USD Mock Trial Team

Announcements - September 11

Just posting a couple of announcements from the team organizational meeting on September 7. First off, don't forget the cookout Friday the 14th. We will be meeting at 6 p.m. at Prentiss Park's south shelter. Please contact Sandy and let her know if you plan on attending. Secondly, the practice schedule has been set as 3-6 p.m. Fridays in 212 Old Main. Practices will begin on September 21, so please download the case and come prepared to discuss it. Have a great week.

Posted at 02:13PM Sep 11, 2007 by Brian Ney in General  |  Comments[2]

Introductions

Welcome back to USD for the 07-08 school year. The purpose of this page is to provide news and information on the University of South Dakota's Mock Trial Team. I know most of you are saying to yourselves "I didn't even realize we had a team." Well we do, and during the year we compete against teams from schools such as Notre Dame, Minnesota, Texas, and Iowa as well as many others. This year, the team has four returning members. Before I introduce them, however, I'd like to say thank you and good luck to those who graduated last year: Mark Joyce-USD Law School, Heather Karp-USD Law School, and, Dan Rohmiller. Those that are returning this year are: Bethany Heirigs, Tim Fischer, Jessica Classen, and, myself, Brian Ney. Also returning is our coach, Sandy McKeown, professor in the Political Science and Criminal Justice Departments. Every year the American Mock Trial Association releases a case for the teams to argue. A tournament generally consists of four rounds with a team alternating between the Prosecution for a criminal case or the Plaintiff for a civil case and the Defense. A competition team consists of between six and eight members. Members of the team usually serve as lawyers for one side of the case and witnesses for the other. This year's case summary was released in August: On November 30, 2006, Child Protective Services worker Don/Dawn Francis arrived at the home of Bobbi Campbell to remove a child from Bobbi’s care. Upon arrival, Francis entered the location and defendant Campbell stabbed Francis with a needle infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. On October 1, 2007, Campbell entered into an open guilty plea on the single charge of Assault in the Second Degree and retained the right to a jury sentence recommendation. A penalty phase will now be conducted. The State will present evidence of aggravation and the defense may present evidence of mitigation. The penalty range is five to thirty years. (American Mock Trial Association, http://www.collegemocktrial.org/php_helpers/download.php?f=case_summary_20070814130611.pdf&fc=case_summary.pdf) So check back throughout the year for updates on the team and their success in the competitions.

Posted at 03:10PM Sep 04, 2007 by Brian Ney in General  |