Hall of Champions

Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Maiyer Wahl – This year, the teams are presented with a criminal case, Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Maiyer Wahl. On Dec. 3, 2022, the defendant, Maiyer Wahl, alleges that they went to the house of Sal Badgerow for the purpose of repaying a debt they owed to Badgerow. The defendant alleges that when they arrived, they were robbed, beaten and stabbed at Badgerow’s house, and then kidnapped and dumped by the side of the road in Dober, Massachusetts. The prosecution alleges that the defendant broke into Badgerow’s house at night with the intent to steal money (to wit, approximately $15,000) and that Wahl fabricated the kidnapping to implicate Badgerow criminally and avoid the obligation to repay the debt owed to Badgerow. The defendant has been charged with burglary, larceny and filing a false police report.

Bari/Barry Jacob, as personal representative of the estate of John Dymek Jacob v. Caborite Aircraft, Inc. – This case revolves around whether or not the wing of a stunt plane (the Caborite Model 2) sheared off due to a design defect or as a result of pilot error. The plaintiff, Barry/Bari Jacob, was the child of John Dymek Jacob, a stunt pilot who died performing an advanced aerobatic maneuver called the Triple Lindy while practicing for a stunt show at the Devlin County Fair. The plaintiff asserts that the defendant, Caborite Aircraft, Inc., failed to design the plane to withstand the amount of g-force necessary for a stunt plane in order to save money. Caborite’s position is that the plane was designed correctly and that the plane’s maximum permitted g-force was exceeded because of pilot error. The question for trial: Can the plaintiff prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the design was defective, or will the defendant be successful in its defense that this tragedy was the result of pilot error?

Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Clarke Painter – On Nov. 29, 2019, Alex MacArthur, Katherine Denger and Clarke Painter drive to Leo's Convenience Store for the alleged purpose of collecting an alleged debt that one of the store employees, Hank Isselback, owed to Painter. Gun play ensued, and Isselback's sibling, Dan/i, was fatally shot by MacArthur. MacArthur pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and is awaiting sentencing. Denger has been charged with accessory to murder and is awaiting trial. In this case, the defendant, Painter, is charged with first-degree felony-murder for their participation as joint venturer with MacArthur and Denger in the commission or attempted commission of the predicate felony of armed robbery, which resulted in the death of Dan/i Isselback.

– The MBA was unable to operate the 2021 state competition due to the pandemic. A statewide mock trial program was administered by Massachusetts High School Mock Trial (MHSMT). The MHSMT Champion was recognized by the MBA as the official state champion and competed in the virtual National High School Mock Trial Competition (NHSMTC).

Dani Mockowski, also known as Danny Mockowski, a minor, by their mother and next friend, Sophia Mockowski, Plaintiff v. New England Heights Institute Of Music, Defendant – Dani Mockowski, also known as Danny Mockowski, a minor, by their mother and next friend, Sophia Mockowski, Plaintiff v. New England Heights Institute Of Music, Defendant – This year, the teams are presented with a civil case. The defendant, New England Heights Institute of Music (NEHIM), notified the plaintiff, Dani/Danny Mockowski, of a five-day suspension for a violation of Article I of NEHIM’s Code of Conduct, finding that the plaintiff engaged in conduct that caused physical or psychological harm to other students, and conduct that was disruptive to the school, malicious toward others, or intentionally damaging to the reputation of fellow students. The plaintiff claims the defendant violated their rights under the U.S. Constitution and seeks to reverse their suspension and to require the defendant to expunge references to the past suspensions from their student record. The 2020 competition was halted after the Regionals and Sweet 16 matches due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 Elite 8 teams were: Gann Academy – The New Jewish High School, Groton School, Malden Catholic High School, Newton South High School, Phillips Academy, Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School, Thayer Academy and The Winsor School.

The United States of America v. Nat Hart – On the evening of Sept. 7, 2018, the defendant, Nat Hart, a police officer in the Town of Gavish, Massachusetts,shot and killed Rae/Ray Lugansky, the cousin of a well-known Tanerbian activist by the name of Grey Humansky. The two cousins look remarkably similar, and the shooting was clearly a case of mistaken identity. However, as the result of several prior interactions between the defendant and Humansky, the government contends that the defendant shot and killed the victim in violation of 18 U.S.C.A. § 242. An indictment was issued charging Nat Hart with the violation.

