Trial Activity: Tom Randall’s Halloween Party WORKSHEET
Step 1: Gathering and Weighing the Evidence
I.
Prosecution Witnesses
Helen Brooks
A. Summarize and evaluate all the information provided by the witness
(Helen Brooks). Is the information relevant to the guilt or innocence
of the defendant (Tom Randall)? Is the information accurate? Give
reasons to support your answer.
B. Evaluate the credibility of the witness (Helen Brooks). Is the witness
believable? Is the testimony fair or unfair, objective or biased? Are
there factors that raise doubts about the accuracy of the testimony?
Give reasons to support your answer.
William Doyle
C. Summarize and evaluate the information provided by this witness
(William Doyle). Is the information relevant to the guilt or innocence
of the defendant (Tom Randall)? Is the information accurate? Give
reasons to support your answer.
D. Evaluate the credibility of this witness (William Doyle). Is the witness
believable? Is the testimony fair or unfair, objective or biased? Are
there factors that raise doubts about the accuracy of the testimony?
Give reasons to support your answer.
II.
Defense Witnesses
Wendy Duvall
A. Summarize and evaluate all the information provided by the witness
(Wendy Duvall). Is the information relevant to the guilt or innocence
of the defendant (Tom Randall)? Is the information accurate? Give
reasons to support your answer.
B. Evaluate the credibility of the witness (Wendy Duvall). Is the witness
believable? Is the testimony fair or unfair, objective or biased? Are
there factors that raise doubts about the accuracy of the testimony?
Give reasons to support your answer.
Tom Randall
C. Summarize and evaluate the information provided by this witness
(Tom Randall). Is the information relevant to the guilt or innocence
of the defendant (Tom Randall)? Is the information accurate? Give
reasons to support your answer.
D. Evaluate the credibility of this witness (Tom Randall). Is the witness
believable? Is the testimony fair or unfair, objective or biased? Are
there factors that raise doubts about the accuracy of the testimony?
Give reasons to support your answer.
Step 2: Asking Important Questions
I.
Imagine that you are the defense lawyer. List below important
questions that you would want to ask the prosecution witnesses.
Helen Brooks
William Doyle
II.
Imagine that you are the prosecutor. List below important
questions that you would want to ask the prosecution witnesses.
Wendy Duvall
Tom Randall
Step 3: Constructing Knowledge
1. Do you believe that Tom Randall knew that Kelly Greene was a minor
and that she was breaking the law by drinking alcohol? Explain the
reasons for your conclusion.
2. Do you believe that Mr. Randall personally served Ms. Greene
alcohol? Do you believe that he encouraged or forced her to drink
alcohol? Explain the reasons for your conclusion.
3. Do you believe that Mr. Randall was aware that Ms. Greene was
intoxicated when she left his party? Do you believe he knew—or
should have known—she would be driving home? Explain the reasons
for your conclusion.
Step 4: Evaluating Expert Testimony
I.
Dr. Elizabeth Gonzalez (prosecution witness)
A. Summarize Dr. Gonzalez's analysis of why Mr. Randall and Ms.
Greene behaved the way they did. Identify the main reasons that
support her conclusion.
B. Evaluate the information provided by the witness (Dr. Gonzalez). Is
the information relevant to the guilt or innocence of the defendant
(Tom Randall)? Give reasons to support your answer.
II.
Dr. Richard Cutler (defense witness)
C. Summarize Dr. Cutler's analysis of why Mr. Randall and Ms. Greene
behaved the way they did. Identify the main reasons that support her
conclusion.
D. Evaluate the information provided by the witness (Dr. Cutler). Is the
information relevant to the guilt or innocence of the defendant (Tom
Randall)? Give reasons to support your answer.
Step 5: Evaluating Summation Arguments
I. Prosecution Summation
A. Identify the key arguments used in the prosecution's summation.
Then summarize the reasons and the conclusions for each argument.
Argument 1
 Reason
 Reason
 Conclusion
Argument 2
 Reason
 Reason
 Conclusion
B. Evaluate the strength of the arguments you identified by assessing the
truth of the reasons and the extent to which the conclusions follow
logically from the reasons.
Argument 1
Argument 2
II.
Defense Summation
C. Identify the key arguments used in the defense's summation. Then
summarize the reasons and the conclusions for each argument.
Argument 1
 Reason
 Reason
 Conclusion
Argument 2
 Reason
 Reason
 Conclusion
D. Evaluate the strength of the arguments you identified by assessing the
truth of the reasons and the extent to which the conclusions follow
logically from the reasons.
Argument 1
Argument 2
Step 6: Deliberating the Issues
REVIEW THE JUDGE’S INSTRUCTIONS TO THE JURY (no written answer)
Step 7: Reaching A Verdict
Based on your analysis of the evidence and arguments presented in this
case, write your verdict and explain your reasons for reaching this
conclusion.
DO NOT NEED TO COMPLETE Step 8!!!!!!