Newton Schools Go Head-to-Head in Mock Trial Match

Although they're relatively new to the mock trial tournament, the students at are showing strength at the start of this year's state competition. 

In its first match of the 2012 tournament, the mock trial team from Newton Country Day won the verdict against the well-established team.

However, the Newton North team ended up walking away with 93-87 victory as they scored the most points for the overall match.

"Participating in mock trial has provided the one senior, four juniors, three sophomores, and one freshman on the team with valuable experience making arguments, backing up their assertions with evidence, and speaking in front of an audience," teacher Coach Carrie-Anne DeDeo said in an email to Newton Patch. "Watching them argue their case in a real courtroom in front of a judge yesterday, I saw how mock trial gave these students the chance to truly embody NCDS's motto of 'courage and confidence.'"

According to DeDeo, this is Newton Country Day's second year in the Massachusetts Bar Association mock trial tournament, and only its fourth trial ever. 

"We've really come together as a team, and if we continue to work as hard as we have, we'll become an even stronger opponent [in our next trials]," said Newton Country Day junior and Team Captain Elizabeth Foley.

Starting this week, teens from three Newton schools joined 1,500 student lawyers and witnesses .

In addition to Newton Country Day and Newton North,  is also participating in the program, which includes more than 100 schools from across the state. 

The teams will start the competition by facing off in various regional matches. Eventually, the top two teams will advance to the state championship and compete for the Massachusetts mock trial title at Faneuil Hall in Boston on March 23. 

Information on upcoming matches is not released to the public, but Newton Patch will keep you updated with scores as the competition progresses. 

Correction: Newton North actually won the match 93-87. However, Newton Country Day won the verdict in the mock trial.