Kate Santini ‘27
Staff Writer
Holy Cross was one of twenty-two schools that competed at an intercollegiate Mock Trial competition at the University of Albany on November 4. Prior, only 1 out of 10 members of the C-team, which consists of first- and second-year walk-ons, had participated in Mock Trial at a college level.
Henry Meiser ’27 and Molly Coghan ’27 express that they “did not quite know what to expect” but were “ready for anything.” Meiser comments on the adjustment from high school mock trial to college mock trial by saying that “in college, there is a considerable increase in the material you are handed.” In comparison to having 6 witnesses and 3-4 page affidavits, college students are typically met with 12 witnesses and are required to familiarize themselves with 15-20 page affidavits.
Over the span of two days, the C-team competed in four simulated trials against students from Siena College, Buffalo State University, and two different teams from the University of New Hampshire. In each of these trials, the teams alternated between prosecuting and defending positions. The affidavit for all four trials detailed a case of a billionaire robbing an art auction. The accusations included Conspiracy, Grand Theft and Possession of Stolen Property.
The trials were judged by real attorneys, paralegals and sitting judges. Meiser shared that attorneys tend to be more “stylistic” in their approach to leading a court while sitting judges tend to be more “procedural.” According to Coghan ‘27, most of what the judges offer critiques on is “not case-related but rather, presentation-related.” Students are encouraged to project their voices and avoid looking down at notes while delivering statements. Above all, Coghan shares that “confidence and sufficient preparation is key.”
Because this was the first competition for the majority of the C-team, Meiser admits that they were hoping to secure at least one victory. Instead, they came away with three! Additionally, both Meiser and Coghan took home the Outstanding Attorney Award. Pietro Romussi ‘27, who assumed the role of the defendant, says that he was “very satisfied with the outcome.”
Maggie Baughman ‘27 adds, “It was so much fun competing against other schools and getting to know other people on the team. I learned so much from my teammates and the competition. Everyone was very kind and a good sport.” The team quickly bonded over the course of the weekend. In fact, Romussi describes the team as being “very tight-knit.” Coghan adds that “there was definitely a noticeable difference in the team’s dynamic before leaving on Friday to Saturday night before the trials.”
Looking ahead, the team is preparing for a scrimmage against Lasell University and UMass Lowell this upcoming weekend. They plan on taking advantage of this scrimmage as an opportunity for experimentation, to have fun and hopefully, secure another win.
Featured image courtesy of Henry Meiser ’27.
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