Moot Court students host national competition based on mock murder trial BY JACQUELINE J. HARRINGTON Murder, money and deceit dominated a mock trial during MSU-DCL’s Fourth Annual National Trial Advocacy Competition (NTAC) in November. Students from 16 law schools acted as the defense, prosecution and witnesses in the trial of a chief narcotics detective accused of killing a drug dealer for money. Georgia State University College of Law was the first-place winner of MSU-DCL’s Fourth Annual National Trial Advocacy Competition in November 2003. “While the study of law is often an individual endeavor, the success of this year’s National Trial Advocacy Competition proves there is nothing more powerful than the collaboration of the legal community working together toward a common goal,” said Robyn Apisa, NTAC student director. The competition consisted of three preliminary rounds, followed by a semi-final round in which the four teams with the highest scores advanced. Law professionals acted as jurors, judging students on their courtroom demeanor, confidence, and command of the legal facts and rules of evidence. The two winners of the semi-final round, Georgia State University College of Law and DePaul University School of Law, advanced to the final round, with Georgia State awarded first place. “I thought the talent in the competition was fabulous, and [I] was very impressed with [the event’s] organization,” said competition judge Sue Sanford, Michigan assistant attorney general and special U.S. attorney in the Eastern and Western Districts. “Competitions such as this one do nothing but good for MSU-DCL.” Individual awards were given to Joel Walker from Thomas M. Cooley Law School for the best opening statement, Kevin Kuhlman from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law for the best direct examination, Amy Jonker from DePaul University School of Law for the best cross-examination, and Edward Berbaries from the University of Houston Law Center for the best closing argument. The University of Houston Law Center and Washington University at St. Louis School Law also won team awards. As the host team, MSU-DCL did not compete. “I felt great about my performance in the competition,” said Amy Jonker, team captain from DePaul University School of Law. “My teammates were up against a really tough team in the final round, but they dealt with very difficult and slippery witnesses and delivered great opening and closing arguments.” The competition, organized and managed each fall by students on the Moot Court and Advocacy Board, is held in the college’s spectacular courtroom donated by MSU-DCL President Clifton Haley, ’61, and his wife, Carolyn Haley. The competition itself is funded by the Samuel P. Frankel Endowment for Excellence, established by Sam Frankel, ’35, and his wife, Jean Frankel.