Mock Trial – Murder, Conspiracy and Pizza

KO’s Mock Trial team had an exciting year, diving into a dramatic criminal case filled with small-town intrigue, rivalries, and—of all things—pizza. After several years of civil cases, this year’s return to a murder trial gave students a fresh challenge, testing their legal acumen, public speaking skills, and ability to think on their feet.

The case at the center of this year’s competition revolved around a pizzeria owner who was murdered in Rocky Neck, Connecticut. The accused? Another pizzeria owner, charged not with the actual killing but with conspiracy to commit murder—allegedly hiring someone to do the job. The prosecution worked to prove motive, highlighting a longstanding business grudge and the fact that the defendant’s business stood to benefit from the victim’s demise. The defense, however, countered with an alibi of sorts—arguing that the accused had merely hired this supposed hitman to rebuild a deck that had burned down (potentially at the hands of the victim himself).

The trial featured a colorful cast of witnesses, including a food blogger, the lead detective on the case, and a local beer company marketer, each bringing unique perspectives to the unfolding drama. While some mock trial cases take inspiration from real-life legal battles, this one was a wholly original creation, designed to challenge students’ ability to build and dismantle legal arguments.

The KO team received the case in mid-September, kicking off an intense preparation process. Unlike some schools that integrate mock trial into their daily curriculum, KO’s team meets just once a week for an hour and a half, meaning every session must be highly focused. Students spend additional time outside of practice reading case materials, writing questions, developing legal strategies, and rehearsing their arguments.

Coaching the team is a collaborative effort. While KO’s mock trial coach, Rachel Heffner-Burns, doesn’t have a legal background, she draws on her experience in theater—one of her college majors—to help students refine their courtroom presence. She can also lean on legal advisors, including attorney Melinda Rose P’21, 26 and former KO teacher and long-standing mock trial advisor Lynnn Levine, for expert guidance. Even Heffner-Burns’s husband, an attorney for the state of Connecticut, has occasionally helped explain legal concepts.

Beyond legal strategy, the theatrical aspect of the trial is just as important. Witnesses must fully embody their roles, delivering testimony with confidence and believability. One standout example was Gordon Beck, who went the extra mile by creating a custom t-shirt for his beer marketer character, fully committing to his role—a detail that even caught the judge’s attention.

KO’s mock trial season followed a multi-stage competition process, starting with the first round in December. The challenge? Finding the right competition location. Since many of KO’s competitors are public schools with different exam schedules, aligning calendars can be tricky. This year, several preliminary rounds fell on symposium day, making it difficult for KO to participate.

Despite the scheduling challenges, KO’s team performed exceptionally well. After winning one trial and losing another, they became one of just four wildcard teams statewide to advance to the next round based on their strong overall scores. The regional round in February played out similarly, with KO winning one trial and losing another. While this result didn’t propel them to the Elite 8, the team still had a strong and impressive showing.

This year’s team was junior-heavy, with key contributions from veteran and newer participants. Seniors led the way as team captains, providing leadership and experience. Meanwhile, juniors brought strong performances, many building on years of mock trial or public speaking experience. A promising addition to the team was freshman Lily, who made a strong debut this year.

Beyond the competitors themselves, support roles like timekeeping were equally vital. Erin, the team’s timekeeper, played a crucial role in ensuring trials ran smoothly, displaying leadership that could make him a key competitor next year. Looking ahead, the team is considering expanding to two teams next year, allowing more students to gain experience and deepen KO’s presence in the competition circuit.

For KO’s mock trial team, the experience goes far beyond legal arguments. Students develop critical thinking, public speaking, and confidence, all within the high-pressure environment of an actual courtroom setting. Unlike a scripted theater production, trials require students to respond live to unexpected questions, objections, and witness testimony, sharpening their ability to think and pivot in real time.

The intensity of mock trial has left a lasting impact on many students. Several have even expressed interest in pursuing legal careers, with some coming from families with legal backgrounds. Regardless of their future paths, the skills they’ve honed—persuasion, analytical reasoning, and the ability to command a room—will serve them well in any field.

KO’s mock trial team is poised for even greater success with a deep bench of talent returning next year. As they continue to refine their legal and theatrical skills, one thing is certain: the courtroom stage is theirs to command.