Mendham vies for 4th state Mock Trial title

NEW BRUNSWICK – Two titans of the mock trial world faced off Wednesday at the New Jersey State Bar foundation’s High School Mock Trial Finals.

West Morris Mendham High School was vying for their fourth state title and third in a row, while Mainland Regional High School of Atlantic County was vying for its third state championship.

With six combined state titles between them, it was a close trial, but in the end Mainland outlasted Mendham to win the 33rd annual Vincent J. Apruzzese High School Mock Trial Competition.

The trial began at 10 a.m. Wednesday, with Mendham acting as the plaintiff, as determined by a random draw. That meant their witnesses were called first, and took the stand until about 11 a.m.

The defendant’s case ran another hour, after which both teams broke for lunch as the judges - New Jersey Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner and Judge Marilyn C. Clark, Superior Court, Passaic County - deliberated over a decision.

Mainland was named the victor, and they will represent New Jersey in May at the national competition in Raleigh, N.C.

More than 3,000 students from 230 teams competed in this year’s competition statewide.

This season’s fictitious civil case involved a high school senior on an overnight school trip who breaks curfew to leave the hotel without permission, resulting in head injury and coma.

One side had to defend the parent and student, the other the teacher/chaperone and school district in the case of Payton Reynolds v. Smithville School District and Dalton Fisher.

On Wednesday, Mendham‘s team of eight students acted as the plaintiff in the case, representing the student and parent, and members of the team took on roles as lawyers, witnesses, and jurors.

The season was far from a loss for Mendham though. The group outlasted all but one New Jersey team, and recently claimed its 10th consecutive Morris County Championship.

Coach Eric Heditsch credits his team’s dedication for the accomplishment.

“The secret to 10 years of success is our younger kids learn from the older kids and then pass it on when they move up,” Heditsch said. “Everyone also takes ownership of what happens. They’re all responsible for everything, not just their own roles. And that’s not something any team can do. These kids have excelled and exceeded expectations this year.”

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636: mizzo@dailyrecord.com