Academy cadets make playoffs at national moot court competition
From left: Maj. Kenneth Hyle, U.S. Air Force Academy Cadets Matthew Pryor, Caitlin Bitting, Moira Casey, Noah Jensen, Aryemis Brown, Abbigayle Weaver and Maj. Wolfgang Weber pose for a group photo. Hyle and Weber are assistant law professors at the Academy and coaches for the Academy’s Moot Court Team. The cadets seen here are on the Moot Court Team. (Courtesy photo)
By Ray Bowden, Jan. 24, 2019
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Cadets at the Air Force Academy represented the university at a national-level collegiate court competition Jan. 17-18, making it deep into the tournament before eventually standing aside to the tournament winner, Eastern Michigan.
The cadets joined 80 top-student teams at the National Moot Court Tournament at the Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, La.
“Very few programs produce even one national caliber team but we had three this year, which is a testament to our cadets,” said Maj. Wolfgang Weber, an assistant law professor at the Academy.
Three moot court teams from the Academy competed: Cadets 1st Class Caitlin Bitting and Matt Pryor, Cadets 2nd Class Abbigayle Weaver and Aryemis Brown, and Cadets 2nd Class Moira Casey and Noah Jensen.
Weaver and Brown, and Casey and Jensen, were eliminated in the playoff round in a 2-1 decision by the competition’s judges.
In the initial round, Brown and Weaver received a split-ballot decision against Eastern Michigan.
Weaver argued for a Sixth Amendment issue and Brown argued for a Fourth Amendment issue.
The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution protects people from unlawful searches and seizures. The Sixth Amendment of the Constitution guarantees a citizen a speedy trial, a fair jury, an attorney if the accused person wants one, and the chance to confront the witnesses who is accusing them
Weaver said National Moot Court competitions are valuable.
“I’ve gained more self-confidence, improved my ability to articulate and advocate for an argument, and fostered tremendous professional relationships with peers [in the Academy’s law department] and at other universities,” she said.