Fishers High School wins HCBA Mock Trial 2025

(ABOVE LEFT) The Fishers High School team “Fissure of Speech” is this year’s Mock Trial champion. The team was coached by Mr. Corbin Mathias and attorney advisors were Jacob Salathe and Cassie Heeke. The judges (standing at back) are Judge Jon Brown, Magistrate Val Hahn, and Judge William Hughes. (ABOVE RIGHT) Hamilton Southeastern High School senior Mary Hinen won the HCBA Scholarship. She is pictured with Judge Stephenie Gookins, who coordinated this year’s competition. (Photos provided)

Posted By: The Reporter March 31, 2025

The Hamilton County Bar Association (HCBA) sponsored the 25th annual Mock Trial Competition for Hamilton County high schools once again this year.

The competition takes place each winter in January and February. Schools can enter as many teams of up to 10 students as they wish. The teams are provided the case to prepare as well as a local attorney who volunteers to act as an attorney advisor for each team. The students’ preparation of the case includes writing opening and closing statements, developing direct and cross-examination questions, as well as memorizing witness statements for each witness role for both the prosecution and defense sides of the case.

The teams present the case during five preliminary rounds of competition before they are seeded for a single elimination tournament. The rounds of competition are judged by volunteer local attorneys and judicial officers.

The 2025 competition included a record-setting 15 teams from Carmel, Guerin Catholic, Hamilton Southeastern, Fishers, Noblesville, and Westfield high schools. The students prepared the case of State of Indiana v. Asher O’Brien. This fictitious criminal case put podcaster Asher O’Brien on trial for intimidation and provocation. The influential podcaster tried to cash in on the drama of a break up between Jamie Kingfisher and child tennis prodigy turned actor, Avery Patel, during his podcast by encouraging listeners “take care of” Avery Patel for his role in the breakup.

Fishers High School team, “Fissure of Speech,” was victorious over Carmel High School’s team “Call Her Guilty” in the finals held Saturday, Feb. 22. Students were recognized for each witness and attorney role with first-place and runner-up awards.

HSE senior Mary Hinen was awarded the 2025 HCBA Mock Trial scholarship.

Many of the local teams also competed in the Indiana State Bar Foundation competition in February and March in Indianapolis. The HCBA competition took place at the Hamilton County Government and Judicial Center and was coordinated by Judge Stephenie Gookins.

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