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Choose option A or B

The Trial of Johnny Cade

Pretend

• The plot events have changed.

Johnny survived his injuries from the church fire, and he is on trial for the murder of Bob Sheldon (the Soc). Dallas Winston also survives because he was not overcome by grief. He has no reason to breakdown and lash out.

The State of Oklahoma (Prosecution)

Vs.

Johnny Cade (Defense)

How it works:

• You will be assigned a role in the mock trial of Johnny Cade.
• You may get a role that you disagree with, but that is part of the challenge.
• Carefully read through each of the writing assignments for your role
• You will spend the next 3 days preparing for trial.
• Share your writing assignment with other groups, so they can prepare for an organized trial with clear arguments and rebuttals.

Roles:

• Prosecution Attorney (2): Charge Johnny Cade with First-Degree Murder (That means he had a motive, planned the murder out, and killed Bob Sheldon intentionally.

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• Defense Attorneys (2): You will defend Johnny Cade and suggest a lesser charge, Manslaughter (That means he did not plan to kills Bob; it was self-defense.

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• Witnesses (8): Write information about your character that will help the prosecution and defense teams present their case. Attorney will also question you during the trial.

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• Jury (Everyone else): Write information in news articles to help attorneys during the trial. You will also listen and decide the final verdict.

List of Witnesses

• Johnny
• Dally
• Ponyboy
• Cherry
• Darry
• Randy
• Two-bit
• Sodapop

Prosecution Attorneys

• What are you charging Johnny Cade with?
• You must have an opening statement. (why should Johnny be found guilty of first-degree murder?
• You must have evidence (from the book) to support your charges against Johnny (pieces of evidence).
• You must have questions for your witnesses and know which witnesses to use. Know what you need to ask each person to help your side win.
• You must have a closing statement (Is he guilty...why?)
• Be prepared to take notes and re-questions witnesses after the defense team question them (Rebuttal).

Prosecution Attorney Checkpoints

• Checkpoint #1: Due Beginning of class on Thursday, January 26th.
• Checkpoint #2: Due end of class on Friday, January 27th
• Trial Day: Monday, January 30th

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Defense Attorneys

• What has Johnny Cade been charged with. What do you want him to be charged with instead?
• You must have an opening statement. (why should Johnny be found innocent of first-degree murder?
• You must have evidence (from the book) to defend Johnny against first-degree murder charges (3 pieces of evidence).
• You must have questions for your witnesses and know which witnesses to use. Know what you need to ask each person to help your side win.
• You must have a closing statement (Is he guilty...why?)
• Be prepared to take notes and re-question witnesses after the prosecution cross-examines them.

Defense Attorney Checkpoints

• Checkpoint #1: Due Beginning of class on Thursday, January 26th.
• Checkpoint #2: Due end of class on Friday, January 27th
• Trial Day: Monday, January 30th

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Witnesses

• Create a timeline about yourself. Pay particular attention to the timeline of events from the novel and how they could help or harm Johnny’s case (This information will be used by both sides to help their case)

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• Write a biography your yourself (your character), based on textual evidence. This should be written from the character’s point-of-view.

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• Make a list of possible questions that the prosecution and defense will ask you. Come up with your answers to each of the questions.

Witness Checkpoints

• Checkpoint #1: Due Beginning of class on Thursday, January 26th.
• Checkpoint #2: Due end of class on Friday, January 27th
• Trial Day: Monday, January 30th

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Jury

• Use Sparknotes to jot down information about each of the witnesses. These notes will help you write your news stories.
• Write 3 news stories (about half a page in length) ( 1. About the killing, 2. About Johnny and Ponyboy’s escape, 3. About the rumble) Each of your news stories should include a headline.

News story generator

• One opinion/”letter to the Editor” acting as a concerned citizen about:
• Bob’s death, Johnny and Ponyboy’s escape, or the rumble.

Example

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• Jot down important notes during the trial that will help you make your verdict.

Jury Checkpoints

• Checkpoint #1: Due Beginning of class on Thursday, January 26th.
• Checkpoint #2: Due end of class on Friday, January 27th
• Trial Day: Monday, January 30th

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Extras

• Costumes, wigs, props, etc. that fit your role.
• Jury/Witnesses: News stories typed, news stories look believable, bios typed, etc.
• Attorney: Google Slide to help jury visualize evidence, actual objects.