On Friday, March 6th, members of the student body gathered in the Conlin Gym for the Mock Trial hearing that followed November’s Mock Crash event. The accused driver in the mock trial faced charges for the death of his friend and passenger and for the injuries suffered by two classmates in the other car. One passenger is now paralyzed and the other suffered serious injuries in the Mock Crash.

A jury of 12 students, selected from the senior level Civics AP course at Brother Martin, found the defendant guilty of vehicular homicide and first degree negligent injury. In her Mock Judgement, Judge Olivier sentenced him to twenty years in prison for the homicide and ten years in prison for the negligent injury. She ordered the sentences served consecutively, meaning the accused faces a total of 30 years in prison.Bridget Gardner and Patricia Clesi of the LSU Interim Hospital, and the Louisiana Passenger Safety Task Force Program Directors, organized the Mock Crash and Mock Trial along with the Louisiana State Police. The program is one piece of the “Sudden Impact” program that all Brother Martin students participate in beginning in their sophomore year. The program illustrates to students the horrifying, lifelong consequences that can result from driving while distracted or impaired.

Brother Martin High School would like to thank the staff at the LSU Level 1 Trauma Center, the Louisiana State Police (Troop B), Judge Rebecca Olivier, attorney David Bravo, Jefferson Parish District Attorney Amanda Calogero, as well as all student participants and their parents.