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MCS stages Star Wars mock trial
The full cast of Mount Carmel School’s Star Wars Mock Trial gather for a group photo after the trial. (Contributed Photo)
This past Wednesday, Luke Skywalker was on trial as part of Mount Carmel School’s first ever fantasy mock trial series, this one focusing on Star Wars. The school’s Mock Trial Knights, who won the 2016 CNMI Mock Trial Competition, hosted the mock trial to raise funds to help defray the costs of their participation in the upcoming National High School Mock Trial Competition in Boise, Idaho.
Held in the High Court of the Galactic Empire, the Empire charged Luke Skywalker for wrongfully and willfully destroying the Death Star, which is the rightful property of the Emperor, and for murdering 5,999 Storm Troopers in the process. The trial was based on material prepared by the Justice Education Society, which has developed similar material to help promote a better understanding of the legal system among elementary school students.
In Mount Carmel School’s trial, all attorney and witness roles were played by middle school students. For the prosecution, Emperor Palpatine was played by Brandee Hunter, Darth Vader was played by Kiana Propst, and Storm Trooper #12 was played by Sidney Richter. Prosecuting for the Empire were student attorneys Tivana Torres, Allyson Camacho, and Penelope Sablan. On the defense, Luke Skywalker was played by Richard Steele, Han Solo was played by Christopher Guerrero, and Princess Leia was played by Kaia Travilla. Defending Skywalker were student attorneys Vincent Torres III, Mariana Tenorio, and Theresa Schweiger. Keeping order throughout the trial were Clerk Bernard Marcelo and judge Katherine Avendano-Woodruff.
While this was his first time doing anything related to mock trial, Steele appreciated the whole process. “I liked the Star Wars theme, and it was fun playing Luke Skywalker.” Looking to the future, he said he is interested in doing mock trial. He said, “I liked the part where you help the defendant get his day in court.”
Fifth grade student and Star Wars aficionado, Brissa Hunter, thoroughly enjoyed the trial. “It’s your basic mock trial, but turned into a Star Wars story.” She added, “It was cool because you could see how the Rebel Alliance and the Empire go against each again, but in court.” (PR)
