In the middle of an intense Mock Trial season, I interviewed Senior Gabi Matthews ’22 with an overview of the case at hand and her insight about the competitions.

The case is about the defendant, Jamie Cobey (Senior Jules Montañez ’22) renting a home from the victim, Erik Smith. Known for having a contentious relationship, Smith cuts Cobey’s power due to the pandemic eviction moratorium and Cobey failing to pay rent. During a power outage, Cobey’s mother dies.

At the funeral, the two of them meet; a shouting match erupts in which Cobey yells, “You killed my mom!” Cobey claims she calmed down that night, while the prosecution claims she was planning a murder.

The day after, witness Angel Russel (Senior Jenny Bobillo ’22) spots Cobey by the mailbox and later watches Eric Smith get bitten by a snake; he later refuses medical aid and is found dead the next day.

Based on the evidence collected by the sheriff, the defendant, Jamie Cobey, is accused of first degree murder and the lesser charge of manslaughter for allegedly planting a Mojave rattle snake without its rattle in Smith’s mailbox.

I asked Gabi about her feelings on the competition and its virtual format. She’s grateful for the opportunity to come together and work with the team in-person, as well as hanging out as friends and doing “the outside little things” before the stress of competitions.

“I think we’re all just happy that we got to have the rehearsals together and the ‘little things’ as a team so that when we went into the competitions, we knew we had each other's backs,” said Matthews.

With a wholly different experience utilizing a virtual format, Matthews said that it really doesn’t differ from the real experience because it’s still a heavily rehearsed simulation of a lower-court trial. Witnesses have already testified, yet the same pressures exist as before. Given in the moment, during the trial, the tension wears off.

As a team, Matthews believes individual nitpicks and stressors exacerbate people’s high expectations for themselves and the nerves accumulated from each passing competition.

“It was the nerves of forgetting the little things and the regret of knowing [if] there was something we should or shouldn’t have said.”

Despite the nerves from the high standards they set for themselves, Matthews believes the team thrived on personal growth; she’s extremely proud of everyone and their diligent effort.

“[A]s a team, it’s clear we’ve grown so much. We’ve all learned so much about the criminal trial and how to speak up under pressure. I think we’re all hopeful that the competitions next year will be in the court house, so that the juniors on the team get to have the full surrounding experience.”

After hours of quizzing, encouraging the team and “ranting to Mr. Telesca,” she’s glad to finish the season with them all.

“We’re also incredibly grateful for Mr. Telesca’s continuous encouragement, important criticisms, patience, listening ear and excellent jokes.”