For your calendar

Thursday, March 12
Awards Banquet @ Union Cafe, 5:00-6:30PM

Hopedale Gives Franklin Strong Challenge, but Panthers Prevail

"Honestly, I don't know where we'd be without her," claimed Coach Walsh. Walsh recognized the performance of fellow Mock Trial newcomer Jake M. Stated Walsh, "Usually, I shy away from assigning rookie seniors starting roles in Mock Trial, but I couldn't ignore Jake's phenomenal audition." In judge's chambers after the trial, Judge Rich Eustis gushed about Jake's portrayal of defendant Sazer Larsen. "He really had me believing that he had post-traumatic stress disorder," said Judge Eustis. The judge also awarded perfect scores to Mock Trial rookies Dave W. (Opening Statement AND direct of Dr. Carla Li) and sophomore Kathleen K. (cross of Dr. Dana Piltch). Of Kathleen's cross, Judge Eustis exclaimed, "That was killer!"

The entire Franklin squad had a banner day. It took a near-perfect performance from everyone to hold off a well-prepared Hopedale team, and every Panther scored at least a "9". This included senior captain Shani W. (cross of Gill Graham AND Closing Argument), junior Steph G. (cross of Dave Wallace), junior Alex T., (direct of Larsen), senior Matt H. (direct of Alex Cofman), and freshman Ryan G. (witness portrayal of Alex Cofman). Matt took home Coach Walsh's "game ball" after a compelling direct examination. Even if Hopedale had tied Franklin, the Panthers would have emerged victorious. Said Judge Eustis, "Based on overall poise and knowledge of procedure, I would have broken a tie in favor of Franklin."

Now, Franklin will cross its collective fingers and hope that somehow there is a four-way tie for first. Should the Panthers make it to the Tiebreaker Round, our trials would be the week of March 2nd. "Don't recycle your Mock Trial case quite yet -- we might have a little more work to do," said Walsh.

Experienced Algonquin Squad Too Much for Young Panthers

Coach Mike Walsh felt that the team had made some significant improvements from Week One. "Today, we were much more polished and confident than last week," he opined. The judge even awarded Franklin two bonus points for style and knowledge of procedure. At the start of the season, Mr. Walsh had given his team a quiz on the rules and procedures, with mixed results. "Considering that three months ago most of these guys had never even cracked open a Mock Trial rulebook, and today the judge recognized their superior knowledge, says a lot about how hard they have worked this season to prepare for this match," said Walsh.

In a Mock Trial, the judge is the finder of fact. There is no jury. There are two "verdicts" at the end of the trial, both determined by the judge. First, a judge will explain how, if the trial had been real, he or she would have ruled. Today, the judge found Franklin's arguments more compelling and ruled in our favor. However, the only Mock Trial "verdict" that really counts, in terms of wins and losses, is the score sheet tally. Here, the judge uses a scoring rubric to assess each and every participant, including witnesses, on a scale of 1-10. Today, there were many outstanding performances on both sides. "This was the best match I have observed in three years, and I have never given out so many 10s as I have today," the judge explained. For the second time in as many weeks, the judge found that the best performance of the day was by sophomore Andrea B. (cross of Sazer Larsen). Said the judge, "In terms of controlling the witness, you can't do better than that." Three other Panthers earned perfect scores: junior Ava P. (Opening Statement), junior Susie J. (portrayal of witness Dr. Dana Piltch), and senior Yeawoma J. (Closing Argument). Yeawoma was subject to a rare Mock Trial occurence: the judge decided to interrupt her Closing Argument several times to ask clarifying questions. Her articulate and well-reasoned responses are what put Franklin over the top in obtaining a guilty verdict, and for this reason, Coach Walsh awarded her the "game ball."

One other performance of note was by Captain Shani W., who less than an hour before we boarded the bus was informed that she would be handling a direct examination in place of Jess L., who was out sick with the flu. You would never have known that she was not the starter, and her presence at the attorney table helped contribute to a sense of calm and confidence.

After scrimmaging Westwood Friday, the Franklin Defense team heads to Milford District Court on Tuesday to face off against Hopedale. Hinted Coach Walsh, "We may have some surprise guests in the audience, so I hope everyone brings their A game."

Franklin Kicks Off 2009 Season With Win

Talk about an overhaul. After graduating all but four members of last year's team, the Panthers trotted out a green but talented squad today. Eight out of the nine Franklin competitors had never participated in a high school Mock Trial match before today. "Bellingham is well-coached and is always tough, so needless to say I am pleased as punch that we were able to walk away with a win," said coach Mike Walsh.

Today's judge congratulated both teams on their achievement. For the Panthers, the judge recognized the superb performances of sophomore Andrea B. (cross of Sazer Larsen) and junior ZW. (cross of Alex Cofman) with perfect scores of "10," and it was ZW who took home the game ball awarded by Mr. Walsh. Also earning outstanding marks of "9" were junior Ava P. (direct of D. Piltch), senior Yeawoma J. (cross of Dr. Li), and junior Susie J. (witness portrayal: Dr. Piltch).

No matter what happens next week, Coach Walsh has already found this season to be gratifying. Led by Tri-Captains Shani W., Kelsey D., and Billy C., the team has worked overtime to pull things together. Walsh, who after last season was ready to hang up his gavel after 11 years of coaching Mock Trial, told the team after the match that they had re-ignited his passion for the club. "Your enthusiasm and dedication so far this year have reminded me why I started coaching in the first place," claimed Walsh. Captain Shani W., lead attorney for the Panther Defense team, had three words for her teammates today. She saluted, "You done good!"

The 2009 Case

This year's case involves a murder charge. An Iraq War veteran's insanity defense involves post-traumatic stress disorder , a condition with which you should familiarize yourself.

Check out this tragic report about the difficulties our veterans and their loved ones are experiencing since their return from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In our case, the Prosecution will ask the judge to find the defendant guilty of first-degree murder; second-degree murder would also be considered a "victory" for the Prosecution. You can read more about the difference between first-degree and second-degree murder, including sentencing guidelines. The Mass. sentencing guidelines provides more information and includes manslaughter.

2009 Results

Wednesday, February 4
Algonquin (Defense) def. Franklin (Prosecution), 103-99

Tuesday, February 10
Franklin (Defense) def. Hopedale (Prosecution), 104-103

Club Description

Visit the Mass. Bar Association Mock Trial page.

Click here to go to Mr. Walsh's Information Center.

You can reach Mr. Walsh by email at mwalsh@franklin.k12.ma.us.

Where Are They Now?

Tim McLaughlin, Class of 2005 can be seen here in the joyous Georgetown crowd that stormed the court after the men's basketball team defeated the number one-ranked Duke Blue Devils on January 21, 2006. Tim is directly behind 7'2" center Roy Hibbert. Duke had been undefeated until the Hoyas knocked them off.