Kristin Anderson, University Relations, (517) 353-8819 or ander284@msu.edu
2/27/2003
EAST LANSING, Mich. - For the first time in Michigan State University history, the MSU mock trial team has qualified to compete in the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) Grand National Tournament.
The MSU mock trial team advanced to the national tournament after taking sixth place at the AMTA regional tournament Feb. 22-23 at the University of Notre Dame. The Grand National Tournament will be held April 4-6 in Des Moines, Iowa.
At the national competition the mock trial team will be required to act as both attorneys and witnesses. The attorneys give opening and closing statements, conduct witness direct and cross-examinations, enter evidence and make objections. Witnesses play an assigned role by telling their fictional story as a crime victim, alibi witness or expert. The team is then evaluated by judges and lawyers from the local bar association on how they acted as attorneys and witnesses.
In the regional competition at Notre Dame, Pete Martini of Pinconning won an award for the best attorney. Erin Freers of Warren and Annie Kelley of Battle Creek won awards for best witness.
"This is a monumental occasion for the team," said Beth Springsteen of Ida, president of the MSU mock trial team. "In just three years of existence at MSU, we are already going to compete nationally. This is a great educational experience for us."
"We normally practice at least six hours a week at the Detroit College of Law's (DCL) moot court room located on MSU's campus," said Justin Kuxhaus of Canton, public relations officer for the mock trial team. "In addition, the team works individually to memorize scripts such as the witness affidavits, cross-examinations, or opening and closing arguments."
"The team is ecstatic to advance to nationals, " said Martini, who serves as team treasurer. "With support we have received from the university and the Residence Hall Association (RHA) we feel it is a victory for the entire MSU community."
Below are the 2002-03 MSU mock trial team members, their year in school and majors:
- Annie Kelley of Battle Creek, sophomore, English
- Justin Kuxhaus of Canton, sophomore, international relations and German
- Lindsay Chaffin of Farmington, freshman, political theory and constitutional democracy
- Josh Kushner of Farmington Hills, freshman, political theory and constitutional democracy
- Sara Dabkowski of Grand Rapids, sophomore, political theory and constitutional democracy and sociology
- Chrissy DiClaudio of Grosse Ile, junior, criminal justice
- Beth Springsteen of Ida, junior, political science and pre-law
- John Hauska of La Salle, freshman, engineering
- Rich Fierens of Lewiston, junior, political theory and constitutional democracy
- Pete Martini of Pinconning, junior, public administration / public policy analysis
- Nick Paliokas of Saline, junior, psychology
- Bob Hempel of Trenton, freshman, criminal justice
- Mike Jones of Walled Lake, freshman, supply chain management
- Erin Freers of Warren, senior, political theory and constitutional democracy and psychology
- Frankie Lozano of Winthrop, Ind., junior, food industry management
David Bailey, a professor of history, and professor in the Honors College, is the faculty adviser.
The mock trial team became a registered MSU student organization in 2000 with the purpose to compete in national college-level mock trial tournaments. The team is a registered and certified competitor in the AMTA and partially funded by the MSU RHA.