The afternoon of May 2, 8th and 9th grade homeschooled students from Classical Conversations Challenge B classes of Duluth, Pine River, Cloquet, and Two Harbors gathered at the Lake County Courthouse to hold a mock trial. The trial was presided over by the Honorable Judge Steve Hanke, District Judge of Lake County.
The fictional case argued was Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v Zillias, a “criminal action charging a real estate developer with reckless homicide in the deaths of two people at a construction site following the collapse of a construction crane.” The case was originally written by Jonathan A. Grode and Paul W. Kaufman for the 2013 Pennsylvania Statewide High School Mock Trial Competition. In Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v Zillias, the defendant was Tatum Zillias, owner of Project Z, a construction company working on Franklin’s Trench. The plaintiff was the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
After Mock Trial Administrator Autumn Regas opened the trial, round one began with Cloquet and Pine River students as prosecution and Duluth and Two Harbors students as defense. The bailiff, Zachary Minion of Pine River, opened the court. Judge Steve Hanke shared a few opening remarks. Then the defendant entered the plea, that Tatum Zillias could not be guilty of murder in the third degree, since Zillias did not act with malice towards the two people killed by the collapse of the crane, and that the crane’s collapse was likely an act of sabotage by an individual living in the trench, and one of the crane’s two victims, Arty Dent.
The lawyers for the prosecution in round one were Mariya Friesner and Zachary Walberg (Pine River), and Finnegan Vandal (Cloquet). Defense lawyers were Paul Grotte and Ryan Soderling (Duluth). The prosecution’s case was first, with witnesses London Packard (played by Lucy Stevens) and Emerson Turnkin (Elliana Nelson), site supervisor for Franklin’s Trench. Packard, a homeless person living on the construction site, gave testimony that Zillias cared little for the people living in Franklin’s Trench. Turnkin stated that Zillias was known for cutting corners on safety.
The defense witnesses were called next: Micah Estratton (Christian Klevgaard), crane owner; Reese Dentner (Lauren Grotte), a reporter working on a story about Franklin’s Trench; and Tatum Zillias (Jonah Kogowski), the accused and owner of Project Z. Estratton testified that, even though the lift being performed by the crane at the time of its collapse was above its weight limit, and even though the winds were strong, the crane had performed similar lifts before and was competent. Dentner stated that Arty Dent had left a manifesto declaring he would sabotage Project Z. Zillias gave testimony that Project Z was done for the betterment of the community, and that Zillias had no wish to harm anyone. It was also brought up that a fire ax was found missing the day of the crane’s collapse, and it appeared that one of the cables had been cut. The closing arguments finished round one.
After a short inter-trial recess, students returned for round two of the same case, but with students switching roles. This gave students the opportunity to argue both sides of the case, and caused them to look at both sides of an issue.
After round two, the results were announced: the Cloquet/ Pine River team had scored the most points in the mock trial. Points were based on each team’s presentation, use of eye contact, and sound arguments. Judge Hanke said he would likely rule in favor of the defense, Tatum Zillias, had this been a real case, due to the burden of proof for the prosecution being hard to show.
Marita Klevgaard, the Duluth Challenge B tutor, explained the focus of the mock trial for the Challenge B students. “In the second semester, mock trials are the focus. The director and students spend the second semester preparing a case to be heard in a county courthouse at the end of the semester… students decide on the most effective way to present their case…the skills gained in critical thinking, public speaking, and persuasive presentation help students prepare for next year as they advance to the Challenge I debate seminar. The mock trial truly is the highlight of the Challenge B homeschool experience.”
Marita Klevgaard, Charlie Minion, and Tami Nelson, directors for Duluth, Pine River, and Cloquet Challenge B respectively, shared the following. “We are immensely proud of the hard work, ‘stick-to-itiveness’, and the application of common sense our students have put forth throughout their preparation for this mock trial. It has been a joy to guide them and witness their growth in debate, public thinking, and critical thinking skills throughout this difficult yet worthwhile process! Thank you to all the parents and friends who have been so supportive of our students and us! We could not have done this without you! Most importantly, thanks be to God who has graciously guided our every step this school year to bring us to this point!”
Thank you, Judge Hanke and the Lake County Courthouse, for taking time to give students a better understanding of the United States Judicial process, and for making sure justice is served in Lake County.
