Washington Courts: Judicial News Report Detail

1998 YMCA Mock Trial Champion: Franklin High School

Franklin High School took top honors this Sunday, March 29, as the 1998 champion of the state-wide YMCA Mock Trial Competition. The team is now eligible to compete in the National High School Mock Trial Championship set for May 8-10, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Twenty high school teams from across the state competed for the title in a two-day, five-round competition this weekend, arguing the prosecution and defense sides of State v. Jones, based on a real case involving a homicide that ended a history of domestic violence between the defendant and the victim. Students argued the case before experienced trial judges while real attorneys rated their performances.

Designed to give students a special, hands-on look at the issue of domestic violence, funds to support development of the case were supplied by the state Supreme Court’s Gender and Justice Commission.

Top ten finalists of the competition are as follows:

1st place: Franklin 2nd place: Ridgefield

3rd place: Fort Vancouver (Varsity) 4th place: University Prep (B)

5th place: University Prep (A) 6th place: Lynden (Team 1)

7th place: Fort Vancouver (JV) 8th place: Richland (Gold)

9th place: River Ridge 10th place: Lynden (2)

Awards were also given to individual members of the teams. Outstanding attorney awards went to Holly Attolini and Jessie Nymeyer of Lynden High School; Joe Sparks of Kennewick and Brittney Anderson of Richland High School. Outstanding witness awards went to Michael Stirling of Fort Vancouver and Mike Matousek of Eatonville.

CONTACTS: Judge Craig Matheson, Benton/Franklin Superior Courts (509) 736-3071 or (509) 545-3525; Sue Anderson, YMCA Mock Trial Coordinator, (360) 705-3323 or (360) 534-0155; Bob Henderson, Office of the Administrator for the Courts, (360) 705-5319.