New Haven, Conn. – On Friday, the alumni lounge of the University of New Haven’s Bartels Hall was transformed into a courtroom for a mock trial that highlighted the talents of nine Re‑CEE Academy scholars. The students, ages 13‑15, represented Arthur “Boo” Radley Jr., the fictional figure from To Kill a Mockingbird, in a civil defamation case against town gossip Stephanie Crawford and the county itself.
Students Take the Stand
Defense attorney Brandese Wooten‑Harvin, 15, opened with a heartfelt plea: “May it please the court. The defendants turned a harmless man into a terrifying monster because he’s different, quiet, and living with a disability that this town never tried to understand.” The courtroom, filled with about 50 spectators, listened as the young advocates argued that the community’s rumors violated Radley’s right to dignity.
Program Roots and Support
The mock trial is the second community‑focused event organized by Re‑CEE Academy, an after‑school program that stands for “reconsidering your roles and rights in the system.” After a successful “In the Matter of Hip Hop” trial in August, the academy spent eight weeks this summer preparing the scholars with help from Yale Law Professor Elizabeth Hinton, an ethnomusicologist, and two Connecticut public defenders.
Marcus Harvin, head of the nonprofit Newhallville Fresh Starts and a second‑year student at Western New England School of Law, emphasized the program’s mission: “This is about placing these young people in positions to succeed. The world gives them negative reinforcements every day. We are here to change that.” He added that the scholars, though not yet old enough for Yale admission, will be welcomed when they reach that age.
Trial Details
The mock trial featured a real judge, Hon. Shari A. Murphy of the New London Judicial District Superior Court, and a jury of twelve students from The University School in Bridgeport. Jurors will join the New Haven scholars for Saturday‑morning sessions, with transportation funded by the Bridgeport Mayor’s Initiative for Reentry Affairs.
Witnesses included a dramatized Stephanie Crawford, who testified about alleged stabbing, nighttime prowling, and livestock poisoning. Plaintiff Boo Radley, played by second‑year law student Harrison Rubin, admitted on cross‑examination that he had stabbed his father but claimed neurodivergence contributed to the incident. Character witnesses, such as Maudie Atkinson (the Finch family neighbor) and Atticus Finch (portrayed by Harvin), testified to Radley’s gentle nature and misunderstood circumstances.
Closing Arguments and Verdict
Wooten‑Harvin’s closing argument appealed to the jury’s sense of fairness: “Arthur Radley Jr. has been trapped in the dark for years because people in Maycomb chose to spread rumors instead of learning the truth. Everyone deserves respect and basic human dignity, no matter their physical or mental challenges.”
The jury returned a verdict in favor of Radley, awarding $2 million in damages. The young attorneys celebrated the win, noting the two‑and‑a‑half weeks of intensive preparation that led to the result.
Looking Ahead
Re‑CEE Academy plans to debut as the first community mock trial team in Connecticut state history on Dec. 8, marking the start of a full mock‑trial season. The program continues to meet at Yale on Saturday mornings, providing ongoing mentorship and legal‑skill development for the scholars.
Harvin summed up the impact: “When these students step into a courtroom, they learn to advocate for themselves and others. That confidence will ripple through their families, schools, and neighborhoods, strengthening our community for generations to come.”
Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.
