Red Bend Catholic College's Mock Trial team has won the Western Country Regional Final.
The team of Thomas Devitt, Kate Hazelton, Rory Jay, Eleanor Martin, Luke Melisi, Amelia Sweeney and Eliza Unger, reached the regional final by winning all four round robin trials against Condobolin High School, Sacred Heart Cootamundra, Young High School and All Saints Bathurst.
Red Bend went on to defeat Mudgee High School and then Kelso High in the elimination finals.
The trial against Kelso High School held at Cowra Court House was a criminal case, with Kelso as the prosecution and Red Bend the defence.
Kelso accused Amelia Sweeney (first witness) a retail assistant studying to be an actress, of stealing a diary from her place of work. Amelia was charged with larceny.
Kelso’s first witness, a police officer was cross examined by Kate (first barrister) and her objections to the police officer’s statements were effective.
However, it was Kate’s cross examination that rattled the police officer.
Kate was ruthless, challenging the police officer on her statement and successfully sowing seeds of doubt in the prosecution’s evidence.
She gained confidence from her cross examination to open up the defence’s case with a concise and sound opening address.
Kate put to the court that it was near impossible for the prosecution to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Amelia was guilty.
Amelia was expertly guided through her statement by Kate.
Kelso objected to a number of aspects of Amelia’s recollection of events however, Amelia did not falter during cross examination.
Kelso were determined to establish her guilt however, Amelia maintained her dignity and brushed aside any suggestions that she lying to the court.
Carl (second witness), a friend of Amelia, had given her a diary as a gift for her birthday.
The diary, coincidentally was similar to the one Amelia had been accused of stealing.
Carl’s recitation of his statement was excellent, as was his responses during cross examination. The second barrister from Kelso tried to force Carl, through clever questioning, to admit that he was covering for his friend.
Carl was far too quick witted to be put off by the Kelso barrister, maintaining his composure as he denied any suggestions that he was covering up for Amelia.
Rory Jay (second barrister) is to be commended on his well prepared closing address.
It was Rory’s final address that put the final nail in the coffin for the prosecution.
Rory referred to the facts, issues, legal principles and evidence of the case to demonstrate that the prosecution had failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Amelia was guilty of larceny. Prior to the trial Eleanor Martin (solicitor) prepared pre-trial notes and possible cross examination questions for all witnesses.
During the trial, Eleanor continually provided advice on objections and cross examination questions for Red Bend’s two barristers.
The Magistrate was particularly pleased with the detail in Eleanor’s trial notes.
The Magistrate’s clerk Luke Melisi kept count of objections and time. He acted for the Magistrate by announcing the case, distributing statements and keeping her informed of proceedings.
The Mock Trial team thanked staff of Cowra Court House, the Magistrate Vanessa Gibson and their coach Peter Martin.
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