2 Horry schools advance in state mock trial competition [The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, S.C.]

Feb. 28--Students from two of the three schools that have advanced to the S.C. Bar State High School Mock Trial Competition are from Horry County.

Teams from North Myrtle Beach High School, Socastee High School and Wilson High School will compete March 9-10 at the Matthew J. Perry Jr. Federal Courthouse at 901 Richland St. in Columbia.

Students presented the plaintiff and defendant sides of a fictitious case before a panel of local volunteer judges and lawyers. Additionally, students filled the roles of defendant, witnesses, bailiff and timekeepers. Each team was judged on its presentation skills, rather than the legal merits of the case.

This year's fictitious civil case is Tony Morganelli v. Sandstone Insurance Group. Morganelli is suing for insurance proceeds after claiming his restaurant was destroyed in a fire caused by a struggle with an intruder. Sandstone Insurance Group denies his claim and believes Morganelli burned down the restaurant to claim the insurance proceeds. For more information about the mock trial case or program, visit www.scbar.org/lre.

The roles of courtroom sketch artist and courtroom journalist were introduced in the 2011 competition and returned this year to broaden participation across a more diverse group of students. Six entries from each category will advance to the state competition, where these students will record their observations from the proceedings through sketches and articles. Entries are being judged this week by local reporters, graphic designers and artists.

The mock trial program is sponsored by the S.C. Bar's Law Related Education division, which was developed in 1976 to improve the ability of teachers to instruct law related education.

The mock trial program is made possible through an IOLTA grant from the S.C. Bar Foundation and the S.C. Bar.

The S.C. Bar, which has a membership of more than 14,000 lawyers, is dedicated to advancing justice, professionalism and understanding of the law.

Contact VICKI GROOMS at 443-2401 or follow her at Twitter.com/TSN_VickiGrooms.

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