Team A Defense Notes

Team A

Opening Statement: Interesting, she brought up the charges right off. She didn’t really start it out as a story. I don’t think the judges know what really happened….Just a bunch of facts. They are assuming that the judges have read the case, which they probably have. Maybe she’ll go into a story and tie together the facts and charges she’s laying out. I hope the judges bring it up in the debriefing.

Jessica:

Dang, too bad about your voice. I was going to pass you a bottle of water. Good job on presenting a story!!!! Could you have done it without notes? Keep eye contact with the judges. I KNOW you know this. You’re such an engaging person, with such a winning smile and good way about you. Share yourself, your personality, with the judges. The content of your opening is exquisite. Good Job.

Officer Riley:

She did a good job to make sure the judges were ready. Boy, they spent a lot of time on the phone call. I hope we exploit it. She does NOT know who made that phone call… ”It could have been anyone, even Sawyer, no?” Sawyer is good at getting others in trouble, eh?

They have great pacing with this witness.

Great objection Spencer. The judge should have made the attorney defend the objection. You did the right thing Spencer. The judge blew it.

They seem polished at this point. What is your opinion of the picture???? Improper Opinion. He may have over-ruled you but it would have been worth a try. Where’s their bailiff…timer?

Spencer. You could have probed deeper. Are you going to make a motion to dismiss based on 4^th amendment? You could have gotten into the phone call a bit more. We should try to shift the focus to Sawyer early on, no?

Killian:

This guy is reading his lines from memory…It’s like he has a teleprompter. Help Travis out here Jessica….talk to him. You guys should be passing notes. Stick with your objecting to the expert witness thingy. She’s LEADING him all over the place!!!!! Josh, listen to what they are saying so you can adapt your cross to what just happened. “Would this be complicated?” LEADING!!!!! Come on … “Do you think it would have caused damage?” LEADING!!! Come ON…Objections. You need to know your objections. Dang, so many opportunities missed.

We’re spending too much energy thinking about our crosses and not listening to what’s going on.

Travis, you have great questions. Make sure you know what to say, how to change a question if you don’t get the response you’re seeking. Good job Travis. Just a bit more work on your objections and you’ll be a pro.

Sawyer Simpson:

Wow, too bad they can’t lower the podium. It reminds me of the attorney in the Goldilocks trial. These guys do a great job pacing their directs, good rhythm. . LEADING… “DID YOU HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT A BOMB?”

We really need to listen. LEADING. Good grief. Listen folks.

Can we use note cards? You have great questions. You’re such a natural at this. Wow, they are letting their witnesses dangle out there unprotected. Make sure we never forget to redirect, UNLESS our witness creams them.

Your motion to dismiss should be tied to the 4^th amendment “Miranda Rights!!!!!” Come on Spencer…help her. Good job Jessica.

Great job on working together, collaborating during the recess. I love the fact you’re so into evaluating what has happened and what will happen. You’re acting like attorneys.

Cara: Speak up. Good job. Take charge of the courtroom and don’t be timid.

Cortez:

Good job on establishing contact with the judge. Abby, great stage presence. Don’t trail off at the end of your sentences. Jacob. Excellent job on not relying on notes!!!. You can slow down a bit and speak louder. You may want to stand still (the judges may or may not like your moving around. Best not to take chances)

Abby, you’re a rock. You guys are a great team.

Cross: Correct? Correct? The judges will tire of this. Watch out. Borderline badgering…Good job listening Jake. You should be taking notes. I see you’re doing it now. See if they damage your witness and then redirect. Did you go beyond the scope? Are they missing objections? Wow, no recross. See what happens when the coaches and teachers write the questions? You guys have been lucky to have training not scripting.

Atkinson:

You guys are on fire. Great recoveries on procedural flubs Jake. I know you’re nervous, but you’re doing a great job. Casey, you’re so believable as an expert. You could be an attorney or a witness. The judges believed you. Where are our plastic covered copies? Don’t walk away from the podium so quickly Jake. It looks like you can’t wait to get away. At least glance at the judges before walking away.

Cross: Good job on listening to the questions. She’s not listening to your responses. She’s a good attorney and has been well coached. We can learn from her ability to handle a very good expert witness.

Casey Campbell:

Travis. You need to rework the wording of your questions. Just talk to her. Crissy, you need to know your statement. Read it out loud a number of times so the facts are in your ear/head in your own voice.

Crissy, you’ve recovered. Great job on seeming candid and believable. Good eye contact with the judges.

Cross: Listen to the questions. Good job on paying attention Crissy. They do a great job on entering evidence. Great coaching. I hope the judges give them kudos on it. You don’t have to answer yes or no. Travis, relevance…Come on objections. Protect her. Make them work for these things. Very good on keeping track of your testimony Crissy. Travis…protect her. With a bit more practice and reviewing of courtroom procedures, you’ll do really well. Great job for first time out Josh.

Closing Arguments:

They have a good command of the facts but they are not connecting with the judges. I hope you guys will continue to get your personalities into your arguments. You have to be grateful to our coaches for encouraging you to be yourselves so you only have to learn the case and not pretend to be someone you’re not. I’m sure these guys have personalities but they are too scripted. As you move on, which at this point seems likely, you can focus on the facts and procedures: you’re already legal eagles.

Spencer. You know this stuff. Don’t be tied to your notes. Are you going to bring up 4^th amendment?....Thank YOU. I like the bridge analogy. You could have addressed the charges individually, but you made your point. We may lose points because you didn’t go through more of the witnesses…point by point. Reasonalbe doubt.

Debriefing:

First Judge:

Again, they were pros on entering exhibits. You did listen, witnesses and attorneys alike. Crissy, I think you were very believable even though you did seem confused about the facts at the beginning. It made you look real.

Second Judge: We missed the reiteration on one redirect. So true about you listening by all of our witnesses. Wow, we’re moving on.

Third Judge: I like this guy…even if he plugged his own law firm. Great advice on inflection. Casey “Hit the ball out of the park.” Their questions were well written. Boy, he’s giving great advice. We need to go after procedure. “Don’t be afraid to approach the judges and ask them what they want.” When we make “big hits” we need to follow up on them in closing. “Why did you destroy the bomb so no one else could examine it.? Is this guy emotional or what…I think he enjoys being an attorney, what do you guys think?

Was the Dali thing in the statement? I missed it. They really didn’t go into the details of the charges.

“…fantasy into reality.” It is a good line.

He’s given us a lot of stuff to use on either side.

Postponing the defense opening is VERY risky. I like the idea of not dismissing the witness completely: Subject to recall.

I like the idea of establishing a rapport with the judges, talking to them, approaching the bench, whispering. IF the other team ever does it, make sure you go up there with them.