Team coach Katie Padrick said, “We won the round with all three scoring judges, who are real attorneys in Kern County. Our average score was an 8.1 out of 10 for each student role, which is an impressive score for a first-round competition.”
Liberty’s Prosecution Team will compete against East High School on Wednesday, Jan. 8, in our next round of the Kern County Competition.
This year's Mock Trial case is People v. Gold. Logan Gold is on trial for the alleged kidnapping of her spouse's rival in a local election for city council.
Pretrial Attorney Remy Comstock argued the constitutionality of the use of a statement made by the defendant while in police custody after the defendant had already invoked her right to remain silent until an attorney was present.
Trial Attorney Keen Nguyen presented opening statements for the defense, then direct-examined CJ Costly, portrayed by Bailee Payne, and cross-examined BHS's Deputy Kim.
Trial Attorney Lauren Pudiwitr direct-examined defense expert Dr. Kody Palmer, portrayed by Lucas Clegg, and cross examined BHS's Dr. Forrest and journalist Ali Sandoval.
Trial Attorney Noah Berjis direct-examined Harper Dorais, portrayed by Maren Seals, and the defendant Logan Gold, portrayed by Riley Douglas. Noah Berjis also cross-examined the BHS team's "victim" Taylor Alexander and presented the closing arguments for the case in defense of his client Logan Gold. Logan Gold, portrayed by Riley Douglas, was found not guilty at the end of all evidence and was free to return to school the next day.
The Best Attorney Award was presented to Noah Bergis and Best Performer Award was presented to Remy Comstock during Round 1 of the Kern County Mock Trial Competition.
Liberty’s Mock Trial Defense and Prosecution teams also scrimmaged against Morro Bay High School, Redwood High School, Atascadero High School, and Justin Garza High School over the last two weeks. This past Saturday, Dec. 14th, students competed in four rounds at the Clovis North Invitational Tournament and did very well, according to Mrs. Padrick.
Current Mock Trial Team Member List: Abby (Abigail) Reza, Bailee Payne, Bobby (Robert) Clegg, Braden Mendiburu, Elenis Southerd, Ethan Bajwa, Evelyn Orozco, Jaden Lee, Janet Luo, Jayce Hayen-Henden, Kaylyn Mosquera, Keen Nguyen, Kenzie Lowrey, Lauren Pudiwitr, Lily Bossi, Lucas (Joseph) Clegg, Madyson Hampton, Maren Seals, Natalie Rizo, Noah Berjis, Rahul Bhavsar, Rebekah Jackson, Remy (Ethan) Comstock, Riley Douglas, Ryan Datta, Sheanna Dimen, and Venice Pineda.