Leah/Lee Hizeneye v. Consolidated Brokers of Boise Insurance Company – This year, the teams are presented with a civil case centering around the death of a prominent man, Liam Hizeneye, from an explosion. The dispute is over the enforceability and payout under the $5 million life insurance policy Liam purchased months before he died. If Liam’s death was accidental, the policy pays double indemnity — a $10 million payment. If the insurance company is successful in proving Liam’s death was a suicide, it is not required to make any payment under the policy. Was Liam’s death a suicide? An accident? Or something else? This hypothetical case gives participates an opportunity to explore different theories to argue in favor (or against) enforcement of the life insurance policy.

Comm. v. Sazer Larson – Returning Iraqi war vet claims that symptoms relating to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder caused a hallucination that brought him back to the reality of war, when he actually pulled the trigger and killed an old high-school nemesis during a July 4th fireworks celebration. Was this first degree murder or an act caused by insanity or diminished capacity?

Pat Varma v. Samantha/Samuel Kang, M.D. – The case involved medical malpractice. The plaintiff, once a star soccer player, was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2014. Three years prior to this diagnosis, in 2011, the defendant performed heart surgery on the plaintiff after her/his heart had stopped following a soccer game. While the plaintiff acknowledged that the surgery performed by the defendant saved her/his life, the plaintiff alleged that the defendant acted negligently in other respects and that, but for this negligence, the plaintiff’s cancer would have been diagnosed in 2011. Had the cancer been diagnosed at that time, the plaintiff alleged, certain treatment options would have been available, and the plaintiff’s prognosis would have been significantly better. The defendant denied that she/he acted negligently, and asserted that she/he was not liable for any harm suffered by the plaintiff.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Stephanie/Steven Hardee – This case involved a criminal matter and concerned a man (fictional) whose life was cut short on the evening of August 2, 2014. There was no dispute as to what killed him or even who did it. But was the killing a criminal act, or was the defendant legally justified?

Bari/Barry Jacob v. Caborite Aircraft, Inc. – This case revolved around whether or not the wing of a stunt plane (the Caborite Model 2) sheared off due to a design defect or as a result of pilot error. The plaintiff, Barry (Bari) Jacob, was the child of John Dymek Jacob, a stunt pilot who died performing an advanced aerobatic maneuver called the Triple Lindy while practicing for a stunt show at the Devlin County Fair. The plaintiff asserted that the defendant, Caborite Aircraft Inc., failed to design the plane to withstand the standard amount of g-force necessary for a stunt plane in order to save money. Caborite's position was that the plane was designed correctly and that the plane's maximum permitted g-force was only exceeded because of the negligent actions of the pilot. The question for trial: Can the plaintiff prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the design was defective, or will the defendant be successful in its defense that this tragedy would not have occurred but for pilot error?

Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Paula/Paul Breedy – This case was a good old fashioned murder mystery. The victim, a wealthy widow with no children of her own, died from a heart attack shortly after informing her heirs that she was giving half of her estate to a charity and her live-in caregiver would receive a remaining equal share with the grandnieces and grandnephews. The prosecution asserted that the defendant, one of her grandnephews, poisoned her by tampering with her medication to cause the heart attack. The defense asserted that the heart attack was natural, or that if it wasn’t, she was murdered by her live-in caretaker or another relative who was upset by the significant reduction in his share of the estate.

Alex Soltin v. Annie/Allen Sway – This case explored the division of legal responsibility when addressing a pervasive social problem, one that is familiar to most, if not all, high school students: bullying. The issue at the heart of the civil claim was what level of responsibility do teachers bear in identifying and preventing bullying among students. This was a topic that was prevalent in the media and one that illustrated the challenging intersection between law and social policy.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Eddie/Addie Bernson – Inspired by the MBA’s celebration of its past, the Mock Trial Committee adapted and updated one of the most successful cases in the program’s history. First used in 1998, the case arose out of a fatal car accident at a dangerous intersection that was missing a stop sign. The defendant was accused of removing the stop sign from the intersection as part of a high school prank, and faced criminal charges for causing the accident and deaths. The case explored the far-reaching ramifications of seemingly innocuous behavior, serving as a reminder of the full extent of criminal responsibility.

