Holy Cross’ Young Lawyers Prove "Re-MOCK-able" at Yale University Mock Trial Invitational Tournament

Holy Cross Mock Trial sent four teams to the 2004 Yale Invitational Mock Trial Tournament on Friday, Dec. 3 and Saturday, Dec. 4, earning a sixth place team finish and a host of individual awards.

Earning an overall team award with a nearly seamless case was Liz Letak ‘06, Adam Zybulewski ‘05, Brendan Missett ‘08, Jessica McCaffrey ‘08, Jon King ‘07, Mike Collins ‘07, Steve Meahl ‘07, and Jared Hasten ‘05.

Tiffany Kouri ’06 and Erin Robert ’06 received individual awards in the category of "best witness."  Receiving "best attorney" awards were Kim Richardson ‘06, Katie Manzi ‘08, and Liz Letak ‘06, who earned a perfect score.  Erin Robert ’06 and Liz Letak ’06 both placed first in their respective categories.

Started in the fall of 1997 at Holy Cross, Mock Trial is an opportunity for undergraduate students to learn about trial techniques used by lawyers in the courtroom. Teams consist of six to eight students who take on the roles of attorneys and witnesses in a simulated court case. Participants gain experience and knowledge in areas such as the stages of a trial, how to argue objections, and how to direct and cross-examine a witness.

This year's case, Tony Kissner vs. The Polk Hospital of Midlands, involved a lawsuit in which Kissner accused the hospital of negligence in allowing a former patient, Martin Dutcher, to be released from their institution even though he suffered from an aggressive behavior disorder.  Kissner, who was an up and coming amateur golfer pursuing a professional career, was attacked and injured by Dutcher just days after his release from the hospital.

Led by educating coaches Ed McDermott '79 and Carey Smith '79, partners in the Worcester law firm of Morrison, Mahoney, & Miller; and Scott Sandstrom, Holy Cross pre-law advisor and economics professor, Holy Cross mock trial has enjoyed great successes already this year.  In November, a Holy Cross team finished in fourth place in the 2004 Ocean State Mock Trial Invitational Tournament.  Four of the 20 individual awards also went to Holy Cross students, including the overall "best attorney" award which was presented to Liz Letak ’06, and the overall "best witness" award which was given to Mike Collins '07.

With the mock trial season still very young, the team is thrilled with its successes and optimistic about the future, looking to mock the floor with the competition.