Morgan Criminal Law students took a trip to the Middletown Courthouse on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 to observe a real-world murder trial. 20 Criminal Law students, randomly chosen by history teacher Ms. Shook, overheard key witnesses and experts for an attempted murder trial.
Each semester, Mrs. Shook takes students on this field trip to expand their learning outside the classroom.
Ms. Shook puts forth lots of effort for her students to be able to see a real life trial and get the opportunity to visualize what she is teaching inside the classroom and connect it to something real. “The best way to learn about the Criminal Justice System is to see it in action. I think it is always beneficial for students to make real world connections with the content that I teach in all of my classes, and a field trip is the best way to do just that.” Said Ms. Shook
“Speaking with the Investigator and District Attorney gives students the opportunity to dive deeper into the curriculum. I believe it is also important for students to understand that the system moves much slower than what we all see on TV. In addition to the field trip, the DA and the Investigator will visit us in school next month – this will provide an additional opportunity for students to ask questions and further develop their understanding of how the justice system works.” Said Ms. Shook
Ms. Shook is passionate about being able to bring her students to the Middletown Court house each semester!
The trial was split into three days. Out of those three days, there were all sorts of information being shared with the judge from the evidence found. On the third day of the trial, the judge came to a final decision based on the evidence each witness shared and from the visuals proven. Those results have still not been made public to the class.
The attempted murder trial was about a young man, who was part of a gang that attempted to kill another Middleman, a young man, a part of another gang. He shot the man six times in the right leg while sitting on the front porch of his house. Throughout the trial, there were witnesses that spoke on the attempted murder. A doctor, lawyer, private investigator, and a cop. 
All the evidence shared was to speak on behalf of what they saw and did after the attempted murder happened. The doctor spoke about the procedures him and his crew did on the man’s leg. The man did not need any surgery and was sent home the night of attempted murder. The private investigator shared all evidence found. The evidence he shared were times, DNA found, exact location, supplies, drugs, and background information on both men. All information was taken seriously to the judge to make her final decision on if the man was sentenced or not.
Junior, Avery Vece, attended the field trip and found it interesting. “I am happy I took up this opportunity with my class and got to listen to a real trial.” Avery said. Seeing an actual trial made Avery realize how long the process takes to get a final answer from the judge and how much depth goes into collecting all the evidence to the case.
“Being able to witness the trial made me able to visualize what we’ve been learning in class.” Avery said. “Avery was able to connect all the lessons she has learned in class to the steps that go on throughout the trial.
