Students battle it out in court

WINNING ARGUMENT- Members of the Sierra Canyon Middle School's mock trial team celebrate their win in the Constitutional Rights Foundation mock trial competition. From left, Matt Tinoco of Simi Valley, Peter Ro of Northridge, Zach Kelfer of Chatsworth and Ross Haukoos of Agoura. The team from Louisville High School in Woodland Hills took first place in the high school division. ANDREA TINOCO Special to The Acorn The mock trial team of Louisville High School in Woodland Hills won its sixth Los Angeles County Mock Trial Championship on Nov. 29. It's the second time in four years the all-girls team has won the title. They now move on to the California State competition in March.

Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth took the title in the middle school competition which pitted 39 teams from all over Los Angeles County. Sierra Canyon middle school has won the competition five times in the last 12 years, most recently under the direction of teacher coach Jennifer Lichtman and attorney coach James Lichtman.

The winning schools have students from the Conejo Valley, the San Fernando Valley, Simi Valley and other areas.

The mock trial program, created by the Constitutional Rights Foundation, helps students gain a working knowledge of the judicial system while fostering an understanding of the obligations and responsibilities as participating members of a democratic society. About 8,000 students in 36 counties throughout California participate in the program each year.

The case this year, People v. Palmer, involves the murder of a Hollywood producer, Jess Markson, who was shot to death following a party in his Hollywood Hills mansion. The challenge for the mock trial teams was two-fold: While the prosecution teams tried to finger defendant Alex Palmer, the defense teams sought to raise enough reasonable doubt to set him free.

Both high school and middle school students had to plead their cases before seated judges in the L.A. County Superior Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles and were judged by panels of practicing attorneys. Students are scored individually on their legal skills and not on whether the defendant was found guilty or innocent.

Leading the Louisville High School mock trial team, Michael Telesca was pleased with how well his student attorneys listened and made objections. "I was particularly impressed because we were able to keep out the prosecution's case with our aggressive objections," said Telesca.

Meeting Gabrielino High School in the final round presented a rematch for Louisville, which previously faced this team for the County Championship in 2004. The turning point came when the witnesses for the defense were evasive, trying to spin the evidence to support their side. Telesca said, "Our attorneys successfully controlled their witnesses during cross-examination."

Sierra Canyon School's middle school team also argued People v. Palmer through five rounds over the last month, ultimately defeating Chaminade Middle School in the finals to bring home the gold.

Team members from both schools agreed that they bring diverse skills to the table.

"We all fit our roles very well," said Louisville's Elizabeth Romero. "The casting is done according to personality. We are also not afraid to ask for criticism and corrections from each other during our intense preparation."

Sister Myra McPartland, Louisville school president, said, "Being present in that courtroom last night and seeing our young women demonstrate their knowledge of the law gave me great hope for the future of our justice system."

For more information, visit www.crf-USA.org.