KEEPING THE ORCHESTRA AFLOAT PERFORMING ON FLOATING STAGE WITH HELP OF A LOCAL BUSINESSMAN
April 30, 2007Jessie Darcey
May 2, 2007
It only took 15 minutes for the jury to reach a verdict: Guilty.
Twelve-year-old Jordan Borne, a student at St. Joseph Catholic School, had been judged by her peers. They unanimously agreed she had hidden a firearm in her backpack and taken it to school.
Unlike similar findings at a real trial, the verdict came as a relief to Borne.
“I’m happy that I was found guilty of a crime that could have hurt my fellow students,” she said, giving spectators a laugh. Borne confessed she believed she was guilty throughout deliberations.
Lafourche Parish District Attorney Cam Morvant III, who hosted Thursday’s mock trial, said such a confession would never happen in real life.
“Not many students would admit that they did something wrong even when they know they have,” the student said. “I hope I continue to make good choices.”
It’s a point Morvant hopes all of the students learn.
Held as part of the district attorney’s Project LEAD n Legal Enrichment and Decision-making n the mock trial teams students from Lafourche public and Catholic schools in a live trial situation. The program’s aim is to teach students the impact their decisions have on their lives.
State District Judge Walter Lanier III oversaw the mock proceedings.
Employees from Morvant’s office worked with the students beginning in October practicing their parts in the trial.
“The employees took time out of their schedules to help out with the program. They don’t do it as a part of their jobs, they do it as volunteers,” Morvant said.
The district attorney hosts a similar themed program for high school seniors titled the Domino Effect. It emphasizes the impact of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
“This program is important because we want you to make good choices in your life,” Morvant said after the verdict was read.
Throughout the hour, witnesses were called upon to testify. They were grilled by a team of prosecuting and defense attorneys. A 12-person jury heard the case. And the bailiff, Ethan Barbour, 11, of Golden Meadow Middle School, kept the courtroom in check.
“Judge Lanier took time out to be part of the program because he feels we are doing a great job by getting our message to the students at an early age, when the students first start to make bigger decisions,” Morvant said. “As students get older, they make more choices and they continue to make choices. If you walk away from anything today, I want you to know that sometimes we can make choices that we can correct and sometimes we can make the ones we can’t take back.”
Assistant District Attorney Thad Toups echoed that message. “When you leave here think about the choices you have to make and the consequences that come along with them,” he said.
After the verdict was issued, Lanier told the students, “The consequences from your choices could mean expulsion from school and/or jail time. We have to make good decisions and live by them.”
Prosecutor A, Candice Eschete, a 12-year-old Lockport Middle School student, commented on the timeliness of the mock trial. “This helps students understand the consequences of bringing a weapon to school,” she said.
“I’ve never heard about the program before. I am glad that I had the opportunity to participate in it and I look forward to participating in the other program when I am a senior in high school,” said Kayla Barrilleaux, 11, of East Thibodaux Middle School, played one of the jurors in the trial.
