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Goldilocks found guilty of trespassing at Kadena Middle School mock trial

U.S. Air Force 1st. Lt Josh Austin, 18th Wing judge advocate, as prosecutor swears in Mama Bear, played by Tech. Sgt. Rosemarie Thames, 18th Wing paralegal, during a mock trial at Kadena Middle School on Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 23, 2013. The trial was held in honor of Law Day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Kazumura/Released)

Goldilocks found guilty of trespassing at Kadena Middle School mock trial

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Josh Austin, 18th Wing judge advocate, as prosecutor introduces Papa Bear’s, played by Capt. Konrad Osa, 18th Wing judge advocate, porridge bowl as evidence during a mock trial at Kadena Middle School on Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 23, 2013. U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Taralyn Olayvar, 18th Wing deputy staff judge advocate, presided as judge as KMS students served as jurors and teachers observed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Kazumura/Released)

Goldilocks found guilty of trespassing at Kadena Middle School mock trial

U.S. Air Force Capt. Kevin Cayton, area defense counsel, as defense counsel interviews Gold E. Locks, played by Capt. Sarah Rogers, 18th Wing judge advocate, during a mock trial at Kadena Middle School on Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 23, 2013. The Goldilocks trial was part of a mock court presentation, sponsored by the Kadena Legal Office, Area Defense Counsel’s Office, and other members of the Kadena community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Kazumura/Released)

Goldilocks found guilty of trespassing at Kadena Middle School mock trial

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col Peter Pollock, 18th Mission Support Group deputy commander, as Baby Bear speaks to students at Kadena Middle School about the importance of legal and responsible behavior following a mock trial at Kadena Middle School on Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 23, 2013. The trial was held in honor of Law Day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Kazumura/Released)

Goldilocks found guilty of trespassing at Kadena Middle School mock trial

Published June 3, 2013
By 1st Lt. Michael T. Chen
18th Wing Judge Advocate office

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Eighth graders found Miss Gold E. Locks, also known as Goldilocks, guilty of trespassing May 23 at Kadena Middle School.

The Goldilocks trial was part of a mock court presentation, sponsored by the Kadena Legal Office, Area Defense Counsel's Office, and other members of the Kadena community.

Goldilocks, played by Capt. Sarah Rogers, an 18th Wing judge advocate, pled not guilty to trespassing (entering the bears' residence), theft (eating the bears' porridge), and property damage (sitting in and breaking baby bear's chair).

Students, as jurors, observed high courtroom drama as the prosecutor and Goldilocks' defense counsel cross-examined witnesses.

Babe E. Bear, or Baby Bear, played by Lt. Col. Peter Pollock, 18th Mission Support Group deputy commander, identified Goldilocks in trial as the person who had eaten his porridge and broken his chair. Goldilocks' mother, played by Susan St. Onge, testified as a character witness. She said Goldilocks had impeccable manners and could not have committed these crimes.

After being briefed on the law, the majority of students voted to convict Goldilocks of trespassing onto the Bears' property.

Students were split on the last two charges. One student said Goldilocks had not eaten very much of the porridge. Another countered that stealing even a little bit of someone else's property constitutes theft.

On the property damage charge, many students expressed concern that Goldilocks did not have the requisite criminal intent to break the chair.

The mock trial was held in honor of Law Day.

Law Day, designated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1961, celebrates the rule of law and recognizes the importance of law in the foundation of the United States and its societal role.

Public Law 87-20 states that Law Day is set aside as "a special day of celebration by the American people in appreciation of their liberties and the reaffirmation of their loyalty to the United States of America; of their rededication to the ideals of equality and justice under law in their relations with each other as well as with other nations; and for the cultivation of that respect for law that is so vital to the democratic way of life."

All in all, the mock trial created an opportunity for Kadena Middle School students to learn more about the law and the legal profession.