The Albert Lea High School Varsity Mock Trial team took part in the fifth annual ALHS Mock Trial Alumni Scrimmage on Dec. 21 at the Freeborn County Courthouse. This year’s case is a fictional negligence case of Kelly Anderson vs. Dale Rockford and John Riley High School. Team members played the role of the plaintiff and included lawyers Maddy Ruble, Logan Tufte and Michelle Hartmann. Witnesses for the plaintiff were Josselyn Hill, Shelby Lageson and Aaron Thomas. Alumni played the defense and included lawyers Eric Schwab (2006), Kari Opdahl (2007), Josh Klapperick (2008) and witnesses Therese Paczkowski (2003), Abraham Swee (2007) and Amanda Leonard (2007). The presiding judge was law clerk and assistant coach Char Hunter. Scoring judge was Karen Leonard (2004). The alumni won the verdict and scoring.

This year, 27 Albert Lea High School students in grades 9-12 make up three competition teams. The teams will compete in the Owatonna Invitational on Jan. 9 to prepare for the upcoming season. Head Mock Trial Coach Neil Chalmers thanks the staff at the Freeborn County Courthouse for the continued support of the team, law clerks and assistant coaches Char Hunter and Jocylyn Poehler, assistant coach Therese Packowski and mock trial alumni.