The Trials of Marcus Brutus & Caius Cassius
English 2
Overview: It is time for the Roman public to place Brutus and Cassius on trial for the assassination of Julius Caesar. It has been decided that two separate trials
will take place in order to fairly rule for each individual. Brutus and Cassius both face charges of 1st degree murder and treason. Are they guilty or not guilty?
Roles:
 Judge (Mr. Simmons)
 Witnesses: Marc Antony, Casca, Portia, Calphurnia, Citizen, Ghost of
Caesar
 Jury Members (Everyone that isn’t a witness, prosecution, or
defense)
Parts of the Trial:
 Prosecution Team (2 for each trial)
 Opening Arguments
o Brutus –
o Cassius –
 Presentation of Evidence & Questioning of Witnesses
 Defense Attorney Team (2 for each trial)
 Cross-Examinations
o Brutus –
 Closing Statements
o Cassius –
 Defendants: Cassius & Brutus (2)
*You will have some say in your role, but I make the final decision.
o Cassiuso Brutus You will have the majority of class on Monday and Tuesday to prepare. Whatever preparations remain is for homework.
DATE OF THE TRIAL: Wednesday, December 3rd, 2014
DEFENDANTS & WITNESSES: You must submit a statement detailing the events that occurred leading up to/during Caesar’s assassination from your
character’s point of view. **BE SURE TO REFERENCE BACK TO THE TEXT**This will be a significant part of your grade for the assignment and it will determine
how you are questioned on the stand. It will also significantly impact the approach of the prosecution and defense teams. Then, you will visit the various teams
as needed to prepare for the trial(s). You may be used in both trials depending on your character. It is important that in each case, you participate as the defense
attorney/prosecutor that you are working with asks. Defendants are not allowed to opt out of testifying in their own trial; they must speak. Your statement
must be at least 200 words and is due the day before the trial. You will also be graded on your participation and attentiveness during the trial.
DEFENSE & PROSECUTION: You must prepare your opening argument, closing statements, and questions for the witnesses/defendants. **BE SURE TO
REFERENCE BACK TO THE TEXT** Since there are 2 of you, I suggest that you collaborate first to decide how you would like to frame the trial/what direction you
will take to defend/prosecute the defendant. Decide who you want to testify on your behalf. Then, split in half: 1 person work on the opening argument; the
other on the closing statement. The opening argument should be a preview of your argument, while your closing statement should pull from the evidence and
testimonies to prove your final point. The questions you write together should reflect your case. Be sure to also prepare your witnesses on how to frame their
speech, etc. You are welcome to create “evidence” (ex. the note Cassius left for Brutus on the window sill, a fake bloody dagger, photos/drawings of Caesar’s
body, fingerprint samples, etc.) to include. A hard copy of your opening argument and questions will be due to me on the day of the trial. There is not a word
count minimum; however, you must thoroughly approach the assignment at hand. You will also be graded on your participation and attentiveness during the
trial.
JURY: Your role will mainly occur during and after each trial. However, there is still work to do in order to prepare for the trials. Each of you must write a
newspaper article highlighting the upcoming trial and the expected result. **BE SURE TO REFERENCE BACK TO THE TEXT** Feel free to include public opinion,
evidence, etc. It can be an informative piece, an editorial, or a feature. You are allowed to interview members of each team to include quotes. This must be at
least 200 words. Then, following the case, you must submit a 150 word explanation of why you made the decision you did concerning the cases. (150 words
cover both trials.) Discuss how the testimonies and arguments influenced your decision. You will be graded on your attentiveness during the trials and
participation in discussion during the final decision.