Two of Colorado Academy’s three Mock Trial teams are moving on to the State competition on March 7 and 8, 2019, to be held in Golden, Colo. All three teams delivered commanding performances at the Regional Tournament on February 9 and 10 at Denver’s City and County Building. Eight other regional competitions will have taken place by the time State rolls around.
This year, CA’s achievement carries sadness for the many students and alumni who have been mentored by longtime Mock Trial Coach William (Bill) Carey, who passed away on February 13. Bill had coached Mock Trial students over the past decade. He was a forensic accountant and had served as an expert witness, testifying on business matters, including SEC investigations, civil and criminal fraud investigations, intellectual property, antitrust, accounting, bankruptcy, damages, and related issues. He also had experience as an arbitrator. He is survived by his wife Gayle and son Chris ’09.
The 2019 Case
More than 100 teams participate in the annual competition, and approximately 1500 students perform as attorneys and witnesses in a court case. Hundreds of attorneys, judges, teachers, and other community leaders volunteer their time to instruct students about the judicial system and the trial process through this program
The 2019 case dealt with a feud between two university professors seeking to discredit one another over documentation and research into the orders and motives that General Wilkinson gave to U.S. Army Lieutenant Zebulon Montgomery Pike on June 24, 1806 as Pike pushed westward in his exploration of the Colorado frontier. Pike’s Peak, just west of Colorado Springs, is named for him. The professors’ feud results in assault, burglary, and theft charge
In the fourth and final round of the regional competition, CA’s A and B teams squared off for first place. Faculty advisor Luis Terrazas commented, “This afternoon’s round rivaled 2014, when student-lawyers, Sam Suechting ‘14 and Alex Meyer ‘14, battled it out before a packed courthouse. Our students were at their collective best today. I am very proud of them.”
Molly Karst and Lulu Geller took home top awards for top attorney for best defense and best prosecution, respectively. Andy Guevara earned highest honors for his witness roles. It should be noted that more CA students took home top honors for their roles as both witnesses and attorneys than in any prior competition in the program’s history.
Best attorney award recipients: Molly Karst, Caroline Koclanes, Eve Angevine, Lulu Geller, Justin Ferrugia, Kayleigh Milligan, Camille Doherty, and Sloane Murphy.
Best witness award recipients: Charlie Baker, Avery Lin, Kirby Kimball, Galilea Landa-Posas, Andy Guevara, April Schwartz, Lilly Jorden, William Sharp, and Patrick Schmid.
Colorado Academy also took home the Colorado Bar Association’s Professionalism Award. The award was accepted on the team’s behalf by Alia Davis. This award is given annually to the team who represents professionalism, sportsmanship, integrity, and fair play. The mock trial coaches all agree that this award is the most significant award granted annually in the competition.
Congratulations go out to all participants on their impressive performances!