FV Mock Trial advances to playoffs

Defense attorneys with judge (left to right) Ally LeNguyen ('17), Presiding Judge Karen Scott, Divya Seth ('17), and Kaitlyn Truong ('18). Photo by John Le.

Defense attorneys with judge (left to right) Ally LeNguyen (’17), Presiding Judge Karen Scott, Divya Seth (’17), and Kaitlyn Truong (’18). Photo by John Le.by John Le & Elise Tran, Staff Writers

Fountain Valley Mock Trial completed their last round of the preliminaries on Dec. 1 against Orange Lutheran High School. Beating them, the team kept their undefeated record, 4-0, and landed themselves a place in the playoffs and one of the top 16 teams.

The 2014 season was the last time the FV Mock Trial had made playoffs and made it only to the first round of playoffs. This year they have been preparing to take it all the way to the top.

Pre-trial attorney Ian Hsu (‘19) paved the way for a statement made by the defendant to be held inadmissible. After an exceptional performance from him, trial attorneys Ally LeNguyen (‘17), Divya Seth (‘17), and Kaitlyn Truong (‘18) stepped up.

Seth had impressive directs that led the witnesses to become credible and reliable. LeNguyen finished up the trial with a moving closing statement as their last attempt to convince the judge of the defendant’s innocence.

One of the highlights of the night was from Brigitte Doan (‘18), the defendant. Doan showed enough emotions to the convince the court that she was in fact, innocent. The attorneys lead the judge to a verdict of not guilty for the defendant.

Chosen as MVP for the night was attorney Kaitlyn Truong (‘18) for her cross-examinations. Witnesses Seth Caraballo (‘18) and Doan, and attorneys Hsu, LeNguyen, Seth, and Truong were nominated for their incredible performances by the opposing team.

FV Mock Trial will enter the first round of playoffs Tuesday, Dec. 6.