Arthur Guilty!
June 7, 2018
The children held a mock trial this morning under the guidance of Defence Lawyer Chris Murphy. The case against Arthur of Logres hinged on the ideas of ownership and intent. Five witnesses were called but much of the weight of the testimony hung on the reputation of the Archbishop, who claimed that the sword appeared in the stone in the churchyard as a divine miracle and hence was property of the church. The defence rebutted that the sword was Arthur’s birthright. Arthur maintained that he intended to return the sword, he’d just borrowed it to help out his brother who’d lost his. The Judge felt there was enough evidence to pronounce Arthur’s guilt but when he consulted community members on an appropriate sentence, the sentence was discharged and Arthur was freed.
Chris then led the children in a rousing discussion about the nature of intent. They learned a lot and had even more fun!
Top left: Chris Murphy stands in for a witness who is late for school.
Top right: The witnesses wait to be called.
Bottom left: The Defence and the Crown prepare to do battle.
Bottom right: The judge confers with community stakeholders on the sentence.
