For HTHCV XONR8, our project was based on a California law firm called the California Innocence Project(CIP). What the CIP does is that they review cases of convicted people and try to exonerate them. For our project, we were given actual cases from the CIP. These cases are real crimes that were committed and the person that was convicted believed they were wrongfully convicted. Our group had to sign a nondisclosure agreement for confidential reasons. From there, we had to thoroughly go over the crime itself to get an understanding of what really happened. For our case, we believed that our client was innocent but we felt there was no new evidence to try for his exoneration. After we had a good understanding of the case, we then created a presentation where we then presented to the lawyers of the CIP explaining if the CIP should take the case or not. Here is a link to the CIP's home page.
http://californiainnocenceproject.org/
Forensics:
Before we were introduced to the HTHCV XONR8, we had a Forensics portion. We were split into groups and each group had a different Forensic topic. My group had Ballistics for our topic. I chose Ballistics because it was really interesting to me and I can connect to it because I am an avid gamer. To showcase our work, my group created a Prezi explaining the process of a Ballistic related crime. My role in the Prezi was to work on these slides:Tissue damage,Distance Between Shooter/Victim, and Angle of Shooter/Victim.I had to research all of my topics before I could type anything because ballistics is a complex subject and I wouldn't want to put misinformation.
Here is a link to the Forensic s Prezi.
Case Memo
When I was reading through the case file, I was extremely surprised by how contradictory the testimonies were. All of the testimonies given had gaping holes in them and yet, our client still was convicted just because his fingerprints were found on the scene. I would say the most diffcicult thing for me was figuring out what to believe. Since the testimonies said different things, it heavily confused me and I couldn’t make an opinion of the case.However, I had to push all of that out, and look at the case with an open mind. From there, I was able to make a decision that my client was innocent. My group also agreed that my client was innocent, but they did not know if they should recommend his exoneration. Since I believed there was nowhere to go with the case, I suggested to my group to not recommend our client. It was a hard decision to do, because we believed he was innocent but there was nothing to do for him in the end.
Exhibition to California Innocence Project - Tuesday, October 21
For our exhibition,we had to present our case in front of CIP lawyers. On a scale of 1-4, I would rate my group’s performance a 4 because we put a lot of effort into it. Originally, we had a very thorough explanation of the case, but it confused a lot of people. We then had to make the presentaiton simpler in order for everyone to understand it. We still included most of the information in the revised presentation but we wished we could have shared more of the story. For my individual performance, I would rate myslef a 4. I’m not trying to be selfish by giving myself this grade, because I really felt I deserved this grade. For this project, I mostly led my groupmates and I worked to the best of my abilities. A high point of this project is definitely presenting to the lawyers of the CIP. When you think about it, HTHCV is the only school that does unique projects like this. Ordinary high schools would never dream of doing these projects. To me, it makes me grateful to be apart of HTHCV. A low point for me in this project was not being able to present at the CIP. Around that time, law students were studying for the bar exam, and unfortunately, it was not possible to present there. I was so excited to present there so it is predictable that I was deeply disappointed when I found that out. However, I did not let my feelings interfere my work in the project. Just because I did not get my way doesn’t stop me from trying the best I can.
http://californiainnocenceproject.org/
Forensics:
Before we were introduced to the HTHCV XONR8, we had a Forensics portion. We were split into groups and each group had a different Forensic topic. My group had Ballistics for our topic. I chose Ballistics because it was really interesting to me and I can connect to it because I am an avid gamer. To showcase our work, my group created a Prezi explaining the process of a Ballistic related crime. My role in the Prezi was to work on these slides:Tissue damage,Distance Between Shooter/Victim, and Angle of Shooter/Victim.I had to research all of my topics before I could type anything because ballistics is a complex subject and I wouldn't want to put misinformation.
Here is a link to the Forensic s Prezi.
Case Memo
When I was reading through the case file, I was extremely surprised by how contradictory the testimonies were. All of the testimonies given had gaping holes in them and yet, our client still was convicted just because his fingerprints were found on the scene. I would say the most diffcicult thing for me was figuring out what to believe. Since the testimonies said different things, it heavily confused me and I couldn’t make an opinion of the case.However, I had to push all of that out, and look at the case with an open mind. From there, I was able to make a decision that my client was innocent. My group also agreed that my client was innocent, but they did not know if they should recommend his exoneration. Since I believed there was nowhere to go with the case, I suggested to my group to not recommend our client. It was a hard decision to do, because we believed he was innocent but there was nothing to do for him in the end.
Exhibition to California Innocence Project - Tuesday, October 21
For our exhibition,we had to present our case in front of CIP lawyers. On a scale of 1-4, I would rate my group’s performance a 4 because we put a lot of effort into it. Originally, we had a very thorough explanation of the case, but it confused a lot of people. We then had to make the presentaiton simpler in order for everyone to understand it. We still included most of the information in the revised presentation but we wished we could have shared more of the story. For my individual performance, I would rate myslef a 4. I’m not trying to be selfish by giving myself this grade, because I really felt I deserved this grade. For this project, I mostly led my groupmates and I worked to the best of my abilities. A high point of this project is definitely presenting to the lawyers of the CIP. When you think about it, HTHCV is the only school that does unique projects like this. Ordinary high schools would never dream of doing these projects. To me, it makes me grateful to be apart of HTHCV. A low point for me in this project was not being able to present at the CIP. Around that time, law students were studying for the bar exam, and unfortunately, it was not possible to present there. I was so excited to present there so it is predictable that I was deeply disappointed when I found that out. However, I did not let my feelings interfere my work in the project. Just because I did not get my way doesn’t stop me from trying the best I can.