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Mock Trial Teaches Students about Real-World Judiciary

Earlier this week, high school students in the Mock Trial elective taught by Head of School Matt Green, enacted The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Taylor Edsel, a trial used by the State Bar as a case study for law students. 

To prepare for the trial, students carefully read a brief and adopted and played all of the roles seriously. Students served as attorneys for both the prosecution and the defense, witnesses, and jurors.

Defendant Edsel was accused of arson in the first degree. During the trial, we learned from the witnesses that Mr. Edsel had been incarcerated previously for arson, and had been reprimanded for arson activities from the early age of 8 years old. Attorneys and witnesses all painted a clear picture of a child who grew up in a stressful situation as his mother abandoned him and his father ignored him. He used fire as a coping mechanism.

Evidence presented showed that at the burned-down plant of his employer, Nash Electromotive, Mr. Edsel called 911 and was seen in burned clothes. The accelerant was identified as lighter fluid and appeared to be lit inside vulcanized rubber –Edsel’s “weapon” of choice. In the end, jurors found the defendant guilty.

“I thoroughly enjoyed being a defense attorney during our mock trial. Even though the jury found the defendant guilty of arson, the opportunity of being a lawyer and learning how the judicial system and trials work was a fun experience,” said Ben Giumetti ‘23. “The thing I enjoyed most was actually being a member of the defense even though the evidence clearly pointed to the defendant's guilt because it forced the defense team to think more in-depth of holes in the prosecution's case and potential explanations for shady events.” 

Prosecution attorney Mateo Vazquez ’23 agreed. “I had a lot of fun.  We got really in-depth with the case materials, and I was really impressed with the way all the lawyers and witnesses conducted themselves.  It was a great experience, and I'm excited to see what trial we'll have next.”

Click here to watch the mock trial in full.
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