Gavel in hand and evidence at the ready, students at Becton Regional High School recently transformed their classroom into a courtroom in a collaborative, hands-on mock trial experience. Spearheaded by Mrs. DePeri’s Law and Criminal Justice class and Mrs. Mackanin’s Forensics class, the annual event brings textbook lessons to life in the case of The people of Becton vs. Mr. Buchta.
Each spring, Mrs.Mackanin constructs a fictional but detailed crime involving Becton staff members. This year’s plot unfolded with Mr. Lind arriving at school around his usual time of 6:15 a.m.— only to slip on a pool of cooking oil in his classroom. He reportedly saw a mysterious figure looming over him before losing consciousness. When he came to, a bottle of cooking oil was recovered from the scene— and it was covered in Mr. Butchta’s fingerprints.
The case thickened as forensic evidence revealed hair strands belonging to Ms. O’Driscoll, who had previously been in a short-lived summer romance with Mr. Lind. Their breakup provided potential motive and added a new layer of intrigue. From here, it was up to the students to investigate, build a case, and take it to trial.
In the first phase of the project, Mrs. Mackanin’s forensics students gathered and analyzed evidence just like professionals in the field.
“The forensic students worked in teams of 2–3 to investigate and solve the crime and ultimately arrest a suspect,” explains Mrs. Mackanin. “Those who were particularly skilled in the areas of analyzing hair, fingerprints, and handwriting were chosen by me to become expert witnesses for the trial.”
A courtroom sketch artist, Sarah Valenzuela, was also recruited from Mrs. DePeri’s U.S. History I class, as well as a news reporter from the Cat’s Eye View, Julia Bubendorf, who was tasked with taking notes.
“I overlooked some pre-existing court case illustrations provided by my teacher and worked on improving my semi-realism prior to the trial,” Sarah said. “Although I’m going into the medical field, this experience gave me more confidence in my art. I would 100% love to do it again!”
Once the forensics phase wrapped, the Criminal Justices class took over. Students from both classes came together on May 6 for a joint meeting, and then Mrs.DePeri’s students were tasked with building their court cases independently.
“This project is important because it provides students with a realistic experience and important lessons in the legal system,” says Mrs. DePeri. “We also hold mini mock trials throughout the year so they can learn the process and proper technique for presenting a case.”
Students were divided into defense and prosecution teams, complete with opening statements, direct and cross examinations, and legal strategies.
The courtroom team was rounded out with Claire Duardo serving as judge and Tausifa Islam as the bailiff. The prosecution team (Team A) was made up of Matthew Pintado, Matt Mora, Mariano Flores, Ryan McGuire, and Logan Malaret, while the defense team (Team D) included Kailyn Manzo, Amani Lewis, John Michael Gelin, Alishba Asim, and Bridget Cicarelli. The jury consisted of Miley Barczynsky, Jennifer Cajamarca, Elijah Davis, Aisha Iqbal, Quanya Miller, and Gabriel Santana.
Several students reflected on their experiences during the trial. Bridget Cicarelli, who participated in both Forensics and Criminal Justice, shares, “I had to collect evidence and come up with a suspect. Then I became a defense lawyer for Mr. Buchta in the trial.” She adds, “This experience kind of solidified that I want to go into law enforcement. It was a great preview,” and recommends the class to others, calling it fun and worthwhile.
Fellow defense lawyer Kailyn Manzo worked on the opening statement and participated in cross-examinations. While she doesn’t plan to pursue a legal career, she still found the experience valuable and enjoyable. “It was fun and I would recommend the class if you have any interest in law,” she says.
More than just an in-class project, the annual mock trial helps students understand the nuances of legal work, evidence interpretation, and public speaking. It was a fun, collaborative, and impactful learning opportunity that may shape future careers.
Whether they end up in law, science, or even art, one thing is certain—Becton students won’t forget the day they took the courtroom into their own hands.
