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“It’s an honor that’s well deserved. Nick Dhimitri has the skills right now of a gifted trial attorney. He is particularly good at conducting both direct and cross examinations of witnesses. This is the most difficult challenge for mock trial attorneys because it requires careful preparation beforehand and flexibility as the trial proceeds.”
That was the glowing assessment earned by Mr. Dhimitri, a junior political science major from Ithaca, from Dr. James Hurtgen, advisor to SUNY Fredonia’s mock trial team, following their participation in the Finger Lakes Region Qualifying Tournament at Syracuse University on Feb. 16 and 17.
Mr. Dhimitri, captain of SUNY Fredonia’s nine-member team, shared with two other students the highest ranking given by judges at this year’s competition, scoring 19 points out of a possible 20.
The event, routinely dominated by Ivy League schools, is sponsored each year by the Mock Trial Association to provide students with opportunities to argue civil or criminal cases before judges. As attorneys, students participate in all phase of a trial, presenting opening and closing statements and conducting cross examinations, among other duties. They serve on both sides, prosecution and defense, and also testify as witnesses.
“Approximately 80 students competed as attorneys, so his accomplishment is quite impressive – and fully deserved,” said Dr. James Hurtgen. “Considering the schools that sent teams to the tournament – Yale, Dartmouth, Cornell, Rochester, Syracuse, Amherst College, Colgate, Binghamton, among others -- this level of achievement is remarkable.”
Dr. Hurtgen, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor and a faculty member here since 1971, said Mr. Dhimitri conducted himself with a high degree of confidence during proceedings. “He really commands a courtroom, has an excellent command of the floor.” That score, Dr. Hurtgen noted, would position the SUNY Fredonia junior as an accomplished mock trial attorney in a pool of law school students.
This was Mr. Dhimitri’s second year at the regional event; he tied for second place a year ago. That prior experience served him well. “It allowed me to prepare differently. I knew about the different types of students who would be competing,” he said.
Dr. Hurtgen, who founded SUNY Fredonia’s mock team in 1999 and has been its only advisor, ranks Mr. Dhimitri “the best” among many students who have competed in past years. “And we’ve had some good attorneys.”
SUNY Fredonia had the misfortune to square off against eventual tournament champion Cornell. In subsequent rounds, the team earned split decisions against Dartmouth and SUNY Binghamton, and was narrowly defeated by Hamilton.
“They were much more prepared than us and had competed in several ‘warm-up’ tournaments beforehand,” Dr. Hurtgen noted of the worthy Cornell contingent. “We did well in our first trial, but were outmatched.” The second match was close, and Dr. Hurtgen believed his team did well enough to win outright. Losses to Binghamton, Hamilton and Dartmouth were by fewer than 4 points.
Each school participated in four trials, with two judges assigned to each case, so different scores are earned in the same trial. Against Hamilton, one judge thought a SUNY Fredonia’s cross examination was far too aggressive, which cost them points, but other found it entirely appropriate.
“With a bit more effort, a bit more attention to the small things, I think we could have reversed those scores,” Dr. Hurtgen said. “We will work on this next year.” He said the students were pleased in general with their performance, but were nonetheless disappointed that they came so close in some of their cases.
“I think it will give them encouragement to press harder next year. It’s a very competitive environment.”
Along with Mr. Dhimitri, SUNY Fredonia’s team is comprised of Douglas Jordan, Jessica Weinberger, Megan Mitchell, Belinda Taylor, Keli Cochran, Ashley James, Ben Sachs and Andrea Barriffe.
To prepare for the competition, the team meets every week during the fall semester, and then twice a week in the spring term. Students also work independently to prepare arguments, read evidence and formulate strategies. Mock trials are also staged with teams from schools in the region.
Mr. Dhimitri believes SUNY Fredonia can perform exceptionally well in future competitions. “I’m excited because this year’s team was pretty young, with lots of freshmen and sophomores … When you have a lot of team members returning next year it gives you an even better place to start,” he said.
“I anticipate Fredonia being able to compete with all the Ivy League schools in our region and the upper echelon schools. We’re every bit as talented as they are. I fully anticipate that we will be very successful next year,” he said. “I can’t wait to return.”
Mr. Dhimitri praised Dr. Hurtgen and his guiding role with the team. “He’s great. He has the right level of involvement. He comes to all our meetings, lets students direct how they want to approach the case. He’s excellent at giving advice and helping students prepare for the procedural aspects of a mock trial, the rules of evidence, those kinds of things, and in formulating arguments and building the case. He gives students a lot of latitude to take the case in the direction they feel is best.”
