The Whittier
Miscellany MARCH 2019 • WILMINGTON FRIENDS SCHOOL’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER • WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
THE jury is out: mock trial team awaiting court The judge makes a decision on who’s argument had more logic and validity, and either sustains or overrules the objection. After all of the witnesses have testified, closing arguments are given. This year, Teague will deliver the closSince November, Wilmington Friends School’s Mock ing argument for the defense and Nakamura will deliver Trial team has been hard at work, preparing for the compeit for the plaintiff. tition on February 22nd-23rd. The A-Team is comprised Anticipating the competition, Sheppard says, “I am of twelve members, split between a plaintiff and defense really excited for our team to build off of the success we team. Each team has three attorneys and three witnesshad last year. We have a lot of promise this year and I’m es. The plaintiff ’s attorneys are Danny Nakamura ’19, optimistic about how we’ll perform. We’ve done a great Grant Sheppard ’19, and Claire Manning ’22. The plainjob of sticking to firm deadlines tiff witnesses are Kat Nix ’19, this year and I think it’s going to Nick Urick ’20, and Anniina pay off.” Lappalainen ’21. The defense Lappalainen mentioned, “I’m attorneys are Ellie Bradley ’19, excited about the competition; I Annabel Teague ’20, and Elisbelieve in our team and I think sa Belleroche ’21. The defense we will do well!” Lappalainen teswitnesses are Elise Johnson tifies on the plaintiff side as Erin ’21, Kaylyn Freeman ’22, and Sussex, retiree and shareholder of Austin Sarker-Young ’22. DAM and their stocks who feels The 2019 case is a corporate that Pat Kent (Sarker-Young) and case, and revolves around an the board of directors at DAM international company, Midhave not fulfilled their fiduciary East Stevedores Services, or duties. MESS, attempting to acquire Though there is much work a Delaware Port, through a to be done before the start of company operating that port, the competition, both teams feel Delaware Auto and Marine proud of their accomplishments Corporation, or DAM. The in preparation thus far. Mock triplaintiff is trying to prove al meets Wednesday nights from that DAM’s director, Pat Kent, 6-7:30 PM, Saturday mornings hasn’t fulfilled his fiduciary from 9-11 AM, as well as weekly duty to his shareholders, as lunch meetings, so it’s not a small MESS is offering a higher offer commitment. Following a team than DAM’s current shares are that won the state-wide compeselling at, and he has refused tition in 2016 and 2017, and a their offer. The defense is tryslightly disappointing defeat last ing to prove that MESS poses Captain Danny Nakamura ’19, Nic Urick ’20, and Annabel Teague ’20 working on their upcoming year, the pressure is on. Make a threat to national security, case. sure to wish good luck to your and is tied to terrorism. Both mock trial-ing peers! sides must prove their side beResults Update from club faculty advisor Betsy Renyond the burden of a reasonable doubt. tiff then presents their three witnesses, who are subject to What is often confused by non-mock trial participants direct and cross-examination. Following the plaintiff, the zo: “I just returned from two long and wonderful days of is that our defense and plaintiff teams do not go against defense presents their three witnesses in the same man- Mock trial with our amazing students. We won 3 out of each other in the actual competition. They go one at a ner. During these examinations, lawyers on the opposing 4 rounds, and ended up getting 5th place! We’re thrilled time against other schools’ teams from various schools in teams may object to a question posed by the lawyer or with this result, as we faced one truly incredible team tothe state. During the competition, one of our teams will answers given by the witness. These objections are usually day from St. Elizabeth’s. Best attorney gavels were given to Claire Manning, go during the morning and the other will go during the to hearsay, speculation, relevance, character evidence, or afternoon, and this order may be repeated or flipped the the scope. When an objection is made, the lawyer being Ellie Bradley, and Elissa Belleroche and best witness gavfollowing day. There are four rounds total, and each gets objected to is given an opportunity to respond to the ob- els were given to Elise Johnson, Nick Urick, and Austin more difficult or more easy depending on how your team jection, and say why the objection is faulty or inaccurate. Sarker-Young!” did the previous round. For example, if you lose the first round in the morning, your afternoon may be less difficult to win because you are going against another team that lost. Rounds are judged by a local judge, and the rounds are scored by lawyers and judges from Delaware who take time out of their jobs to watch and evaluate the teams’ work. The way that a mock trial is set up is actually pretty simple. First are opening statements, delivered by Bradley for the defense and Sheppard for the plaintiff. The plain-
Photo contributed by Connor Miller
Ellie Bradley ’19 News Editor