Homeschoolers, Air Force legal office conduct fairytale trial

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class R. Michael Longoria
  • 11th Wing Public Affairs
BOLLING AIR FORCE BASE, Washington, D.C. (AFNEWS) --  Twelve Bolling area homeschoolers participated in a mock trial held by the 11th Wing Judge Advocate at Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals courtroom here April 27.

The goal of the mock trial, State of Italia v. Gepetta, was to introduce the homeschoolers to the legal process. The children also learned about the military justice appeals processes, other legal jobs in the Air Force and met with several judges.

"The whole experience helped me understand lawyers, courtrooms and the Air Force legal process," said 9th grader Tisa Lawrence, the daughter of Master Sgt. Bruce Lawrence.

Tisa played the state attorney, Signora Mussino, in this fairy-tale trial. She added it wasn't hard for her because she loves acting and has played a lawyer before.

The mock trial was adapted from the children's classic character Pinocchio invented by Gepetto (Gepetta in the trial) who creates a wooden boy who turns real after a fairy unexpectedly grants a wish.

In the trial, Mrs. Mussino tries to prove that Pinocchio (6th grader Seth Malcom, the son of Capt. James Malcom and Virginia Leach) should remain in state care.

Mrs. Mussino explains it's a case in which an alleged parent neglected to take proper care of a child. She states that Gepetta (Katherine Allen, the 8th grade daughter of Lt. Col. Dana Allen and Maj. Lynne Allen) was not the legal mother and allowed "bad" things to happen to the boy.

The defense, Mr. Lampwick (Will Skelton, the 7th grade son of Lt. Col. Robert Skelton and Karen Skelton) argued that Pinocchio should stay with Geppetta.

Mr. Lampwick explained that love is what Pinocchio needs most, and the state can't give that to him. The defense also showed that Gepetta took great pain to find Pinocchio when he went missing.

After quick deliberation, the jury decides Pinocchio should remain with his mother.

"We decided Pinocchio, should be taken out of state care and given back to Gepetta because she made Pinocchio which meant she was the rightful mother," said the jury foreman Matthew Borelli, the 10-year-old son of Col. Elizabeth B. Borelli, the 11th Operations Group commander). "Also, she tried hard to find Pinocchio and Pinocchio tried even harder to find Gepetta. These were signs of love and happiness, which was what we were looking for. We didn't feel Pinocchio would be loved if left in state care."

After the 45-minute trial, the case was pronounced closed by Judge Collodi (Col. Steve Thompson, the Air Force appellate judge).

"It was a real pleasure working with those kids," said Colonel Thompson. "Each one of the children who participated in the mock trial did a great job, and it was obvious they had practiced and took the trial seriously. I was impressed by how intelligent, motivated and well prepared they were."

The legal office was also impressed by the children's ability to understand the legal process and feels that the mock trial went well.

"We are very pleased with the participation of the homeschoolers they were motivated and enthusiastic participants," said Cara Johnson, 11th Wing Legal Office. "We are very grateful for all the families who were very generous with their time and energy."

The mock trial was one of several events held in honor of Law Day, which was established in the late 1950s, by the American Bar Association to draw attention to both the principles and practice of law and justice. President Dwight D. Eisenhower established Law Day by proclamation in 1958.

Every year the ABA establishes a theme for law day. This year's theme is "Liberty under law, Empowering youth, ensuring democracy."

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