DUBOIS – The DuBois Central Catholic Mock Trial Team qualified for District Play-offs with a decision over the Bellefonte Area High School on Feb. 18, in the Centre County Courthouse. DCC’s team had already defeated Central Mountain High School earlier in February.
According to team advisor Carol Korthaus, the district play-off will involve teams from DuBois Central Catholic, DuBois Area and Bald Eagle.
Central’s team of Michael Zaffuto, Kiki Blakley, Alex Micknis, Cullen Engle, Matt Dugan, Riley Meyers, Trisha Gupta, Pedar Garred, Brian Elias, Meghan Graeca, Ana Tarcson and Maiya Fleming are coached by Carol Korthaus and Attorney Ross Ferraro.
According to Korthuas, each year the Young Lawyers Division of the Pennsylvania Bar Association develops a case, which is then prepared and enacted by high school teams from across the state.
This year’s case involves a drone, which was operating over a Natural Preserve. Teams then argue the issue of whether or not there was intentional action by the operator, which spooked a horse, injuring the rider who is now paralyzed.
Korthaus adds, “The case is argued before local attorneys and judges who rate the effectiveness of students as lawyers and witnesses.”