Roanoke mock trial team tests its mettle in scrimmage at county courthouse

A luxury train speeding across the countryside, a despised billionaire lying dead in his suite, and passenger cars filled with potential suspects — each with their own dark motives for murder. This isn’t the summary of an Agatha Christie novel but rather a fictious case at the heart of a mock trial scrimmage held in the Roanoke County Courthouse on Saturday, Jan. 25.  

On one side of the proceeding was the Roanoke College mock trial team, facing off against a team from Liberty University. In a lawsuit involving the ominously named “slayer statute,” Roanoke’s students played attorneys and witnesses. Overseeing the event were six local attorneys, who served as judges and offered the benefit of their real-world wisdom.  

“Mock trial has allowed me to take on challenges, have fun, and gain unique knowledge about the criminal justice field,” said Willow Schmisek ’28, who played one of the attorneys. “Being on the team can be a challenge, but the people on the team make it a fun and gratifying experience.” 

This is the second year that Roanoke has fielded a competition-level mock trial team able to compete in scrimmages and travel to tournaments. The program expansion was made possible by a generous gift from the Turk family, who are longtime supporters of Roanoke students and of the Turk Pre-Law Program. 

The team is coached by Ryan Hupp ’10, a history graduate who is now an assistant prosecutor for Roanoke City. Hupp guides students through the complex process of researching case law, analyzing witness statements and depositions, arguing motions and, ultimately, trying complex civil and criminal cases at events with other students from across the region and country.  

"This scrimmage was a great opportunity for our students to fine-tune their skills and arguments before our next competition at William & Mary Law School,” said Hupp, adding the team also competed in tournaments at Vanderbilt University and Davidson College last fall.  

“This type of firsthand learning gives them a chance to put theory into practice and test their knowledge while under pressure,” he said. “Each time they step up to compete, they learn something new, gain confidence and grow as future professionals.”