Willowbrook students participate in mock trials

Throughout the month of May, 52 Willowbrook students brought to life the skills they learned in class.

Those students were part of Willowbrook Career and Technical Education Department Chair Mary Barney’s business law classes, and they participated in mock trials during the last few weeks of the 2016-17 school year.

The defendants in the fictional cases, James Michael and John Hudecek, were found not guilty of the charges against them by their respective jury, which heard opening statements, testimonies and closing arguments. Defense attorneys Yesenia Vivero and Tomas Hernandez made a strong case with creative evidence for Michael, while prosecutors Ashleigh Gushiken and Kevin Ramirez made the decision difficult for the jury. Hudecek was defended by Jackson Hathaway, Nathan Sprovieri and Ali Mirza, who provided a solid alibi for Hudecek throughout his trial.

Each student in the classes portrayed a role, and this activity allowed the participants to use the lessons they experienced throughout the school year to fulfill their respective part in the mock trials.