You are a clerk for Judge Gotem, who is hearing the trials of Able, Baker, and Charlie. The judge has asked
you to review the evidence presented and see if there are any admissibility issues, either from police
misconduct or from witness reliability. If there are any possible problems that need further factual
investigation, please note the possible issues and the facts that would give rise to the concern. You are not
to address the merits of the case—that is for the jury to decide.
Case 1: Able
Concerning the case against Able, the defendant has been charged with reckless driving, under Code of
Virginia § 46.2-862, and possession of controlled substances, under Code of Virginia § 18.2-250.
The evidence presented by the prosecution to support these charges is as follows:
Able was found to be driving 20 miles over the posted speed limit; this was found by means of a radar gun
operated by a trained officer.
The speedometer of the vehicle was found to be nonoperational; the driver admitted to knowing this when
questioned by the officer.
Methamphetamine was found to be on Able’s person during a frisk. This was found after the officer asked
the defendant to empty his pockets
Case 2: Baker
Concerning the case against Baker, the defendant has been charged with assault and battery, under Code
of Virginia § 18.2-57, and grand larceny, under Code of Virginia § 18.2-95.
The evidence presented by the prosecution is as follows:
Dr. Hiknow testified to the neighbor’s condition and the emotional trauma caused by the loud noise of the
gun range.
Another neighbor testified that he could not hear any noise from the range and that he overheard the
complaining neighbor state an intention to “get” Baker based on a long-standing boundary line feud.
The Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) of the cars from Baker’s yard and the police reports for those that
were reported as stolen are presented.
Various items that were found in Baker’s outbuildings that matched the description and serial numbers of
items previously reported as stolen during several burglaries in the area are presented.
Case 3: Charlie
Concerning the case against Charlie, the defendant has been charged with public intoxication, under Code
of Virginia § 18.2-388, and murder and manslaughter, under Code of Virginia § 18.2-30.
The evidence presented by the prosecution is as follows:
Charlie’s admission to having been drinking and falling asleep in the park
Charlie’s statements to the officer when the body was found in his trunk
Charlie’s car, the victim’s body, and the axe found in Charlie’s car’s trunk
A witness who had been in lockup when Charlie was brought in, who identified Charlie as the man he saw
arguing with the victim earlier that day
A second cellmate who stated that Charlie told him that he had gone drinking after he found out that his
business partner, the victim, had stolen some money from Charlie.
In all three cases, be sure to focus on the evidentiary issues, not the viability of the charges. If any of the
situations have multiple outcomes based on facts not given, address all possibilities

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