Community Corner

Burke Plays Coach to Students Before Stop by State Supreme Court

The high court heard two cases before students.

Martin Burke called the whole experience "exhilarating." 

On Tuesday, the Tolland High School auditorium was transformed into a working courtroom as the Connecticut Supreme Court made a local stop as part of the court’s annual On Circuit program. 

Students from Tolland High School, Bolton High School and East Catholic High School were allowed to attend after educational briefing sessions by local lawyers. Burke, an assistant town attorney for Vernon who has a practice on Union Street, was one of the coaches. 
 
He joked that he was hard of hearing and had to read lips when one of the justices chatted with him before the proceedings, but the students were all ears in the days leading up to the high court's session as he briefed them on what to expect. Burke worked with East Catholic students.  

The real-life scenario began about an hour before the first case at 9:30 a.m. Students lines up for metal detector screening by real marshals.

One twist was breakfast, something the justices said they are not used to getting before hearing cases. 

Once inside the auditorium, it was all business as all rose when the justices entered the chamber and took their places. 

The first case was State of Connecticut v. Robert Eleck  out of the Judicial District of Stamford-Norwalk, a first-degree assault conviction. It examined whether Facebook messages purportedly sent by a witness were inadmissible for lack of sufficient authentication. 

William Westcott argued for the defense while Assistant State's Attorney 

Timothy Costello presented for the prosecution. 

Justices had several questions in what seemed to be a perplexing debate over evidence collected in the ever-emerging world of online communication.

A decision could take some time to be written, a Judicial Department spokeswoman said. 

The second case argued was, Roland Todd White v. Mazda Motor of America, Inc., a civil matter.  

Briefs are available in both cases at http://blog.ctbriefsonline.com/

On Circuit is an educational initiative that started more than 25 years ago in an effort to provide students and educators with a greater understanding of the state's high court and its role and procedures. 

Burke said he remembers arguing before the justices, but added he is taking as much pleasure in working with the high school students about legal proceedings.

"It's been a lot of fun," he said. "And it's a great learning experience. I remember my whole family watching a case from me on cable TV. These kids can now watch this and say there were there."  

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