Following the county finals, sophomore Héloïse Schep accepts her first-place plaque from a representative of the Sacramento County Office of Education, which hosts the annual Mock Trial competition.

They did it! Mock Trial goes to state for first time in school history.

Jacqueline Chao
Following the county finals, sophomore Héloïse Schep accepts her first-place plaque from a representative of the Sacramento County Office of Education, which hosts the annual Mock Trial competition.

Although almost all the hearings in the Robert T. Matsui United States Courthouse had been adjourned by 4:45 p.m. on Feb. 27, one murder case was just being opened up in the 16th floor’s ceremonial courtroom: “The People v. Davidson.”

And this would be the last time for either the Country Day or Rio Americano High School team to plead for or prosecute the pro-immigrant protester Casey Davidson (played by freshman Sarina Rye), accused of first-degree murder.

After over two hours and 15 minutes of vigorous direct and cross-examination and an hour-long awards ceremony at 1205 J St., the results were in: for the first time in history, the SCDS Mock Trial team advanced to the state competition, placing first in California’s most competitive county.

The team also won several awards. Junior Blake Lincoln claimed the Outstanding Pre-Trial Attorney for the Prosecution award as well as the Outstanding Witness award, and fellow juniors Jack Christian and Gabi Alvarado received the Outstanding Attorney awards for their respective roles on prosecution and defense.

Click here for complete coverage on the team’s county win, including judges’ scores, coach’s comments and an explanation of the case itself. 

—By Chardonnay Needer

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