Mock Court Debate: Lamb to the Slaughter
Debate statement:
“Mary Maloney should not go to jail for Patrick’s death.”
Side 1: Prosecution (Mary is guilty – she should go to jail)
You must prove that Mary committed murder on purpose.
Think like police officers and lawyers who are trying to solve the crime.
Key questions to prepare:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Did Mary have a motive? (Patrick was leaving her, possibly for another woman.)
Was the act planned or a sudden reaction?
How did Mary try to hide the evidence? (cooking the lamb, feeding it to the police.)
Did Mary lie to protect herself? (Acting calm in the shop, pretending to discover Patrick’s
body.)
5. If the police knew the truth, would they have arrested her?
Your job: Convince the jury that Mary is guilty of deliberate murder.
Side 2: Defence (Mary is innocent – she should not go to
jail)
You must prove that Mary acted in shock and desperation, not in cold blood.
Think like lawyers protecting Mary in court.
Key questions to prepare:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Was Mary in a state of shock after Patrick’s cruel announcement?
Did she act without thinking, rather than planning the murder?
Should her pregnancy be taken into account (emotional stress, protecting her baby)?
The police officers found no evidence – doesn’t that prove her innocence?
Is Mary more of a victim of betrayal than a dangerous criminal?
Your job: Convince the jury that Mary is innocent of murder and should not be punished.
Witness roles (to make it realistic)
●
●
●
Mary Maloney – Tell your side of the story (why you acted as you did).
The grocer – Describe how Mary behaved when you saw her.
Police officer – Explain what you saw at the scene, and why you did/did not suspect
her.
Jury instructions
●
●
●
Listen carefully to both sides.
Take notes on the evidence and arguments.
Decide:
○
○
●
Should Mary go to jail?
Or should she be found innocent?
Be ready to explain your verdict.