The Prout School’s Mock Trial Team – in its own parkour challenge (with back-to-back trials and last-minute substitutions) - defeated a very strong Moses Brown in the Elite Eight/Round Two of the playoffs in Rhode Island Legal Education Foundation’s Annual Mock Trial Competition before the Honorable Susan Pepin Fay at J. Joseph Garrahy Judicial Complex in Providence.  Bearing a heavy burden to prove the murder case beyond a reasonable doubt, prosecution attorneys Bella Crupe, Sara Slitt and Gabby Andrade left no doubt that defendant Quinn Penner had “his right hand on the wall, left hand on the gun, and both hands guilty”.  Bella’s opening statement was an absolute mic drop prompting Judge Fay to commend Bella on her outstanding, composed, and illustrative presentation.  Sara’s direct examination of Jaime Spalding, the gym owner, could not have been more deliberate and professional, particularly since the witness role was played by Siena, a defense team lawyer who had only a couple of days to prepare for this role.  Siena gave clear and convincing testimony (remarkably, without hesitation or wavering) that Detective Penner within 30 (not 15) minutes could have easily left the bar, grabbed his gun, ran the few blocks to the scene, committed the murder and returned, out of breath, for the rest of the game.  Sara’s exceptional technique while introducing as evidence and publishing through her witness the street map surely garnered close attention from the jury and spectators.  Ebby, as Lee Hayes, likewise left little doubt through Bella’s guided direct examination that Penner killed her cousin, expressing the perfect mix of remorse and anguish.  Ebby also stood her ground during a tough cross-examination reflecting that she could see clearly certain distinctive features of the killer that night.  Emma might have sealed the decision with her expert testimony as Kris Vinson, Forensic Specialist (as opposed to Monday’s trial when she portrayed defendant Quinn Penner).  Emma has such an excellent and convincing demeanor as a scientific expert that her direct examination was riveting; and she gave opposing counsel no leeway on cross-examination, adamantly distinguishing the significance of the cigarette pack dropped by the killer and loose cigarettes in the alley.  All three lawyers also demonstrated fantastic skills with introducing evidence and interposing/defending objections.  Rules Expert Sophie Hipsman watched over with a careful eye.  Gabby had the last word in her closing statement, summarizing the “devastating evidence” so the jury had no choice but to find Penner guilty on all counts.

Crusaders will next appear in the Final Four/Semi Final Round, taking place on Thursday, February 26th at 4:00 p.m. (3:30 p.m. arrival) at U.S. Federal District Court in Providence.