The Huntington High School mock trial team has advanced to the Elite Eight round after toppling Central Islip in a virtual courtroom battle in a Sweet Sixteen showdown late last week.
The Blue Devils won a pair of regular season match-ups to qualify for the post-season. The team is working with volunteer legal advisors John LoTurco and Xavier Palacios. Teacher Suzie Biagi is Huntington’s faculty advisor.
In the trial against Central Islip, the Blue Devils represented defendants Lee and Robbie McLaughlin in this year’s statewide case. The pair stands accused by their daughter of mismanaging her musical career and imprudently investing her guardianship funds.
Suffolk District Court Judge John Kelly presided over the trial with Central Islip and the jurist was impressed with both teams of lawyers and witnesses. The veteran courtroom arbiter said he has been “judging mock trial competitions for 20 years” and felt it was “two of the best teams” that he has witnessed during that time span.
Huntington will square off against powerful John H. Glenn on Wednesday with a trip to the Suffolk Final Four on the line.
Judge Kelly, who also serves as Deer Park High School’s mock trial team legal advisor, spent significant time after the competition providing his insight for the benefit of each of the Huntington team members.
He asked junior Christopher Maichin if he planned on becoming a professional actor, as his performance was entertaining and a worthy theatrical performance. The jurist also praised junior Molly Fallon for her poised and obvious preparation and her ability to combat cross-examination effectively.
Junior Sophie Laserson turned in another outstanding character portrayal of the investment advisor, especially during a vigorous cross-examination with her ability to remain composed and confident.
Judge Kelly also highly commended the performance of the three Blue Devil attorneys. He complimented junior Jillian LoTurco’s exceptional opening statement and unflappable cross-examination. Mr. Palacios added that it was Ms. LoTurco’s best performance to date as she showed her courtroom adaptability under pressure which is critical for a trial attorney.
Judge Kelly also applauded junior Emily Geller's overall exemplary performance, including her commanding cross-examination and her polished direct examination.”
Finally, sophomore Angie Hernandez Ramos delivered a fearless performance throughout the trial by making continuous adept objections and demonstrating a comprehensive proficiency in trial tactics.
Huntington closed out the regular season by turning back a challenge from West Islip in match in which the Blue Devils represented plaintiff Macca McLaughlin. The victory secured a good seed in the post-season bracket.
Clutch performances were delivered by attorneys, Christopher Maichin, Ashley Genao and Emily Geller, who were sterling in their courtroom advocacy and presentation.
Ms. Genao’s opening statement was delivered with a balance of eloquence and vigor that set the stage for the remainder of the trial. All three witnesses were equally impressive in their individual performances.
Junior Andrea Mani-Munoz performed like a courtroom veteran, although it was her first mock trial competition, when she portrayed the voice coach of the plaintiff convincingly and successfully deflected all potential cross-examination points.
Messrs. LoTurco and Palacios commended Sophie Laserson for quickly learning a second witness role when she convincingly played the financial analyst expert with confidence and poise.
Angie Hernandez Ramos dramatically and effectively played the role of the teenage plaintiff whose career was destroyed by her parent’s mismanagement.
Christopher Maichin’s closing argument sealed the decisive victory and secured Huntington’s high seed in the Suffolk mock trial playoffs.
The Blue Devils also gave a nod of thanks to Huntington alum and recent University of Pennsylvania grad Sabrina Palacios, who is interning with the program. She has devoted many hours to assisting the squad, providing important guidance and co-coaching.
“She has been a critical member of our team’s preparation and success,” Mr. LoTurco said. “We are all amazed at Sabrina’s insight, understanding of the law and rules of evidence without obtaining a law degree where she claims that she learned much of it from mock trial and television shows like ‘How to Get Away with Murder.’ Thank you, Professor Sabrina!”