PARSIPPANY — As part of the Intershp Program final day on Friday, June 19, student interns participated in a mock trial held in the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council Chambers. The interactive exercise provided students with a firsthand look at courtroom procedures and the judicial process while helping them strengthen their public speaking, critical thinking, and teamwork skills. Mayor Pulkit Desai presided over the proceedings, serving as the judge and guiding students through the experience.
The mock trial was organized by Council Vice President Diya Patel, Parsippany Hills High School teacher Liz O’Boyle and Parsippany High School teacher Chrissy Russell as part of the five-week internship program offered to graduating seniors from Parsippany High School and Parsippany Hills High School.
Patel, herself a graduate of the Parsippany school system, brought a unique perspective to the program. She is a Juris Doctor candidate at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University and is currently preparing for the New Jersey Bar Examination. Her involvement provided students with insight into both public service and the legal profession.
Anya Patel, a Parsippany High School student, served as defense counsel, while Alyson Molina of Parsippany Hills High School represented the prosecution.
“Someone has threatened to shoot up the place you’re currently in. You text your loved ones that you love them because you don’t know if you’ll ever see them again,” Molina told jurors during her opening statement.
The fictional case centered on Devin Ransom, a disabled college gamer accused of making a false 911 “swatting” call that sent police officers rushing to a local coffee shop after reports of a hostage situation involving an armed suspect.
Molina argued that Ransom made the call to seek revenge against former friend and coffee shop employee Skylar O’Brien. Patel countered that her client was being unfairly targeted, describing him as a victim of bullying and a flawed cyber investigation that failed to produce conclusive evidence.
Student interns filled many of the courtroom roles, including attorneys, witnesses and jurors, while several township employees participated as witnesses to add realism to the proceedings.
The jury, composed of student interns and Parsippany Focus Publisher Frank Cahill, carefully reviewed the evidence and testimony before reaching a verdict. Jurors found Ransom guilty of second-degree false public alarm involving a reported weapon and hostage situation but found him not guilty of causing injury to O’Brien.
Adding to the busy day at Town Hall, Desai briefly stepped away from the mock trial to officiate a wedding before returning to preside over the internship program’s closing ceremony.
The mock trial and closing ceremony marked the conclusion of the five-week internship program created by Russell and O’Boyle. Approximately 16 student interns participated in the program at Town Hall, gaining hands-on experience throughout municipal government.
