March 17, 1994

1994-03-19T01:58:20-05:00

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In a mock trial, the title character of Shakespeare’s Hamlet was tried for the murder of the king’s attendant, Polonius. The purpose of the trial was to determine the mental state of the prince at the time of the murder and to determine his criminal responsibility for the act. During a preliminary briefing, Justice Kennedy, who would preside over the trial, and several high school students reviewed the preliminaries of the case and the procedures the trial would follow. The briefing was followed by the trial. Mr. Thomas Feldman, Mr. Meyer Feldman and Mr. Lowell argued the defense of Hamlet, while Mr. Olson and Mr. Wallison argued the prosecution’s case. Following the opening statements, several debate participants were interviewed. The interviews were followed by the closing argument, offered by Mr. Olson and Mr. Lowell, and the verdict. The jury found Hamlet criminally responsible.

In a mock trial, the title character of Shakespeare’s Hamlet was tried for the murder of the king’s attendant, Polonius. The purpose of the trial was… read more