“It is ridiculous that it’s even a debate! The evidence against Adam Smith is so overwhelming that his lawyer’s deficient performance would have had no affect whatsoever on the results of his trial,” said senior Schuyler Dick, expert witness for the prosecution, as she claimed Adam Smith had no right to a retrial for the murder of his ex-girlfriend.

This year’s Mock Trial case concerned the fictional Adam Smith, a man convicted of the murder of Hayley Leigh. He had been sentenced to a life in prison. Now, he is in his late thirties and has filed a post conviction motion for a new trial. Regardless of Smith’s guilt or innocence, defense attorney Patrick Delaney, ’19, explained that “people forget that what’s being debated [in court] isn’t Adam Smith’s guilt or innocence. The only thing at debate is whether he deserves a new trial.”

On Friday, January 26, the Walsh Jesuit Mock Trial team donned their suits and briefcases and traveled to downtown Akron to compete in the District Mock Trial Competition. High school students put together a trial complete with witness testimonies, opening and closing arguments, rebuttals and verdicts decided by local judges and lawyers.

Each school team is made up of a defense and prosecution team consisting of two lawyers and two witnesses. “Being a witness is so exhilarating! I love battling it out with the other side’s lawyers when I’m being cross examined,” expert witness Amanda Raynow, ’20, exclaimed.

The Walsh Jesuit team triumphed on multiple levels. For the first time in years, the Walsh Gold team defeated the dreaded powerhouse Hoban.

In addition, senior Ashley O’Rourke was awarded best attorney and classmate Schuyler Dick, best witness. “It was a great feeling not only winning our trial, but also seeing the hard work we put into it paying off,” remarked Ashley. Meanwhile, in the afternoon trial, Grace Ruane was awarded best attorney.

Because this club requires a lot of work, it serves as excellent preparation for a career in law. Prosecution attorney Grace Nemer, ’20, noted that “it’s a lot [of work], but the better prepared you are, the better you’ll do. Hard work does pay off.”

For three years, the Walsh Jesuit Mock Trial team has continued to grow in their performance at the District competition. This year, the Mock Trial team will be advancing to the Regional competition in the Akron Courthouse downtown on Friday, February 16, at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Those interested in attending should contact faculty moderator Mrs. Catherine Marquard via e-mail for the specific room assignments. (Remember — there’s no school that day.)

The team would like to express deepest sympathies to the Bell family. Daniel Bell, father of Phil Bell, ’16, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 28. Mr. Bell was kind enough to donate his time to the Mock Trial team, meeting after school to help develop arguments and establish court etiquette. He will be greatly missed.