High School Mock Trial Opening Statement?

Question

I'm the attorney for defense and my client has been charged with attempted school bombing. The person who accused her is a school bully, which is proven with several witnesses, and possibly might have set another person up for a crime.

However, the client told the bully that she would "get him back" and has art depicting the bully in flames. Then again, she is an artist and was told to express herself with art.

What should my opening statement cover in regards to my witnesses and evidence?

My witnesses are a psychologist who vouches for the bullying, a scientitist who says the bomb was poorly constructed, and a friend who says the defendent would never do such a thing and hints at the bully's history of setting up people.

The evidence is the chemicals found at my client's house (commonly used chemicals) and the fact that no fingerprints were found on the bomb.

Answer 1

Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury. We have heard an abundance of evidence regarding the attempted school bombing. But exactly how much of that evidence points to my client? Lets take a look at the evidence available. My client has art depicting the bully in flames. It was not the bully that was attacked. He wasn't even affected by the attempted bombing and he is not on trial here, so how can the artwork be held against my client because she simply expressed her feelings? She is an artist. Artists let their imagination run free and express themselves through their artwork. No fingerprints were found at the scene or even on the bomb. I wonder how many members of the jury have gloves at home?

Then work further on the lack of evidence and the credibility of the accused and your witnesses.

Good luck in your mock trial and I hope you win.

Answer 2

As I understand it, there was a bomb scare made, with a poorly constructed bomb. The bomb was made from common household products, which happen to also be found in the home of the defendant.

Attack the statistics. What percentage of homes contain the same products?
Next ask how hard difficult is it to construct a bomb with these materials. Where can you find the directions to build the bomb? Offer your client's computer into evidence to show that it was not used to access sites that provide the directions on bomb building.

Next really cross examine the bully.

Answer 3

Hello,

How about this opening statement:

Goodmorning ladies and gentlemen of the jury,

We are here today to prove beyond a reasonable doubt my client, XXXXX, did not have a part in this attempted bombing at XXXXX High School.

Along with my three witnesses who will address the instabiblity of the accuser, I will show you evidence that the accuser is infact a bully and only out to ruin my clients good name and credibilty.

As you will see, the chemicals found at my client's home are commonly used chemicals and there is no evidence she ever touched such chemicals to make said bomb.

Thank you.


Hope this helps you............... : - O

Answer 4

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, this should have never come to trial. Everyone knows that Jake the Bully here is a complete ass and my client has a clean record.

Answer 5

attack the credibility of the accuser and the weakness of the evidence against her...