District Attorney Timothy Cruz presented a Mock Trial for the people of Halifax in the Halifax Town Hall Great Room, attended by close to 50 people, as TRIAD’s March 1 presentation.
Explaining through action, the Mock Trial showed how the judicial system works at the trial level, using locals to act out the various roles. TRIAD president Ken Vinton acted the part of the judge, complete with judicial robe, presiding over the event.
Jo Schofield, a mainstay of the Halifax senior population, was the defendant, and various witnesses were called to testify for or against the charge that she had over-celebrated her birthday and was driving while intoxicated.
First to testify was the bartender at the fictitious Ken’s Pub, who stated under oath that she served Jo and her friend Dottie two Manhattans at the bar while they waited for a table to have lunch. When seated, they had another adult beverage while they dined. The bartender then stopped serving alcohol to Jo, who then became belligerent and stormed out of the pub, got into her vehicle, and crashed into a car in the parking lot.
Officer Cushman took the stand and stated that the defendant failed a field sobriety test at all levels: slurred speech, standing on one leg for a time, and walking a straight line, heel to toe, for ten paces.
When Jo took the stand in her own defense, she claimed to be sober when taking the field sobriety tests, and her inability to perform the tasks had to do with her age – 86! “See if you can stand on one foot for five minutes when you get to be 86!” she told the court. And also claimed that the bartender was mistaken in her drinks count, and that she had only had one Manhattan at the bar and had ordered a nonalcoholic beer with lunch.
Jo’s best friend Dottie testified on her behalf saying that the bartender’s memory must have been in error and they had not over-imbibed.
District Atty. Cruz acting as prosecutor, asked Dottie if Jo was her best friend who drove her everywhere she needed to go. Dottie agreed. And would she do anything to help her best friend. Dottie said yes. And would she swear to her friend’s sobriety to help her friend. Dottie admitted that she probably would.
Judge for the day Ken called on the jury – those in the audience – to render a verdict – and it was guilty.
The verdict for the event was a resounding “thumbs up” for a fun and informative morning.
TRIAD meets the first Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m., regularly at the Halifax Police Station’s second floor meeting room. This coming April 5 meeting will feature Kozhaya “John” Nessralla, who will speak about his family’s long history in Halifax. All are welcome to attend.