Mock trialMock trial

AMISTAD

Eva ROYERJeanne MOGUENMarina RODENAS

Alice ROBERT

2013-2014

THE EVENTTHE EVENT

● June 1839: Cinque and others slaves were sold to Ruiz and Montes in Havana, Cuba. Amistad left Havana for Guanaja with slaves and owners.

● July 1839: Mutiny led by Cinque. Amistad's captain and cook killed while two crewmen escaped. Africans controled Amistad.

● August 1839: Amistad was captured by crew of U.S.S. Washington off Long Island, New York. Africans were held and taken with Amistad to New London in Connecticut.

● Judicial hearing, presided over by Judge Judson, on the U.S. S. Washington; Africans awaited trial in a New Haven, Connecticut jail.

Map of the voyages of Amistad Map of the voyages of Amistad captivescaptives

THE PARTIESTHE PARTIES

The spanish The slaves of

government Amistad

THE CHARGES : THE CHARGES : CRIMINAL CASECRIMINAL CASE

The Amistad trial concerned the criminal charges of murder, mutiny, and piracy against the Africans of the Amistad.

Judge Smith Thompson presided as the criminal trial began on September 19, 1839.

ROLE PLAYROLE PLAY

● Judge : Judge Thompson.● Lawyer for the prosecution William Holabird

interpreted by Alice. ● Lawyer for the defence Roger Baldwin interpreted by

Jeanne.● Defendant - The slaves represented by Eva. ● Witness n°1 – Antonio Marquez played by Marina. ● Witness n°2 – Cinque played by Eva.

Prosecution – Antonio MarquezProsecution – Antonio Marquez

Main arguments :● Slaves are the property of Spain.● American juridiction isn't qualified to judge this case.● Moral pain.● Slaves wouldn't be integrated.

Pieces of evidence :● Dead bodies in the Amistad. ● Certificate of sale of the slaves.

Defence - CinqueDefence - Cinque

Main arguments :

- Slaves don't belong to Spain.

- They're human, not a property.

- They acted in self-defense.

- American juridictions are qualified as the Amistad lend in Connecticut.

Pieces of evidence :

- Weapons were used during the mutiny.

- Certificate of docking certified by the Connecticut state.

JudgeJudge

Please be seated. Today's case is that of Slaves of the Amistad, represented by the slave Cinque, between the govnerment of Spain, represented by Antonio Marquez. Antonio Marquez is suing Slaves for murdered Amistad's crew. Antonia Marquez claims that Slaves are liable for the damages to Spain's mental pain and financial loss. Now, are there any opening statements ?

Opening statement of the Opening statement of the prosecutionprosecution

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, your Honor, in this case, we will show that last july, the defendants, Amistad's slaves, did indeed organize a mutiny to take control of the Schooner, property of Spain, the plaintiff in this case. We will show that slaves volontary attacked Amistad's crew. Thank you, your Honor.

Opening statement of the defenceOpening statement of the defence

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,your Honor, in today's case, we will show that the mutiny which happened on the amistad boat was self-defence. We will also prove that the defendants are not the property of Spain as they are African and freemen, according to the American constitution. Thank you your Honor.