Pennsylvania Mock Trial Champions Crowned

On Saturday, March 28, the Pennsylvania Bar Association Young Lawyers Division and Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Historical Commission hosted the Commonwealth's two finalists in its Harrisburg courtroom. Justice Daniel D. McCaffery presided as the trial judge over a Mock civil trial involving the death of Bo Bridger in Jaime Bridger, Guardian v. Dr. Colter’s Family Medicine, LLP.

Ms. Bridger was a Division I track athlete desperate to improve her performance and adopted a raw diet inspired by a YouTube channel. While her times improved, ultimately she ate a fox that she killed which was infected with the roundworm parasite. Bo became sick and visited her longtime physician, Dr. John Colter, who treated her for the common cold.

After a month of treatment, Bo collapsed and was rushed to the emergency room. The ER's doctor diagnosed her with, trichinosis, a rare disease caused by the roundworm parasite. While she was properly treated at that time, the disease had advanced and spread to her brain. Ms. Bridger became incapacitated and her parents brought suit against her doctor.

After winning a spirited semi-finals at the Dauphin County Courthouse, Roman Catholic High School of Philadelphia and Nazareth High School won the right to represent Dr. Colter and the parents, respectively. Each mock trial team consisted of nine students, one teacher coach, and one attorney advisor. Three students per team acted as counsel for the plaintiffs and defense while another three students acted as witnesses.

Eight volunteer jurors listened to the students opening and closing arguments as well as the examination of the witnesses. After deliberation, the jurors discussed, and judged, the student's performance, both as witnesses and attorneys. In a close vote, Roman Catholic was elected Pennsylvania's Championship team and will represent the Commonwealth in Des Moines, Iowa, in May.

The PBA's Young Lawyers Division and Historical Commission would like to thank the 2,000 students that competed this year and the hundreds of volunteers that made this event possible. Congratulations to the Roman Catholic Mock Trial Team for being Pennsylvania's 2026 Mock Trial Champions!

Nazareth High School

Teacher Coach: Patricia Cunningham

Attorney Advisor: Candy Heimbach, Esq.

Team Members: Adhitiya Adavan, Vivienne Cenni, Gyan Chemmannur, Indira Chirstian; Abby Cowen, Ty Cunningham, Alex DiGiacinto, Sriman Goli, Alana Gould, Angel Jorge, Lucian Keating, Meera Mody, Ali Mukaddam, Grace Perez, Kevin Frano Prasanna, Spencer Young

Roman Catholic High School

Teacher Coach: John Pensabene

Attorney Advisor: Steven Patton, Esq.

Team Members: Anthony Cirano, Nicholas Conway, Justin DiSilvestro, Jehoikim Gabriel, Tiese Giles, Sabree Hines, Leif Hoppel, Joseph Kozarski, Ross McCullough, Oliver Sheaffer