PCD Wins 34th Annual RI Mock Trial State Championship
GoLocalProv News Team
PCD Wins 34th Annual RI Mock Trial State Championship
"Our team this year included students who have participated in Mock Trial for a number of years. Their consistent hard work over that time, combined with this year's focus and commitment, is what led to our victory at the 2019 State Championship,” said PCD Mock Trial Coach Doug Allen.
It is PCD’s 4th Mock Trial Championship since 2005.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAllen added, “They've created a culture on the team that's productive, collaborative, and fun. There is a culture of pride without ego, and ownership without territoriality that the older students modeled by their example. The team this year continued the positive legacy for the mock trial program at PCD and we could not be prouder."
Mock Trial Championship
This year's case presented by the Rhode Island Legal Education Foundation focused on driver safety and the dangers of distracted driving.
In the case, a high school senior was charged with reckless manslaughter for allegedly texting and driving causing a car collision.
Throughout the season, each mock trial team interchangeably plays the prosecution or defense, and must be prepared to act as the attorneys, subject experts, and key witnesses.
For the state finals, PCD was assigned the defense by a coin flip 24 hours in advance of the tournament, while the prosecution was assigned to the Wheeler School.
According to jurors at the championship – which included local practicing attorneys and senior executives from AAA – both the prosecution and defense argued through opening/closing remarks, analyzing physical evidence, and questioning the experts.
However, it was PCD -- including the defendant, played by Catherine McLaughlin '19 -- who ultimately got the winning edge.
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