merritt original case in recent memory. Robert Minarcin The Mock Trial Subcommittee would like to thank all of the volunteers who helped make this Barrett Moore possible. Members make our competition special by serving on the Subcommittee, helping to Ashley Elizabeth Norman start programs at their local high schools, volunteering as attorney-coaches, and serving as judges Constance Brown Phillips for the competition. With the 2021 competition year complete, the Subcommittee has started Natalie Elizabeth Ramm planning for the 2022 competition year. Casey Nicole Richmond In addition, Little Rock will serve as host for the National High School Mock Trial Jordan Brown Tinsley Championship in 2023. The Arkansas Mock Trial Foundation, Inc. is tasked with fundraising and hosting this endeavor. If you are interested in serving on the steering committee or sponsoring James D. Tomlin the event, contact Foundation Board President Jordan Tinsley (jordan@tyattorney.com). Timothy F. Watson If you are interested in becoming a member of the Mock Trial Subcommittee or in Matthew D. Wells volunteering for the competition, contact co-chairs Anthony McMullen (anthonylmcmullen@ Nicole Marie Winters gmail.com) and Adrienne Griffis (agriffis@ddh.law). 18
The Arkansas Lawyer
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