UC Law Prof To Help Lead 'Margaret Garner' Program

The Cincinnati Opera's staging this summer of "Margaret Garner" is attracting quite a bit of interest. Now an event involving a member of the University of Cincinnati College of Law will look at the legal aspects involved in Garner's historic case.

On July 19, the Cincinnati Opera, the Ohio Chapter of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center will present, "A Mock Trial: State of Ohio v. Margaret Garner." UC Associate Professor of Law Kristin Brandser will be moderating a panel discussion as part of the event, which will take place at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center on July 19 at 7 p.m.

Garner's case, in which she killed one of her children as pursuers closed in rather than returning to lives as slaves, caused intense public debate over the issue of the Fugitive Slave Act and over slavery itself. However, the only trial of Garner that occurred was a hearing before a Federal Commissioner to decide whether she should be returned to her owner. The magistrate ordered her and the other captured slaves returned to Kentucky. Garner was never tried for murder.

Members of the Ohio Chapter of the American College of Trial Lawyers have created a fascinating mock trial of the murder charge against Garner, including witness testimony. The program will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by Brandser and featuring Carl Westmoreland, Judge James L. Graham and Judge Nataniel Jones.

Admission to the program is free, but reservations are required. To reserve a spot, call 513-333-7737. Directions and parking instructions can be found at www.freedomcenter.org.

The program comes in conjunction with the Cincinnati Opera's staging of a popular new opera starring Denyce Graves based on the Garner case. The opera has two more performances scheduled, on July 16 and 22.