Heartland AEA 11

6500 Corporate Dr.

Johnston, IA 50131-1603

3-29-00

Contacts:

Lyneé Klaus, Heartland AEA 11 ICN Consultant, (515) 270-9030 ext. 4534

Steve Jones, Heartland AEA 11 Communications, (515) 270-9030 ext. 4317

JOHNSTON, Iowa — Several Iowa high school classes will learn about the judicial process April 3 using a real Iowa criminal trial, the Iowa Communications Network and a panel of experts.

"Make Your Case: Process an Iowa Trial" is believed to be the first Iowa high school project in which students will view an actual trial. Students at 10 schools are viewing videotaped highlights from a 1999 Des Moines murder trial. On Monday, April 3, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. they will discuss the trial with a panel of legal experts via the ICN.

The program is sponsored by Heartland Area Education Agency with the cooperation of the Drake University Law School and Iowa Public Television.

Students will view videotapes of the trial's opening and closing statements and key witness testimonies. Then they will prepare questions and work on other assignments for the discussion with the legal panel.

The panel will include Larry Eisenhower, fifth district judge; Russell Lovell, Drake professor of law; and John Sarcone, Polk County Attorney.

"Students are watching a real trial, not a mock one," said Lyneé Klaus, Heartland's ICN services consultant. "They are seeing how an important trial unfolds. They will experience the emotions of everyone involved."

The project will help increase student awareness of the law and crime prevention, Klaus added.

Participating schools and sponsoring teachers are:

Ankeny HS, Reka Hinshaw

Clarke Community HS (Osceola), Mary McCormick

Dallas Center-Grimes HS, Dana Woodworth

Fort Madison HS, Linda Litterer

Hoover HS (Des Moines), Maureen Murphy

Indianola HS, Brenda Vodraska (Indianola students will use Norwalk HS's ICN room)

Murray HS, Mary McCormick

North Fayette HS (West Union), Pat Hunsberger

Perry HS, Vicki Norton

Winterset HS, Shawn Meth

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