NEW GLARUS — The New Glarus High School Mock Trial team will compete in its 19th annual mock trial tournament on Saturday and Sunday, February 12 and 13, 2022.
The students are responsible for mastering a manual with over 90 pages of evidentiary rules and trial procedures, and another 54 pages of witness statements, exhibits and legal standards before they compete against teams from across southern Wisconsin. They assume roles as either lawyers presenting the case and making arguments, or as witnesses who must make a convincing presentation of their facts. The witnesses are then cross examined by student attorneys from other teams before the panel of three judges decides on points which side has “won” that particular trial.
This year’s fictional case is a civil case involving a claim for a violation of the Americans with Disability Act brought by Gabi Stone against a business known as The Donut Whole, a family donut shop owned by the Harrison family. Gabi was a college student working at the Donut Whole in various positions. By all accounts Gabi was a hard worker with a great work ethic, who unfortunately went into diabetic shock one day on the job when she was asked to work yet another double shift, and ended face down in a donut production line, and had to spend a couple days in hospital to recover. Her good friend, Bryce Pryce, helped her get to the hospital and her supervisor (and one of the family owners) Kendall Harrison helped support her.
The other Harrison family members who worked at the Donut Whole include Spencer Harrison, who was the president of the business and Reese Harrison who ran the HR department. Another sibling, Lou Zucchero, was the head chef. After Gabi’s unfortunate work incident, the Harrison family had a business meeting to discuss the situation. Soon Gabi was being frequently written up for several minor infractions which had been verbally addressed in the past. Ultimately, it was claimed that someone saw Gabi dipping her hand into donut frosting for a snack, licking her fingers and putting her hand back in. At that point, Gabi was fired for violating a work rule — Gabi, however, denied it ever happened, and brought the claim alleging that she had been the victim of discrimination for her diabetic condition.
Was Gabi’s discharge for the work violation
a fabricated event, or a real infraction? You be the judge of that, and whether Gabi is entitled to compensation.
Please note: the fact situation is entirely fictional and is not based on any actual events.
The plaintiff lawyer team is Lily Lounsbury, Nolan Belknap and Madeline Thoemke. Defense lawyers are Abigail Biank, Aden Gobeli, Roman Kendrick, and Aditya Bhattacharya.
Prosecution witnesses are: " Gabi Stone played by Levi Belknap " Bryce Pryce played by Lola Endicott and Camryn Arnett " Kendall Harrison played by Dylan Fritz Defendant’s witnesses are: " Lou Zucchero played by Emma Mondloch and Amalia Morrison " Reese Harrison played by Samuel Copeland " Spencer Harrison played by Jayce Ace Our tournament will include two trials starting at 8 a.m. day on Saturday, February 12 and another two starting at 8 a.m. on Sunday February 14. Due to security concerns with zoom links, outside observers will not be invited to view the competition this year.
The New Glarus Mock Trial exhibition performance will be in the high school library starting at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, January 26. Individuals are welcome to attend.
The New Glarus Mock Trial team is coached by New Glarus High School teacher Lexa Speth, and attorneys Jessica Garrity and Dan Gartzke. It is further supported by generous financial donations from the Green County Bar Association, the Bank of New Glarus and Sugar River Bank Branches.
The State Bar of Wisconsin has been running the Mock Trial program for over 30 years. Monroe’s own Rodney Kittlesen was one of the original founders of the program. In that time, many thousands of Wisconsin high school students have benefited from the rigors of preparing and trying realistic cases. It is part of the Bar’s public education program.
