This past week, the Jesuit Mock Trial team went toe-to-toe with local opposition in the Gordon D Schaber Mock Trial Competition. After months of preparation, our Marauders argued the case of The People v Franks to practicing attorneys, sitting judges, and a packed courtroom at the Sacramento Superior Court. This year’s case is a truly Shakespearean drama, involving the fictional cast of a cruise-ship theatre group and their performance of Macbeth at Sea. In the first in-person competition since the pandemic, the prosecution is tasked with proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty of grand theft and battery. The defense, to their credit, is tasked with sowing the seeds of doubt in order to obtain a verdict of not guilty.

Round 1 pitted the Jesuit defense against Natomas Pathway Prep’s prosecution team. Matthew Ferrara orated an incisive closing argument while Zach Michelena delivered a convincing portrayal of the accused Jordan Franks. In Round 2, the Jesuit prosecution team argued the case with Laguna Creek High School. Stand-out performances from prosecution attorneys Michael Mullin and Luke Kriss led the charge. Notably, MVP-recipient and attorney Miles Beach won his motion to admit evidence during pre-trial arguments. Together, both the Jesuit prosecution and defense ensured that the Marauders remain firmly in the playoff race.

Rounds 3 and 4 are scheduled for January 31 and February 9, respectively. Playoffs will take place through February 15 for the 8 highest scoring teams in the competition. The Jesuit Mock Trial team is an elective that is open to all students.