Ranger Dale Plotnik and what he saw and the times that he saw those things
Draw them on the map (everybody does this)
Where Beck and Cody were from 7:50-9:00. Draw on the map
When Anne died and where she died
Try to account for why the body wasn't found in the water (she drowned)
Bias that each witness has (do they have reason to exaggerate?)
This will include things that the witnesses were doing before May 30
Mock Trial: Beck Martin v. The State of Utah
Divide into two teams, one prosecuting Beck and the other defending Beck.
Read all affidavits and take notes building your case.
PROSECUTION
For a guilty verdict, the accused must have a
motive
means (could have done it)
opportunity.
You will build a case supporting the idea that Beck killed Anne. You must:
1. Create a timeline. Each student needs to do this on a sheet of paper (10 points)
This is your story of what happened
2. Find evidence from the affidavits (the written statements by the witnesses) that help build the
case against Beck
Cody Ward evidence (quotes from affidavit):
1)
2)
3)
Officer Loren Kripke evidence
1)
2)
3)
Dr. Aidan Hobbes evidence
1)
2)
3)
3. Write (or type) an opening statement for the court. This should take 4 minutes to read out loud, which is 2-3 handwritten pages (400-600 words)
EACH STUDENT ON YOUR TEAM MUST WRITE THIS PAPER (next period)--30 points
2)
3)
Dr. Aidan Hobbes evidence
1)
2)
3)
3. Write (or type) an opening statement for the court. This should take 4 minutes to read out loud, which is 2-3 handwritten pages (400-600 words)
EACH STUDENT ON YOUR TEAM MUST WRITE THIS PAPER (next period)--30 points
DEFENSE
You will build a case supporting the idea that there is reasonable doubt that Beck killed Anne. Note that it is NOT your job to prove that Beck didn't do it. All you have to do is to convince the jury that there is too much doubt to convict. "Not guilty" is not the same thing as "innocent."
1. Create a timeline. Each student needs to do this on a sheet of paper (10 points)
This is your story of what happened. It will likely show that multiple things could have
happened, especially that it is doubtful that Beck killed Anne.
2. Find evidence from the affidavits (the written statements by the witnesses) that help build the
case that it is unlikely (or even impossible) that Beck killed Anne.
For a guilty verdict, the accused must have a
motive
means (could have done it)
opportunity
You will be showing that Beck didn't have much of a motive, probably didn't have the means,
and might not have even had the opportunity.
Beck Martin evidence
1)
2)
3)
Dr. Sage Gracian evidence
1)
2)
3)
Ranger Dale Plotnick evidence
1)
2)
3)
2)
3)
Ranger Dale Plotnick evidence
1)
2)
3)
TODAY WE WILL TAKE NOTES AND DISCUSS TIMELINE AND OPENING STATEMENT IN GROUPS.
TODAY YOU WILL ASSIGN TEAM MEMBERS THE FOLLOWING ROLES:
Witness 1
Witness 2
Witness 3
Attorney 1
Attorney 2
Attorney 3
Attorney 4
NEXT TIME you will finish your timeline
HOMEWORK OVER THE WEEKEND: WRITE OPENING STATEMENT
NEXT TIME EACH OF YOU WILL TYPE YOUR OPENING STATEMENT. In the mock trial, only one of you will read an opening statement. Each of you will have your opening statement graded.
The Opening Statement will start with,
Paragraph 1: "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, today . . ."
Discuss the responsibility of the jury (you will be obligated to vote "guilty"/"not guilty"
Mention what the three witnesses will prove (three-pronged thesis)
Paragraph 2:
Discuss the evidence of witness 1 (quote example from affidavit) and
explain what that evidence proves and why.
Continue by discussing another example
Paragraph 3:
Discuss the evidence of witness 2 (quote example from affidavit) and
explain what that evidence proves and why.
Continue by discussing another example
Paragraph 4:
Discuss the evidence of witness 3 (quote example from affidavit) and
explain what that evidence proves and why.
Continue by discussing another example
Paragraph 5:
Conclusion that sums up your case. The c"/onclusion should end with the line,
"You must vote "guilty"/"You must vote "not guilty."
