Lake Superior Circuit Court Judge Marissa McDermott, center, talks with Hammond Academy of Science & Technology teacher Mira Projovic, left, and her Mock Trial students before they conducted their trial on May 14. The case involved the murder of a starlet by her abusive director boyfriend.
The defense team, led by HAST Mock Trial teammate and Senior Jeremiah Hughes, said it believed there wasn’t enough evidence to prove that Taylor’s death wasn’t anything more than a suicide, with Hughes fashioning his questions to point out that the alleged abuse Taylor suffered was “a matter of opinion” and showed that her friends actions didn’t reflect people who were worried about their friend.
The class ends with a mock trial, and since everything about the mock trial aspect was such a huge hit with the kids, Projovic went ahead and created Law 2, wherein the students are given a case at the start of class and then focus on rules of evidence, how to direct and cross-examine, and how to create opening and closing arguments, she said.
McDermott said she’s visited HAST on several occasions to talk to the Law class and help with coaching the team, so bringing them to her courtroom felt like a great way to end a successful year, she said. Watching the students improve has been nothing short of unbelievable for the judge.