"Mock Trial"

OPENING STATEMENT

Testimony will show that Jack Merridew is guilty on the charges of attempted murder of Ralph and murder of Piggy and Simon. Jack Merridew is also guilty of larceny of Piggy’s glasses, which he used in the attempt to kill Ralph in the forest. His cruel and savage instincts persuaded the entire group of children on the island. Evidence shows that it was constantly exposed that Jack was the most barbaric, violent, and power-thirsty out of the boys. I quote “Jack was on top of the sow, stabbing downward with his knife... Then Jack found the throat and the hot blood spouted over his hands.” This shows Jacks heartless and violence lead personality. Proof confirms that Jack acts superior to everyone else around him because of his power thirst and his rage for control. Jack gains power by the other children on the island illustrates their fear of him, which leads to them doing whatever he wants them too. Here is a perfect demonstration of how Jack makes others fear him. I quote; “He snatched his knife out of the sheath and slammed it into a tree trunk. Next time there would be no mercy...” Page twenty one expresses the way Jack acts prominent towards Piggy “You’re talking too much, shut up Fatty.” This also expresses how Jack always had it out for Piggy. The more savage Jack becomes, the more he is able to control the rest of the group. There is a very minute amount of mitigating circumstances. Jack’s malicious, vile, barbaric, dark, scheming, spiteful and hunter like characteristics led all the other boys to contributing to the death of Piggy and Simon. During search and seizure the officers took into custody a pair of glasses which belong to Piggy. They were finger printed to show that it was Ralph who started the fire with them. Text proves that it was him that snatched them off Piggy’s face. Jury, is any more evidence needed to prove that Jack Merridew attempted to kill Ralph?

1. Jack, what do you think are some of the qualities for a first-rate leader should have?

2. So do you agree that a leader should be logical, rational, understanding, peaceful, tolerant, supportive, sympathetic and helpful?

3. Do you then consider yourself a leader of the qualities mentioned just now?

4. Then please explain to the court how logical, helpful, and peaceful you were actually being when you killed Simon.

5. How could you not have known it was Simon if he ran down yelling, how could you have mistaken him for being a beast?

6. You mentioned before that a leader should be sympathetic. Please explain to the jury, how sympathetic you were being after the death of Simon. There is not one piece of evidence that you felt remorse or regret.

7. Why did you kill the sow if you already had food for the boys in your so-called “castle rock” camp?

8. There was no necessity to kill the sow, you simply had amusement out of torturing the female pig because it was the first female organism you have encounter in a long time.

9. What was your relationship with Piggy?

10. So would you say that you and Piggy were generally not on the best terms?

11. So then when you killed Piggy, it must have made things easier on the island because less people protested to what you said, correct?

12. The only boy who still protested to you after the death of Piggy was Ralph, true?

13. So then if Ralph were not on the island, the initial leader would have been you because no one else would have protested. Am I correct in saying this?

Thank you Jack, you may step off the stand. My case is proven.

I would not like to call Roger to the stand, your honor.

1. What was the relationship you had with Jack? Describe your thoughts on Jack.

2. How do you remember Piggy getting killed?

3. Did Jack tell you to push the boulder?

4. Did Jack in any way persuade you to push the boulder, since you said he disliked Piggy and acted violently towards him?

5. What were your after thoughts on dropping the boulder on Piggy.

6. Do you think it is morally and lawfully correct to kill a person on the account of someone else?

Your honor, I would now like to call Ralph to the stand.

1. What was your job on the island?

2. Did you do everything that was asked of you, such as assigning jobs and trying to keep order?

3. Why did you not help hunt the pigs for food in the group?

4. So it is true that you did not interfere in the position, the job, that was given to Jack?

5. Did Jack interfere in the your position on the island, as leader?

6. Do you feel that Jack was jealous of the position you held because it contained a great deal of power?

7. How would you then describe Jack?

8. How did he affect you and the other boys’ hopes on the island?

9. How did you react to the death of Simon?

10. Did jack react in a similar manner?

Ralph you may exit the stand and now have a seat. Thank you for your cooperation.

I would now like to call Simon to the stand.

1. What was your relationship like with Jack?

2. What was your relationship like with Ralph?

3. What was it that frightened you that made you run back to the campgrounds?

4. What actions did you take while running back? Were you running quietly?

5. Would you say that Jack would be able to hear you yelling?

6.Overall, what kind of behavior did Jack express?

7. So then it would be truthful to say that Jacks behavior was violent such as when he sliced the candle buds and played with blood?

8.Did you find it surprising then that Jack would take the first chance possible to kill you?

9.Do you believe Jack had the correct characteristics to be a leader?

10.What was the relationship you had with Jack?

Thank you very much Simon, you may now take your seat again.

Your honor, I now would ask for your permission to call Piggy to the stand.

1. How did Jack act towards you?

2. What was your position on the island?

3. So you wanted to uphold peace?

4. When Jack made his own tribe known as Castle Rock, did you follow?

5. Why did you stay behind with Ralph?

6. Has Jack ever threatened you?

7. Has he ever physically assaulted you?

8. Would you say that Jack intimidates you?

9. Would it be possible for you to defend yourself against Jack?

10. Why would you not be able to defend yourself against Jack?

11. What happens your glasses after one of the lens break?

12. So Jack stole your glasses from you?

Thank you Piggy, you may now step down.

A human may not be innately evil, but Jack most defiantly did not show to be innately good. The boys loss of innocence that each and every one of them possessed at the beginning of the novel was naturally lost but with immense contributions from Jack. The innate evil inside of Jack, poured deeper and deeper into the minds of the younger children daily. The simple pleasure of swimming in the lagoon that was shown in chapter three, is destroyed by chapter twelve. By chapter twelve, to get the same pleasure, murder, revenge, and cruelty is needed. The boys on the island transformed from orderly, behaved children to the bloodthirsty hunters who had no desire for civilization. This sudden change occurred because of Jack who represented innate evil, higher class and as well a political leader. Jack treated the younger children as objects for his own delight and his own gain of power. It is utterly evident that Jack Merridew is guilty on all four charges which include, murder of Piggy, murder of Simon, attempted murder of Ralph, and larceny of Piggy’s glasses. He instilled violence and hatred upon the island. His wicked mind and cruel intentions influenced the younger children who are quite impressionable. Jack always had it out for Ralph since the beginning of day one when he lost the election. Jack soon becomes obsessed with hunting and devoted himself to the task, painting his face like a barbarian and giving himself over to bloodlust. The more savage Jack becomes, the more he is able to control the rest of the group. By the last days that the boys are cast on the island, Jack has learned to use the boys' fear of the beast to control their behavior. He manipulates and tricks every one on the island to listening to him and doing whatever he says. Jack always had it out for Piggy as well. This evident by the way he made fun of him, the way he stole his glasses and the way he would never allow him to speak. Jack never liked Simon as well, because he was basically the only boy on the island who was nice to the younger children, was willing to work and also had morals. This anger Jack because, Simon was not as easy to corrupt as the other boys were. With the removal of the three only boys who protested to Jack and the way he ran the island, he would be primary leader. So this is exactly what he did, he murdered or attempted to murder them, to gain complete power. Jack tried to form a dictatorship on the island. Ralph on the other hand, tried to maintain a democracy with consent of the people. All of the witness’s have admitted that Jack is guilty of the crimes he accused with. It is evident that he is wrong. Jack is guilty on many counts and should heavily be punished. He ruined the innocence of all the boys and that will forever change them. The boys’ minds are forever scarred from the gruesome deaths that they have seen. For this, Jack must be severely punished!