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The Michigan Center for Civic Education

presents the

2012 Michigan High School Mock Trial Tournament: People v. Thomas D. Osiski.

March 10 – Regional Rounds; Pontiac and Grand Rapids
March 24 – State Finals; Lansing

This year's case is a criminal case surrounding the death of a famous musician. Was it murder, suicide, or something else . . .

Martin Louis Siriusz was found slumped over his piano listening to a playback of his latest (and as it turned out, his last) recording, entitled "Hanging at Death's Door." [A copy of the recording is available as evidence] The people of the State of New Michigan have charged Thomas "Duke" Osiski, Siriusz's former bandmate, with murder. The people allege that Osiski was furious over Siriusz's eleventh-hour decision to cancel a reunion tour that would have provided Osiski with much-needed financial relief.

Osiski denies shooting his long-time friend, contending that he went to the recording studio in an attempt to persuade Siriusz to reconsider his decision, but when he entered the room, he found Siriusz slumped forward on the piano with the "Death's Door" soundtrack still playing. Seeing a bottle of alcohol and an open bottle of pills on the piano, Osiski assumed that Siriusz had accidentally OD'd. Feeling no pulse, Osiski ran out of the studio and out to the back patio, where he saw Siriusz's 23-year-old son standing naked in the shallow end of the pool cleaning off with a bar of soap.

How Does the Competition Work?

• Teams of 6-10 students present arguments before panels of judges. One judge presides over the trial, while the rest sit as the jury.
• Schools may register multiple teams at $250 per team.
• Beginning November 1, 2011, case materials will be released to registered teams.
• The tournament begins with two regional competitions. Teams may select the region in which they wish to compete; however, space is limited at both sites.
• Beginning this year, the regional competitions will take place on the same date:
  • March 10, 2012; Pontiac Regional and Grand Rapids Regional
• The top 10 teams will compete in the State Finals on March 24, 2012, in Lansing.
• The state champions will be eligible to compete in the National Mock Trial Championship in Albuquerque, NM, May 10-13, 2012.

How Do We Enter?

• Complete and return the Mock Trial Registration Form (PDF) or Register Online.
• If mailing in your registration, enclose a check for $250 payable to Michigan Center for Civic Education.
• If registering online, you may pay by credit card using PayPal.
• All proceeds go toward tournament costs.
• Registrations will be accepted until January 12, 2012.
• Registration fees are not refundable.

How Do I Prepare My Team?

• Teams receive tournament rules and case materials via email.
• In addition to the teacher, teams are encouraged to work with an attorney coach. Teachers themselves need not be legal experts. Teams should make their own contacts with attorney coaches by calling on parents and other community members or by contacting a local bar association.
  • If you need assistance finding an attorney coach, please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
• A mock trial clinic for students and coaches will be held in November at Cooley Law School's Auburn Hills campus on November 15, 2011.  The clinic will be a day of sessions with experienced attorneys and tournament judges covering basic trial techniques.  Clinic registration is not included in the basic tournament registration fee, and clinic participation is not required.
  • The clinic sessions will also be available using Cooley Law School's Distance Education system at the Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Ann Arbor Campuses
• This year, the MCCE will provide all registered teams with an opportunity to participate in practice rounds the week of February 13, 2012.