Phi Alpha Delta holds mock trial at courthouse Thursday
On Thursday evening, Vassar senior Kirstin Miller took the witness stand in the Isabella County Courthouse in her own defense.
Miller was charged with vehicular manslaughter in the death of her best friend, Casey, on the night of their senior prom.
When the jury returned with a verdict of “not guilty,” a smile spread across her face.
Miller is president of the Phi Alpha Delta pre-law fraternity at Central Michigan University. Her trial was one of two mock trials the fraternity hosts every year.
The fraternity gets the cases for the trials through Michigan Youth in Government. The eight students playing defense attorneys, prosecutors, witnesses and the defendant get the case packet several weeks in advance to plan their strategies and opening and closing statements. The 12 members of the jury were selected from the audience.
“I got the case about a week in advance to have time to review and learn it,” said Chicago sophomore Natilie Williams, who played a witness for the defense.
Miller said the cases are designed with facts weighing evenly on both sides, so the outcome is based on who better presents their case.
Isabella County Judge William Erwin presided over the trial and allowed the students to hold the trial in a courtroom in the county courthouse.
“It’s a great experience for them,” Erwin said. “I try to advance law in any way I can and I like to get involved with this. It helps them get the feel and the flavor of a real trial and makes it real for them.”
After the jury returned their verdict, Erwin offered comments and criticism to the attorneys and witnesses.
“I see a lot of attorneys in here and (the most important thing) is preparation, preparation, preparation,” Erwin said. “If you fly by the seat of your pants, it will look like it. The best thing for a judge is two well-prepared attorneys. The worst is two unprepared attorneys.”
