Cape High mock trial team takes third in state competition

Competing in person for the first time since winning the state title in 2020, the Cape High mock trial team placed third in the Delaware High School Mock Trial Competition held Feb. 24-25 at the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center in Wilmington.

Team members who were not scheduled to compete but participated last minute as a BYE team were also recognized with the Delaware Way Award for their sportsmanship and dedication to the ideals of mock trial, said coach and Cape High teacher Kelci Atkins.

The impromptu team comprised three students from Salesianum School in addition to Cape High students Lily Phile, Stephen Hart, Kieran Morrissey and Aidan Hudson.

Team members also netted 10 total gavels for their effectiveness as witnesses and attorneys, Atkins said. 

Only 10 students in the entire competition won two gavels, and three of those competitors – sophomore Aidan Hudson, best witness; senior Abby Betts, best witness; and sophomore Kieran Morrissey, best attorney – were from Cape.

Other gavel winners include junior Aubrie Myers, best witness; senior Noa Aboutboul, best attorney; sophomore Anna Beck, best attorney; and junior Ava Simeone, best witness.

The tournament hosts mock trial teams from more than 20 Delaware schools that enact trials before a panel of judges, attorneys and other members of the legal community. Students received court documents on the case in November, when they were assigned their parts and began practicing after school.

During competition, students play the roles of witnesses and attorneys, and try the case before a judge and scoring jury. Teams are judged based on their presentation of the case and knowledge of the law. This year’s simulated case involved a woman accused of poisoning her friend and business associate.

Only seniors had experience competing in person, which leveled the playing field for all, said students, some of whom expressed an interest in pursuing a career in law. All students said the experience helped enhance their public speaking skills and knowledge of etiquette.

Atkins said her team scrimmaged with the first-place team from Wilmington Charter to hone their skills leading up to the state competition. When Cape received third place, Wilmington Charter students cheered, she said, and Cape High students in turn applauded for their upstate friends when they were named state champions.