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Saint Vincent College Hosts Mock Trial Clinic and Argument Competition

Saint Vincent College Hosts Mock Trial Clinic and Argument Competition

students at the mock trial competition at saint vincent college
by Zakiya Moses, senior communication major and psychology minor from Washington, D.C | November 04, 2021

LATROBE, PA – On Nov. 2, the Saint Vincent College Criminology, Law and Society program hosted the Annual Mock Trial Clinic and Argument Competition in the Fred M. Rogers Center. High school students from Derry Area, Franklin Regional, Greensburg Central Catholic, Greensburg Salem, North Catholic, and Penn-Trafford participated in the competitive event.

Students were judged by Saint Vincent College panelists Derek Fether, graduate assistant and master's student of criminology, law and society; Sandra Frye, administrative assistant to legal counsel and director of the criminology, law and society program; Heather Kabala, dean of admission; Dr. Eric Kocian, chair and associate professor, criminology, law and society program; Dr. Kayla  Jachimowski, assistant professor, criminology, law and society; and Dr. Sarah Daly, assistant professor, criminology, law and society.

The argument presented by the students involved the murder case of Commonwealth vs. Bill E. Kidd. Kidd is accused of a crime he swears he did not commit, and Commonwealth argues otherwise. Students were expected to present either case with a thoroughly precise opening and closing argument.  

Winners for the opening argument:

  • First place winner, Emma Ventresca of North Catholic
  • Second place winners, Aryana Galdo of Greensburg Salem, Kayla Ferguson of Penn-Trafford and Martin Kuzmkowski of Franklin Regional

Winners for the closing argument:

  • First place winner, Nick Freilino of Penn-Trafford
  • Second place winner, Abigail Sutton of North Catholic 

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Photo: Students attend the Annual Mock Trial Clinic and Argument Competition at Saint Vincent College.  

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