The Webster City Middle School Mock Trial team rocked the fall. Pictured in the front are Ava Ely and Ryan Hoang. In the second row from left: Owen Anderson, Kearsyn Kite (holding the sign), and Ava Otteros. Third row: Evie Davis and Aiden Haman. Fourth (top) row: Brandon Law, Nevaeh Robinson and Aiden Martin.

This year’s middle school Mock Trial case was a criminal one.

In it, Avery Sherman was accused of shooting and killing the referee of a Battleball Game that didn’t end the way Avery thought it should; the ref made questionable calls towards the end of the game to change the outcome of the game that made Avery furious.

There was quite a bit of evidence pointing the finger at Avery. She had made death threats to the ref after the game. Her gun was the weapon used in the shooting, (even though she had reported it missing). However, her friend testified that Avery had said that she had better report the missing gun “to cover her tail.”

Avery Sherman smoked a unique brand of cigarettes that were also found at the crime scene. And according to a timeline of events, Avery would’ve been in the vicinity at the time of the murder.

Coincidence? We think not! She had the means, motive and opportunity.

On the defense side of the case, the crime was undoubtedly done by the Albanian mob. They had a presence in the town of Manassas, where the crime took place. They were known for betting on these Battleball games. The ref had gotten into trouble with the mob, and had placed bets himself. In this particular game, known as the Civil War between two rival teams, the mob lost a lot of money.

So who killed the ref, Tom Donahue? We’re betting on the mob.

These were the themes of the State Mock Trial team as they portrayed the attorneys and witnesses at Regional competition in Mason City, on November 10, and at the State competition held in Des Moines on November 27 and 28.

Patsy Brock was the Webster City Middle School teacher coach, and Steve Japuntich was the team’s attorney coach.