2 area teams to compete in mock trial state finals

HUBBARD -- Two local high school teams are headed for Columbus today to compete in the 23rd annual mock trial state finals.
Students from Hubbard and Beaver Local high schools are among 48 teams from across the state taking part in the event, sponsored by the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education.
The competition begins today and runs through Sunday at the Ohio Statehouse.
The mock trial program is the largest academic competition in Ohio, said Deborah DeHaan, executive director of OCLRE.
The event started out with nearly 400 teams taking part in 33 district competitions in February. Hubbard and Beaver won their district events.
Students begin practicing for the competition in October and they all argue the same legal case.
This year's case centers on a convicted murderer's motion to take the death penalty off the table as a sentencing option in his case, claiming it would be cruel and unusual punishment.
The defendant has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and argues that society's justification for capital punishment doesn't apply in his case because his mental illness makes him morally less culpable for the crime.
The program is designed to encourage critical thinking, research, advocacy and public-thinking skills while teaching students about Constitutional issues and the role of law.
High school teams of five to 11 members must represent both the plaintiff and defendant and participate in two trials against different high schools to win their district events. The state winner advances to national competition in Oklahoma City in May.