Two JMS students bring back personal best awards

By: David L. Green/The Weekly Observer | SCNow
Published: December 06, 2007

LEXINGTON — Fourteen middle school students, along with a number of parents, and Attorney Coach Holly Wall, and Teacher Coach Shannon Stuckey left Johnsonville Friday afternoon to participate in the South Carolina Bar-sponsored statewide Mock Trial competition Saturday.

They gained their place in the state finals by being a team winner in the Coastal region mock trial that was held Sat. Nov. 3, 2007, at the Conway City/County Complex.

Although the group did not win the team competition, two students brought home awards for personal best. One of them, Shakirah Nesmith was the plaintiff’s attorney in a civil case involving a teenager who was shocked by her cell phone when she used it in the shower, and who was suing the manufacturer, Nutek Phones.

The Plaintiff, J.B. White was played by Mallory Miles, who also gained an award as best witness.

According to the plot, she is a teenager who was planning on a career in music and modeling, but when she answered the telephone while taking a shower, there was a loud pop and sparks that damaged her hearing, and the burns caused disfigurement that required plastic surgery. White claims negligence by the company because there were not sufficient warnings of the danger of using a cell phone in a wet environment. Also she expects compensation for the loss of her planned career.

The students argued the case just as if it were a real trial, and real judges or attorneys presided. The student teams alternated as defense and prosecution, and supplied their own witnesses and bailiffs, as well as the attorney team, and were judged on the expertise they showed in their areas.

Other students who participated were Riley McKee, Courtney Squires, Jordan Williamson, Whitney Baxley, Devonte Jones, Kadijah Smith, Keyonna Riles, Anna Guy, Sabrina Nesmith, Jordan Carmichael, and Thomas Coker.

The future attorneys have intensively practiced their courtroom techniques for months under the supervision of local attorney Holley Wall and teacher Shannon Stuckey.

The weekend was characterized by intense competition, with the schools each being anonymously labeled with letters to avoid any judging bias. The courtrooms were staffed by members of the bar association who presided as judges of the court, as well as sitting in the place of the jury as judges of the competition.

The mock trial competitions seeks to be as realistic as possible in portraying actual court procedures and cases, and the rules are strictly followed.

Not only do the participants have to understand the procedures and rules of the court, but they have to know and understand large amounts of common law that applies to the particular case.

Two JMS students bring back personal best awards

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