For the first time since its founding, LM Mock Trial progressed to state finals, finishing second out of almost 300 teams. The team worked tirelessly from September to March to perfect their case.
The team’s journey started back in September, when every mock trial team across the state received a case. The case included witness statements and different pieces of evidence, which the team would analyze. Each team member assumed the role of either a witness or a lawyer. At trials, each witness would inform the jury about their view of the case. Lawyers from opposing teams would attempt to make the opposing team’s witnesses look unreliable by questioning them during cross examination.
This year’s case was about two college students, one of whom was accused of stealing a priceless historical artifact in an act of grand larceny. LM Mock Trial members on the prosecution were tasked with proving the defendant guilty of theft. Those on the defense needed to explain every piece of incriminating evidence stacked against the defendant.
To advance into state finals, the team had to place first or second in their regional competition. Winning regionals required winning five consecutive rounds. As mock trial is a single elimination competition, a single slip-up could signify the end of the competition season. However, LM Mock Trial crushed their opponents in preliminary rounds and won the final regional round against North Penn High School. This was no close call, either – LM won all seven of the jury ballots used to decide the final round. This performance qualified the chapter for states.
At state championships, the team arrived in Harrisburg, PA for two days of tough competition. In the first round, LM faced off against State College High School. LM’s lawyers, Aliyah Brownstein ’25, Andrew Stearn ’25, and Brigid San Chirico ’26 delivered stunning objections and speeches. In this round, LM was the prosecution, meaning they needed to prove the defendant guilty. On cross examination, Brownstein poked countless holes in the defendant’s testimony, planting seeds of doubt into the jury. LM won the trial by a shocking 20 point differential, while many statetrials are won by only 5-10 points.
LM’s next trial was against Roman Catholic High School. This was a crucial trial to win, as the all-boys school is the reigning champion of the Ben Franklin Invitational, an independent mock trial tournament. Hana Abdullah ’26 portrayed the defendant’s best friend, transforming a dubious character into a trustworthy one. Abdullah also received the Best Witness award during this trial. Since it was Abdullah’s first year doing Mock Trial, she “learned a lot from the team,” mentioning that her fellow mockers helped her find success. During cross examinations, Roman Catholic faltered against LM’s witnesses and failed to sway the jury towards their favor. This weakness, combined with LM’s performance, led to another win for the chapter.
The next day, LM advanced to the final four trials. Faced against a formidable opponent, Lincoln Park High School, who came first in their region. Tori Locasio ’26 had an intensely difficult witness role, as she was one of the main college students and Lincoln Park’s attorneys attempted to pin the crime on her. Using her knowledge of the case, Locasio was not only able to prove her innocence but also received the Best Witness award. Before the trial came to an end, Stearn delivered a closing argument that hammered home the prosecution’s points. LM escaped this trial with a narrow win, taking five out of nine jury ballots and cementing their place in the state finals.
State finals consisted of Central High School (prosecution) against LM (defense). Both teams fought to reach the finals, and stakes were high in the courtroom. Facing the judgement of nine jurors along with over 50 observers, LM Mock Trial prepared for a close round. San Chirico delivered an enthralling opening speech, outlining the defense’s case and the prosecution’s shortcomings, as well as an incriminating cross-examination of a police officer. LM’s witnesses, faced with the best lawyers in the state, fought through tough cross-examinations. Alistair Browning ’26, portraying a historical expert, delivered excellent defense in a role he had picked up only a week prior. Browning described his experience at finals as “a really awesome culmination, knowing just how much time and effort it took to get there.”
At the end of the trial, Brownstein again stepped up to the plate for a memorable closing. By outlining the defense’s strong evidence and turning the prosecution’s case on its head, Brownstein was able to portray the defendant as a well-meaning, wrongfully accused college student. This speech also helped Brownstein receive a Best Attorney award – her fourth of the weekend, sweeping the award entirely. Brownstein mentioned that she was “so grateful to have gone for a second time, especially since we weren’t able to go last year after qualifying. Looking back on her years of MT, Brownstein said that she is “wildly proud of how far [she’s] come and [she] thinks [her] recognition this year at states is a testament to that.” Unfortunately, Central’s ability to incriminate witnesses on cross examinations, combined with their stellar case theory, proved more convincing to the jury than LM’s efforts. LM finished second in the state of PA, winning 3 out of 8 jury ballots.
Overall, LM Mock Trial has received an amazing achievement, bringing home a trophy for the school and a medal for each participant. The team will celebrate their regional victory on Law Day, at lunch with representatives from the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
