Assignment:
PART 1
Microsoft Word document; include a cover page, reference page and 2 to 4 pages of content
The State of Georgia v. Troy Davis The 1989 murder of police officer Mark MacPhail in Savannah, Georgia.
Post arrest
On the basis of your case study, answer the following:
- Describe the case against the defendant and the crime(s) for which the defendant was charged. Identify the courtroom players involved in this case (the judge and attorneys).
- Explain the decisions that the prosecutor and the defense were faced with, including the possibility of plea bargain.
Pretrial
On the basis of your case study, answer the following:
- Describe the pretrial processes that take place in a criminal trial and use the facts and players related to your specific case study to illustrate wherever possible.
- Were there any pretrial motions? What pretrial motions would you expect there to be?
PART 2
Create a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation; include a cover slide, a reference slide and minimum of 5 slides to describe the trial itself. Be sure to include the following:
- Review the jury selection process. How many peremptory challenges are allowed in SOUTH CAROLINA state?
- Describe the purpose of the opening statement and summarize the attorneys' opening statements from your case, if available.
- Summarize the evidence presented against the defendant. Did the defendant take the stand? Which evidence seemed most vital to the case?
- Explain the verdict. Do you agree with the verdict? Why or why not? Were the attorneys effective? Would you have done anything differently?
PART 3
Submit report in a Microsoft Word document; include a cover page, reference page and 4 to 5 pages of content
Describe the sentence handed down in this case.
Discuss whether the victim expressed any comment or participated in the sentencing process if that information is available. If the information is not available, speculate on what role the victim might have played in the sentencing process.
Summarize the information that would have been included in the PSI report.
Discuss what comes next. If the defendant wishes to appeal the case, which court would get the appeal? What would the defendant have to show in order for the appeal to be granted?
Describe whether justice was served in this case. Discuss alternative arguments for the prosecutor or defense attorney. Based on sentencing guidelines for your case, is the sentence fair?
Discuss alternative sentencing options a judge may impose. Explain your reasoning.