St. John's University Hosts, Competes in Regional Mock Trial Team Tournament

By: Jody Fisher
February 12, 2003

Jamaica, NY - St. John's University will play host to one of the regional rounds of this year's National Intercollegiate Mock Trial Tournament, Friday, February 14 through Sunday, February 16, 2003 at various sites around the Queens campus. In addition to being selected as a regional host for the first time, St. John's will enter two teams including one squad of returning veterans, ranked nationally in last year's competition. Other schools that will participate include Columbia, Yale, Brown, Dartmouth, Cornell, Fordham, Pace, LIU, Brooklyn and SUNY. Part of the competition will take place in the newly renovated Belson Moot Courtoom in the School of Law, a magnificent facility that combines the latest in courtroom technology and the grandeur of stately courtroom dicor.

"We are looking forward to a successful competition," said Prof. Bernard Helldorfer and Prof. Oscar Holt, Coaches of the St. John's team. "Not only are we looking forward to playing host to our worthy opponents, but to competing and hopefully going on to the national finals. The Red Storm has been ranked often in the top ten squads in the nation over the last 12 years. We look forward to upholding our tradition as a force to be reckoned with."

The competition simulates a real court case, with students playing the roles of attorneys for plaintiff, defense, and as witnesses. Points are awarded based on the students' individual performances. Cases include forensics, expert testimony and sharpened questioning and debating skills, and take months to prepare.

In addition, high school students from the five boroughs and Nassau and Suffolk counties have also been invited to attend to serve as jurors for the competition.

The schedule of trials will be as follows:
Round 1Friday, Feb. 143 p.m.
Round 2Saturday, Feb. 159 a.m.
Round 3Saturday, Feb. 152 p.m.
Round 4Sunday, Feb. 1610 a.m.

For more information or to arrange media coverage, please contact Jody Fisher, Director of Media Relations, at 718-990-6185 or at fisherjo@stjohns.edu.