American Martyrs legal team appears before Superior Court
by Worner Fox
American Martyrs School in Manhattan Beach was one of 150 schools that participated in the 38th Annual Los Angeles County Mock Trial Competition last month. The students performed the roles of attorneys, witnesses and court personnel in the fictional case of the People v. Hayes. Team members prosecuted and two defended mock trial defendant Jamie Hayes, a college student on a track and field scholarship accused of murdering a campus security officer.
Each team was judged for their presentation and legal skills by 300 volunteer judges and attorneys.
The annual event takes place in the Los Angeles Superior Court Stanley Mosk Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles. It is sponsored by the Constitutional Rights Foundation.
“The kids have positive interactions with adults in the judicial system while developing their presentation and critical thinking skills,” said Lourdes Morales of the Constitutional Rights Foundation.
Attorney Pat Barrera of Barrera and Associates in Manhattan Beach coached the AMS team. The team met on Friday afternoons to review the case and prepare their testimony and opening statements and closing arguments.
“They were more poised and polished than some of the attorneys that appear in court daily,” he said. B
