Direct Examination Exercise

Stipulated Facts: Donnell Wilson, [Carol City High School] caught a winning touchdown pass with only three [3] seconds remaining in the game. American High School players and coaches challenged the call, claiming that Wilson pushed off the defending player, one Demetrius Johnson [American Senior High School], and then trapped the ball between his body and the ground.

American High School is suing Carol City High School, seeking to have the play reversed, and the game awarded to American High School as a victory.

 

Witness List:

Donnell Wilson, Carol City High School student, as quoted by a local newspaper.

Did you see that catch?! I mean it was great! Man I knew I had it! That D-back was nothing! I ran right by him and just reached out and pulled it in. Focus, real focus! We're number 1!

Demetrius Johnson, American High School student, as quoted by a local newspaper.

We were robbed. That guy never caught the ball, he was lying there on the ground and he trapped the ball under his chest. He pushed-off me and the ref never saw nothing. Carol City is nothing but a bunch of cheats!

Owen Dyson, Football Referee, excerpt from his official game report to the Florida High School Activities Association.

“It was a clean and simple catch resulting in a touchdown. No penalty was involved.”

Robert Benson, Assistant Football Coach, University of Nebraska. Excerpts from his scouting report.

#83 Donnell Wilson, Senior, Carol City High School, Position: Wide Receiver. Height: 5' 6" Weight: 155. Comment: Has poor hands and only average speed.

#47 Demetrius Johnson, Senior, American Senior High School, Position: Defensive Back. Height: 6’ 1” Weight: 192. Comment: Great speed.

 

Assignment: The two person teams [teacher assigned] will choose to be either the plaintiff or the defendant, and prepare both, a two minute opening statement, and a direct examination of the two witnesses’ relative to their argument. Both team members should be prepared to deliver the opening statement [only one opening statement should be written]. Team members should exchange roles as lawyer and witness.