mini mock shortened 1.pdf

E. Witness Statements Affidavit of Taylor Malcolm Taylor Malcolm, being duly sworn, hereby deposes and states as follows: My name is Taylor Malcolm. I was born in 1989 and I live in Jordan Hall at the University of Utopia. Although my grades...

E. Witness Statements Affidavit of Taylor Malcolm Taylor Malcolm, being duly sworn, hereby deposes and states as follows: My name is Taylor Malcolm. I was born in 1989 and I live in Jordan Hall at the University of Utopia. Although my grades were good enough to get me into UU, school has never been my “thing.” First and foremost I am a basketball player. I have been playing since I was big enough to dribble a ball. My dad always told me to work hard and I guess it paid off. After my senior year in high school, I was given a full scholarship to play basketball at the University of Utopia. It was my dream-come-true! I gave it my all during freshman year both on and off the court. During my first season, we were the Division Champions for the first time since 2001. Naturally with all the success came a lot of attention. Every time I went out for a walk on campus, students would stop me and ask for an autograph. Pictures of me at the dining hall would randomly appear on the internet. Even when I went to visit my small hometown, strangers would tag along just so they could claim they knew me. I guess you could say it went to my head. Whenever I wanted to show off, my teammates and I would do stupid stunts at parties to see who was crazier. I always won. The only time I actually got in trouble with the law was after winning the game against our rivals at Utopia State. Everyone on the team was having a great time at the party. We were on the balcony of someone’s house and could see straight into the neighbor’s yard. As a basketball player, I can jump fairly high, so a friend bet me I couldn’t jump into the other yard and land on the neighbor’s trampoline. I admit, I had a little to drink, but that wasn’t what motivated me. Once I’m challenged, I can never back down. So I climbed over the balcony and jumped from the ledge onto the trampoline. The neighbors called the police for trespassing, but I got off with a warning. Mostly, everyone was just grateful I wasn’t hurt, or else I would have missed the next game. Towards the end of sophomore year, I tried to tone down the crazy lifestyle. I made more of an effort to volunteer in the community and I devoted more time to my true friends. On August 9, 2018, my friends decided to surprise me with tickets to Utopia Zoo. We hadn’t been there since we were kids, and I had heard that the new owner had built some cool new exhibits. We arrived just after lunch. My friend, Tom, darted straight for the snake exhibit. I am terrified of snakes, but I did not want to seem like a wimp so I went anyway. Once inside we stopped to look 8 CIVICS LEARNING PROJECT www.civicslearning.org Oregon High School Mock Trial Competition at the anaconda. It was asleep, so Tom dared me to knock on the glass. I pointed out the sign above the display and read aloud, “No Flash Photography or Disturbing the Animals.” Tom said I was getting soft. I waited to make sure no one was nearby, and then I tapped the glass. The snake did not move, but a zoo worker rounded the corner, so all of us ran from the exhibit. I had forgotten how much fun getting in trouble could be. Later we went to the zoo safari where you can ride a tram and see the animals up close. While waiting in line, we read the signs that said disturbing the animals was prohibited and cause for expulsion from the zoo. But when we boarded the tram, the tour guide never explained exactly what the sign meant. The antelopes were fairly boring and by the time we got to the gorilla exhibit, my friends and I were ready to see something exciting. Most of the gorillas were in the far corner of the exhibit, but two of them were closer to us. Tom said we should try to get their attention so they would get closer to the tram, so I started making a gorilla sound. The two larger gorillas came closer to the tram. My friends thought it was hilarious that my gorilla calls were working, so I kept making noise. When one of the gorillas started howling back at me, I stopped yelling. I only wanted to see the animals up close, not make them angry. The next thing I remember is waking up at the hospital with my left arm bandaged and in a lot of pain. Apparently, the incompetent tour guide shot me with a tranquilizer dart instead of hitting the gorilla. How do you miss a 500 pound gorilla? After I was hit with the dart, I passed out and slumped over the side of the tram. That’s when the gorilla attacked me. It bit my arm before they finally were able to tranquilize him. My personal sports doctor, Jesse Cruz, told me it would take weeks before I would be able to fully move my hand, and months before my arm would recover. Dr. Cruz went over my medical records with me when he explained my injuries and the treatment and physical therapy I would need. The hospital bills were insane. Even though I have a full scholarship, my family is not rich, and it has been difficult paying off the bill. To make matters worse, I missed most of the pre-season workouts because of my injuries. Even though it has been some time since the injury, my game is still off and I don’t think I’ll ever reach the level of playing I was at before I was hurt. Ever since I was little, I set my sights on playing in the pros. Before this happened, pro scouts were following me, but not anymore. I had so much going for me, it’s hard to take. Of the available exhibits, I am familiar with the following, and only the following: “Medical Record for Taylor Malcolm,” which my doctor showed to me; the zoo “Welcome” letter, 9 CIVICS LEARNING PROJECT www.civicslearning.org Oregon High School Mock Trial Competition and “Utopia Zoo Safari Map” which I received in my brochure when I was at the zoo. I hereby attest to having read the above statement and swear or affirm it to be my own. By signing this document I swear to or affirm the truthfulness of its content. I understand that I have an opportunity to update this affidavit and that unless such is done prior to such a time whereas I may be called upon to testify in court, and that in such an event a copy of my updated statement is given to all parties involved in this case, I am bound by the content herein. Taylor Malcolm Taylor Malcolm Subscribed and sworn before me on this day, the 23rd of October, 2018 Beth Eckhardt Beth Eckhardt, Notary Public 10 CIVICS LEARNING PROJECT www.civicslearning.org Oregon High School Mock Trial Competition