Summer Honors Institute Wraps the Week with Mock Trial

It was a fictional scenario that had the makings of a movie-style drama. Did two young men take what appeared to be a gun on school property, or were they victims of a setup? High school students played the roles of the defendants, witnesses, the prosecution and the defense in this mock trial that explored real issues as they wrapped up a week exploring the Summer Institute for Honors Students at the University of Cincinnati.

For the first time, the institute run by the College of Evening and Continuing Education was open to honors students around the Tristate who were within driving distance to UC. A total of 12 students entering their sophomore, junior or senior year in high school explored the program, "Law, Language and Society" June 18-22, under the guidance of local attorney Michael Delaney and Cynthia Ris, an attorney and UC doctoral student in the department of English.

As part of the weeklong institute, students learned about jobs and current issues affecting the legal profession, plus they took a tour of the Hamilton County Courthouse and even sat in on a murder trial in Judge Steve Martin's courtroom. Delaney adds that students heard an audio taped confession the suspect gave to police.

The students' own mock trial took place in the College of Law's courtroom, and was presided over by Campbell County Judge Greg Popovich. The mock trial centered on an incident at the fictional Governor High School. The setup: an apparent gun, found in a trashcan in the school locker room. The accused were played by Ryan Kauffman of Campbell County High School, and Bob Brocker of Canfield High School.

As the judge read the charges, he explained the weapon turned out to be a harmless AirSoft gun which shoots plastic BBs, but according to the code of conduct at the fictional high school, anything that appeared to be a weapon was grounds for disciplinary action.

The prosecution, played by Matt Zuzik (Canfield High School), Richard Schulman (Finneytown High School) and Yarl Balachanbran (Seven Hills High School), laid out their case. The defense team was played by David Weiman (Sycamore High), Jamie Bickel (Campbell County), Kalyn S. Hill (Walnut Hills), Joseph Krafte-Jacobs (Anderson High), and Tricia Simpson (McAuley) High.

The case was more complicated than a soap opera plot, including jealous boyfriends, medical mysteries and accusations flying fast and furious.

"I've been teaching this institute four years with Cynthia Ris and this year, we wanted to set something up that did not mean an automatic win for the prosecution," explained local attorney Michael Delaney. "This mock trial involved a disciplinary action instead of a civil case, so it wasn't a matter of convicting someone beyond a reasonable doubt, but instead examining the preponderance of evidence."

Linda Garrett was one of the parents who attended the mock trial. She enrolled her son Ryan Kauffman in the Institute after she read on the UC News and Events website that the Institute was open to Northern Kentucky students this year. Ryan attends Campbell County High School in Alexandria, Kentucky. "He really enjoyed this and spoke of the different things they did all week. He was really excited about the tour of the Hamilton County Courthouse."

"This group of kids was mature and inquisitive. We had a great group this year," said Delaney. "We're looking forward to doing this next year."

Gay Laughlin, UC administrative coordinator and organizer, says since 1986, the Institute has provided high school students opportunities to explore a unique education outside their classroom. "This was a very involved group and they also had opportunities to work together on depositions and plea bargaining exercises and other legal issues." Laughlin adds she heard a very positive response from parents of the students. "They were very complimentary about it."