The North Royalton High School Mock Trial Team is headed to the state competition after an impressive showing at both District and Regional tournaments, continuing to build on the program’s rapid growth and success.
This year’s case challenged students to tackle a timely and complex constitutional issue centered on the Fourth Amendment. Students argued an evidentiary hearing in which the defendant, Morgan Remy, sought to suppress DNA evidence obtained through investigative genetic genealogy. Competitors examined whether Remy had a reasonable expectation of privacy in his DNA and whether society is prepared to recognize that expectation. The case required students to analyze proper consent, the relationship between genetic testing companies and law enforcement, and the potential inaccuracies of investigative genetic genealogy — a process similar to methods currently used in high-profile cases.
In their opening statements, students set the stage for the courtroom battle.
Violet Novak explained to the court that the case stemmed from the 2000 murder of Caleb “CJ” Jansen. When DNA collected at the scene failed to match any police database, the case went cold until 2025, when a student submitted her DNA to a genealogy service and created a partial match. That lead ultimately pointed investigators to Morgan Remy.
Prisha Pramod further outlined the defense’s argument, emphasizing that investigators uploaded crime scene DNA to a free consumer genealogy database and used a 25% autosomal match to build a family tree, review sealed adoption records, and identify Remy as a suspect — raising the central constitutional question of whether they should have used that genetic information simply because they could.
Mock Trial is organized through the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education (OCLRE), and students have been preparing since early September. Preparation includes competitive tryouts, studying case law, mastering rules of evidence and objections, analyzing witness statements and exhibits, developing witness characterizations, and repeatedly rehearsing each timed element of trial — from opening statements and direct examinations to cross examinations and closing arguments.
The club has grown exponentially, and for the second consecutive year, North Royalton fielded two competitive teams. That growth reflects the dedication of the students and the guidance of attorney Lydia Cancilla, who works closely with the team. A recipient of the district’s Friend of Education award last year, Cancilla helps students navigate complex legal arguments, refine their courtroom documents, and understand courtroom procedures.
At the District Competition held at the Cuyahoga County Courthouse, both teams competed in real courtrooms before volunteer judges that included members of the local and federal judiciary. In a remarkable accomplishment for only their second year fielding two teams, BOTH North Royalton teams advanced to Regionals.
The Regional Competition featured 16 highly competitive schools. Advancement to the state tournament is based on teams winning both of their trials. North Royalton Team 1 was one of only three teams to earn a spot at States.
Students also earned numerous individual honors:
District Awards
Outstanding Attorney: Sana Hameed, Naisha Chopra, Charles Lupica
Outstanding Witness: Shreya Shah, Sanika Vemireddy
Regional Awards
Outstanding Attorney: Prisha Pramod, Naisha Chopra, Violet Novak
The North Royalton High School Mock Trial program is powered by a dedicated group of students across two teams. Team 1 features prosecution attorneys Charles Lupica and Violet Novak, alongside defense attorneys Prisha Pramod, Hope Piasecki, and alternate attorney, Aiden O’Gara.
They are supported by witnesses Saadhika Shankar (as Detective Ronan Saleh), Rim Assem (as Frankie Moyo), Sachi Shah (as Haven Peeters), and Shreya Shah (as Archer Morales), with Chloe Lee serving as Bailiff and Timekeeper and Prisha Bhanwala as Timekeeper and Alternate.
Team 2 is led by prosecution attorneys Sana Hameed and Bhoomi Kauraw, as well as defense attorneys Naisha Chopra and Violet Frantz. This team’s witness roles are filled by Zuhaa Quraishi (as Detective Ronan Saleh), Matthew Roseman (as Frankie Moyo), Vivian Smith (as Archer Morales), and Sanika Vemireddy (as Haven Peeters), with Nethra Sriram acting as Bailiff and Janhvi Pujan as Timekeeper.
The team will now travel to Columbus March 12–14 for the state competition, where qualifying teams from across Ohio will compete at the capitol. In the weeks leading up to States, students will continue practicing, refining arguments, and sharpening their courtroom skills.
With rigorous preparation, growing participation, and an expanding list of accolades, the North Royalton High School Mock Trial Team continues to demonstrate excellence — not only in legal knowledge and public speaking, but in critical thinking, collaboration, and professionalism in the courtroom.