ONU Honor Students Hold Mock Supreme Court Hearing

An Ohio Northern University Honors Seminar on appellate advocacy will culminate with students presenting oral arguments before a "mock" U.S. Supreme Court from 6 to 9 p.m., on Monday, May 1 in Room 129 of the ONU College of Law.

Students researched and wrote an appellate brief based on a case that was argued before the U.S. Supreme Court in the 2005 term. The case, Clark v. Arizona, involves the shooting death of an on-duty police officer. Mr. Clark (the defendant) entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity at trial and was convicted of first degree murder. He received a life sentence and is now appealing his conviction. The issue before the Court focuses on the insanity defense and Arizona's law, which limits the defendant's right to enter that defense.

Students acting as counsel for Mr. Clark (Petitioner) are: Rose Emrich, a junior in literature from Painesville, Ohio; Jennifer Pelton, a sophomore in language arts education from Hicksville, Ohio; Richard Tabar, a first year pharmacy student from Hinckley, Ohio; and Andrew Wick, a senior in criminal justice from Mount Gilead, Ohio.

Counsel for the State of Arizona (Respondent) are: Jay Gindlesberger, a first year pharmacy student from Magnolia, Ohio; Autumn Long, a senior in criminal justice from Volant, Pa., and Rachel Smith, a freshman in general studies from Bellevue, Ohio.

The oral arguments are open to the public. Refreshments will follow.

Published: Mon, 04/16/2007 - 12:00am