KU Mock Trial team brings home early trophies, competes again Nov. 7-10

LAWRENCE -- The University of Kansas Mock Trial program started its season with second- and third-place finishes at the first tournament held Oct. 24-25 at Central College in Pella, Iowa.

The KU Mock Trial team travels to Iowa City, Iowa, on Nov. 7-10 for their second tournament, the Cornhusker Challenge.

Out of the 28 teams competing at Central College in Pella, KU won two of the top three team trophies and five of the 25 individual awards.

With records of 6-1-1 and 6-2, the two KU mock trial teams were the first teams in KU history to place in the top five at the first tournament of the season. KU also finished above all the defending national champion teams, said KU Mock Trial team President Ryan Faulconer, Colorado Springs, Colo., junior.

Teams consist of seven undergraduate students. About 20 KU students participate in KU's Mock Trial Program, Faulconer said.

Faulconer, Dani Davey, Shawnee junior, and Branden Bell, Lawrence first year law student, serve as officers for the program. Stephen McAllister, KU dean of law, is the faculty adviser. The program is supported by Student Senate, the KU School of Law, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Kansas Trial Lawyers Association.

In a mock trial competition, undergraduates compete in a three-hour mini-trial, playing the roles of attorneys and witnesses. Points are awarded based on the students' performances of their roles. The case being tried is determined at the start of each season. Teams receive the facts, evidence and witness testimony from which they construct their arguments. They prepare opening statements, closing statements, and direct and cross examinations of witnesses.

The lawyers at the mock trials require a combination of the facts and evidence to be presented, a firm grasp of the law as it applies to the case and a strong understanding of trial procedure. Witnesses must know the facts of the case and be able to answer questions naturally despite their frequent rehearsals. The "judges" and "jury" score the team participants on their performance. The opening statement, closing statement, and direct and cross examinations are all scored. The actual verdict of the trial is not decided and does not affect the scoring.

Students who won individual awards at the Central College tournament and KU Mock Trial program officers are listed below by hometown:

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Shawnee
Dani Davey, junior majoring in psychology and political science, daughter of Vickie Miller; Shawnee Mission Northwest High School graduate; vice-president.

Chris Kaiser, senior majoring in biology, son of John and Laura Kaiser; Shawnee Mission South High School graduate; outstanding attorney award.

From Olathe
Margaret Lubberts, freshman in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, daughter of Albert Lubberts; Olathe South High School graduate; witness award.

Shandy Soleimani, junior majoring in political science, daughter of Sheila and Massoud Soleimani; outstanding attorney award.

COLORADO
From Colorado Springs
Ryan Faulconer, junior majoring in political science, son of Forrest and Maria Faulconer; Cheyenne Mt. High School graduate; outstanding attorney award and witness award; president.

OKLAHOMA
From Broken Arrow
Branden Bell, second year law student; coach.