Mississippi Valley State University’s Mock Trial Team captured top awards in the recent second annual Ody Classic competition at Mississippi University for Women in Columbus.
The Valley team, coached by professor Larry W. Chappell and Greenwood attorney Neysha Sanders, won top attorney awards on both the plaintiff and defense sides.
The team now advances to the regional mock trial competition in Jackson, set for Friday through Sunday. The regional tournament will qualify teams for the opening round of the national championship competition in Memphis.
Austin Gray, a freshman English major from Cleveland, won the top attorney award on the plaintiff side, and Jasmine Murphy, a sophomore double major in pre-law/legal studies and English from Itta Bena, won outstanding witness.
Murphy received a perfect score from all judges.
Kenya Jones, a junior double major in pre-law/legal studies and government and politics from Meridian, won top attorney award for the defense side, and Destaree Simmons of Glendora, a junior criminal justice and pre-law major, won recognition as top witness for the defense.
Mock trial requires students to perform as attorneys and witnesses, competing against teams from around the country in tournaments sponsored by the American Mock Trial Association.
Teams consist of up to 10 members, who must compete in three-hour trials. Team members must learn affidavits and expert reports and also analyze and use numerous pieces of evidence. A trial consists of opening statements, direct examinations, cross examinations and closing arguments.
Chappell is a pre-law adviser, a professor of political science and coordinator of the pre-law/legal studies degree program at Valley. Sanders is a member of the Sanders Law Firm and teaches courses in the Department of Social Sciences at MVSU.
The team has been competing since early in the 2016-17 school year, supported in part by a grant from the Leflore County Board of Supervisors. The program is sponsored by the Office of University Advancement, Academic Affairs and the Department of Social Sciences.
• Contact Kathryn Eastburn at 581-7235 or keastburn@gwcommonwealth.com.
