Hillcrest HS Mock Trial Team Competes at Markham Courthouse

The Hillcrest Mock Trial Team recently competed in Cook County Circuit Court 6th Municipal District’s Annual Mock Trial competition at Markham Courthouse. The case, People v. Jones, was about charges of home invasion and aggravated battery. During their first round, attorneys Darlena York and Japhe Jelks defended the accused defendant Casey Jones played by Darnell Gilton, with expert witness Moriam Yarrow and Taylor Winbush as the timer. In the second round Tondalaha Davis and Akiyah Lee prosecuted the case with victim Kelly Morgan played by Danielle Jenson, with Eniola Awoniyi as the Detective and Delvonte Brame as the timer. The Hillcrest team won Fourth Place out of the 12 teams that the presented case. Tondalaha Davis won outstanding attorney among over 50 attorneys that tried the case!

“I have been in Mock Trial for three years now and there was no feeling like when my name was called as one of the best attorneys. I worked so hard pushing my team and myself, it just felt good to get recognized for it,” said Tondalaha Davis.

The team is coached by Hillcrest teacher Ms. Caroline Snyder and attorney coach Ms. Katrice Hall from the South Suburban Bar Association.