Doris/Dennis J Zellus v Abigail/AbrahmJ. Clifford and Goldsmith, Neray & Sass LLC – The defendants were alleged to have violated the Uniform Securities Act, committed common law fraud, violated the Consumer Protection Act and breached their fiduciary duties to the plaintiff, all as a result of financial advice given to the plaintiff resulting in substantial monetary damages.

Comm. v. Sazer Larson – A returning Iraqi war vet claimed that symptoms relating to post-traumatic stress disorder caused a hallucination that brought him back to the reality of war, when he actually pulled the trigger and killed an old high-school nemesis during a July 4th fireworks celebration. The question for trial: Was this first degree murder or an act caused by insanity or diminished capacity?

Smith v. Lunatick Games – A high school intern at successful computer gaming company with casual, informal work rules alleged gender discrimination / hostile work environment and retaliation under M.G.L. c. 151B. Was the environment hostile or was the student unreasonably sensitive?

Commonwealth v. Freeman – A defendant was charged with vehicular homicide while under influence driving negligently. The defendant had a head cold, took cold medication and drove home from a party after midnight after playing in a band. The defendant hit a pedestrian who died the next day. The defendant claimed to have had a sip (or two) of beer, and the Breathalyzer result was .03. The field sobriety test results were questionable. Was the defendant legally impaired?

Dannie Boyd vs. Findlay Auto Devices, Inc. – In this civil product liability case involving a portable GPS device, a driver looked down at the “FAD-411" screen and missed a “no right turn” sign. The driver turned right and was slammed into by a truck. Was the GPS device designed defectively, or was the defendant liable for negligent driving?

United States vs. Cameron/Carmela Berncoat – The case involved allegations of criminal conspiracy, malicious destruction of property by arson causing death and malicious mischief. A researcher at an animal lab let animal rights members enter. While there, the animals were released and a fire started, causing the death of an employee. Was the defendant duped or a willing co-conspirator? Did s/he timely withdraw from the conspiracy?

Jody Sarak v. Michael / Michelle D. Chervy – Copyright infringement. Doing an assignment, a college student file shared a musician's work via the internet. Was the professor liable for contributory infringement, or did the student act alone? Was it “permitted fair use”?

Commonwealth v. Hemmill N. Carter – Motion to Suppress –– Criminal/Civil Liberties/Racial Profiling: Mass and U.S. Constitution issues. Search and seizure of a high school student and his belongings; proper response to terrorist threat or racial profiling?

Casey Willinger v. Billy/Billie Bartin – Sports Injury/Civil Tort; negligence, battery, emotional distress: M.G.L c.233, Section 79G Batter hit in face by pitch. Intentional?

Commonwealth v. Jerejay G. Teasdale, III – Hate crimes; violation of civil rights: M.G.L c. 265 Ethnic slurs and name calling leads to fight between north and south "Freedonians."

Ward v. Bannon – c. 209A Abuse Prevention Order against boyfriend

O.P. Taylor v. Town of Thomas River – First Amendment/free speech. School punished student based on content of student web page on home computer.

Commonwealth v. Mickey Peters – Manslaughter indictment of high school student for removing stop sign; couple killed in intersection crash.

Mary Babson, Administratrix v. Jody Rivers et al. – Wrongful death; social host liability for parents and student who held "keg" party where underage student died from excess alcohol consumption.

Pat Barkley, ppa v. City of Jamestown – Sexual harassment of high school girl by male students; alleged Title IX violation of school under "hostile environment" test for failure to control students

Commonwealth v. Dana Fox – Juvenile Transfer Hearing to be tried as adult for vehicular homicide running over victim in crash of stolen car.

Stacy Madison v. City of Moneville – Student shot by handgun at high school sued the city for negligent failure of school to keep guns out of the school.

Commonwealth v. Eliot – Date rape; students got drunk at house party and had sex. Was it consensual?

Howard Greene, ppa v. City of Craneville – Negligence for failure of day care staff to report child abuse.

Commonwealth v. Jamie Peale – Felony murder indictment of driver of the "getaway" car in a convenient store robbery.

J. Doe, ppa v. Brownsville School District – A 6th grader with AIDS barred from attending public school.

Commonwealth v. Jameson – Fourth Amendment: school locker search for drugs.

Commonwealth v. Robert Macafee – Assault with dangerous weapon; irate citizen shot teenage driver after repeated harassment by kids in cars.

Commonwealth v Page – Eyewitness identification.