Grady High School beat Jonesboro High School to once again capture the Georgia Mock Trial Competition at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center in Lawrenceville over the weekend. Grady and Jonesboro made the finals after beating Macon’s Central High and Athens’ Clark Central, respectively, in the semifinals.
According to a press release from the Georgia Mock Trial group, this year’s state mock trial case presented a criminal problem, State of Georgia v. Clay/Claire Stafford. In the case, the defendant (Stafford) is accused of aggravated assault against a classmate during a graduation party. Teams have been working to perfect their presentations since the case was released on Nov. 16. The new national case that the Grady team will prepare for the tournament in May will be released on April 1.
Justice David Nahmias of the Georgia Supreme Court and Judge Melodie Clayton of Cobb County State Court presided over the final rounds that determined that Grady High will represent the state in the national tournament to be held May 5-9 in Philadelphia, Pa., the release said.
Teams are evaluated on their ability to make a logical, cohesive and persuasive presentation, rather than on the legal merits of the case, the release said. There are no verdicts handed down during mock trial competition rounds. The objective of the mock trial program is to further students’ understanding of court procedure and the legal system; to improve proficiency in basic skills such as listening, speaking, reading and reasoning; to promote better communication and cooperation between the educational and legal community; to provide a competitive event in an academic atmosphere; and to promote cooperation among you people of various abilities and interests.
The Grady team is coached by Brian Leahy, with assistance from attorney coaches Carl Gebo (Adorno & Yoss, LLP, Atlanta), Trinh Huynh (Alston & Bird, Atlanta), Cecily McLeod and Jay Patton. Team members: Abena Amoakuh, Jasmine Burnett, Kenny Cochran, Molly Daniel, Phillip Dickson, Ben Gittelson, Atiana Johnson, Nile Kendall, Nally Kinnane, Shaun Kleber, Troy Kleber, Miller Lansing, Elizabeth McGlamry, Caroline McKay, Jasmine Scott-Prince, Katherine Sherwood, Sam Weinstock, Jay Williams, and Alix Youngblood.
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