2018 Statewide Mock Trial Competition Announced

COURT HOUSE — The statewide Vincent J. Appruzzese Mock Trial Competition will begin on Jan. 4, 2018, at the Cape May County Superior Courthouse.
Every Tues. and Thurs. at 6:30 p.m. local high schools will compete against one another in front of friends, family, and volunteer mock judges.
This year’s problem concerns the opioid epidemic and strict liability drug distribution. The State will attempt to prove that Dana Martin sold the fentanyl that killed Zachary Simon, despite his/her claims of innocence. Students will adopt the roles of prosecutor, defense counsel, and several witnesses in six separate matches, with the best record being declared county champions.
“Nearly two dozen local attorneys and judges volunteer their time to give these mock trial participants a real courtroom experience,” according to Brett Yore, local attorney and competition coordinator.
Over forty students from five different county high schools will be involved in the competition. The schools and coaches supporting them are as follows: Cape May County Technical – Matt Pleasants and Brian McEwing, Esquire; Wildwood Catholic – Mary Kane and Chris Gillin-Schwartz, Esquire; Lower Township – Tom Higgins and Barbara Bakely-Marino, Esquire; Middle Township – Kim Moore, Lisa Taylor, and Lou DeLollis, Esquire; and Cape Christian Academy – Don Gipple and Dara Pailey, Esquire.