2008 Mock Trial Results

Miramonte

Final Match-ups

Alhambra

Consolation Finals, Tuesday 2/26/08

Prosecution	Defense	Winner
Alhambra	Monte Vista	Alhambra

Semi Final Match-ups

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Outstanding Individual Student Awards

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Art & Journalism Awards

WINNING ARTICLE:

Palmer convicted, murdered for stolen script
By Pamela Mardo (California High)

MARTINEZ - Judge Dan O'Malley convicted 46-year-old Alex Palmer of second- degree murder of her former close friend and famous entertainment producer Jes Markson on Tuesday, February 12.

On the brink of his comeback, Markson was found dead in his Hollywood Hills mansion the morning of June 6, 2007. Prosecutors proved that Palmer murdered the prominent Hollywood mogul to exact revenge for his successful new television show "Cardiac Arrest", an idea Palmer claimed Markson stole from her.

"The defendant shot in the back the person who stabbed her in the back," said prosecution attorney Adam Hester.

Palmer lived on Markson's estate until March 2007, when the two argued over her stolen script, the defendant testified. They severed their ties until the day before Markson was found dead. Palmer visited Markson at his home to confront him again regarding the show.

After her visit, Palmer remained in the neighborhood to see an old friend. She left about 10 p.m. to go home, said defense witness Stevie Ricco.

"Alex is a good and loyal friend," said Ricco. "She would never hold a grudge."

Palmer was seen waiting outside Markson's home around 11 p.m. the eve of the murder, according to prosecution witness Carter Cravin.

The defense claimed the Hollywood police department's evidence, including black powder found on the defendant's clothes from that evening, was questionable.

"I believe in my team's competence, as well as mine," said lead investigator Det. Dana Brown.

Palmer's attorneys also claimed the police did not thoroughly investigate other suspects. They said Markson's girlfriend, actress London Desmond, was at the mansion around the time of death and should have been investigated.

"Alex is innocent because the evidence toward another suspect is stronger," said defense attorney Ian Johnson.

The antique firearm used in the murder was last seen on Palmer's bedside table when she resided in Markson's home, testified Desmond, who the defense said had access to the same weapon.

Prosecutors dismissed this allegation and argued Desmond had no motive to murder her boyfriend and did not display any malicious behavior toward Markson.

The trial set a precedent for the use of a Memory Mapping Test, which observes brain activity of a subject in response to certain stimuli.

The defense argued that the scientific community did not geneally accept the relatively new and unreliable technology developed in 2001. According to the test, Palmer's results suggested that details of the crime scene and Markson's death are stored in Palmer's brain.

Dr. J.B. Schrute, a lab manager for a private forensics firm that studied the Los Angeles Science Lab's report, disputed Palmer's fingerprint found at the scene. "The print could've been left at the scene during the time of Palmer's residence at Markson's mansion months before," said Schrute.

The frame where the print was found held the picture of the cast for Markson's new show.

"The picture was a cruel reminder to the defendant of what could've been," said prosecution attorney George Emmons.

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