High School Attorneys Spar In Mock Trial Competitions

COURT HOUSE – On Tuesday and Thursday evenings this month, as most of Cape May County was glued to television shows, fledgling high school attorneys from Wildwood Catholic, Middle and Lower townships and Cape May Tech have been waging legal warfare in this year’s mock trial competitions.
Hosted by the Cape May County Bar Association, this year’s High School Mock Trial Competition started Jan. 8 and will continue, Tuesday and Thursday through Jan. 31 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in Cape May County Superior Court, 9 N. Main St.
The public is invited, according to an association release.
Guiding the teams are:
* County Technical High School, teacher coach is Matthew Pleasants, attorney coach is Brian McEwing.
* Lower Cape May Regional High School, teacher coach is Thomas R. Higgins and Alice Barnes-Vasser, attorney coach is Barbara Bakley-Marino.
* Middle Township High School, teacher coach is Martina Trapani, attorney coach is Fred Mick.
* Wildwood Catholic High School, teacher coach is Mary Kane, attorney coach is Jesse Deane.
This year’s case is fictional, entitled, “Capella v. Petzicon Products, Inc.”
It involved Sally, a female West Highland Terrier, bought from an “apparent reputable breeder” in Virginia by Carmen Capella. The dog is successfully shown in various competitions, earning a Best in Show prize.
Shortly thereafter, the dog is observed suffering minor discomfort, and was determined to have a minor flea irritation.
After treatment with a flea product, the dog shows more symptoms, and loses function of her rear legs and becomes disoriented.
Subsequently the animal died. The plaintiff instituted civil action alleging negligence on the part of the manufacturer.
The defense denies responsibility for the allegations, and contends there is no proof that its product caused the dog’s demise.
The program is sponsored by the New Jersey State Bar Foundation in cooperation with Cape May County Bar Association and Cape May County Superior Court.