Students in Lori DePauw’s Government and Law course recently produced a mock trial in the auditorium. This is an annual project where the students take part in all aspects of the trial. Sidney’s SRO, Delaware County Sheriff Deputy Jeff Clark, served as the judge.
This trial was a civil case -- Crewshank vs Ramirez.
The Ramirez family hosted a graduation party for their son, Jody Ramirez. Parents stayed for four hours, observing everything was under control. They then left their 21-year-old daughter, Nicki, in charge as they went to dinner with their friend, Abbie Rhodes.
Jody and Nicki then brought out three kegs they had kept hidden until their parents left. When the parents returned, there were 80 guests drinking alcohol and were quite lively. The parents made all guests pour out their drinks, and did their best to ensure only sober guests drove. After admitting he had just one drink, Jody asked to be able to drive his girlfriend home and was allowed to do so.
However, a storm came through and Jody drove through a stop sign, hitting two pedestrians who were running diagonally through the intersection. One of the pedestrians, Pat Crewshank was serioulsly injured and in a coma. Pat’s family has been told it will take two million dollars to provide for Pat’s future medical needs.
The civil case is against Mr. and Mrs. Ramirez, as well as Jody.
At the end of the case, where the students prosecuted, defended and presented everything, Judge Clark rendered the following verdict: There was a comparative negligence case in which the defendents were 60 percent accountable, and the plaintiffs were 40 percent accountable. That meant the Ramirez family will have to pay 60 percent of Pat’s care.
Pictured are the students who took part in the trial. Front (from left): Hailey Hoag, Kaitlyn Marquez, Daressa Stevens, Seycelle Kolic, and Makayla Phillips. Back (from left): Deputy Clark, Alison Marshall, Jorja Roefs, Nick Gravel, Adrian Anderson, Danika Harvey, Hannah Gray, and teacher Lori DePauw. Missing: Brian Wells, Hailey Hoag, and Renae Finch.
Pictured are the students who took part in the trial. Front (from left): Hailey Hoag, Kaitlyn Marquez, Daressa Stevens, Seycelle Kolic, and Makayla Phillips. Back (from left): Deputy Clark, Alison Marshall, Jorja Roefs, Nick Gravel, Adrian Anderson, Danika Harvey, Hannah Gray, and teacher Lori DePauw. Missing: Brian Wells, Hailey Hoag, and Renae Finch.