Mock Trial Competes in County Trial Competition

On Jan. 31, 2026, the mock trial team kicked off its first county trial competition. The three-time county champions’ prosecution team arrived at the San Luis Obispo Courthouseat 9:00 a.m. to face SLO High’s defense team.

The case pertains to drama on a reality TV cooking show, after one of the judges falls dead after eating a dish that contains poisonous mushrooms. A dish that was also coincidentally served by a contestant who was having disagreements with that same judge. The defendant is being tried for murder in the first degree, and must prove just even a hint of doubt as to why they aren’t the killer or had no intention to do so. 

Junior Tobi Rojas, sophomore Megan Phipps, and senior Astrid Barnett-Davis served as the attorneys on trial. Phipps opened with a meticulously detailed opening remark, detailing the purpose of each other’s witnesses and showing how the show, “A Recipe For Success,” turned into “A Recipe For Disaster.” Their witnesses played a large role in conveying their story and alibi to the judge.

During the Questioning of one of their witnesses, SLOHS did not hold back on their remarks and objections, resulting in a back-and-forth, heated debate between Barnett-Davis and a SLOHS attorney. It was clear SLOHS was not backing down, especially knowing they were facing a team like MBHS. Barnett-Davis also served as the closing attorney, reemphasizing the previous remarks made by Phipps and the evidence used to prove the defendant guilty. 

After reviewing both sides of the case, the judge ultimately ruled the defendant not guilty, a small victory for the SLOHS team. When Monday came, both teams found out that they had tied and the results would take a little longer than usual. Both teams were tied to the same number, but the board of the mock trial decided that SLOHS would be declared the winner based on the trial’s verdict, which doesn’t typically affect the points for either team. Nonetheless, the team has not been discouraged and continues to give it their all throughout the rest of the season. 

Rojas said that they could not do this without Barnett-Davis showing the immense bond that the teammates have among each other. Both defense and prosecution continue to give it their all, and no matter what happens at the end, our school knows that our team is one of the most exceptional ones in the county, striving in both the courtroom and outside of it. The team has four seniors on the team this year, ready wrap up on their final hearing.