Friday, October 19th

Homework:  Think about all three witnesses from the other side.  You just finished writing cross examination questions for one witness.  Now add questions for the other two witnesses from the other side so that you have a total of 3/4 page by Monday.  Remember, Write 3/4 page telling me what you think are the greatest weaknesses in their case.  

Politics in America

Did you watch the Debate Tuesday night?

I think it's important for all of us to be informed members of society and to make our voice heard.

It's looking like this election could be very close, and as such, it's extra important for all of us in the country to think through issues that will affect our lives.  Not only will the next president guide the country through the next four years, but during those four years it is very likely that he will appoint 1 or 2 Supreme Court justices, and those judges will make decisions that could last your entire lifetimes.  So, in case you're interested in following the polls these last three weeks, here are some that show how President Obama and Governor Romney are doing in the states that matter most:

Current Polls

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Cross-examination

The basic goal of cross-examination is to trip up the witnesses from the other side, to catch them in their lies and exaggeration, if possible.  In many cases, there are no lies, and what you're doing in this case is trying to show that there is reasonable doubt that their side of the story might not be true. Then the jury isn't so convinced that he/she is telling the truth, or at least that their side of the story doesn't seem plausible or believable.

In your groups, you are to come up with cross-examination questions for a witness on the other side.

Cody               Beck

Beck               Cody

Hobbes           Gracian

Gracian           Hobbes

Kripke             Plotnik

Plotnik            Kripke

To do this, you have to look at their written witness statements (affidavits).  Underline things that look fishy.

Then write a question or two for each fishy looking point, questions that will help you trip them up.

The questions you write should only have yes/no answers.

You don't want them to have a chance to talk.  

You just want to incriminate them.

A good question often ends with 

"didn't you?"

"correct?" 

"isn't that right?"

October 9

Beck Martin vs. The State of Utah 

Your homework tonight is to read through the entire case.  You will have a 10 point quiz tomorrow.  Know who says what.  You can find the case here: Beck Martin vs. The State of Utah 

In your lawyer/witness pairs, you need to do the following:
1. Write down what Beck's motive was
2. In a sentence or two, explain how Beck had the opportunity to commit murder
3. In a sentence or two, explain how Beck could have had the means to commit murder (had a weapon, the disposition, the strength, etc.)
4. Now think of your witness.  What does your witness say that supports your theory about motive, opportunity, and means.
5. Underline what your witness says that supports these ideas.
6. Underline anything else your witness says that makes it look like Beck did it.
7. Now, you need to write a series of questions that your attorney will ask the witness so that he can tell his story to the jury and convince them that Beck is guilty
Point 1 about motive:
5-10 questions
Point 2 about opportunity:
5-10 questions
Point 3 about how he could have done it:
5-10 questions

Beck Martin vs. State of Utah

Prosecution Team
Cody--charlee,emma,jessie,sydney
Kripke-- Tasha Richter, Amy Miller, Alexis Hudson, Daisy Ramos, and Danny White
Hobbes-- Bryce, Erik, Bailey Ross

Defense Team
Beck-- Crystol, Kyle, Kayla, April, Megan, Allyson
Gracian-- Kyler Emilio Jill Jordan
Plotnik-- Adam, Austin, Colin, Carlos, Will



1st period
Beck Martin vs. State of Utah

Prosecution Team
Cody--Nichele, Ashley, Cecila, Josh,
Kripke--Jeremy, Gavin, Olivia, Misael, Clifford,
Hobbes-- Antonio, Alyssa, Alice
Defense Team
Beck--Ana, Ana, Miles
Gracian--Hernan, Carter, Darrien
Plotnik-- Jessica

October 3rd

Today we will take part of a PSAT. 

Beck Martin vs. The State of Utah
We need to start getting ready for the actual trial.  To do this, we will learn how to write direct examination questions.
The True Story of the Big Bad Wolf
As you read Al Wolf's side of the story, you will see that his attorneys will have a difficult time convincing the jury that he is not guilty.  To do this, they need to ask him the right kinds of questions to help him tell his story to the jury.
Direct Examination

October 2, 2012

Today's assignments:

1) Determine TIMELINE.  Here's a link of what we came up with:  Timeline
Remember, the prosecution needs to have its witnesses tell the story of what Beck did and when.

2) Today, each one of you will write a 1-page statement about one of the witnesses. This is to be written in essay form--no bullet points

PROSECUTION
1. Cody
2. Officer Kripke
3. Dr. Hobbes

You are to choose one of  your witnesses and write 1 handwritten page explaining what that witness says that leads you to believe that Beck is guilty of murdering Anne Marcus.
*Remember, Beck is charged with manslaughter as well as first-degree murder, so you might write about things that deal with an accidental death.

DEFENSE
1. Beck
2. Ranger Plotnik
3. Dr. Gracian
Each one of you is to choose a witness and write 1 handwritten page explaining what your witness says that leads you to believe that there is reasonable doubt concerning the prosecution's story.