Congratulations to the De La Salle Collegiate Mock Trial team which took third place/Honorable Mention out of 15 competing Macomb County high schools on March 1, 2025, at the Macomb County Courthouse. 

The team won all the rounds in which they participated. 

Faculty moderator Mr. Brad Robinson said, “This was the most prepared team that we have had in my three years as the teacher-leader. The boys and dads were relentless in their preparation. Special thanks goes to the four dads who contributed to the success of this year’s team.”

Ben Aloia ‘91, who initially suggested DLS participate in the Mock Trial program, coached the team along with fellow alumni David Femminineo ‘90, and Keith Jablonski ‘92 - all three have sons in the program. The fourth coach, Bartosz Kmiec, the father of a current sophomore, is an associate at Femminineo’s law firm.

This year’s tournament featured the fictional murder trial of the People v. Hunter Hemingway. Hemingway was a co-author of the play “Burr” that took place in Porcupine, Michigan. “Burr” was being considered for a possible TV series by a Hollywood producer, Scout Ting.There were vicious arguments between Wood and Hemingway because Wood wanted to sell the play for the series and make money, but Hemingway wanted to keep creative control and the artistic integrity of the play, which he feared would be lost if sold to the TV hacks. 
 
During the dress rehearsal, Hemingway was playing Alexander Hamilton, and his co-author, Hollie Wood was playing Aaron Burr. The dueling pistols for the infamous dual scene were supposed to be loaded with paper wads and gunpowder, but Hemingway’s gun was loaded with a real lead shot, allegedly unbeknownst to him. Hollie Wood was struck by the lead shot bullet from Hemingway’s gun during the dual scene and she died. Hemingway died knowing his gun was loaded, and the police refused to look at other suspects, who may have motive to secretly load the gun, including Jackie Lopez who was fired from his role as Hamilton that evening and despised Wood and Hemingway for it.
 
Congratulations to this year’s team for their fantastic effort.
 
This year’s team included

• Prosecution:  Luke Jablonski, Nolan Kas-Mihka, John Kajy
• Defense:   Thomas Simasko, Joseph SImasko, Jack Madigan
• Witnesses:       
  • Hunter Hemingway (Defendant) – Benjamin Aloia
  • Deputy Sheriff Pacecho – Brendan Harper
  • Quinn Esquibel -Evan Femminineo
  • Scout Ting - Jack Randazzo
  • Lin Jones - Anthony Adamo
  • Jackie Lopez -Mikos Rosati
•  Alternates:  Jacob Kmiec and Luke Phillips.

Senior Nolan Kas-Mikha said the team was well-prepared and is disappointed they didn’t place higher and move on to states. 

“I had fun and learned a lot,” Nolan said. “My sophomore year, we got an honorable mention, and last year, we beat the team that went on to states and finished second.”

Senior Jack Madigan, a second-year team member who is interested in law, said, “It was a good introduction to law, and a good experience to go through the actual trial presentation.” 

“Mock Trial is such an important program for DLS because so many go on to become lawyers or or at least interested in something to do with law,” David Femminineo said. 

“Mock Trial gives these young men a chance to really feel what it’s like to be in a courtroom. Unlike football or soccer, for example, Mock Trial is confrontational in an intellectual way. Your ability to think on your feet and present logical arguments is tested under pressure.” 

The Pilot Bar Association supports the DLS Mock Trial program, and several of the association’s members open up their Macomb County courtrooms for student practice.