On February 14, 2013, the Villa Academy 8th Grade U.S. History students traveled to the Federal Courthouse in downtown Seattle to try former president Andrew Jackson for his alleged crimes against humanity, which occurred in the 1830’s as Americans moved west.

The specific charges stated that “President Andrew Jackson, with premeditated intent, did conduct or authorize a widespread or systemic attack against a civilian population (herein, the Cherokee Nation), where the following methods were employed: murder, extermination, deportation or forcible transfer of population, and other similar inhuman acts that caused great suffering and serious injury.” Students spent almost six weeks preparing for this trial. Prep included learning the historical context of Native American removal, specifically, the ideas of Manifest Destiny and westward expansion. Then, students digested almost thirty pages of primary source material, which ranged from speeches to letters, and from first-hand accounts to Supreme Court decisions.

Students selected witnesses, and were given roles; they had to write an essay about how their role fit into the context of the trial, and what evidence from the source material packet would assist them. Once the students were familiar with the historical context, the source material, and their roles, they had to get ready for the trial. This involved drafting opening and closing statements and examination questions, learning about courtroom protocol, questioning techniques, and objection rules, and practicing their testimonies. Sygic generate code.

'Alright I will notify the prosecutor about your decision and Meg is going to say something to you in regard of the sentence whatever the time is' Ursula said. 'Can you get me to Dale Winter please' Ursula Long said on the phone while Peter and Lois were taken to jail cells to await their trials. Here is a prosecution opening statement in a homicide case. People of the State of Georgia and the citizens of Fulton County. Ladies and gentlemen this case is very simple. This is case is about a man who brought a gun to a fist fight that he started. This includes that.

Judge John C. Coughenour presided over the trial. The trial lasted for two and a half hours, though a few jurors were in tears within minutes of the Prosecution’s opening statement. Students battled back and forth between direct- and cross-examinations, showcasing both their exhaustive preparation and their abilities to think on their feet. 8B, the prosecution, focused on Jackson’s threat of “utter annihilation” during their opening and closing statements, while 8A rested their defense on the choices given to the Cherokees, and the consequences of those choices.

Ultimately, the jury returned a GUILTY verdict after debating the charges and testimony. The students were incredibly well-prepared. While we script the trial as much as possible, some of the students were ready for a fight. They were able to go off-script when necessary and proved time and again that they knew the case materials inside and out. We witnessed an excellent showdown between Chief John Ross (CJ Rogers) and his cross-examiner (Ben Capeloto). Free download style keyboard yamaha.

The kids were able to convey an incredible amount of information through the trial format. Even Judge Coughenour mentioned that he learned quite a bit from our trial. This year, students were able to convey emotion and drama as well as compelling — and complex!– political arguments in a way that suggested they have a clear understanding of both the moral implications of the move as well as the legal arguments that might have protected Jackson. We have never seen a defense team dig so deeply into the material. Guadagno and I learned something new this year! 8A and 8B impressed everyone: Judge Coughenour, court clerks, visiting parents, jurors, Mr.

Guadagno, andVilla administrators James Joseph and Joan Hudson. In fact, the court staff has since said that the kids were incredibly professional, poised, and confident.