HLC Leadership Academy students hold mock trial

HLC Leadership Academy students participated in a mock trial on Friday.

In the case People of the State of Florida vs. Keyveontay West, the defendant was accused of burglarizing the home of millionaire Matthew Carter.

The school’s director Lillian Johnson wrote the script, and the participating students helped her make changes to it before acting it out in a courtroom made of tents set up behind the small, private, Christian school.

Gadsden County Judge Kathy and Havana Police Chief were invited to attend as special guests.

Judge Garner said she was honored and pleased to attend the mock trial.

“I love watching our youth do things in our community,” Garner said. “I was veryå impressed - I was really impressed - I was really intrigued by it, by all of the participants so you all have a bright future in the law.”

Garner told the students she believes in them, and she loves them.

She said it is important to her to see the youth out in the community, and not in a courtroom in front of her.

The judge said she doesn’t have any biological children, but she considers all the children in Gadsden County her children.

She also told the students to never let their environment or circumstances determine their value.

The other guest of honor Chief Smith said it’s important for the youth to see how the justice system works.

“I see so many of our young people making-in a lot of cases-mistakes,” Smith said.

Smith told the students what they do as teens can change their lives forever.

“Every one of you can be a county judge; every one of you can be president of the United States, but what you do as a child right now dictates what you’re going to be in your life.”

Some of the students who were supposed to participate in the trial didn’t come to school that day because they were afraid to see Judge Garner.

Garner shared a message for those students.

“You never need to be frightened to be around me,” Garner expressed. “I’m never going to do anything intentionally to hurt you all.”

Garner said she didn’t grow up having the opportunity to talk to a judge one-on-one out in the community, but she wants the children in Gadsden County to have that opportunity with her.

The students’ family members were also invited out to watch the performance.

Linda Jones, whose granddaughter Shaun Brown portrayed the defense attorney, said the mock trial was well presented.

“I’ve listened to them make changes, and I thought they did a good job,” Jones said.

Jones said some of the students had stage fright, but overall, they did a great job.

Brown said she chose to be the defense attorney, because she’s wanted to be a lawyer since she was a little girl.

“It was very fun, coming up with the script and practicing,” Brown said.

Tamario Simmons who was a police officer/witness in the mock trial went better than he thought it would. He said he would mess up, but he didn’t.

Simmons also said he’ll never forget Judge Garner’s words of encouragement.

“That really inspired me a lot,” Simmons shared. “I was once in court with her before, and that was really a life lesson taught. She won’t have to see me again.”

Acting as the prosecutor in HLC Learning Academy’s mock trial, JaKacia McSwain gave her opening statement as the jurors behind her listened.

Takiyah Whyms, who played the court reporter, swears in a witness.

Portraying police officer Jose Hernandez, Tamario Simmons, testifies on the stand.

Played by Jeremiah McGriff, the victim, millionaire Matthew Carter testifies.

Gadsden County Judge Kathy participated in a mock trial at Havana Learning Academy.

Acting as the defense attorney, Shaun Brown sits next to JaVarious Koonce who played the defendant.

Erin Hill - erin@gadsdencountytimes.com

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HLC Leadership Academy students hold mock trial

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Havana woman turns 100 – Veda Mae Acklin celebrated 100th birthday with family, friends, and loved ones

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