Mock trial sentencing delivers impactful messages
Dave McMillen, who played the role of a devastated husband whose life was changed forever as the result of poor decisions on the part of driver Brenna Myers, addresses her and delivers a powerful message that silenced the auditorium filled with juniors and seniors from West Holmes and Hiland high schools at the mock sentencing.
The mock sentencing that took place at West Holmes High School following the mock crash created by Wayne-Holmes Safe Communities, various area law-enforcement agencies and first responder teams, and several key court figures painted a devastating picture on Tuesday, April 19.
After a horrifying mock crash was recreated moments before in the Knights Stadium parking lot that included the death of a woman caused by poor decisions made by several teens, the courtroom setting in Excalibur Theater set the stage for a somber sentencing for the teen driver of the vehicle.
The figures involved with the mock sentencing included Brenna Myers as the defendant who had caused the accident, Holmes County Juvenile Judge Thomas Lee, attorney Eric Michener of Critchfield Law Office, assistant prosecuting attorney Mike Bickis, Rachel Cornell, Holmes County Juvenile Probate officer, several other members of the Holmes County Juvenile Court system and other law-enforcement agents, and Shauna Ewing, mother of Myers.
As Lee heard all the details from attorneys and learned Myers was a wonderful student who had never been in trouble before, his judgement and the reality of what had taken place fleshed out just how devastating a crash is when death and destruction are involved.
Lee laid out the costs involved, which included paying for all the costs of law enforcement and medical personnel, the medical and hospital treatment for victims, counseling costs for family members, insurance and funeral costs, attorney fees, detention costs, a court fine, and larger amounts that could be incurred in a civil lawsuit by the victim’s family.
Included in the sentence was a two-year driver’s license suspension, probation and serving 90 days in juvenile detention center.
Lee’s sentencing was carried out, and Myers was led out of the courtroom in handcuffs and ankle shackles, painting a powerful picture of the result of a crash. Was it an accident? In some ways yes, but Lee said when poor decisions are involved, it must be clarified as a crash and not an accident.
“Every incident like this has a cause,” Lee said. “Whether it is distracted driving or ice, this isn’t an accident but a crash caused by decisions made by a driver. Every action has consequences. Kids today often think nothing is going to happen and they are invincible. Our hope is that these young people can hear this message now, when it is a lesson, before they hear it for real in the courtroom.”
Perhaps the most devastating performance during the presentation was from West Holmes buildings and trade teacher Dave McMillen, who played the role of a grieving husband who lost his wife in the accident due to the carelessness and bad decisions of the teens involved.
McMillen’s appearance on stage initially drew some laughter from the students who know him, but his powerful performance and bitter words soon drew the auditorium to complete silence as he faced the young lady who stole the future of his wife.
The plan was to have Myers address McMillen personally to offer an apology. What took place surprised even Lee, who said the unscripted moment when McMillen said he didn’t want to hear from Myers was very real.
“I never wanted to be a victim, and in fact I kind of refused to accept that term,” McMillen said. “I raised my kids that way, but here we are. My wife is dead because of actions that were made.”
McMillen went on to talk about the many ways his wife positively impacted his family and the community, and she had impacted the lives of many young people she taught. He said this loss would create a hole in the lives of himself, his children and many others.
“Our family is broken,” McMillen said. “I heard you mention restitution. These were choices that could have been avoidable that my family and I have to live with the rest of our lives. I don’t want an apology. My wife is dead, and I believe in making amends, and in order for us to accept the fact that she is gone, we need to try to move forward.”
He then addressed Myers and told her the only way she could move forward was through making living amends, where Myers would live her life in a way to make amends for what she had done.
“I don’t want an apology because that isn’t going to bring my wife back,” McMillen said. “That doesn’t help our struggle in any way. But I would like you to live your life in such a way that we as a family know there are amends being made. An apology doesn’t cut it. You have a debt. You’ve taken something from my family and taken something from society, and it needs to be repaid, and it can’t be, but that’s your choice.”
Lee said the defendant needs to make amends by living a productive, positive life that helps others. While it won’t take away the pain suffered by many, it would impact others in a good way and help her and others get through this.
He added that Myers should speak at other schools about her actions during her senior year about the dangers of distracted driving, where the hope is she can help other students realize the dangers and consequences of poor decisions.
“You’re going to have to figure out how to deal with this guilt,” Lee said to Myers, summing up the proceeding. “Frankly, I don’t know how you do that because you have irreparably harmed this innocent family. You’ve taken away a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend and potentially a grandmother.”
The message of consequences was at the heart of the mock trial, and the silence heard throughout the auditorium let it be known the message was being received.