Council lauds mock trial’s Cabanes

The 8th Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council adopted a resolution recognizing, congratulating, and commending Eucon International High School’s April Cabanes for being selected the best prosecution witness at the 7th Annual CNMI High School Mock Trial Competition held at Guma Hustisia last March 18-19, 2005.

Aside from Cabanas special awards also went to Tinian High School’s Antolynn Mendiola Maratita, best defense attorney; Kagman High School’s Virginia Castro, best prosecution attorney; and Marianas High School’s Michelle Milagroso, best defense witness.

Alex Munson, presiding judge, United States District Court in the Northern Mariana Islands, presided over the championship round of the high school mock trial competition between the two finalists—Northern Marianas Academy and Grace Christian Academy. The two sides tackled the homicide case of Martha Cruz, the fictitious defendant, who was charged by the prosecution team with the first-degree murder of her husband George Cruz.

After hearing the arguments presented by the prosecution and defense teams, the panel of jurors, composed of local attorneys Clyde Lemons, Patrick Smith, Bruce Mailman, Allen Buak and Karen Klaver, declared NMA the 7th Annual CNMI High School Mock Trial Competition champion, while GCA settled as co-champion.

The CNMI High School Mock Trial Competition was first organized in 1999 by Justice Ramon G. Villagomez to bring high school students into the courtroom to expose them to the legal system.

The competition is held annually and coordinated by the CNMI Bar Association. Its contestants came from Marianas Baptist Academy, Marianas High School, Mount Carmel School, Northern Marianas Academy, Calvary Christian Academy, Eucon International School, Rota High School, Saipan Southern High School, Tinian High School, Grace Christian Academy, and Kagman High School.

The resolution concluded by saying that the members of the municipal council and the people of the CNMI are extremely proud to join the parents, coaches, advisors, the CNMI Bar Association, the sponsors, and mock trial coordinators in extending special congratulation and commendation to Cabanas and the other awardees for their achievements during the mock trial competition.

The resolution was certified by chairman Gregorio V. Deleon Guerrero, vice chairman David A. Indalecio and attested by secretary Antonia M. Tudela. (PR)