New Castle’s Mock Trial team was at the Butler Courthouse in their mock trial competition on February 5th and 6th. The team this year had to play the case of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Addison Booker. The team was headed by lead council Akirah Kimmel and her co-council, Justin Byers and Karen Murphy. They were joined by their witnesses Jordan Byers (Sam Chestnut), Allyson Brigeman (Detective Jayden Kobayashi), Bethany Ruiz (Robin Lesco), David Jackson (Pookey Thomas), William Hughes (Addison Booker), and Keith Buckenheimer (Phoenix Webb). They were also joined by Zack Hoxworth (Timekeeper).

On Day 1 of the trial, New Castle was on the defense and were looking for a not guilty verdict. When the case was all said and done and the Jury came back from deliberation. Addison Booker was relieved when he heard the words “We the Jury find the defendant Addison Booker Not Guilty on all counts.” That means New Castle would win round 1 and would come back tomorrow and play on the prosecution team.

On Day 2 of the trial, New Castle was on the prosecution and were looking for a guilty verdict. It was another easy case for the New Castle team and the jury came back with a guilty verdict and that meant New Castle had won both of there court cases and to come back for a 3rd day to play other two teams that also won on both days.

On Day 3 of the trial, the team knew it was not going to be an easy case with it only being undefeated teams for day 3 and they would have to play twice, but the team knew they had a strong argument on both sides and they were ready to put up a fight either way. New Castle was on the prosecution for the trial and just wanted to play a repeat of yesterday and get a guilty verdict, but unfortunately for New Castle, the jury came back with a not guilty verdict.

New Castle would end the district competition at a record of 2-1 and 3rd place overall. New Castle is now waiting to see if their performance was good enough to make the district playoffs.

Good job to our Mock Trial Team!