MHS Mock Trial Team Honored By County Freeholders

MENDHAM, NJ — The West Morris Mendham High School mock trial teal was honored by the Morris County Freeholders for their win at state championships in March. It was the fifth win for the team in nine years.

The team won five local competitions before winning at states. They head to Nationals in Reno, Nevada next. The competitions in New Jersey were sponsored by the New Jersey State Bar Foundation, and "seek to increase comprehension of the American system of justice, demystify the law and help students develop and improve basic life and leadership skills."

This year, the team had to try a criminal case focused on an opioid issue and liability crime. Participating in were prosecution team "attorneys'' Katia McGreal, a senior, and Patrick Riss, a junior; and witnesses Elizabeth Moran, Nadia Jahnecke and Chelsea Corridore, who are all seniors. Participating on the defense team are "attorneys'' Andy Sager and Seth Gnesin, both seniors; and witnesses Olivia Vizzini and Xavier Palmer, both seniors, and Joe Gulino, a junior.

"This is a remarkable accomplishment, and the students and their coach are to be commended,'' said Morris County Freeholder Director Doug Cabana, who presented the students with a county resolution and certificates at today's Law Day event in Morristown. "All of the residents of Morris County are very proud of these young people,'' added Cabana.

“They have a terrific teacher coach in Eric Heditsch and an outstanding lawyer in coach William Connelly,” said Nancy Bangiola, executive director of Morris County Bar Association.

Sides are randomly assigned, so all students must understand both sides to the case.

“What I love about it is that students have to master both sides of the case. Every time we uncover a new fact, they always have to cover the other side: For every argument they are going to voice in court, there is always another side of it,” coach Eric Heditsch said. “In a court room almost anything can happen. The other side can launch question at you that you don’t expect or the judge can make a ruling on an objection that you don’t anticipate. You have to be incredibly prepared for every eventuality. Like real court. I don’t know if you could do anything that can prepare you for a real trial except this.”

Image via Morris County Government